Going from a TriAxis to a Legacy, need some tone advice...

AirGuitar · #1 08-24-2006, 09:59 AM

At the moment, ive got a Mesa TriAxis and 2:90 setup, with a Rocktron Xpression as the effects unit.

Im *almost* happy with it, but the TriAxis has a clean edge to it, while im looking for a more saturated tube tone.

Ive ordered a keeley DS-1 to try and boost the amp, and im selling my Xpression (and quite a few other things, keep your eye on the Classified adds in the next few days

) for a G-System setup (so i can trigger my footpedals automatically).

Now, after reading so much about the legacy, im almost on the verge of dumping my TriAxis for one, im quite sure the leads would be more to my taste, but im wondering if i would miss the rhythm tones? The TriAxis has a great heavy rhythm tone (like the Mark IIC+) and if i went for the Legacy i obviously wouldnt be able to get a tone quite the same.

Has anyone used their legacy to get a particularly heavy sound? Maybe using an EQ or an extra boost pedal?

Lefty Robb · #2 08-24-2006, 11:26 AM

Try running a BBE and or a APHEX Aural Exciter between the Triaxis and 2:90. I think you would be a bit dissapointed going from the Mesa setup to a Legacy, the legacy has tone, but not a lot of high gain.

AirGuitar · #3 08-24-2006, 01:38 PM

Yeah i was a bit worried about that.

Thing is, im looking to simplify my setup a bit, the TriAxis is great, but a pain to make any small adjustments if you move it around, and it doesent really react in the same way as most amps do.

Ideally im looking for an amp with 2 or 3 channels (i was looking at the JSX too) that can make a rounded sustaining lead sound, that i can push into a decent distortion (im not talking about full on rectifier style, just a nice thick crunch) and a clear clean channel.

Drew · #4 08-24-2006, 02:12 PM

Well, a Triaxis sort of defines the "saturated lead" sound... Maybe try some other people's patches and explore some of the other sounds in it? It's one of those feindishly complicated peices of gear that can continue to surprise you for years after you first get it. I'm a Mesa nut, true, but I honestly wouldn't recommend dropping it for a Legacy.

That said, if you want a Triaxis-like tone but subtly different and in a simpler setting, maybe a MarkIV head or, if you can find one and want something with a little more aggression, a Nomad head or combo? I absolutely swear by my Nomad, it does the Mesa lead tone nearly as well as a Mark-series, but also gets into the sort of feral crunch they later pioneered with the Rectos, but sounds a touch more articulate and defined than a DR...

AirGuitar · #5 08-24-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

Well, a Triaxis sort of defines the "saturated lead" sound... Maybe try some other people's patches and explore some of the other sounds in it? It's one of those feindishly complicated peices of gear that can continue to surprise you for years after you first get it. I'm a Mesa nut, true, but I honestly wouldn't recommend dropping it for a Legacy.

Yeah sounds right, its so complicated to tweak, i think thats what puts me off. Ive sound some pretty cool settings that i like, but im starting to think im overcomplicating things with a rack setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

That said, if you want a Triaxis-like tone but subtly different and in a simpler setting, maybe a MarkIV head or, if you can find one and want something with a little more aggression, a Nomad head or combo? I absolutely swear by my Nomad, it does the Mesa lead tone nearly as well as a Mark-series, but also gets into the sort of feral crunch they later pioneered with the Rectos, but sounds a touch more articulate and defined than a DR...

The only problem with mesa gear is thats its so expensive over here.

I think ill hang on with the TriAxis for a while, and see what its like with the DS-1 and the G-System. Its quite possible that im just being overly picky about things

.

thadood · #6 08-24-2006, 03:39 PM

If I were you, i'd try selling the 2:90 off and getting something with lower wattage first. 2:50 or something.. help you get some chunk and saturation out of the power section.

AirGuitar · #7 08-24-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thadood

If I were you, i'd try selling the 2:90 off and getting something with lower wattage first. 2:50 or something.. help you get some chunk and saturation out of the power section.

I really like the switching modes on the 2:90 though, maybe i should try a power attenuator or something.

Andelusion · #8 08-24-2006, 05:28 PM

Get a JSX, or at least try your damned hardest to try one out! Me and my guitarist bandmate have one and they're awesome amps. I can get a very smooth lead tone out of mine and the crunch channel does a fantastic mesa-esq scooped mid tone. There's absolutely bucket loads of gain too.

