Gassin for a Mesa Roadster...not really sure why?

[kannibul]

Jeff, don't do it. If you want the mesa recto tone, I'd get a rackmount recto and a fender twin - could get them both for around the price of that roadster and they would kill it on both ends IMHO.

If you do get the roadster, bring it over and we can compare it to a ractifier that sounds better than the one you heard (I've had three, this one is king of the hill) or even a Randall MTS setup with one of my modded rectifier modules. I think either will spank a roadster for overdrive tones handily. Sure the roadster is more versatile, but if you're going to settle for lesser tones and more versatility get a Line 6.

...or spend a few more hundred bucks and buy a used Bogner Ecstasy... I'd take my post 2004 101b over any mesa I've ever owned.

Pete

The 101B is something I'd really want, and who knows, I could send back the Roadster and get a new 101B by the time it comes in - lol.

As for Line 6 - uhg. Never...I've tried and retried and retried to get along with Line 6 and I just can't do it. Every model to me sounds the same except for a notch-EQ being in different places, and the models are so far off they could name them something else and be closer - JTM45 - yeah right. Plexi - not a chance!

Tell ya what though, when I get the roadster, we should get together. I'll bring my 2 amps and compare them to your 20 amps and we'll see! (seriously though, I bet your stuff will shit all over what I've got - lol)

And after that, we'll hit the drag strip - 370z vs MazdaSpeed3 - I've got an intake and a catback on my Z now...forced induction kits are already trickling out - there's a couple of twin-turbo kit out now, but I think the transmission will pop with that (approx 500whp). There's a couple supercharger kits getting developed too now...lol...

 

[kannibul]

My cab is an Avatar Vintage 4x12 w/ G12H-30's - everything I've ran through with that cab has sounded good

 

[stratotone]

Jeff, don't do it. If you want the mesa recto tone, I'd get a rackmount recto and a fender twin - could get them both for around the price of that roadster and they would kill it on both ends IMHO.

If you do get the roadster, bring it over and we can compare it to a ractifier that sounds better than the one you heard (I've had three, this one is king of the hill) or even a Randall MTS setup with one of my modded rectifier modules. I think either will spank a roadster for overdrive tones handily. Sure the roadster is more versatile, but if you're going to settle for lesser tones and more versatility get a Line 6.

...or spend a few more hundred bucks and buy a used Bogner Ecstasy... I'd take my post 2004 101b over any mesa I've ever owned.

Pete

The 101B is something I'd really want, and who knows, I could send back the Roadster and get a new 101B by the time it comes in - lol.

As for Line 6 - uhg. Never...I've tried and retried and retried to get along with Line 6 and I just can't do it. Every model to me sounds the same except for a notch-EQ being in different places, and the models are so far off they could name them something else and be closer - JTM45 - yeah right. Plexi - not a chance!

Tell ya what though, when I get the roadster, we should get together. I'll bring my 2 amps and compare them to your 20 amps and we'll see! (seriously though, I bet your stuff will shit all over what I've got - lol)

And after that, we'll hit the drag strip - 370z vs MazdaSpeed3 - I've got an intake and a catback on my Z now...forced induction kits are already trickling out - there's a couple of twin-turbo kit out now, but I think the transmission will pop with that (approx 500whp). There's a couple supercharger kits getting developed too now...lol...

Well, I've been thinking about hopping up the Mazdaspeed3 since I paid it off during closing on the new house. Was a condition of my loan - had to get my income to debt ratio better, and the MS3 was my biggest debt. I've seen guys run 12s with them, not real sure if I want to get that crazy. I'm stock right now, so you'd kick my ass all over the track - then again, I've drag raced for over a decade, if you're a newb to it I could probably kick your ass at least once before you got the hang of it. Racing at the track is whole different animal than the street race. I've seen guys take a 13 second car and run 15s because they couldn't get the hang of the launch or shifting while a bunch of people were watching. It's easy to get rattled and screw up.

