Mesa Stiletto's Anyone?

[xmetal1287]

I've been playing a Mesa Stiletto Deuce Half stack since April and once I got my '99 LP Classic, it's like a whole new amp and I think this has been the tone I've been waiting for. Anyone else know where I'm coming from or are there any other opinions of it?

I don't think I'll be getting rid of mine anytime soon.

[Rudager]

Never played one...but definitely want one

Join this forum if you already haven't...you'll find plenty of opinions on Mesa amps here: The Boogie Board • View forum - Stiletto Series

[RichCI]

I own an early one (before the "Stage II" version came out) and it's... eh. The clean sounds are actually pretty good but the overdrive modes are either too thin or too thick. The Crunch mode is waaaaay too bright and the Tite Lead too thick for rhythm. I use just the clean channel set to Tite and ramp up the gain with a boost pedal and that works very well for me but it seems a shame that I'm using only one channel of a two channel amp.

[Benguitar]

I've played a Stage II Deuce and I wanted to get a Stage II Trident for a LONG time.

Wonderful amps in my book, Again, Just like every amp, You have to know how to EQ them properly. Which just takes practice and mind numbing hours of strumming an E chord and turning knobs.

I use a Series I Road King, But Stiletto's are my second choice, (The only reason I got a RK is because they have Stiletto's built in plus much more)

[Standard 64]

Originally Posted by RichCI

I own an early one (before the "Stage II" version came out) and it's... eh. The clean sounds are actually pretty good but the overdrive modes are either too thin or too thick. The Crunch mode is waaaaay too bright and the Tite Lead too thick for rhythm. I use just the clean channel set to Tite and ramp up the gain with a boost pedal and that works very well for me but it seems a shame that I'm using only one channel of a two channel amp.

I read recently of a guy who only uses the clean channel and uses pedals for overdrive,kind of weird seeing how the amp is supposed to be good enough to NOT have to use pedals.

[Rudager]

Originally Posted by Standard 64

I read recently of a guy who only uses the clean channel and uses pedals for overdrive,kind of weird seeing how the amp is supposed to be good enough to NOT have to use pedals.

I'm sure tone is subjective...it's funny though that he bought an amp known for distortion and doesn't use it...maybe he has the problem, not the amp

[MaliBoo]

I tried one in Guitar Center, and "Fluid drive" just rocks!!

[generalwar]

Never buy a emulating amp, which is all a Mesa stiletto is..

[RichCI]

Originally Posted by Rudager

Never played one...but definitely want one

Originally Posted by Rudager

I'm sure tone is subjective...it's funny though that he bought an amp known for distortion and doesn't use it...maybe he has the problem, not the amp

This coming from the guy who's never played one but "definitely wants one."

That's what happens when you don't crank it up to band levels when you buy it then use it at home for several years before actually playing in another band situation. Maybe in the long run there's a reason why Mesa came out with a new version shortly after releasing the first one and it's the amp with the problem, smartass.

[GiorgioV]

I own a ACE head. Love it, it's a terrific amp.

You must not be afraid to try some "unconventional" equalization tough.

Presence and treble can get fuzzy and piecing if not dialed in correctly. Once done howeve, it sounds damn good, throathy and responsive. The crunch is expecially awesome.

[Jon Rambo]

I'm not really a fan of them. I haven't played one since they were new so they may sounds a bit different now. I used to have a dual rectifier but sold that and bought a JCM 800 2203. The Mesa tone is generally a little darker than I like. I also like 1-channel amps like my 2203 where I can just use the volume on the guitar to control clean to dist.
That being said, I do like most Mesa amps, they just aren't my favorite. That's more of a personal preference type thing though.

[Rudager]

Originally Posted by RichCI

This coming from the guy who's never played one but "definitely wants one."

That's what happens when you don't crank it up to band levels when you buy it then use it at home for several years before actually playing in another band situation. Maybe in the long run there's a reason why Mesa came out with a new version shortly after releasing the first one and it's the amp with the problem, smartass.

Pipe down there, boyo...I've HEARD them before...that's enough to make a judgment call on distortion. No need to take me, or this forum, that seriously.

[oilpit]

Originally Posted by generalwar

Never buy a emulating amp, which is all a Mesa stiletto is..

