Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

[jackieTHEjokeman]

I need some inspiration and motivation with my Stiletto. I know that sounds awful. I am a proud owner of a Mark IV and Rectifier which I love both dearly. I bought a brand new Stiletto 3 months ago BLINDLY! I bought it because I wanted a "Marshall" sound, but have heard negative opinions about their reliability. Ever since I got it, I have had a rough time getting a sound that I really like out of it. I am trying to nail that early "Van Halen" sound, with the hopes of getting that Slash and Extreme sound as well. 80's stuff! I have been told (by a Tube dealer of course) that I should change out my stock tubes. Does the tube brand really matter? Aren't tubes....tubes? I am really trying to do everything I can to find my niche with this beast. I need some help...Please contribute your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[newking70]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

dump the boogie and get a http://www.splawnguitars.com/amps_products.htm
evh tone up the ying yang

 

[JeffB]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

I need some inspiration and motivation with my Stiletto. I know that sounds awful. I am a proud owner of a Mark IV and Rectifier which I love both dearly. I bought a brand new Stiletto 3 months ago BLINDLY! I bought it because I wanted a "Marshall" sound, but have heard negative opinions about their reliability. Ever since I got it, I have had a rough time getting a sound that I really like out of it. I am trying to nail that early "Van Halen" sound, with the hopes of getting that Slash and Extreme sound as well. 80's stuff! I have been told (by a Tube dealer of course) that I should change out my stock tubes. Does the tube brand really matter? Aren't tubes....tubes? I am really trying to do everything I can to find my niche with this beast. I need some help...Please contribute your thoughts. Thanks!

They *ARE* tough to dial in. And they need some volume. I don't remember how I was setting them up when I goofed around at the store with them unfortunately. I do know they sound better at medium levels of gain, and I did NOT like the sound through a Recto cab....It sounded much better through a 5150 cab.. (and the 5150, interestingly enough sounded better through the MESA cab : shrug : )

I'm not much help I know...but you may try some different speaks and back off on the gain..and keep everything at noon til you dial in a "rough" good sound with the speaks/master vol/gain...then tweak. I def didn't like the tube rectifier either...

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

A Stiletto is a tighter Boogie circuit with Marshall type output tubes(EL34). I don't think they sound like a Marshall, more like a tighter, grittier Boogie(which I like). A cab that's not as dark as the typical Boogie cabs should help.

I vote for trying new tubes, as well. I just put some new tubes in my Quad preamp, and the difference was astounding. It went from ragged mush to a much smoother 3D open sound. JJ's are well thought of, but I used some NOS Tesla E83CC's that are astounding.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

If you want to get a Marshall sound, get a Marshall. No other amp sounds like them. I don't care how many clones there are or hotrodded take-offs. There's just something about the real thing that makes you say, "Yeah, that's the tone."

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

If you want to get a Marshall sound, get a Marshall. No other amp sounds like them. I don't care how many clones there are or hotrodded take-offs. There's just something about the real thing that makes you say, "Yeah, that's the tone."

+1

 

[jackieTHEjokeman]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

^^ I know...I know.... geez. I messed up. But I can't back out that easy right now.:ugh1:

 

[JeffB]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

If you want to get a Marshall sound, get a Marshall. No other amp sounds like them. I don't care how many clones there are or hotrodded take-offs. There's just something about the real thing that makes you say, "Yeah, that's the tone."

+2. No doubt. My Rivera is close, but it's still not quite right. Not BAD by any means as I LOVE the way it sits right between a Metalface and 800 with a bit more gain, and the way it hops up into a modded Marshall with the boost on. It's better than most, but not quite there...Marshalls have this very unique "crunch" and "sparkle" to them (especially NMVs)..and I've yet to hear anything that will do it exactly the same way..even in the really good boutiques like Bogner and Splawn.

The Stiletto is kind of an "all purpose" British amp, IMO...more like a grittier ballsier VOX, than a Marshall. But you CAN get some very cool lower gain Marshall-esque tones out of it...There was a guy on HC who had some clips that really blew me away...cos I wasn't able to get anything close to those sounds when I tried it the first time...and thats why I went back and tried it again. But it's def a love it or hate it amp. I can't imagine MESA sells many cos it is so hard to dial in.

 

[B2D]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

You bought the wrong amp for the job.

Granted, I like Stilettos, but they are NOT Marshalls and they are tought to dial in.

