Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

[JeffB]

Didn't buy it..but fooled around with it a bit.

I'm def a fan of the original Stilettos...but they are a PITA to tweak, and speakers can totally make or break that amp (moreso than a Marshall for example).

That said, The Ace combo was one bad@$$ amp. Much easier to dial in than the original and the voicings most def are improved. Crunch channel with the tube rect on was kind of JTM meets metalface NMV. Some great "angus" type tones in there. With the diodes, It became more JMP 2203 like. Tite and Fluid gain were a bit harder to dial in but still not the PITA the original was. They can basically do anything else...from modded 800 or a 900 type sound up to modern Mesa: not recto-ish...but if you could imagine a MKIV or 5150 with El34s throughout..liquidy...but with some sparkle and crunch too..def it's own sound.

Neat amp. Sounded great at lower volumes too.

oh yeah..and LOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDDDDDDDDDD:eek13:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

Are they still making the original Stilettos? They weren't a big hit, and I think the Ace's are the new improved version. With the originals, there must have been a lot of buyer's remorse, because they were being dumped on the used market quickly.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

I remeber hearing about some mods that Mesa can do to the original Stiletto's. Be cool to pick up the original used if it can be easily modded by Mesa to be like the Ace.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

tried the 2x12 ace combo when demoing firebirds and LPs a few weeks back. Very nice amp in the modded JCM800 mould. I liked it, but not enough to start scheming ways to get one. I would have liked to crank the power section and see how plexi it can get, but didn't have the opportunity at the time.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

I didnt think the first series was on the money
Just Loud like all Mesas

Would like to hear the new ones.

Yeah, the new series is apparently the same as the $70 Hollywood Mod that used to be done to them in the shop here in LA.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

I played an Ace combo a couple weeks back. Oh yes, this is a monster amp! I can't deal with the green covering though. I really want a head.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

Are they still making the original Stilettos? They weren't a big hit, and I think the Ace's are the new improved version. With the originals, there must have been a lot of buyer's remorse, because they were being dumped on the used market quickly.

My experience with the originals was that more than any other MESA the Stiletto really required alot of tweaking. It took me 3 times in the store to get a really good sound I liked out of it. One big key is the speakers (like any amp, but even moreso). I tried it through a recto cab with the 90w Black Shadows, and a regular size Mesa cab with V30s and..... ughhhhh :blackeye: Just could not get it sound very good..had a horrible high end screech I could not dial out...just thin thin thin....razor toned. Then I plugged it into a 5150 cab, and it was MUCH better..the sound filled out.

Dannyeo over at HC has some dry clips of his original stiletto with greenbacks or blackbacks too, and it just sounds incredible.

So I supect alot of people prolly were using something like the Shadows, or V30s, and it really needs a fuller & warmer speaker IME. And then of course you get alot of people who just don't know how to dial them in (and hey I was there, and am still far from an expert when it comes to MESAs).

But this new one was much easier to dial in, and sounded better. IDK what speaker was in the combo, but I'd still prefer something a little warmer personally.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

I'm SOOOOOOOOO Gassing for one of those with the green covering/brown trim and tan grille!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

I have NO problem with Mesa's build quality and engineering, but I always felt there was a Mesa and Marshall camp. I can't really see why someone would want a Marshall knock off from Mesa? Moreover, so many guitar mags gave it awards.

I WILL RESERVE JUDGEMENT til I hear the new series.

As a person who plays a 70s Marshall, I can say the Mesa did not quite get it right. if I had to think of a Mesa "win" in the last few years it was the Lone Star.

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

I played an Ace combo a couple weeks back. Oh yes, this is a monster amp! I can't deal with the green covering though. I really want a head.

i want one too. kinda looks like a plexi.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Got my mitts on a Stiletto Ace this weekend

I have NO problem with Mesa's build quality and engineering, but I always felt there was a Mesa and Marshall camp. I can't really see why someone would want a Marshall knock off from Mesa?

I agree to a certain extent with you O. But given the choice between most current Marshall models, and a Mesa..based on quality alone, I'd pick a MESA any day fo the week. Marshall's ain't exactly what they used to be :laugh2: The Stilletto , IMO is also much more versatile than a TSL, for example, and for most things, sounds better (to my ears). Does the Stiletto totally nail Marshall tone? nope. But neither does a Splawn or a Voodoo, or Soldano, or whatever. It's just another variation on a theme.

And there is only so much modding one can do to a RI Marshall...

As a person who plays a 70s Marshall, I can say the Mesa did not quite get it right.

The new model is not quite right either...nor do I think that's Randalls intention. It's better overalll though than the original Stiletto. It's meant to flirt into classic Marshall territory and also give a modern "vision" of the cranked EL34 british amp. Again I could point to Voodoo modded amp, or Splawn or whatever...none of them totally nail a Marshall because they deviate from them..it's the modders personal opinion of what a Marshall SHOULD sound like as opposed to what one actually DOES sound like..it's kinda like PAF pups...everyone has their own idea of what *THE* PAF sounds like...there's just so many variations.:blackeye: Doesn't make any of them better or worse...just have to go with what sounds right to YOUR ears. Believe you me, I'm pretty much the same mindset as you: NOTHING sounds like a Marshall. No crazy mods. No extra gain stages or loops for me. I like 'em stock (i.e. not including tube swaps, a better tranny,etc). JMP, 800, 1987/1959, Majors..whatever.

If you are looking to cop a classic Plexi..you won't find it in a Stiletto...but you will find a really neat Plexi-like tone in it, along with a bunch of others!