What the hell?

[generalwar]

Originally Posted by oilpit

What the hell?

Hell the what?

[Rudager]

Originally Posted by generalwar

Hell the what?

I think he's referring to the emulating amp comment :-P

You could argue that any amp these days are emulating amps...even Marshall...even Vox...even freaking Fender

Here's a phrase of wisdom I found in a fortune cookie:

"A digital circuit is comprised of analog parts"

[Benguitar]

Originally Posted by generalwar

Never buy a emulating amp, which is all a Mesa stiletto is..

Mesa, Marshall, Fender, Vox, Ampeg, High Watt, and Orange are *in my opinion and experience* are THE founding fathers of guitar/bass amplifiers.

Marshalls were made to be louder Fender Bassmans, So is Marshall emulating a Fender?

Mesa's were originally modded Fenders, But they developed a tone of their own.

Line 6, Peavy, Randall, etc etc etc are all emulating amps.

Line 6 outright states that the "Metal" preset in their Spider amp is modeled after a Mesa Dual Recto.

I call the BS flag on your statement. Mesa's aren't cheap amps trying to emulate someone else's tone. Mesa's have their own sound, Therefore they emulate no one.

[Big John]

I have an early Stiletto Deuce head, and it sounds amazing. It's no different from just about every Mesa out there; it is not an "all knobs on 10" amp. Once you get passed that mental block, you will be rewarded.

[generalwar]

Originally Posted by Benguitar

Mesa, Marshall, Fender, Vox, Ampeg, High Watt, and Orange are *in my opinion and experience* are THE founding fathers of guitar/bass amplifiers.

Marshalls were made to be louder Fender Bassmans, So is Marshall emulating a Fender?

Mesa's were originally modded Fenders, But they developed a tone of their own.

Line 6, Peavy, Randall, etc etc etc are all emulating amps.

Line 6 outright states that the "Metal" preset in their Spider amp is modeled after a Mesa Dual Recto.

I call the BS flag on your statement. Mesa's aren't cheap amps trying to emulate someone else's tone. Mesa's have their own sound, Therefore they emulate no one.

NO disrespect to the OP. Nice amp I just meant if you buy a Mesa your buying a bunch of sounds that are emulated imo, no disrespect intended. I guess Im to much of a british amp purist for this thread.

To the quoting poster: Let me clarify so you can understand what I meant, of which you kindly pointed out here.

"Mesa's have their own sound, Therefore they emulate no one."

Actually they TRY to emulate everybody and can't, that was my point. They have there own sound. Built very well sure, look great yes and to many sound very nice.

[moodyedge]

Originally Posted by xmetal1287

I've been playing a Mesa Stiletto Deuce Half stack since April and once I got my '99 LP Classic, it's like a whole new amp and I think this has been the tone I've been waiting for. Anyone else know where I'm coming from or are there any other opinions of it?

I don't think I'll be getting rid of mine anytime soon.

well i played an orange rocker 30 head and matamp cab and liked it.....but wanted a heavier tone so bought a duel rectifier 3 ch chead and 4x12 cab..had it a few weeks and i think ....i hate it


i dont see why its worth £3000 at all..........it seriously isnt..goods job i didnt pay that for but but even so................


does the oramnge make my guitar sound great.....or is it the guitar...OR....does the guitar sound good and the mesa makes it sound crap.....its a tough call?

but i might have to sell the mesa...and get a R8 as ive fancied one for a few years

[Benguitar]

Originally Posted by generalwar

NO disrespect to the OP. Nice amp I just meant if you buy a Mesa your buying a bunch of sounds that are emulated imo, no disrespect intended. I guess Im to much of a british amp purist for this thread.

The Stiletto is made to be Mesa's "British" amp, And it sounds pretty darn close to British, Tight, Brash and lacking some bass.

Originally Posted by generalwar

Actually they TRY to emulate everybody and can't, that was my point.

Where. The. Hell. Did you find that? I am an obsessed Mesa user, NEVER. NEVER. Have I seen or heard anyone say Mesa tries to emulate EVERYONE?

Honestly I think Mesa is a little too proud to try and emulate, Anyone. I believe there are three things that makes Mesa MESA, And not Mesa a "Marshall, Fender, Vox etc" copy.

