Hey guys, hows it going? Does anyone out there have a Mesa Boogie Stiletto Ace, and if so is it a versitile amp or is it just like a hot-rodded Marshall? I currently play through a Boogie Mark I and it sounds great, and is extremly versitile ( I play rock, fusion and jazz and it does a really good job) but I want somthing with a little more bite, and that can handle other styles than just rock.
Mesa Stiletto Ace
- Thread starter rgreen11
- Start date
skyydogg01
Active member
Re: Mesa Stiletto Ace
friendly bump. I'm interested too.
friendly bump. I'm interested too.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Mesa Stiletto Ace
I recently played a couple of Historic Series Les Pauls through a 112 Stiletto combo, and you can count me as impressed. I've been using Mesa amps exclusively since about 1994--I have a Maverick, DC-3, two Mark IIIs and a Mark IV. I play mostly classic rock and blues with a versatile G/K/B/D band--so, I'm not doing a lot of high-gain metal music.
And Randy Smith at Mesa would probably choke at this, but I really liked the clean tones. Go figure. This amp certainly has more than enough gain on tap to keep me happy--yet I was really impressed with the warm, punchy CLEAN tones coming out of this amp. With the Les Pauls, I started doing a few jazz riffs, and had several other players in the store compliment me on the tones I was getting. I could easily envision these amps turning up at jazz gigs.
The Stiletto's LEAD channel is Mesa's take on a Marshall. To me the Mesa seems to have more tones available--subtle changes to the tone controls actually CHANGE the tone (a radical concept!) I didn't spend a lot of time with the LEAD channel, but it seemed like the tones were at least usable at almost any setting. I didn't get to play it really loud, but the 50-watt in this amps should be enough for most small to medium clubs--unless you are playing crushingly loud.
I do wish they had put a good reverb tank in the Stiletto. But it does have some cool features with the effects loop, so patching in a Digital Delay and/or a Digital Reverb pedal shouldn't be too hard.
The amps are really pretty in their British Green and Tan trim; and Mesas seem to be built better than a lot of the competition; and they have their 5-year transferable warranty to back them up.
I personally think I would go for a 112 combo, with a matching 112 extension cab--which is my preferred arrangement with my Mark Series amps. It's portable, and very flexible for different situations. But, if I won the Lotto on Saturday, I could see a Road King stereo 412 cab powered by both Lone Star Classic and Stiletto Ace heads; switched by a Radial Tonebone Head-Bone switcher.
I'd like to have some more time to play with the LEAD channel to see how it reacts not only with a Paul but with my G&L Legacy. All in all, I think the Stiletto Ace is a pretty cool amp, and even with its $1599 sticker price, a pretty good value.
Bill
I recently played a couple of Historic Series Les Pauls through a 112 Stiletto combo, and you can count me as impressed. I've been using Mesa amps exclusively since about 1994--I have a Maverick, DC-3, two Mark IIIs and a Mark IV. I play mostly classic rock and blues with a versatile G/K/B/D band--so, I'm not doing a lot of high-gain metal music.
And Randy Smith at Mesa would probably choke at this, but I really liked the clean tones. Go figure. This amp certainly has more than enough gain on tap to keep me happy--yet I was really impressed with the warm, punchy CLEAN tones coming out of this amp. With the Les Pauls, I started doing a few jazz riffs, and had several other players in the store compliment me on the tones I was getting. I could easily envision these amps turning up at jazz gigs.
The Stiletto's LEAD channel is Mesa's take on a Marshall. To me the Mesa seems to have more tones available--subtle changes to the tone controls actually CHANGE the tone (a radical concept!) I didn't spend a lot of time with the LEAD channel, but it seemed like the tones were at least usable at almost any setting. I didn't get to play it really loud, but the 50-watt in this amps should be enough for most small to medium clubs--unless you are playing crushingly loud.
I do wish they had put a good reverb tank in the Stiletto. But it does have some cool features with the effects loop, so patching in a Digital Delay and/or a Digital Reverb pedal shouldn't be too hard.
The amps are really pretty in their British Green and Tan trim; and Mesas seem to be built better than a lot of the competition; and they have their 5-year transferable warranty to back them up.
I personally think I would go for a 112 combo, with a matching 112 extension cab--which is my preferred arrangement with my Mark Series amps. It's portable, and very flexible for different situations. But, if I won the Lotto on Saturday, I could see a Road King stereo 412 cab powered by both Lone Star Classic and Stiletto Ace heads; switched by a Radial Tonebone Head-Bone switcher.
I'd like to have some more time to play with the LEAD channel to see how it reacts not only with a Paul but with my G&L Legacy. All in all, I think the Stiletto Ace is a pretty cool amp, and even with its $1599 sticker price, a pretty good value.
Bill
d1dsj
Cornographer
Re: Mesa Stiletto Ace
Now there's the sickner for us guys and galsin the UK, what you pay in dollars we pay in pounds!!!!
Now there's the sickner for us guys and galsin the UK, what you pay in dollars we pay in pounds!!!!
Re: Mesa Stiletto Ace
for rock/fusion/jazz it won't disappoint - however for that kind of music, you really ought to demo the Lone Star as well.
as far as the Stiletto I found it to sound more like a Mesa than a Marshall. It does some of the shimmering plexi/JTM tones very well at low volumes (whereas on the Marshalls you had to crank them), however the character is definitely Mesa-ish and not Marshall... they don't have the unique "thud" Marshalls have
but try out the Lone Star -- if you like your Mark I, the LS will completely blow your mind
for rock/fusion/jazz it won't disappoint - however for that kind of music, you really ought to demo the Lone Star as well.
as far as the Stiletto I found it to sound more like a Mesa than a Marshall. It does some of the shimmering plexi/JTM tones very well at low volumes (whereas on the Marshalls you had to crank them), however the character is definitely Mesa-ish and not Marshall... they don't have the unique "thud" Marshalls have
but try out the Lone Star -- if you like your Mark I, the LS will completely blow your mind
innerdreamrecords.co
TrippyVinylologist
Re: Mesa Stiletto Ace
Hmmm,
I need a trip to Europe and the Mesa store is close to my house, I wonder how I could swing it? :bling:
Hmmm,
I need a trip to Europe and the Mesa store is close to my house, I wonder how I could swing it? :bling:
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Mesa Stiletto Ace
Yeah, I've always found it funny that Mesa has a store in Hollywood. It's a cool store too, since they also sell boutique guitars and pedals like Anderson, Grosh, Suhr, Schecter, Z. Vexx, Fulltone, and Moog.
I have to say....the Stiletto Ace is one of my favorite Mesas. That green/cane looks really classy too.
Yeah, I've always found it funny that Mesa has a store in Hollywood. It's a cool store too, since they also sell boutique guitars and pedals like Anderson, Grosh, Suhr, Schecter, Z. Vexx, Fulltone, and Moog.
I have to say....the Stiletto Ace is one of my favorite Mesas. That green/cane looks really classy too.
S
shogunlegend
Guest
Re: Mesa Stiletto Ace
can't say enough good things about this amp. buy it!
can't say enough good things about this amp. buy it!
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