Tried a RoadKing and a TriAxis today. Need TriAxis settings!

[Kremlin]

Ok, today I found a local Rivera dealer and meant to go try them out, but it turns out they don't stock them, only on special order So while I was out I looked around at a few shops at what else was new. I found a Mesa RoadKing and figured I'd give it a whirl considering it's the new Mesa flagship amp.

Man did it suck! Trying out the Road King was one of the biggest disappoints I've heard in a while. The tone was very hairy and trebly, and had very little body, no oomph whatsoever (and this was through a 4x12 Recto cab). All the distortion channels and settings sounded pretty much the same, and it delivered a very poor lead tone. I would also take a Dual Rectifier over it any day for rythm tones. Maybe this one had something messed up in the back (it was against a wall, couldn't tweak the back panel) but it was a huge disappointment. I think my POD's Recto model through my 8" Peavey Rage combo sounds better. The cleans were very spongy and were good, but not great. Better than the recto's clean sounds, though.

I tried out the TriAxis plugged into a Mesa 20/20, then to a (mono) Peavey 4x12 (not sure what kind of cabinet) and WOW! Tons of great tones at my fingertips! Incredible versatility! I'm in love! All of the presets sounded fantastic too, which is a lot more than I can say for just about every other programmable toy I've ever tried. I'm not familiar with the controls, so I definitely found using a digital display a bit awkward.. I'm seriously considering trading in my Mark IV combo with some cash for a TriAxis, 20/20, rackmount case, and a stereo 2x12. But, in the small amount of time I spent toying with the TriAxis, I couldn't figure out how to get out some super high gain tones. It had KILLER medium-gain sounds, but I didn't quite find any super lead sounds similar to the ones in my Mark IV's lead channel. Can anyone reccomend some settings for this? Also I'd appreciate some settings for a chunky rythm sound..

Thanks!

[ScottB]

I agree with you 100% on the RoadKing. I test drove a Jem7VWH today at Guitar Center and the sales guy plugged me in to " the latest and greatest by Mesa ".

I've bought alot of gear from this dude and he's usually pretty knowledgeable. After 10 minutes of failing to get a decent sound out of the amp, I went back to the used gear and plugged into a JCM800 head and cab.

Send the RoadKing back to the drawing board. For all the ca$h Mesa's asking for the thing, they could bother to add some tone before shipping amps from the factory.

[musicdr]

Go to mesa website and download the manual.Familiarize yourself with the manual before you go to the store nextime.I personally don't use the gain above 8.Try the mark 2 settings for lead or rythm and the recto settings for rythm.The manual is a must read.I love my triaxis.There isn't an unmusical sound in the thing.There is plenty more gain available than on the presets.Like all new gear ,you have to spend a little time with it and make freinds.BTW,you can find these used under a grand on that evil site.

[cerealk]

If you do a search for tri-axis on the jemsite forum you should be able to find some discussions about settings and where people have posted them

Cheers

Simon

[Kremlin]

Thanks

[7 Dying Trees]

You can get good gain out of it, but you seriously need the manual. Some controls change their meaning subtly in some preamp - modes. Read the manual is a definate, but if you liked it already consider this:

Most people tweak their triaxis' for months and months untill they settle with sounds, and they all sound good. I'd say go for it, get the triaxis and 20:20 . I believe there was also a triaxis settings list (artist presets etc) floating around somewhere.

Oh, and if you try it out, then turn it up. I think mine sounds best on about 7/8 volume wise

[Kremlin]

Thanks for the tips Got a link to that artist preset list? I couldn't find it. I don't think I came across a single preset I didn't like when playing with it.

I'll be heading back later this week to give it another whirl. Is the 20/20 enough power to push a 4x12, or is a 2x12 a little more realistic?

[7 Dying Trees]

DOn't know about the power amp to be honest, so can't help you there, but I have placed a zip file of the artist preset list I got of someone here on Jemsite a while back and the manual on my webspcae, click the link below to download it

http://www.nemecyst.net/downloads/triaxis.zip

Happy playing

[Kremlin]

Thanks I'll call Boogie sometime about that, I love their tech support.

Wow, I didn't know Chris Cornell used a TriAxis.. I used to be a huge Soundgarden fan.

[Gresh]

Can't offer any advice on the Tri-axis but the 20/20 is a great workhorse of an amp. I love mine to death, it's small yet extremely loud, and sounds great.

[Kremlin]

Does a 20/20 have enough guts to push a 4x12? Or would a 2x12 be more appropriate?

I sold my Marshall stack years ago and while my Mark IV is a way better amp, I'm missing that "kick you in the chest" thump you get out of a closed back 4x12..