Jackson Distortion
New member
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Just get a modern-sounding Metal pedal.
Just get a modern-sounding Metal pedal.
What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
- Thread starter ratherdashing
- Start date
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Man! Mesa's run high up there. I've seen single rectos for $650 around here. So I can understand where you're coming from there. That's quite a bit money and trouble.
I must have missed your post about the recto recording preamp. I think that might be a good idea. At least worth it to give it a shot. Those stay pretty steady in their prices on the used market, so if you ended up not liking it, I don't see u losing much if any on it.
Another option would be the VTwin preamp Mesa made for awhile. It's a 2 channel preamp designed for high gain stuff and could be had as rackmount or floor pedal. They're not a lot of cash on the used market either. It could be interesting on how you would run it though since it would have to go in the loop.
Man! Mesa's run high up there. I've seen single rectos for $650 around here. So I can understand where you're coming from there. That's quite a bit money and trouble.
I must have missed your post about the recto recording preamp. I think that might be a good idea. At least worth it to give it a shot. Those stay pretty steady in their prices on the used market, so if you ended up not liking it, I don't see u losing much if any on it.
Another option would be the VTwin preamp Mesa made for awhile. It's a 2 channel preamp designed for high gain stuff and could be had as rackmount or floor pedal. They're not a lot of cash on the used market either. It could be interesting on how you would run it though since it would have to go in the loop.
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
There are a variety of pedals that help you make your tone darker. . .another possibility is to get a unit that you can run directly into the PA. You'd play your main amp for part of the set and switch to the darker sounding box on the floor for the other songs.
A unit like the G3 from Zoom might be what you need. It is a multi effects unit that you can run directly into the PA. Some research might save you money and allow you to do the job with less weight. I think that Sansamp might have some solutions that allow you to plug directly into the PA as well.
There are a variety of pedals that help you make your tone darker. . .another possibility is to get a unit that you can run directly into the PA. You'd play your main amp for part of the set and switch to the darker sounding box on the floor for the other songs.
A unit like the G3 from Zoom might be what you need. It is a multi effects unit that you can run directly into the PA. Some research might save you money and allow you to do the job with less weight. I think that Sansamp might have some solutions that allow you to plug directly into the PA as well.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Well, I was at rehearsal yesterday and got there a bit early so I could spend some time tweaking the amp and pedals to find the tone I'm looking for.
I got very, very close to what I am looking for by doing the following:
- Stiletto red channel, tite gain mode (where I usually have it)
- Treble 12:00 (the usual)
- Mids 9:00 (usually 11:00)
- Bass 1:00 (usually 12:00)
- Presence 11:00 (usually 9:00)
- Raptor on (modern mode, gain 9:00, tone 12:00)
I was playing my black Strat with the Custom 5 humbucker in the bridge.
That gave me a heavy, tight tone that tracked well for fast riffs and got the job done. It wasn't exactly the tone I had in my head, but it was pretty close ... and most importantly it sounded great.
It's not a tone I'd use all the time on that channel, unfortunately ... it just sounded too harsh for the less metal-ish stuff I play.
So ... I'm thinking an EQ pedal in the loop might be worth a try. The Raptor already does a good job of pumping up the gain and girth of the red channel - all I need is that V curve on the EQ.
I'm not holding my breath on that being the ultimate solution, however. I'd at least like to try it though.
Thanks all.
Well, I was at rehearsal yesterday and got there a bit early so I could spend some time tweaking the amp and pedals to find the tone I'm looking for.
I got very, very close to what I am looking for by doing the following:
- Stiletto red channel, tite gain mode (where I usually have it)
- Treble 12:00 (the usual)
- Mids 9:00 (usually 11:00)
- Bass 1:00 (usually 12:00)
- Presence 11:00 (usually 9:00)
- Raptor on (modern mode, gain 9:00, tone 12:00)
I was playing my black Strat with the Custom 5 humbucker in the bridge.
That gave me a heavy, tight tone that tracked well for fast riffs and got the job done. It wasn't exactly the tone I had in my head, but it was pretty close ... and most importantly it sounded great.
It's not a tone I'd use all the time on that channel, unfortunately ... it just sounded too harsh for the less metal-ish stuff I play.
So ... I'm thinking an EQ pedal in the loop might be worth a try. The Raptor already does a good job of pumping up the gain and girth of the red channel - all I need is that V curve on the EQ.
I'm not holding my breath on that being the ultimate solution, however. I'd at least like to try it though.
Thanks all.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Who need to quote you when you do it yourself so well?
Oops, I just quoted you. Does that mean I lose?
Who need to quote you when you do it yourself so well?
Oops, I just quoted you. Does that mean I lose?