You might even dig the MTS stuff. Can pick your own three preamps that I mod - grab a recto, a blackface (for cleans) and a Plexi for Marshall grind and you have something that IMHO does a better fender clean, marshall grind and modern mesa tone than the Marshall JVM or the Roadster.

I'm not saying the roadster is a bad amp - it isn't. I bought mine and was happy with it until a guy I've known since the early 90s needed money for a new house and sold me his rackmount recto and cab crazy cheap. He and I were friends back when he bought that amp new in '92 and it was the amp that I always compared rectos to. It was my 'holy grail' and I'll probably be buried with it. I compared the roadster orange and red channel to the rackmount's and put it for sale about an hour later. I also gigged with the roadster a few times, but my 101B spanked it pretty severely in my opinion. I prefer my Mk III coliseum over the roadster too. My opinion is that mesa put too many relays/options in the amp. I did prefer the roadster over the roadking too.

Pete

 

[kannibul]

Jeff, don't do it. If you want the mesa recto tone, I'd get a rackmount recto and a fender twin - could get them both for around the price of that roadster and they would kill it on both ends IMHO.

If you do get the roadster, bring it over and we can compare it to a ractifier that sounds better than the one you heard (I've had three, this one is king of the hill) or even a Randall MTS setup with one of my modded rectifier modules. I think either will spank a roadster for overdrive tones handily. Sure the roadster is more versatile, but if you're going to settle for lesser tones and more versatility get a Line 6.

...or spend a few more hundred bucks and buy a used Bogner Ecstasy... I'd take my post 2004 101b over any mesa I've ever owned.

Pete

The 101B is something I'd really want, and who knows, I could send back the Roadster and get a new 101B by the time it comes in - lol.

As for Line 6 - uhg. Never...I've tried and retried and retried to get along with Line 6 and I just can't do it. Every model to me sounds the same except for a notch-EQ being in different places, and the models are so far off they could name them something else and be closer - JTM45 - yeah right. Plexi - not a chance!

Tell ya what though, when I get the roadster, we should get together. I'll bring my 2 amps and compare them to your 20 amps and we'll see! (seriously though, I bet your stuff will shit all over what I've got - lol)

And after that, we'll hit the drag strip - 370z vs MazdaSpeed3 - I've got an intake and a catback on my Z now...forced induction kits are already trickling out - there's a couple of twin-turbo kit out now, but I think the transmission will pop with that (approx 500whp). There's a couple supercharger kits getting developed too now...lol...

Well, I've been thinking about hopping up the Mazdaspeed3 since I paid it off during closing on the new house. Was a condition of my loan - had to get my income to debt ratio better, and the MS3 was my biggest debt. I've seen guys run 12s with them, not real sure if I want to get that crazy. I'm stock right now, so you'd kick my ass all over the track - then again, I've drag raced for over a decade, if you're a newb to it I could probably kick your ass at least once before you got the hang of it. Racing at the track is whole different animal than the street race. I've seen guys take a 13 second car and run 15s because they couldn't get the hang of the launch or shifting while a bunch of people were watching. It's easy to get rattled and screw up.

You might even dig the MTS stuff. Can pick your own three preamps that I mod - grab a recto, a blackface (for cleans) and a Plexi for Marshall grind and you have something that IMHO does a better fender clean, marshall grind and modern mesa tone than the Marshall JVM or the Roadster.

I'm not saying the roadster is a bad amp - it isn't. I bought mine and was happy with it until a guy I've known since the early 90s needed money for a new house and sold me his rackmount recto and cab crazy cheap. He and I were friends back when he bought that amp new in '92 and it was the amp that I always compared rectos to. It was my 'holy grail' and I'll probably be buried with it. I compared the roadster orange and red channel to the rackmount's and put it for sale about an hour later. I also gigged with the roadster a few times, but my 101B spanked it pretty severely in my opinion. I prefer my Mk III coliseum over the roadster too. My opinion is that mesa put too many relays/options in the amp. I did prefer the roadster over the roadking too.

