Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
- Thread starter Agileguy_101
- Start date
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
This thread was on page 1 of Amplifier Central when you posted this.
If you don't care to read that, (which wouldn't surprise me based on your post,) it's four different guys (so far) talking about their Mark V experiences.
This thread was on page 1 of Amplifier Central when you posted this.
If you don't care to read that, (which wouldn't surprise me based on your post,) it's four different guys (so far) talking about their Mark V experiences.
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
It's WAY more than I need. WAY WAY WAY more. The Mark V makes finding the clit seem easy.
It's WAY more than I need. WAY WAY WAY more. The Mark V makes finding the clit seem easy.
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Kam
Shaftologist
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
Stiletto's rock- especially the redesigned versions (Ace, Deuce Stage II, etc).
It's kind of what I'd call MESA's "optomized modern marshall" (To Randall's way of thinking anyway)- and I think for many people it's probably closer to what they wish Marshall WAS making these days compared to what they are making ( as far as modern high gain amps go)
The only thing, like many MESA's, it can be tough to dial in- it's better than MOST MESAs, but it's not one of those amps you can set wherever and get killer tone- gotta tweak it- but the tone goods are in it for sure.
(and on a side note- I don't like the Lonestar either...LS Special I dig, but LS doesn't do a whole lot for me)
Stiletto's rock- especially the redesigned versions (Ace, Deuce Stage II, etc).
It's kind of what I'd call MESA's "optomized modern marshall" (To Randall's way of thinking anyway)- and I think for many people it's probably closer to what they wish Marshall WAS making these days compared to what they are making ( as far as modern high gain amps go)
The only thing, like many MESA's, it can be tough to dial in- it's better than MOST MESAs, but it's not one of those amps you can set wherever and get killer tone- gotta tweak it- but the tone goods are in it for sure.
(and on a side note- I don't like the Lonestar either...LS Special I dig, but LS doesn't do a whole lot for me)
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Kam
Shaftologist
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
I... LOVE... Stilettos!
I... LOVE... Stilettos!
Animal
Well-known member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
If you're talking about the C-90 Black Shadow then it's actually based on the Celestion Classic Lead. I've found them to be quite different from a v30, they're very balanced and hi-fi. Not much give in their response.
If you're talking about the C-90 Black Shadow then it's actually based on the Celestion Classic Lead. I've found them to be quite different from a v30, they're very balanced and hi-fi. Not much give in their response.
lex666
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
LOL, I was just about to suggest the Mark V, but oh well. And its true, finding the "sweet spot" :naughty: is not a problem with this amp.
Anyways, the general rule (my rule) is 15 minutes with a Mesa is not enough time to make any kind judgement on the amp, especially if you didn't read the manual going in. A while back I auditioned a Roadster head for about 3 hours before I decided it wasn't for me. You really need an opportunity to play it loud and experiment with the setting and understand how the knobs work, becuz it really is unlike other amps.
Anyways, if you like the sound of the Stiletto, go for it. I've been a fan of the Duece myself.
LOL, I was just about to suggest the Mark V, but oh well. And its true, finding the "sweet spot" :naughty: is not a problem with this amp.
Anyways, the general rule (my rule) is 15 minutes with a Mesa is not enough time to make any kind judgement on the amp, especially if you didn't read the manual going in. A while back I auditioned a Roadster head for about 3 hours before I decided it wasn't for me. You really need an opportunity to play it loud and experiment with the setting and understand how the knobs work, becuz it really is unlike other amps.
Anyways, if you like the sound of the Stiletto, go for it. I've been a fan of the Duece myself.
lex666
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
To the OP:
I checked your profile and it doesn't say where you live, but if you live in Southern California, there's this guitar shop I go to to audition Mesa amps. Its called the Fret House in Covina, Ca. They have a little sound proof room in the back with all the Mesas. Bring your own guitar and they will literally leave you alone in this room to audition. You can crank it as loud as you want if they're not busy, but in that tiny room it gets super loud anyways. The beauty of it is that they 1) leave you alone to audition without any pressure, 2) you don't have to compete with other morons like at GC, and 3) all the Mesa heads, cabs and combos are in the same room. You can mix and match as long as you know what you're doing.
