Mesa stilettos
- Thread starter mwalluk
- Start date
mwalluk
New member
VHTJay
New member
Re: Mesa stilettos
Ya, you definitely want a series2 IMO. They are marked so it will be easy to tell. I had the Stiletto deuce for about 6 months. Nice cleans for an EL-34 based amp. The overdrive is definitely different than a recto: much tighter low end and far more aggressive in the upper mids and highs. I wouldn't say shrill....but if you get one you'll definitely want to fine tune the EQ as it is a very bright amp and the highs can fly away on you when you start getting up to jam/gig volume. It is certainly an amp that can cut through a mix, that is for sure. For the price they go for now I think they are a great value. My only big quip with them was I really wanted to be able to switch between the tight drive for a rhythm sound and fluid drive for leads. I ended up selling my deuce and using the money to fund a Hughes and Kettner Triamp Mk2....which can do all what the Stiletto could and much more....but is also obviously much pricier.
Ya, you definitely want a series2 IMO. They are marked so it will be easy to tell. I had the Stiletto deuce for about 6 months. Nice cleans for an EL-34 based amp. The overdrive is definitely different than a recto: much tighter low end and far more aggressive in the upper mids and highs. I wouldn't say shrill....but if you get one you'll definitely want to fine tune the EQ as it is a very bright amp and the highs can fly away on you when you start getting up to jam/gig volume. It is certainly an amp that can cut through a mix, that is for sure. For the price they go for now I think they are a great value. My only big quip with them was I really wanted to be able to switch between the tight drive for a rhythm sound and fluid drive for leads. I ended up selling my deuce and using the money to fund a Hughes and Kettner Triamp Mk2....which can do all what the Stiletto could and much more....but is also obviously much pricier.
Soulcrusher_X
New member
Re: Mesa stilettos
If you find a good deal on the Series 1 versions, you can have a Boogie repair facility do the "Hollywood mod" which is a MesaBoogie mod to get the series one versions closer to the tones of the series 2. Last I knew, most authorized dealers charge $100 for the mod. I liked the Stiletto. Like mentioned, it's tight, fairly bright, good cut, good cleans, NICE FX loop.
If you find a good deal on the Series 1 versions, you can have a Boogie repair facility do the "Hollywood mod" which is a MesaBoogie mod to get the series one versions closer to the tones of the series 2. Last I knew, most authorized dealers charge $100 for the mod. I liked the Stiletto. Like mentioned, it's tight, fairly bright, good cut, good cleans, NICE FX loop.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Mesa stilettos
The Ace was my main amp for a few years until I switched to the Mark V. The only reason I sold the Stiletto was to fund the V. Were I a wealthier guy I would definitely still have it.
Never wanted more clean headroom with that amp, honestly. If you want sparkly clean and Recto-style distortion, none of the Stiletto's will suit you. If you want a chimey, throaty clean and a searing, snarling lead tone, the Ace is perfect. There's something magic about the Ace - I've tried a Deuce version 2 as well, and it just didn't have that same feel, even in 50W mode. I think the OT is different on the Ace.
If I had kept the Ace, I would have used it as my lead tone amp; it really cuts and sounds fantastic on tape for solos. It's an excellent amp if you're in a band with another guitarist, especially someone who uses a Recto/6L6 style of amp.
If resale value is a concern, the difference on the used market seems to be small (usually $100 less for an Ace). I sold mine last year for $1000.
The Ace was my main amp for a few years until I switched to the Mark V. The only reason I sold the Stiletto was to fund the V. Were I a wealthier guy I would definitely still have it.
Never wanted more clean headroom with that amp, honestly. If you want sparkly clean and Recto-style distortion, none of the Stiletto's will suit you. If you want a chimey, throaty clean and a searing, snarling lead tone, the Ace is perfect. There's something magic about the Ace - I've tried a Deuce version 2 as well, and it just didn't have that same feel, even in 50W mode. I think the OT is different on the Ace.
If I had kept the Ace, I would have used it as my lead tone amp; it really cuts and sounds fantastic on tape for solos. It's an excellent amp if you're in a band with another guitarist, especially someone who uses a Recto/6L6 style of amp.
If resale value is a concern, the difference on the used market seems to be small (usually $100 less for an Ace). I sold mine last year for $1000.
mwalluk
New member
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Mesa stilettos
Fine. I prefer the Mark V for rhythm personally because it's a lot tighter, especially at high gain, but the Ace is definitely not a sloppy-sounding amp.
Fine. I prefer the Mark V for rhythm personally because it's a lot tighter, especially at high gain, but the Ace is definitely not a sloppy-sounding amp.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Mesa stilettos
Search YouTube for some of Andy Timmons' videos and his rig rundown. He's a Mesa endorser and a Stiletto Deuce user and one heck of a player.
I really like the Stiletto Ace; even though I have six other Mesa amps, I'm thinking about getting one. I don't have a need for the more powerful Deuce or Trident heads.
The Stiletto is Mesa's take on a Marshall, and they really have built a better mousetrap.
Bill
Search YouTube for some of Andy Timmons' videos and his rig rundown. He's a Mesa endorser and a Stiletto Deuce user and one heck of a player.
I really like the Stiletto Ace; even though I have six other Mesa amps, I'm thinking about getting one. I don't have a need for the more powerful Deuce or Trident heads.
The Stiletto is Mesa's take on a Marshall, and they really have built a better mousetrap.
Bill
Soulcrusher_X
New member
Re: Mesa stilettos
I had a Stiletto Deuce with the Hollywood mod and thought it had EXCELLENT cleans and damn near close to Recto distortion on the Liquid Drive mode. I used Tite Gain for 90% of my gain playing and it will cut through a mix with ease. It worked really well with all of my cabs, but seemed to really work well with my CL80/G12T mix. It's not quite as big and burly as it's Recto brother, but it's got some attitude.
I had a Stiletto Deuce with the Hollywood mod and thought it had EXCELLENT cleans and damn near close to Recto distortion on the Liquid Drive mode. I used Tite Gain for 90% of my gain playing and it will cut through a mix with ease. It worked really well with all of my cabs, but seemed to really work well with my CL80/G12T mix. It's not quite as big and burly as it's Recto brother, but it's got some attitude.
Re: Mesa stilettos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_as6ltiB7YE
That's my Stiletto ace, fluid drive channel with only a touch of delay through the effects loop. I think the folks that struggle with brightness on these amps try to eq them like a Marshall - jamming everything to 10 and wondering why it sounds so bright. Seymour lil 59 in the neck on that guitar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_as6ltiB7YE
That's my Stiletto ace, fluid drive channel with only a touch of delay through the effects loop. I think the folks that struggle with brightness on these amps try to eq them like a Marshall - jamming everything to 10 and wondering why it sounds so bright. Seymour lil 59 in the neck on that guitar.
Similar threads
