Mesa Stiletto Hollywood mod info

[bigangryguitar]

Anyone have it? Love the clean and crunch channels on this amp but the tite and fluid gain could use some help. Amp is the Stage 1 Trident.


thanks Shane

 

[skoora]

Do you have a stage 1?

 

[bigangryguitar]

Do you have a stage 1?

I do, it's a Stage 1 trident.

 

[messenger]

I don’t know but I love my Ace. It’s my understanding that the Ace (and series 2) basically already have the mod. Also if u haven’t tried 6CA7s in it DO IT

 

[bigangryguitar]

I don’t know but I love my Ace. It’s my understanding that the Ace (and series 2) basically already have the mod. Also if u haven’t tried 6CA7s in it DO IT

The Stage II has more going on than the Hollywood mod, it just affects the Tite and Fluid drive modes from what I understand. I would need to find some 6ca7's first to try out before I take the plunge since 6 of anything costs a lot tube wise! I LOVE the sound now on the crunch modes and clean but if I could get two more modes I loved as well more the better.

 

[skoora]

Either sell the stage 1 and get a stage 2 or see if Boogie can change it to stage 2 specs for you. You'll have a hard time moving a stage 1 trident without pricing very cheap. Luckily stage 2 deuces are not expensive used but are definitely a superior amp IMO on the tight and fluid drive settings.

 

[bigangryguitar]

Either sell the stage 1 and get a stage 2 or see if Boogie can change it to stage 2 specs for you. You'll have a hard time moving a stage 1 trident without pricing very cheap. Luckily stage 2 deuces are not expensive used but are definitely a superior amp IMO on the tight and fluid drive settings.

I don’t want a stage II as I dig the amp, I was just curious about the mod. Not worried about selling it either as I like it a lot.

 

[JerryP]

Here's the info Mesa gave repair centers (I used to be a Mesa service center) about what they called the Fluid Drive mod for the Stage 1 Stiletto.

Our new Stage II Stiletto Deuce and Trident are vastly different compared to the original Stilettos,
even those that have the Fluid Drive Mod - The Fluid Drive mod is a slight variation on the original
Stiletto that only effect the gain and bass balance between the Fluid Drive and Tite Gain modes on
channel two ONLY, where as the new circuit and component features used in our new Stage II's
provide substantial headroom, tonal and gain benefits across the entire spectrum of the amplifier -
While the new Stage II and original Stilettos look similar on the outside, they are very different on
the inside - Stage II is NOT a simple "small part" mod to the original like the Fluid Drive Mod, but
rather a significant new circuit design, whose internal electronic make up and layout are NOT
modifiable from an original Stiletto in any practical sense.

Fluid Drive Mod for ORIGINAL, NON-STAGE II Stiletto Deuce and Trident:
THIS MOD IS ONLY APPLICABLE TO ORIGINAL, NON-STAGE II STILETTOS
Effects of the mod:
1 - Only effects Fluid Drive and Tite Gain Modes on Channel 2 - No effect on any other part of the
amp.
2 - Adds a bit of low end and drive to Tite Gain Mode on Channel 2
3 - Reduces the bass and adds gain to Fluid Drive Mode on Channel 2

Once the amp had been modded by the Mesa repair shops they were supposed to put the letter FD next to the serial number on the amp.

 

[bigangryguitar]

Here's the info Mesa gave repair centers (I used to be a Mesa service center) about what they called the Fluid Drive mod for the Stage 1 Stiletto.

Our new Stage II Stiletto Deuce and Trident are vastly different compared to the original Stilettos,
even those that have the Fluid Drive Mod - The Fluid Drive mod is a slight variation on the original
Stiletto that only effect the gain and bass balance between the Fluid Drive and Tite Gain modes on
channel two ONLY, where as the new circuit and component features used in our new Stage II's
provide substantial headroom, tonal and gain benefits across the entire spectrum of the amplifier -
While the new Stage II and original Stilettos look similar on the outside, they are very different on
the inside - Stage II is NOT a simple "small part" mod to the original like the Fluid Drive Mod, but
rather a significant new circuit design, whose internal electronic make up and layout are NOT
modifiable from an original Stiletto in any practical sense.

Fluid Drive Mod for ORIGINAL, NON-STAGE II Stiletto Deuce and Trident:
THIS MOD IS ONLY APPLICABLE TO ORIGINAL, NON-STAGE II STILETTOS
Effects of the mod:
1 - Only effects Fluid Drive and Tite Gain Modes on Channel 2 - No effect on any other part of the
amp.
2 - Adds a bit of low end and drive to Tite Gain Mode on Channel 2
3 - Reduces the bass and adds gain to Fluid Drive Mode on Channel 2

Once the amp had been modded by the Mesa repair shops they were supposed to put the letter FD next to the serial number on the amp.

Thanks Jerry but I want the instructions to give to my tech. This is great info though.

 

[skoora]

If you just need a decent higher gain than crunch and volume and EQ changes aren't a big concern, they take pedals really well. I get as good, if not better high gain with a pedal over crunch as I would using tight or fluid on my Stage II.

 

[bigangryguitar]

If you just need a decent higher gain than crunch and volume and EQ changes aren't a big concern, they take pedals really well. I get as good, if not better high gain with a pedal over crunch as I would using tight or fluid on my Stage II.

I’m already boosting the crunch channel and it sounds stellar this is more of a curiosity thing.

 

[PlayAndersons]

I had it done years ago and liked it. It also has been quite a while since I had that amp...

 

[bigangryguitar]

I had it done years ago and liked it. It also has been quite a while since I had that amp...

From what I can tell it wouldn’t ruin the thing I love about the amp and maybe make a couple of the modes better. Now if I can just find someone with the instructions!