Pete

Someone on the 370z forum posted a slip time of 12.8009 with a diff gear swap and intake/exhaust. I doubt I'll hit anywhere near that good, I've not even figured out how to launch yet...being a 7AT it's a bit different...I gotta find that torque converter stall point....In a lot of ways do I wish I got the 6MT, but at the same time I was tired of messing with a clutch, and I figured with this being my first "sports car", I'd be more apt to stupidness with a clutch.

 

[stratotone]

Someone on the 370z forum posted a slip time of 12.8009 with a diff gear swap and intake/exhaust. I doubt I'll hit anywhere near that good, I've not even figured out how to launch yet...being a 7AT it's a bit different...I gotta find that torque converter stall point....In a lot of ways do I wish I got the 6MT, but at the same time I was tired of messing with a clutch, and I figured with this being my first "sports car", I'd be more apt to stupidness with a clutch.

An automatic is so much easier to drag race with than a manual transmission it's not even funny. My cat could get consistent times with an auto if he could reach the pedals.

Personally I couldn't own a sports car without a manual - it's part of the fun for me.

Pete

 

[kannibul]

Someone on the 370z forum posted a slip time of 12.8009 with a diff gear swap and intake/exhaust. I doubt I'll hit anywhere near that good, I've not even figured out how to launch yet...being a 7AT it's a bit different...I gotta find that torque converter stall point....In a lot of ways do I wish I got the 6MT, but at the same time I was tired of messing with a clutch, and I figured with this being my first "sports car", I'd be more apt to stupidness with a clutch.

An automatic is so much easier to drag race with than a manual transmission it's not even funny. My cat could get consistent times with an auto if he could reach the pedals.

Personally I couldn't own a sports car without a manual - it's part of the fun for me.

Pete

I agree with that statement, but, after test driving the auto, I was satisfied. Plus, Liz could drive it in an emergency...

 

[stratotone]

Personally I couldn't own a sports car without a manual - it's part of the fun for me.

Pete

I agree with that statement, but, after test driving the auto, I was satisfied. Plus, Liz could drive it in an emergency...

Teach her to drive a stick! My wife's car is a manual. Wimmens can learn the clutch. Check this out:

http://www.dragtimes.com/Mazda-3-Timeslip-13425.html

He doesn't have very many mods... although the 'test pipe' would make the car interesting on the road for sure.

Pete

 

[stratotone]

Oh, and to get this back on topic... I do have a Fractal Axe-FX and a VHT 2/90/2 that together could give you more versatility and tones than the roadster.

*awaiting flames*

Pete

 

[jkdsteve]

Oh, and to get this back on topic... I do have a Fractal Axe-FX and a VHT 2/90/2 that together could give you more versatility and tones than the roadster.

*awaiting flames*

Pete

 

[Shiny_Surface]

I dunno, I thought my old Roadster stood up pretty well to the shitty FAGNER sitting next to it.

 

[Digital Jams]

Dork rice boys

I finally sat in a Nisson GTR as a dealer still has one..................incredible car.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

uberscall great sounding amp, but a one trick pony

Sorry, but that's just not true, especially if you can turn knobs.

 

[stratotone]

I dunno, I thought my old Roadster stood up pretty well to the shitty FAGNER sitting next to it.

Different strokes for different folks. How many gigs did you play with each amp? I wanted to love the Roadster, it had a great feature set. Out of the amps in the pic, I just have the bogner and the SLO. Both of them were so much better to me than the Roadster that it was kinda sad. I'd have kept the 50 watt Randall but I have three 100 watt versions... any of which I also prefer over the Roadster.

Take heart though - I preferred the Roadster over the DSL!

Pete

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Different strokes for different folks. How many gigs did you play with each amp? I wanted to love the Roadster, it had a great feature set. Out of the amps in the pic, I just have the bogner and the SLO. Both of them were so much better to me than the Roadster that it was kinda sad. I'd have kept the 50 watt Randall but I have three 100 watt versions... any of which I also prefer over the Roadster.

