[adamquek]

Argh it's a pain in the ass buying gear here in Singapore. There's no Mesa dealer around so I've very little chance of trying the equipment before I buy it. So anyway, I've decided to move up from my tech12 Trademark60 amp I'm weighing the following alternatives (All with a mesa 2*12 recto cab):
A line6 PodPro into a mesa 50/50 (or 20/20 or simul2:90)
A mesa triaxis into the same above poweramps
A mesa Dual rectifier (the 3 channel one) with the 2*12 cab.

Due to such dismal circumstances where I have to buy blind, I'd LOVE to get as much feedback from you folks as possible! The following info might help
I own a POD currently, and use the rectifier setting *almost* exclusively. I'm playing through an Ibanez RG2027 (which I love to bits) I play mostly originals these days, but my influences, both musically and "tone-ally" are the following:
Dimmu Borgir, The Kovenant, Metallica (especially the new stuff), Megadeth(mostly the old stuff..), Inflames, SymphonyX, Arcturus, and so on
Any and all feedback is GREATLY appreciated. I don't post here regularly but I read very often.. You guys are just a wealth of knowledge (not to mention smart funny and friendly). So anyway. Let rip and come what may Hopefully I get a really good buy out of all this heh.

 

[tomizm]

I have 2 words for you.

1. Tubes

2. Tubes

 

[big al]

Yep, stay with tubes...go for the dual rect. I did !

 

[Goofy]

    This is not really so tuff...  I say go with the rectifier.  The same thing will maybe happen with you that happened to me.  You'll tire of the over-the-top balls and bass sound of the rectifier and musicians that play that way.  Sorry if you are older than I am and have been listening to this type of music for a long time.  I now like the finesse precision music of chops players (Vai, Johnson, etc) much more and found that my recto didn't work so well for that kind of thing.  I still love my recto though, because I still thrash out now and then.  So buy one!

 

[mmr7]

It really depends, but I'll tell you this. I run a line 6 hd flextone into a 412 cab and the guitar player in the band down the hall from us uses a mesa 3x rectifier into a 412. We both use  at least 5 effects, and nobody can tell the difference. We have the exact same tone. I don't buy new tubes, and I have other amp settings and effects settings. Oh, and mine cost 1/2 as much as a 3x rectifier. I'll probably getting blasted but tubes are overrated (especially in metal) Look at the growing list of artists using solid state or digital amps. Plus its what you do with it. I've heard a carvin solid state sound better than a tube marshall dsl, so it depends on how you play. Tubes are dinosaurs, tempermental, inconsistant and are only really neccesary for certain sounds that ss and digital can't perfectly emulate. But your list of band influences don't really have that necessity. I am now prepared to get burned at the stake.

 

[Kyle Odom]

I am a tube fanatic, (more aptly said Mesa fanatic,) but mmr7 states a good fact that you can easily get away with solid state with modern metal.  But look at players like John Petrucci, he could never get away with solid state; whereas Dimebag Darrel can.  One tone with tones of gain can be done by lots of Solid State amps.  Look at Crate amps.  Most of us shudder to hear the name, but if all you want is a tightly focused high gain sound, they can be quite usefull.  I had a Line6 AXSYS/AX2 and Pod Pro (gave them up for my current Triaxis and 20/20 rig if that tells you anything.)  If you cover a LOT of ground Line6 is a good way to go and it does it fairly inexpensively.  If all you use is the recto setting on your POD I will tell you now there is a HUGE difference in their model and the real thing.  Not to say it's so much better to your ears to compensate for the price differences, but it's there.  I made a preset on my AX2 that sounded so much like my roommate's Trem-o-Verb Recto combo that if you were in the stairway you couldn't tell the difference.  However, put them side by side and his tone blew me away big time.
So my advise is this, if you only use the recto preset and have the $$, get a recto, you won't be sorry.  If you need lots of versitility, keep the pod and get any of the mentioned power amps or get a Triaxis and any of the mentioned power amps.  I'm a firm believer that any decent SS preamp can sound very good with a tube power amp.  You won't be going wrong with any of the rigs that you described.  It's all a matter of what you really like and what you can afford.
KO

 

[winterlong]

Hi I have seen and spent time with many of the bands you mentioned. let me tell you that the recto would be great for getting a dimmu or Kovenant type sound and of course it can do the metallica thing. But I have played through several of these things and can tell you it is vary hard to get a really good in flames type sound from.
now the triaxis is a little more versitle but I feel the same way about it.  Now I have found it way easier to get all these sounds from a pod.  And I think as long as you use a tube power amp the pod sounds great.  and just for note Micheal Romeo from Symphony X gave up his triaxis for a pod pro and Jeff Loomis from nevermore also uses the pod.  And on a final note none of the bands you mentioned currently use mesa gear except metallica.

 

[kakan]

I have a recto and I want a Triaxis. I have a Pod which I don´t use, ´nuff said!
Get a Triaxis!!!

 

[RSVampire]

yes go for tubes whenever you can.....I don't like a original mesa compared to a line6 mesa.....the originals have WAY to much bottom end for me....I like the crunch on the line6 but the volume kinda sux unles you mic it and all that crap....but yes go for tubes whenever you can.....tubes are the only way to go

 

[big al]

Keep in mind, modeling amps only try to copy certain amp sounds (usually very poorly). Why settle for a copy when you can get an original. I have never heard a non-tube amp that can sound like a tube amp...and I doubt I ever will.