To the OP:
I checked your profile and it doesn't say where you live, but if you live in Southern California, there's this guitar shop I go to to audition Mesa amps. Its called the Fret House in Covina, Ca. They have a little sound proof room in the back with all the Mesas. Bring your own guitar and they will literally leave you alone in this room to audition. You can crank it as loud as you want if they're not busy, but in that tiny room it gets super loud anyways. The beauty of it is that they 1) leave you alone to audition without any pressure, 2) you don't have to compete with other morons like at GC, and 3) all the Mesa heads, cabs and combos are in the same room. You can mix and match as long as you know what you're doing.
Agileguy_101
Master of his Domain
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
I actually live in the bay. However, there's a place in Redwood City that I've been to before that'll let you do that, and they have a ton of nice amps in the room. I'll make a point to go out there one day.
I actually live in the bay. However, there's a place in Redwood City that I've been to before that'll let you do that, and they have a ton of nice amps in the room. I'll make a point to go out there one day.
brunogio
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
If you like anything about the Marshall modern sound you should like the Stiletto. I don't have one but I've heard clips and they are great. I can't vouch for the clean sound though because most clips are all about the grinding gain and pushing the EL34s.
But I'm a Mesa player for about 15 years now and I agree that you should spend a good 1/2 to an hour demoing the amp with your guitar and the speakers you intend to use to get comfortable. The newer models with certain exceptions have more settings that you can imagine and you should really try them all out and dial around the EQ as well.
Then you'll only be scratching the surface. You'll really get to know the amp (and usually be pleasantly surprised) after owning it for a while and testing it in different situations.
If you like anything about the Marshall modern sound you should like the Stiletto. I don't have one but I've heard clips and they are great. I can't vouch for the clean sound though because most clips are all about the grinding gain and pushing the EL34s.
But I'm a Mesa player for about 15 years now and I agree that you should spend a good 1/2 to an hour demoing the amp with your guitar and the speakers you intend to use to get comfortable. The newer models with certain exceptions have more settings that you can imagine and you should really try them all out and dial around the EQ as well.
Then you'll only be scratching the surface. You'll really get to know the amp (and usually be pleasantly surprised) after owning it for a while and testing it in different situations.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
Keep in mind the Ace and the Deuce sound different. You should demo them both before deciding. The Deuce is warmer and not as bright as the Ace. I never tried the Trident but it looks like Mesa boogie doesnt offer them now.
Keep in mind the Ace and the Deuce sound different. You should demo them both before deciding. The Deuce is warmer and not as bright as the Ace. I never tried the Trident but it looks like Mesa boogie doesnt offer them now.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
The Trident is the true beast of the line, I think. I have one and I can't get enough of its distortion. It's deeper than the other two and it has a huge fullness to it that's just glorious.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
Too bad they stopped making it. I heard from someone who knows somebody at Mesa Boogie that they are working on a new Stiletto line. It is supposed to be something that will merge with the Electradyne. I dont know how credible this information is. Maybe we will see something at NAMM 2011.
It is a funny thing that the Trident can be had less than the Deuce or Ace on Ebay because people think 150w is too much. The Deuce I had was hardly louder than the Ace. I did not get the Trident up to 1/2 volume but it cant be any louder than a Jcm800.
Too bad they stopped making it. I heard from someone who knows somebody at Mesa Boogie that they are working on a new Stiletto line. It is supposed to be something that will merge with the Electradyne. I dont know how credible this information is. Maybe we will see something at NAMM 2011.
It is a funny thing that the Trident can be had less than the Deuce or Ace on Ebay because people think 150w is too much. The Deuce I had was hardly louder than the Ace. I did not get the Trident up to 1/2 volume but it cant be any louder than a Jcm800.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: Sell me on the Stiletto Ace
The Trident also has that handy 50w switch to quiet it up a bit.
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