Gex · #9 08-24-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andelusion

Get a JSX, or at least try your damned hardest to try one out! Me and my guitarist bandmate have one and they're awesome amps. I can get a very smooth lead tone out of mine and the crunch channel does a fantastic mesa-esq scooped mid tone. There's absolutely bucket loads of gain too.

JSX's are very bright and can be kinda harsh.

I would definatley take the Legacy over a JSX.

Andelusion · #10 08-24-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gex

JSX's are very bright and can be kinda harsh.

I would definatley take the Legacy over a JSX.

Meh, I wouldn't describe the tone like that at all.

I'm sure AirGuitar knows this already but he'd be best trusting his ears, as I can get a smooth or harsh tone out of the JSX.

Gex · #11 08-24-2006, 10:21 PM

I tried EL34s and 6L6s in my JSX when I still had it. . .just couldnt get rid of the harshness. I used the Peavey XXX slant cab with mine.

EDIT: IMO, the 6L6s made it alot better.

AirGuitar · #12 08-25-2006, 07:18 AM

I did hear a few people who moaned about a fizzy sound on the JSX, but you get that with most high gain amps.

Ill keep playing around with the TriAxis anyway, i seem to be getting somewhere with it at least! I guess i just dont have much patience to tweak amps, its something im going to have to get used to

.

Silverburst · #13 08-25-2006, 08:31 AM

I use a Mesa Dual Caliber 50 with RG570(emg81) and Js1000(Paf/Fred). The amp gives me the chuncky rythm no prob, but for a singing round solo sound, I'm still in a struggle. somehow it stays too "muddy" for transparent soloing. I also have a DS-1 Keeley, but until now i must say it sounds a bit synthetic compared to the lead channel of the mesa. thinking a a power break to be able to crank the amp up at home, don't know if it will help. I still have the original Mesa valves in it, so I should change them to see if I can get transparanter solo sounds with it.

Triaxis + 90/90 ... that's really top notch rack gear, but I can imagine the complexity. I one day sold all my rack stuff, and went back to just a combo, e few pedals. plug and play.

isn't the JSX leaning towards Marshall since that was Joe's primary gear ? Most Marshalls to me have always had that harshness I didn't like. But I'm really curious to hear a JSX.

Take your time to test stuff before you decide to sell that rack

just like bikes... you need a dirt bike, a street bike, a race bike, a trail fun bike... One does it all amp... I don't believe it anymore.

AirGuitar · #14 08-25-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmike

I use a Mesa Dual Caliber 50 with RG570(emg81) and Js1000(Paf/Fred). The amp gives me the chuncky rythm no prob, but for a singing round solo sound, I'm still in a struggle. somehow it stays too "muddy" for transparent soloing. I also have a DS-1 Keeley, but until now i must say it sounds a bit synthetic compared to the lead channel of the mesa. thinking a a power break to be able to crank the amp up at home, don't know if it will help. I still have the original Mesa valves in it, so I should change them to see if I can get transparanter solo sounds with it.

Yeah i know what you mean, i was thinking of getting a power break, does anyone make a stereo power break? Would turning the pre-amp volume down, but cranking the power amp help at all? (as the volume doesent seem to affect the gain much on the TriAxis).

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmike

Triaxis + 90/90 ... that's really top notch rack gear, but I can imagine the complexity. I one day sold all my rack stuff, and went back to just a combo, e few pedals. plug and play.

isn't the JSX leaning towards Marshall since that was Joe's primary gear ? Most Marshalls to me have always had that harshness I didn't like. But I'm really curious to hear a JSX.

Take your time to test stuff before you decide to sell that rack

just like bikes... you need a dirt bike, a street bike, a race bike, a trail fun bike... One does it all amp... I don't believe it anymore.

Yeah im learning new things about it all the time, it just doesent tweak like a normal amp (on my Marshall i used to boost the mids, and dial back on the treble and bass and id have a prefectly nice lead sound).

The complexity (and weight...) of the rack makes me want something less complicated too though, still if i can get a nice tone out of it, ill be happy, im nearly there...

Silverburst · #15 08-25-2006, 11:08 AM

yeah, if I'm correct cranking your power amp will make your power tubes break up and unlock the potential. that's why 100watt tube amps at home are totaly useless no ? a power break is meant to be between your power amp and spreaker right ?

http://www.marshallamps.com/product....ductCode=PB100

but I find it pretty expensive. and if you go stereo... aaw.

I was looking at Keeley TS9DX, 240$ as well.
All pretty much ventures... you only know how it will really sound if you have it in your rig.