For the sound you want, you need to get a Splawn Quick Rod or an old JCM800 or JMP and have it modded.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

Get rid of that POS and get a Splawn or JCM800 and get it modded. I HATE those Stiletto's.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

I dunno, I've messed with them, and there's good tones to be found in them.
Just keep messin with it, and if it still doesn't do it, cash out of it. At least it's not dead gear that's hard to sell. There's plenty of buyers for a new model Mesa.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

Keep messing with it, 2 months after I bought the Road King I had some buyer's remorse, I couldn't get the sounds I was looking for. I slowly progressed and now I LOVE my channel 1, 2 and 3 tones (4 is still very Mesa fizzy, then others are great) but I'd be pissed if someone moved the controls...

If worst comes to worst and you have to sell it, Gearjonser is right on... plenty of people looking for a new Mesa in good condition that they can get a hew hundred off on.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

I gotta go with the -
You want a Marshall get a MARSHALL

Mesas are hell to set. I had a couple of newer ones. F***, at gigs with quick line checks you have NO time to fiddle with switches. Stilettos are Pricey and DO NOT sound like MARSHALLS. Bollocks!

Get a Bogner Shiva if you want a modern take on it. I also recommend Mojave for a saturated gain - kills the Stiletto and is EASY TO SET! Victor Mason did my Marshall for me. The guy is a genius!

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

Part I

Congrats on the new Stilletto! You have some great amps. I have several Mesas, including two Mark IIIs, a Mark IV, and a Maverick 212 combo.

I think some of the points made here are valid,..."nothing sounds like a Marshall, and if you want a Marshall, buy a Marshall." But, "BUY ANOTHER AMP, DUDE!", at this point isn't much good advice. So let's try to problem solve.

The Stilletto is a terrific amp. I wouldn't worry about reliability at this point--you should be covered under Mesa's excellent warranty.

The very first thing I would do is to sit down with the owner's manual and the amp and re-familiarize yourself with the controls. Start with the controls at the 12 o'clock position, and move them slowly. I find that Mesa's have "sweet spots", often near the center of the controls. There's a lot of tone shaping power there. Mesa's are NOT "set everything on 10" amps. Be sure to check out some of the recommended settings in the manual.

Once you are familiar with the controls and settings (and Mesa's terminology), I think the next step is a call to Mesa's Customer Service. I've always gotten good advice from them. They may be able to help you find the tones you're looking for.

And don't forget, 99% of your tone is in your fingers and your heart. I think sometimes you can obsess over it too much. Sometimes, I think that even when I'm not getting the tone I want--I have to stop and ask myself, "Does this sound good/bad/different--or is it just not what I want?" If what I’m playing is still "good", then I’ve learned that I can live with that. Self-acceptance. It's a bit of a weird concept to discuss on a gear page, I admit. But when I'm having problems with my tone, I've learned that by clearing my mind and opening up my heart--the answer will often come to me.

Now, you might find the Universe telling you that you bought the wrong amp! LOL! But I suspect that you'll find the tones in that amp. Time will tell. In the meantime, be patient; and let it come to you.

Good Luck!

Bill

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

Part II

One thought--the Stiletto is really made for LOUD--even the Deuce. Sometimes you can get a bigger sound by using a smaller amp that is cranked. I'm amazed at how much my Maverick combo sounds like a Plexi-Marshall when it is cranked. Only 30 watts Class A, but the amp is working really hard. If you are not playing at a loud enough level, that wil affect your tone.

Cabinet plays a role, too. I've heard it said that the Stiletto sounds better with the smaller Mesa "Traditional" 412, rather than the Recto cabs.

The next step to explore is a little tube testing--and making sure that the tubes in your amp are working correctly. What you're looking for is any sign that the tubes are microphonic--ESPECIALLY the V1 preamp tube. It is IMPERATIVE that you have a very high quality, low noise and non-microphonic tube in this position. The tubes farther down the line can be a bit noisier, but V1 is CRITICAL. And, in a high-power amp like the Stilleto, good power tubes are critical. Replace any that are microphonic.

Remember, tubes don't last forever. The harder you run it, the shorter their life. Use your STANDBY switch to let your amp warm up before hitting the tubes with high volts--and let it cool down for a few minutes. Be careful when moving your amp when the tube filaments are still hot--wait for a few moments to let it cool down. These simple steps will prolong tube life (something the 14-year-olds at Guitar Center don't seem to care about!)

There is a lot myth, and just plain ole' misinformation about tubes. Randy Smith at Mesa is one of the people I trust. Mesa is the largest buyer of vacuum tubes in the world. Mesa tubes are very good, but it is possible that the tubes in your amp were damaged in shipping; or by simple abuse say, if it were a store demo.

