I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

mwalluk

New member
After a long hiatus, I'm back. I desperately need some advice. I'm finally in the market for a new amp. This time around, I know I want a Mesa. After playing VHTs and Marshalls for the past few years, I wanna try something slightly different.

This past year I sold off my amp, pedal board and cab. Had some nasty expenses come up, plus wasn't in a band anymore. Now that I got a better job (with no cap on overtime) I'm working 10-20 hours extra per week so I can finally afford to purchase a few nice things. I wanna get back to playing, but it's kind of hard to join/start a band with no amp (unless it's acoustic).

My budget is around a grand, give or take. I still have bills to try to pay off and I'm buying my son a XBOX ONE and myself a PS4 (dad of the year award).

The budget may go up a few hundred depending on the amp and whether or not I go the head/cab or combo route.

That said, head/cab or combo? NIce thing about the combo is portability and I don't have to invest in a cab. However, Mesa's are heavy (75-80 pounds). I don't know if I wanna lug that crap around much ha. PLus don't know how good a combo will hold up to a halfstack.

or

I can go the head and cab route which will be more expensive with more trips to the car. However, it'll be easier on the back. It will give me the versatility to plug into whatever cab I choose. I can use other peoples cabs if needed. I would buy a 212 cab. Feel slightly less inadequate next to a 412 ha.




Which Mesa though?



I narrowed the choices down to a few. I don't have access to play a few, while I have experience with others. I'm thinking STILETTO, RECTOVERB, maybe Roadking or maybe Single/Dual/Triple Recto. The CAPS are my first two choices. All our flooded on Craigslist near me and some are in used section of stores. I wanna go used to save costs.

Stietto Head - $800-1100
Stiletto Combo - $$800-900

Rectoverb Head - $750-900
Rectoverb combo - $700-900

Those two are STORES & CRAIGSLIST



Local Craigslist has.......

Roadking combo $1500
Roadster head $1300
Single/Dual/Triple - $600-1100 (most even come as a package with a 412 - though I don't want a 412).


Now I also see DCs on F series on the market. Not really looking for those, nor liking the sound I heard on Videos. Mark series I could never gel with, granted I played he older series. So please try to keep the discussion amongst said models (Stilleto, Rectoverb, and Rectos).

I REALLY love the Stiletto clean. The Jazzy boldness sounds like the sex. I"m afraid the distortion may be lacking for my needs. I want a nice crunch to 90s rock to grunge to modern hard rock (alter bridge, velvet revolver) and the ability to go heavier if needed. Need versatility depending on band i join or start. I like options. I play a Gibson LP if that matters. For samples of my old bands to give you an idea of some of my styles go to walluk.wix.com/main.

Thanks for all your help.

P.S. sorry for the novel.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

I used to own a tremoverb. Real nice cleans. I need an amp that has a boost feature. That's a must have.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

I need an amp with nice cleans and distortion that can take me from a nice crunch (classic rock) to 90s pop rock ( blossoms) to grunge (stp) to modern rock (alter bridge) to heavier if needed. Hell even emo (we the kings).
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

I can vouch for both the Stiletto and Rectoverb. Both are good amps for what you're looking for. Stiletto has better cleans and the distortion is certainly capable of what you're looking for. I think Dave Kushner used Stilettos in Velvet Revolver actually. The Rectoverb is a good choice too. If you're into the "rectifier" sound that's the way to go. Happy hunting.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

I can vouch for both the Stiletto and Rectoverb. Both are good amps for what you're looking for. Stiletto has better cleans and the distortion is certainly capable of what you're looking for. I think Dave Kushner used Stilettos in Velvet Revolver actually. The Rectoverb is a good choice too. If you're into the "rectifier" sound that's the way to go. Happy hunting.

Could you give me a compare and contrast of the two? Pros and cons? Did you have heads or combos?
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

Is there a tonal or feature difference between stiletto ace deuce or trident?
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

the Lonestar special and classic are pretty good amps and have nice cleans and great distortion with a wide range of tones to be had with the two separate channels ... not sure about the boost though
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

I need an amp with nice cleans and distortion that can take me from a nice crunch (classic rock) to 90s pop rock ( blossoms) to grunge (stp) to modern rock (alter bridge) to heavier if needed. Hell even emo (we the kings).

I would be looking for something that has at least three channels if you want that kind of versatility in a live situation. You could probably get away with some pedals to get help get those tones with a two channel amp, but it may take some tap dancing.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

If you are not in a band situation, you could scope the mini Rectifiers.

Personally, I think a head on a 2x12 cab is a great way to go. That way it's still small enough to be portable, but large enough to put out some solid sound with a sealed back.

Give a listen to the various Rectifer models before deciding. Mesa has clips on their website: www.mesaboogie.com
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

Not going the mini route. I need at least 50 watts. Plus I plan on band situation sooner rather than later.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

Not going the mini route. I need at least 50 watts. Plus I plan on band situation sooner rather than later.

I wouldn't count them out. I use to own a Stiletto Ace head with a 2x12, and now when I play Mesa amps I have a Mini Rectifier through a 1x12. I got to jam with 2 other guitarists the other day, both using 100 watt marshall heads through 4x12 cabs, and I had the mini through a 2x12. I could easily keep up in a situation with a heavy drummer and a decent sized PA.

With that said, with what you are describing, the Ace is probably a good choice.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

Roadking. Especially since you want so much versatility in one amp. If not a Roadking, then a 3ch Dual Rectifier. NOT A RECTOVERB. They suck.

I don't even know what features the Roadkings have, but I know what I like, and I like how they sound.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

I wouldn't count them out. I use to own a Stiletto Ace head with a 2x12, and now when I play Mesa amps I have a Mini Rectifier through a 1x12. I got to jam with 2 other guitarists the other day, both using 100 watt marshall heads through 4x12 cabs, and I had the mini through a 2x12. I could easily keep up in a situation with a heavy drummer and a decent sized PA.

With that said, with what you are describing, the Ace is probably a good choice.

Saw some used Aces, Deuces and Tridents all for around the same price. Would you still recommend the ACE for the others?

The only reason I'm counting them out (at this point) is I wanna get my standalone amp first. Problem with going mini recto route first is I need a good clean (at band volumes) with tons of headroom.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

Saw some used Aces, Deuces and Tridents all for around the same price. Would you still recommend the ACE for the others?

The only reason I'm counting them out (at this point) is I wanna get my standalone amp first. Problem with going mini recto route first is I need a good clean (at band volumes) with tons of headroom.

Well, you won't be getting as much clean headroom from the Ace, but the distortion is heavenly on it. The deuce might do.
 
Re: I NEED a MESA but which one?!?!?!?!?!

Granted my exp was limited, it was an older model and I didnt take time to really dial it in, but I'm more of a no frillz kind of guy. I like versatility in basic setups. That's why I like the rectoverb and stiletto. It does have some knobs and switches, but it's a straight ahead 2 channel amp. I just want to jam, I don't want to spend an hour doing the contra code on my amps panels.
 
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