Lockbody Posted April 6, 2007 Posted April 6, 2007 Wooooo! Roadster hijack! I love mine. Easily one of the best amps Mesa has ever made. Speaking of a half-open cab...
tomteriffic Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 I've never met a larger Mesa I really liked. Other than the original Subways, none of them could do that clean-to-crunch on your guitar volume control thing worth a damn. One end of the equation always seemed to sound awful. Clean, yeah, fine, distorto-mundo, yeah, fine. Anywhere in between, fageddabout it.Somebody tell me that the RK, the Roadster or the Stiletto Ace will do that clobbered old Vox thing....
Lockbody Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 Tom,Unless you're looking to buy a new amp, I'd probably recommend against trying a Stiletto Ace. Or a Lonestar... or a Lonestar Special, or an Express. Mesa has heard you and delivered. If you're looking for The best clean, the best brit crunch, and one of the best nasty channels Mesa has ever produced, the RK II is IT.
sirDaniel Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 I hate to rain on your parade...It CANNOT cop a vox sound. sorry. It can do a "vox inspired" sound. like a million others.that being said. I have LONG resisted the temptation to do what you are doing because I know that's the one amp I will own someday. they are kind of pricey though. You NEED an open back 1x12 to go with it though. To really get some of those smokey sounds.
jerseydrew Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 Poe, what made you decide to pick the Road King over the Roadster? Actually, what the hell's the difference between the two? I should probably ask this over at the Boogie board but you guys are pretty knowledgable here.
matchful Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 glad you dig it, but so many knobs and switches make me nervous. If i go past five, i spend my days tweaking
SteveB Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 Poe, what made you decide to pick the Road King over the Roadster? Actually, what the hell's the difference between the two? I should probably ask this over at the Boogie board but you guys are pretty knowledgable here.In addition to all the knobs in the front, the Road King has almost as many switches and knobs on the back. These are used to reconfigure the power section for each preamp setting. In other words, if I really want a "brit" sound, not only can you select "brit" in the preamp, but you can assign a power configuration for that preamp that has a couple EL34's. You want super clean with uber headroom? Assign the clean pre to a power configuration with 4 6L6's. I think there are 5 power configurations that you can assign as you want to any of the pre-amp sections. This is also why the road king weighs a ton, as there are a bunch of 12ax7's, 4 6L6's, 2 EL 34's, and a couple of rectifier tubes in there. Its a tube "modelling" amp. You can also plug in a couple of different cabs and assign which cab gets used.The Roadster does all the preamp stuff, but doesn't have the progressive linkage power stuff or the cab switching. So it's like the preamp section of the Road King with a more standard power section.
edgar_allan_poe Posted April 7, 2007 Author Posted April 7, 2007 Poe, what made you decide to pick the Road King over the Roadster? Actually, what the hell's the difference between the two? Turbo covered the major differences between the two amps.The reason I chose the Roadking over the Roadster was simple. IIRC the Roadster was around 2K. The Roadking did everything that the Roadster did, and then it has this magnificent EL34 section that I really dig. Because my Roadking was a version I, I was able to walk out the door for a hair under 2K. No brainer from my standpoint.I have heard that the Roadking II and the Roadster have much better cleans than the RKI. Well, I was playing them side by side and I heard *very* little difference. The Roadster did have a better, more natural sounding reverb, but that means nothing to me when playing live. These small differences didn't even come close to justifying a Roadster or RKII purchase IMHO. I simply didn't see a $600 difference between the RKI and the RKII/Roadster.I hate to rain on your parade...It CANNOT cop a vox sound. sorry. It can do a "vox inspired" sound. like a million others.I agree. I can get some tones that are close, but nothing that has that EL84 chime out of my Roadking.But Mesa has this out, and it is under 1K. For Vox lovers, this might be your thing. I am hesitant though because it looks like the power section is a class A/B, and IMHO the class A design is the magic behind that tone. Still, given the level of satisfaction with this Roadking, I am much more willing to give the Express 5:25 a listen.Mesa Express 5:25
SteveB Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 But Mesa has this out, and it is under 1K. For Vox lovers, this might be your thing. I am hesitant though because it looks like the power section is a class A/B, and IMHO the class A design is the magic behind that tone. Still, given the level of satisfaction with this Roadking, I am much more willing to give the Express 5:25 a listen.Those look like cool amps, I'm going to have to check out the 5:50 when they show up around here. I used to have an F50 which I liked alot, and the 5:50 is basically the new version of that.If you throw the 5:25 or 5:50 into 5 watt mode, they both will be running single ended class A.BTW, this is an interesting little article from Randall Aiken about the Vox and Class A:http://www.aikenamps.com/VoxAC30classA_2.html
Guest pirateflynn Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 Congrats Poe. I think you might enjoy the cab switching. going from 1 to 2 and hearing it switch from Fender tweed open back to Marchall Plexi closed back is cool. I love you guys but I think that's ridicules. Why not get a Carr Rambler and a couple of pedals or a Germino and twist away on your volume and tone knobs? Phoenix, you have a Bruno UG30 right? That amp has got to sound insane. What happens if you dial it in so you're right on edge of break up, play softer for cleans, dig in for crunch and hit a boost or OD for heavier stuff. Bingo! Plus, you'll really hear all of those high dollar tubes in a simple more direct circuit.