Replacing your tubes at this point with non-Mesa tubes will void your warranty; so use caution when listening to the "know-it-alls". That said, there are some sonic and quality differences in the tubes available from the different tube makers. By the way: Mesa, Groove Tubes, Ruby Tubes--for the most part they repackage other MFG's tubes. GT does make some of their tubes. These companies claim that they test and match the tubes (and do it better than anyone else!)—and, several smaller vendors will claim that they do the same matching as the big boys (or better!).

Bottom line, if you do decide to try some different tubes, keep your originals to re-install in your amp should you ever have to return it to Mesa. LOL!

In my Mark IIIs and my Mark IV, I have a variety of tubes from different MFGs. For example, the Mark IV has a GT-12AX7 in V1 and V3, and Electro-Harmonix EH 12AX7s in the other preamp slots. The power section uses "Winged C" 6L6s and EL34s in the Simul-Class sockets. Another amp has some JJ preamp tubes. One Mark III uses the same 6L6/EL34 combo--with tubes made by EH. Some amps sound "better" with different tubes in different slots. (At least to my ear.)

(Google "amplifier blueprinting" for more information. The guy who does this used to work for Groove Tubes, his name is Myles.)

Lots of tube vendors: GT, Mesa and Ruby, of course. Then, there's folks like KCA, Lord Valve, Eurotubes (a neighbor of mine), The New Tube Co., and The Tubestore.

You may find that you like the sound of your Stiletto with different tubes. Some folks can get a little crazy, and very obsessive chasing this stuff. You are warned! LOL!

Take care.

Bill

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Mesa Boogie Stiletto help...please read!

BOOGIE BILL has some great helpful advice. I do like Mesa products, and have owned a few.

Sorry to still have to tell you - A MARSHALL IS A MARSHALL. (wow do I sound like an existentialist here?)

A maverick may get "plexi" like sounds per se. So can a Heartbreaker, a Lone Star, and so many amps. I love Mesas for reliability, loud sweet tone, and versatility.

I do NOT like several Mesa models for the fact the EQ is not a simple little curve. You need a manual to set a mesa. The Maverick is solid, I am looking into one. The Blue Angel is great for a poor man's matchless. With mesas you cannot always dial the EQ to be or react like a Marshall bc guess what?? It's a MESA! The main bother to me, is on a dark stage, and in pressure situations - many Mesas require precise tweaking (mark 4 comes to mind) to get your tone. I CANNOT sit with a manual when I am on stage. I need to know that I can just turn the presence knob or treble, in other words, something simple to fix the EQ.

The one thing Mesa nailed is lower volume tube distortion with the option to get louder than hell with a little turn of the knob. I also like the use of tube rectifiers (makes for nice soft sag in recordings [or live]), the models like the Nomad and Dual Rec have great footswitching, and I LOVE that they incl a solo vol boost function on many models.

Just remember, when Mesa says an amp is a "British" sound - what do they mean? Hiwatt? Selmer? Vox? or hmmmmmmm MARSHALL?

I have played Buddas, Riveras, Marshalls, Mesas, Bogners, Roccafortes - god we can go on forever. I have A/B'd severeal of these. They are ALL good! However, if you want MARSHALL - sorry, bud, get a Marshall. I too have tried to fool myself.

The main beauty of a MARSHALL is how well they take pedals. They are easy as pie to mod, they really respond to volume and tone control changes.

If you want an amazing Marshall clone - Budda will tear up any of the vox/marshall hybrids with a great clean. Matchless will do this with less versatility and more classic tone. Rocco's will peel paint off the wall. Lastly, the Bogner Shiva is the sweetest non-MArshall I ahve ever heard. Remember, Mesa loves the fatness of their design in the lower mids. That EQ gives you a "mesa" flavor, no matter the "British" sound they are trying to give you.

Think about it this way, Dimarzio and SD have different tones, no? Both can make a classic PAF or high gain pickup and it will sound different. C'mon, we are ON an SD forum for crying out loud! Obviously there is a difference! Otherwise we would all buy Dimarzio.

And umm if tone was SOLELY in your fingers, there wouldnt be so many freakin' amps and guitars and tubes, strings, batteries, etc etc etc out there. C'mon even batteries matter (and no I didnt just get that from EJ, but someone just as talented). If that was altogether true, I wouldnt feel a Les Paul gives me a different feel altogether from a Strat. You will always sound like you, but feel and tone affect how you play (BTW a guy with hair crazier than mine named uhhh Slash feels the same way, as does some clown named Jeff Beck, and this hack named Jimmy Page)