Mesa's have some of the best lows/mids I've ever heard, Very distinct sound, Listen to "Losing Grip by Avril Lavigne."

Mesa's also are extremely well known for their growl, The "Modern" setting on Mesa's toggle switches are amazing. Listen to "Here to Stay be KoRn."

Mesa's British style amp *Stiletto* was distinctively designed to sound "tight" and is widely used with single coil guitars. *Andy Timmons*

Also, Mesa Stilettos achieve a tight punch that I haven't heard any other amp reproduce. Listen to "He Wasn't by Avril Lavigne."

Mesa's are most popular for their Rectifier models and I can only best describe them to have "Rolling Thunderous" distortion/low end.

They Stilettos are blues/rock/country amps.

I think Stilettos have more feel to them than something like a Marshall Plexi wish is meant to be a "Hi-Gain, Tight Sounding" amp as well.

Plexi's (because I lack experience with other British amps) lack WAYY too much bass for my own liking, Plus, Those things have horrid distortion unless you make them ear bleeding-ly loud or you use an Attenuator.

Mesa's in my opinion have amazing tone at any volume, You can pretty much get the growl of a fully cranked JCM at bedroom level.

Again, That's just my opinion.

[Rudager]

Originally Posted by Benguitar

The Stiletto is made to be Mesa's "British" amp, And it sounds pretty darn close to British, Tight, Brash and lacking some bass.


Honestly I think Mesa is a little too proud to try and emulate, Anyone. I believe there are three things that makes Mesa MESA, And not Mesa a "Marshall, Fender, Vox etc" copy.

Mesa's have some of the best lows/mids I've ever heard, Very distinct sound, Listen to "Losing Grip by Avril Lavigne."

Also, Mesa Stilettos achieve a tight punch that I haven't heard any other amp reproduce. Listen to "He Wasn't by Avril Lavigne."

They Stilettos are blues/rock/country amps.

Again, That's just my opinion.

dude...I understand and appreciate your points...but...but...did you cite Avril Lavigne as source??

[Benguitar]

Originally Posted by Rudager

dude...I understand and appreciate your points...but...but...did you cite Avril Lavigne as source??

Avril Lavigne is a vaild source, She has used Stiletto Tridents for a few years. Most of her early stuff was written and performed on Mesa Dual Rectos and Stilettos.

She's one of my favorite artists, I like to think of her as the modern day Joan Jett.

Anyway, Yes, I cited Avril.

[Jon Rambo]

I used to love the dual rec I had. I ended up selling it for a jcm 800 2203. i think part of that was that my style changed a bit. but god, when i palm muted with that mesa it caused the ground to shake.
overall, i like my jcm 800 a hell of a lot more than i did the mesa, but the mesa was still a damn good amp.
and before i read this thread i'd never heard anyone refer to mesas as emulating amps. just bc it was originally designed as a modded fender doesn't make it an emulating amp imo. everything is based on something else, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's trying to emulate it. now line 6 amps that have diff settings that are specifically meant to sound like a vox or a mesa are emulating amps. mesa going for a more british tone with the stiletto doesn't make that an emulating amp. sure they went for a different sound, but you don't turn a knob to go from british marshall tone to a fender to vox to etc.

[Frails]

You had me at Avril Lavigne! The girl has proven that she can write a catchy tune, I just never thought I'd see her name in a Mesa thread.

[Benguitar]

Originally Posted by Jon Rambo

<snip>

Thank you for backing me up on that~

Frails -

*nods*

Go to Mesa's Artist directory. Find Avril Lavigne, Check out her custom made Trident.

[Frails]

Not exactly the picture I was hoping to see.

[Benguitar]

Originally Posted by Frails

Not exactly the picture I was hoping to see.

lol, Not the hottest picture of her, But cool amp!


I actually asked Mesa if I could have a Trident made to look like that, They said no..

[Goran]

Originally Posted by Big John

I have an early Stiletto Deuce head, and it sounds amazing. It's no different from just about every Mesa out there; it is not an "all knobs on 10" amp. Once you get passed that mental block, you will be rewarded.

+1
same here, I own a Ace Combo