Binnerscot
Well-known member
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
lex has the correct answer, trade in the Stiletto for the Road King II....channel 2 on Brit mode will do Stiletto all day long.
lex has the correct answer, trade in the Stiletto for the Road King II....channel 2 on Brit mode will do Stiletto all day long.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Uh oh ... now there's a guy on Craigslist with a Roadster, and he's looking for trades. Hmm...
Uh oh ... now there's a guy on Craigslist with a Roadster, and he's looking for trades. Hmm...
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
I wonder if you went to KT88 or 6CA7 in the Stilletto if you could achieve the sound you're looking for and still get your other sounds good enough.
I wonder if you went to KT88 or 6CA7 in the Stilletto if you could achieve the sound you're looking for and still get your other sounds good enough.
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Sometime last year you had posted about possibly combining your Stiletto with a Twin Tube Blue to get various levels of distortion. I specifically remember you using the phrase "weapons-grade crunch" to describe what you hoped to achieve by combining the higher gain mode of the Twin Tube Blue with the high gain channel of your Stiletto.
Did anything ever come of that idea? Or was it tried and found not to be what you were looking for?
Edit: Found the thread.
Sometime last year you had posted about possibly combining your Stiletto with a Twin Tube Blue to get various levels of distortion. I specifically remember you using the phrase "weapons-grade crunch" to describe what you hoped to achieve by combining the higher gain mode of the Twin Tube Blue with the high gain channel of your Stiletto.
Did anything ever come of that idea? Or was it tried and found not to be what you were looking for?
Edit: Found the thread.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
I wound up getting the Distortron instead. I love it, but it doesn't do anything like what I'm describing here. It works best on its own into the clean channel.
I wound up getting the Distortron instead. I love it, but it doesn't do anything like what I'm describing here. It works best on its own into the clean channel.
GuitarGuy503
New member
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
The Roadster may be right up your ally with EL34s, however, you should know that the two high gain channels are structured differently. Having said that, Channel 3 on modern was my favorite (running 6L6s).
The Roadster may be right up your ally with EL34s, however, you should know that the two high gain channels are structured differently. Having said that, Channel 3 on modern was my favorite (running 6L6s).
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pinto79
New member
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Matt, I have a couple of really good 7 band EQs, and old Ibanez GE10 that is really transparent and toneful and a DOD FX40-B that is tonally awesome and flexible but provides some colour too.
You're welcome to try both of them to see if EQ in the loop is the way to go.
Matt, I have a couple of really good 7 band EQs, and old Ibanez GE10 that is really transparent and toneful and a DOD FX40-B that is tonally awesome and flexible but provides some colour too.
You're welcome to try both of them to see if EQ in the loop is the way to go.
James Rock
Active member
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
I'd try a preamp (tube or solid state) like the AMT or Blackstar or something like the Triple Wreck or other boutique MESA in a box pedals first then if you really can't live without the real thing then get an amp but try with a cheaper option first.
I'd try a preamp (tube or solid state) like the AMT or Blackstar or something like the Triple Wreck or other boutique MESA in a box pedals first then if you really can't live without the real thing then get an amp but try with a cheaper option first.
JohnnyGuitar
New member
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Wouldn't sell the Stiletto - seems like you like the amp. An EQ pedal sounds like a good idea. What about adding another guitar with the right pickups?
Wouldn't sell the Stiletto - seems like you like the amp. An EQ pedal sounds like a good idea. What about adding another guitar with the right pickups?
3'scompany
New member
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
I don't have much to offer for advice other than to quote this so it is repeated:
As someone who used to tour with two half stacks and no roadies, calling it a giant pain in the ass doesn't even come close to describing how much of an annoyance it is. I'm assuming you'd run two heads into one cab, which would make it slightly less inconvenient, but it is still a PITA.
You shouldn't settle, but if a Mark V or Roadster gets you everything you're looking for, you'll find yourself asking why you didn't pony up the few extra hundred dollars after a couple gigs running a dual amp setup.
I don't have much to offer for advice other than to quote this so it is repeated:
As someone who used to tour with two half stacks and no roadies, calling it a giant pain in the ass doesn't even come close to describing how much of an annoyance it is. I'm assuming you'd run two heads into one cab, which would make it slightly less inconvenient, but it is still a PITA.
You shouldn't settle, but if a Mark V or Roadster gets you everything you're looking for, you'll find yourself asking why you didn't pony up the few extra hundred dollars after a couple gigs running a dual amp setup.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
Tried out a Roadster and a Mark V on Saturday.
Pretty sure one of the two will be mine in January. Stay tuned!
Tried out a Roadster and a Mark V on Saturday.
Pretty sure one of the two will be mine in January. Stay tuned!
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: What would you do in my situation? (craving heavier tones)
That's why my main amp stays in the rehearsal studio. If I played that thing at home I'd have cops at my door within minutes.
That's why my main amp stays in the rehearsal studio. If I played that thing at home I'd have cops at my door within minutes.