 

[big al]

btw...yesterday, I bought a POD (just to see why so many guitarist use them). I can see why some people use them. It's a cheap option for home recording. Forget using it to replace a tube amp but it is a nice piece for practicing through headphones after the family is asleep.

 

[Cory Bottone]

Get the Triaxis, you will NOT be disappointed!! Ever since I've had mine I've never even thought about buying anything else (except a diezel i played once, but lets face it, not too many people have $4500 laying around). The triaxis has a mode for the dual recto in it (the orange channel of the dual recto). If you got  a mesa 2:90 poweramp you would be able to get the red dual recto channel (which i feel is WAY too muddy) The Mark II C+ and Mark IV channels are just pure tone heaven. Of course you wont have all the effects that the Line 6 has, but the Line 6 dosent have the tone of the Mesa (or any tube amp) has. I would pick good tone and no effects over crumby tone and a bunch of effects; but thats just me. I personally dont like the dual recto, its too muddy and the clean channel isnt the greatest. But the triaxis has pretty much every mesa amp in one rack space and is extremely versitile (more versitile than the Line 6 if you ask me). :shoot: modeling amps
                                        :thumbsup: tube amps
good luck

PS: Kyle, you have the same setup as I do
(Edited by Cory Bottone at 6:44 pm on June 17, 2001)


(Edited by Cory Bottone at 6:46 pm on June 17, 2001)

 

[tony k]

Have you hugged your tubes today?:biggrin:

 

[big al]

as for me, give me tubes or give me death!

 

[mmr7]

But what kind of music are you guys playing? You all say, "tube! tube! tube!", but tubes aren't always what's best. If you downtune at all, tubes can sound very sloppy and muddy, and can't keep the bottom end together like ss and digital. I recently saw static x live and they sounded awesome!!!!!!! And they use $300 marshall solid state heads. I stood right in front of Wayne's system and not once did I saw "this would sound better with tubes" so it really just depends on what's most important to you.

 

[ChrisReedSmith]

I also read the article where Wayne noted that somehow "using solid state amps is better for downtuning". I like Static-X. I kinda like Wayne. I think the hair is kinda stupid. And as for what he said I think its a load of a BS. Whatever you think you hear sounding better, weather it be SS or tube, while downtuning, is in your mind. There are SOO many other factors when it comes to how "well" your guitar sounds downtuned that there is NO way you can base it all around it being SS or tube. Absolutely no way. And thats not even including the fact that all our ears are different. Maybe Wayne thinks SS sounds tighter. Maybe you do. But I might not. Maybe 10 people wont. As for that all I'd have to say is ignore the statement he made.

Second, as for the 300$ Marshalls he's using. I dont know the FACTS but I would not be the least bit surprised if he had a little rack or head hidden behind the set being used the whole time. He claims he uses the MG100 head and the Valvestate crap. I'm sorry. I've used that stuff before. You ain't gonna get Wayne's sound out of it. You just aint. And neither does he (is my strong guess). I wouldnt be the least but surprised if there was a VHT or even a Mesa hidden in the back. His sound is very heavy and sounds NOTHING like Marshall. Especially Valvestate crap.

So anyways, after my rant, I will say that I agree alot with what some have said. And my vote would be that, if you can afford it, go with the Triaxis, 50/50 deal. If a little strapped for $$, then go the POD Pro, 50/50 deal. And if you have lots of money and just want one sound then go with the Dual head. (by the way, i LOVE the dual heads, i would just like to have a bit more options. but if your only going for one sound then the dual might be great for you. anyway looks like we're all Mesa heads. hehee have fun dude

 

[mmr7]

I don't want to start this thread in another direction, but Wayne WAS using marshall solid state and valvestate. I was right next to his rig staring at it, and there was no room for anything else anywhere (plus I watched them set up as it was a warmup show at a small club (the troubadour, if you live in LA you know) And I was also basing MY opinion (Not Wayne's) on personal experience with other guitarists who use that amp and detuned guitars. Plus this thread was started to solicite opinions and all I did is offer mine. Just look at the list of major musicians using non tube based amps and you'll see it is growing rapidly

 

[Ga66o]

hmmm...
If U got the money go Dual. If U want great tone for the buck, get Line6. I´ve used both a lot of tube amps for studio and live work and love them......
Ive used my Flextone HD and my POD in studio and live and also loved them.......
Point is... both are good, it all depends on how U play, but the mesa is a one sound tone-wise amp.
I find using my flextone a lot looking for different sound on one amp.......
Viva Line 6....
gab

 

[RSVampire]

I don't believe I read anything about Wayne saying it sounded better on it. In fact I have a magazine that says exactly this "my producer wanted me to use this amp and I said 'I ain't using no solid state piece of sh*t!' I plugged in and played and the next day I bought one" I do have that magazine anything other than that I'm not sure of what he said.....I believe he likes them because of the metal sound he can get with the SS distortion and then the preamp tubes warm it up a lil bit. And of course you won't get his tone.....tons of things affect it.....mic placment EQ in the studio, layering the guitar with his other guitarist and other amps.....so don't start dissing amps cause they don't have tubes I've heard good sounds comin from SS amps....

(Edited by rsvampire at 5:35 am on June 18, 2001)

 

[WMerkert]

With the line6 you'll get more for the money, more different sounds. If you are not a tube purist it's a good
choice. With tubes it is the same like Harley drivers. You
can have one thousand good args, they only want a
Harley. On the other side it's their right and opinion.