edgar_allan_poe Posted April 7, 2007 Author Posted April 7, 2007 I love you guys but I think that's ridicules. Why not get a Carr Rambler and a couple of pedals or a Germino and twist away on your volume and tone knobs?In all honesty, this Roadking is dead simple to operate. I haven't done anything with the cab switching yet, but the Carr Rambler can't go from a 4x6l6 power tube section and with the touch of a footswitch go to 50 watt 2xEL34. What you are describing is exactly what I was doing with my Fargen. This Boogie is a seriously superior set up, and despite the intimidating looking front panel it is stupid simple to operate. For a dude like myself in a cover band, I cannot imagine a better amp. I have 5 *different* power amps built into this thing, and each of the 4 channels has three different modes. Here is how I currently have mine set.Channel 1 - 4X6l6 on the power amp side and I have it set to the Tweed setting on the preamp (Uber Clean setting)Channel 2 - 2XEL34 on the Power amp side and I have it set to the Brit setting on the preamp. (Old Marshall)Channel 3 - 2XEL34 on the Power amp side and I have it set to the Vintage setting on the preamp. ( Modded Marshall)Channel 4 - 4X6l6 on the power amp side and I have it set to the Modern setting on the preamp (Over the top modern sound)I haven't had *any* luck in getting a good sound with the 6l6/EL34 combined.Once you find the tones you are looking for on each channel, all of that is accessed via a 7 button footswitch. It even has 4 different reverb settings, one for each channel. Again, set 'em and forget 'em.Each of the OD channels cleans up wonderfully. Even the insane channel 4 will clean up with a roll of the volume on the guitar.This thing is a homerun in every sense of the word. The gig last night was awesome, and the Boogies sounded friggin *huge*. We played a tune with a drop D tuning and the bass player leaned over after the tune a said to me "Holy fuck that thing sounds fucking massive!" LOL!!!!
Guest pirateflynn Posted April 7, 2007 Posted April 7, 2007 Are you able to play pretty loud at your gigs?
edgar_allan_poe Posted April 7, 2007 Author Posted April 7, 2007 Are you able to play pretty loud at your gigs?Yes...last night was pretty loud. I have the gain on channels 3&4 turned down to about 75%. Channel 3 was at 6-7 and channel 4 was at 5. There is also a solo button that you can set that gives the desired amount of boost you want for solos.
phoenix Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 el-84 fans, don't forget that Jol tests our guitars through a Blue Angel .
black magic Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 Sweet Rob Can it do Metal Man, I have been so busy, but I gotta get over there to jam thru those 2 Mesas. If I like them, I may sell some stuff to buy one!! Congrats and I will call you-Jack.
Guest pirateflynn Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 I'll trade you a Blue Angel for your UG30.
phoenix Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 This is Poe's post and Mobster's and Tonejunkee's rec. Lets get back to it.
edgar_allan_poe Posted April 8, 2007 Author Posted April 8, 2007 Phoenix...or Mobbie and Junkee for that matter...Have any of you guys had any success mixing the power sections? I can't get the EL34/6L6 combo to sound good. If you guys could post some settings it would be appreciated.
DavidE Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 A better gigging amp? Maybe the HK Switchblade or the new Marshall? Just thinking tube amps here. Of course they don't have the 6L6 / EL34 choices. For a gigging amp, the Switchblade does a decent job of copping american and british tones using EL34s.Seriously though, I'm very interested in the RK asw I'm never satisfied and still looking for the ultimate gigging amp. How much does the head weigh????I'm actually getting tired of dragging a head and cabinet, so how much does the 50 watt combo weigh?
edgar_allan_poe Posted April 8, 2007 Author Posted April 8, 2007 They don't have a 50 watt combo, I was referring to the fact that you have the choice to make all 4 channels 50 watts if you so choose. The head isn't terribly heavy. It weighs more than my Fargen but it isn't back breaking. The Cajun Cannon is heavy, but has casters. The head/cab combo really works well for me.Of course they don't have the 6L6 / EL34 choices. Exactly...I haven't seen anything that does. It is more than just having those choices though. Having the choice is nice, but useless if it sounds like ball cheese. This thing has *killer* tone on all channels and all tube configs (except the EL34/6L6 combo so far).
DavidE Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 They don't have a 50 watt combo, I was referring to the fact that you have the choice to make all 4 channels 50 watts if you so choose. The head isn't terribly heavy. It weighs more than my Fargen but it isn't back breaking. The Cajun Cannon is heavy, but has casters. The head/cab combo really works well for me.Of course they don't have the 6L6 / EL34 choices. Exactly...I haven't seen anything that does. It is more than just having those choices though. Having the choice is nice, but useless if it sounds like ball cheese. This thing has *killer* tone on all channels and all tube configs (except the EL34/6L6 combo so far).I recently sold my Blue Angel 4x10 which had the 6v6 and EL84 linking. A great concept and I imagine it works great with the 6L6 and EL34 combination. Actually, the idea of a Roadking 1x12 combo in 6v6 EL84 configuration might be the shiznit. Lighter weight, plenty of volume for normal people and you get to work the output tubes more. Someone get Randall Smith on the phone!!!!
Guest pirateflynn Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 This is Poe's post and Mobster's and Tonejunkee's rec. Lets get back to it.Well, I lust after your UG30 so you can't blame me for trying!I'm glad Poe has found a rig that's versatile enough for him and sounds cool, too. I'm sure cranking up that amp and letting it breath makes it sound even better. Whenever you come across a piece of gear that inspires you, your playing gets just a little bit better. Have fun with it!
Mobster Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 Phoenix...or Mobbie and Junkee for that matter...Have any of you guys had any success mixing the power sections? I can't get the EL34/6L6 combo to sound good. If you guys could post some settings it would be appreciated.I'll PDF my settings and shoot them over. It may be a good starting point for you.
sirDaniel Posted April 8, 2007 Posted April 8, 2007 how come it doesn't surprise me that mobby had a EBMM pet6 and an RK??I've played an RK. I REALLY loved/lusted it. I WILL own one someday...
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