Take heart though - I preferred the Roadster over the DSL!

Pete

What an embarassing wall of shit... j/k man

Not gigging at the moment, current basement dweller lost my drummer a few years back unfortunately.

I rarely give amp opinions on message boards anymore, because I almost never agree with anyone elses opinions I read these days, even the high rollers/regular giggers/tonal "expert" crowd.

If it's one thing I've learned on the boards for the past 12 years it's that no amp is immune from being trash talked or negative opinion, no matter how expensive or big the army of fanboi's it might have...which is a good thing imo. Keeps things honest to a degree. I hate when people think any piece of gear is immune from criticism.

Every amp I've ever owned had something redeeming about it and wasn't absolute crap (imo), even though I sold alot of them through the years. None of them were perfect but I don't expect them to be even on the higher end.

Wow I've wandered off topic.

 

[kannibul]

Personally I couldn't own a sports car without a manual - it's part of the fun for me.

Pete

I agree with that statement, but, after test driving the auto, I was satisfied. Plus, Liz could drive it in an emergency...

Teach her to drive a stick! My wife's car is a manual. Wimmens can learn the clutch. Check this out:

http://www.dragtimes.com/Mazda-3-Timeslip-13425.html

He doesn't have very many mods... although the 'test pipe' would make the car interesting on the road for sure.

Pete

I tried to teach her with my truck. She borrowed it once and drove it 1/2 mile in 1st gear because she wasn't comfortable shifting...I can't bear to imagine her doing that again.

Besides, I'm good with the 7AT. For now. If I blow it up, and there aren't any valve body upgrades on the horizon, then I'll probably switch it out or trade the car for a 6MT.

"test pipe(s)" just mean they have removed the catalytic converter for a smooth section of pipe. It's probably a bit louder than with standard or high flow cats, but, with the MS3 having a turbo, it should be fairly quiet (compared to a non-turbo, all things being equal).

There's a company that's making long tube headers for the Z that I'm thinking of getting - thinking, because I'll DIY the install - and from what I know, and what I've seen of the engine bay, it'll be a major PITA. Shops typically charge 6-8 hours install labor...which I won't afford that...

Then it's a matter of getting a LW crank pulley, then MAYBE a supercharger...eventually. I want to let other people figure out the limits of the 7AT before I do, that, or I have enough money stashed away that I can repair the tranny if/when it blows.

 

[stratotone]

Different strokes for different folks. How many gigs did you play with each amp? I wanted to love the Roadster, it had a great feature set. Out of the amps in the pic, I just have the bogner and the SLO. Both of them were so much better to me than the Roadster that it was kinda sad. I'd have kept the 50 watt Randall but I have three 100 watt versions... any of which I also prefer over the Roadster.

Take heart though - I preferred the Roadster over the DSL!

Pete

What an embarassing wall of shit... j/k man

Not gigging at the moment, current basement dweller lost my drummer a few years back unfortunately.

I rarely give amp opinions on message boards anymore, because I almost never agree with anyone elses opinions I read these days, even the high rollers/regular giggers/tonal "expert" crowd.

If it's one thing I've learned on the boards for the past 12 years it's that no amp is immune from being trash talked or negative opinion, no matter how expensive or big the army of fanboi's it might have...which is a good thing imo. Keeps things honest to a degree. I hate when people think any piece of gear is immune from criticism.

Every amp I've ever owned had something redeeming about it and wasn't absolute crap (imo), even though I sold alot of them through the years. None of them were perfect but I don't expect them to be even on the higher end.

Wow I've wandered off topic.

Oh, I could gig with worse than a roadster (and have)! Hell, I've gigged with Randall RG80s and Peavey Classic 2x12 combos and worse, back in the day. Recently at home until I could set up my amps I had a J-Station that I used for practice into a PC and headphones - a $99 rig at best.

