Mesa recto/Mk3 stereo rig completed.

[RJF]

^^^^ agree. the passive p-split is the way to go. control fixed phasing issues too. i don't pass any front end audio through my GCX. FX loop send/return only and use it for channel changing.

I've read some of your posts in the past, regarding ground loop hum in dual amp setups Before. I know you favor RJM products over the GCX system because the Rack Gizmo (IIRC) handles phasing and ground loop issues much better.

What I like about the GCX system, is the bargain they can be had for. If you've used the P split and like it, I think I will give it a try.

 

[BrentSSL]

theres an intersting mesa stereo rig demo on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5W5_roi_gg

 

[RJF]

He's got some pretty serious ground loop hum going on. Not a bad rig, but I'm not a fan of W/D like he did with his. I used to run my Herbert wet, and my Bogner TJ dry. I never realized how much I was missing out until I went W/W and started taking advantage of the stereo capability of my rack processor. Panners, phasers, and especially delay sounds so much better in stereo. My rhythm crunch though, is completely dry on both amps.

 

[steve_k]

^^^^ agree. the passive p-split is the way to go. control fixed phasing issues too. i don't pass any front end audio through my GCX. FX loop send/return only and use it for channel changing.

I've read some of your posts in the past, regarding ground loop hum in dual amp setups Before. I know you favor RJM products over the GCX system because the Rack Gizmo (IIRC) handles phasing and ground loop issues much better.

What I like about the GCX system, is the bargain they can be had for. If you've used the P split and like it, I think I will give it a try.

I actually use a GCX and prefer it and the Ground Control over the RJM, mostly because I am more familiar with its use and set up. If you really want to invest in a better system, find a Bradshaw 4x4 switcher and controller. That one has the best isolation. Its only 4 loops, so if you can get on with that, then you are good. You can catch them on ebay from time to time. But, you can put the P-split before the GXC or after, depending on routing for isolation. If you are running a stereo rack FX between two amps, that is the worst of ground hum to get rid of. Normally I would just set up W/D and run one amp totally isolated from the other. This is where people like Dave Friedman can really help you out on these sorts of things and put isolation transformers in the system.

 

[RJF]

^^^^ agree. the passive p-split is the way to go. control fixed phasing issues too. i don't pass any front end audio through my GCX. FX loop send/return only and use it for channel changing.

I've read some of your posts in the past, regarding ground loop hum in dual amp setups Before. I know you favor RJM products over the GCX system because the Rack Gizmo (IIRC) handles phasing and ground loop issues much better.

What I like about the GCX system, is the bargain they can be had for. If you've used the P split and like it, I think I will give it a try.

I actually use a GCX and prefer it and the Ground Control over the RJM, mostly because I am more familiar with its use and set up. If you really want to invest in a better system, find a Bradshaw 4x4 switcher and controller. That one has the best isolation. Its only 4 loops, so if you can get on with that, then you are good. You can catch them on ebay from time to time. But, you can put the P-split before the GXC or after, depending on routing for isolation. If you are running a stereo rack FX between two amps, that is the worst of ground hum to get rid of. Normally I would just set up W/D and run one amp totally isolated from the other. This is where people like Dave Friedman can really help you out on these sorts of things and put isolation transformers in the system.

I just ordered a Lehle P split. I found one from GC used for $109, couldn't pass that up, and a Maxon 808 too.

In my Diezel rig, I didn't notice any difference in ground loop hum between when I ran W/D, and W/W. But, we shall see once the P split gets here.

I have no plans to dump the GCX/GCP. I really like that combo too, it's easy to use, I notice no tone suck or any real negative issues with them. Plus, it's easy to find them for cheap.

 

[rottingcorpse]

"Backup rig"? That's funny.

Congrats, I bet that sounds KILLER.

I'd consider a mesa rig a backup to a Diezel rig.

Just as I consider my Marshall rig a backup to my vht rig, which is a backup to my peters/Rhodes rig, which is a backup to my dar fbm/tuzzia rig.

Now THAT is funny.

 

[maddnotez]

Why the old Mesa cab's over Diezel?

 

[RJF]

Just as I consider my Marshall rig a backup to my vht rig, which is a backup to my peters/Rhodes rig, which is a backup to my dar fbm/tuzzia rig.

Aint it fun!

 

[RJF]

Why the old Mesa cab's over Diezel?

Umm....OMG..... the Diezel cabs are for the DIEZEL rig!

I'm lazy. I don't like unplugging and plugging in different speaker cables every time I want to switch between the two rigs.

I'm also kind of a matched gear nut. I hate brand A head on top of brand B cab. Mesa cabs for the Mesa rig are a must. Plus, when I finish my studio, I'll have plenty of room for a couple more cabs anyway.

 

[Badronald]

I still haven't heard a Diezel rig sound as good as a similar Mesa rig.

Hetfield is a perfect example.

I've seen a few of them live with similar results. I've played a few and they sound great, but nothing I'd sell that Mesa rig for.

 

[Terex]

Awesome rig!!

Can we get a couple of rig pics from both rigs? Your amp collection is insane, and your taste in amps is great!

 

[rottingcorpse]

Just as I consider my Marshall rig a backup to my vht rig, which is a backup to my peters/Rhodes rig, which is a backup to my dar fbm/tuzzia rig.

Aint it fun!

Yes. Yes it is.

This is the stuff I wished for as a kid. So nice to be an adult and have dream gear.

 

[RJF]

Just as I consider my Marshall rig a backup to my vht rig, which is a backup to my peters/Rhodes rig, which is a backup to my dar fbm/tuzzia rig.

Aint it fun!

Yes. Yes it is.

This is the stuff I wished for as a kid. So nice to be an adult and have dream gear.

Haha... I remember being 13-14 as kid, drooling over adds in guitar player magazine of a blackface chrome chassis Dual Recto half stack. Also remember the list price of $1799 on them, and thinking that is an insane amount of money and I'll never own one.

 

[RJF]

I still haven't heard a Diezel rig sound as good as a similar Mesa rig.

Hetfield is a perfect example.

I've seen a few of them live with similar results. I've played a few and they sound great, but nothing I'd sell that Mesa rig for.

Hetfield's rig in an anomaly. But, I don't think the problem is the VH4.

I'd take my Diezel rig over the Mesa rig every day of the week, twice on Sunday. So much smoother and cleaner sounding. The Mesa setup is more raw sounding, but less defined.

 

[RJF]

Awesome rig!!

Can we get a couple of rig pics from both rigs? Your amp collection is insane, and your taste in amps is great!

Here's a couple. Last one is current with the G Force in the rack, since GM2 got sent to the Mesa rig.

 

[BrentSSL]

sooooooo jelly