I've scratch built tube amps, currently mod some for $, gigged for nearly 2 decades and have owned a shit-ton of amps, but I'm no more an expert than the next guy. I just know what sounds good and works for *me* and it's all opinions. If there was one best amp, we'd all own it. Everyone hears things differently and looks for something different in their gear choices. I was just surprised when I put the roadster up against the rackmount head I have - it was almost shocking. It's going to be interesting when Jeff gets his and brings it over if he hears the same stuff I did. Would really be funny if he preferred the roadster!

Pete

 

[kannibul]

Looking at that drag slip - 18PSI boost? holy crap.

Guys with TT kits on the 370z are running at half that and getting nearly 500HP at the rear wheels.

The HP/Torque curves are much smoother too...

Not bragging, just I think these are two different animals. I should know - I play Forza 3. (Joking, though I do play Forza3)

 

[stratotone]

Looking at that drag slip - 18PSI boost? holy crap.

Guys with TT kits on the 370z are running at half that and getting nearly 500HP at the rear wheels.

The HP/Torque curves are much smoother too...

Not bragging, just I think these are two different animals. I should know - I play Forza 3. (Joking, though I do play Forza3)

They *are* totally different animals. The Speed3 is meant to be a compromise vehicle - and it has a 2.3 liter engine and FWD. I don't know many cars that are 25k and under new, can carry a 4x12, head, several guitars and pedalboard/accessories for a gig - Or carry four people in comfort, get 27+ mpg on the highway, run high 13s in the quarter stock at over 100mph (and sub 6.0 second 0 to 60) with a top end of 155mph limited. Plus I can drive by a cop without him giving me a second glance. Plus mine is paid for.

If I buy another new car that is pretty much just going to go fast and only carry two people in comfort, I'd probably get a Camaro SS or a Challenger. I'm a sucker for retro styling and big V8s. And manual transmissions. I've done the japanese sports car thing several times (Had a turbo Supra, and a Turbo DSM AWD) and a detroit muscle car is just a more visceral experience. I miss it.

Pete

 

[kannibul]

Looking at that drag slip - 18PSI boost? holy crap.

Guys with TT kits on the 370z are running at half that and getting nearly 500HP at the rear wheels.

The HP/Torque curves are much smoother too...

Not bragging, just I think these are two different animals. I should know - I play Forza 3. (Joking, though I do play Forza3)

They *are* totally different animals. The Speed3 is meant to be a compromise vehicle - and it has a 2.3 liter engine and FWD. I don't know many cars that are 25k and under new, can carry a 4x12, head, several guitars and pedalboard/accessories for a gig - Or carry four people in comfort, get 27+ mpg on the highway, run high 13s in the quarter stock at over 100mph (and sub 6.0 second 0 to 60) with a top end of 155mph limited. Plus I can drive by a cop without him giving me a second glance. Plus mine is paid for.

If I buy another new car that is pretty much just going to go fast and only carry two people in comfort, I'd probably get a Camaro SS or a Challenger. I'm a sucker for retro styling and big V8s. And manual transmissions. I've done the japanese sports car thing several times (Had a turbo Supra, and a Turbo DSM AWD) and a detroit muscle car is just a more visceral experience. I miss it.

Pete

I'll probably get flamed for it, but I think the Camaro is fugly as hell. They missed the mark. While it does have a bit of retro flair to it, everything from the radiator forward just doesn't do it for me. Some angles the car as a whole looks pretty good, others...no way...

426HP from a pushrod V8...can't go wrong with that though, and with a couple of mods it'd be insane. Just to bust more balls on the Camaro, it's made 100% in Canada. Not quite Detroit muscle


I also didn't care for the Challenger, a number of reasons...mostly that I don't care for Dodge products, never really have. The fact that Jeep is a dodge, is one of hte reasons I've not gotten a Jeep, instead I'll probably get an XTerra when it comes time to replace my truck, which was about 2 years ago.

I thought about the Speed3 - in fact, I wanted to check yours out...but never got around to it.

 

[King Crimson]

Gassin for a Mesa Roadster...not really sure why?

Most likely because all the other amps that you had didn't make you a better player...maybe you'll find your magic wand in the toadster.