Would you buy a Mesa strategy 500 for your Axe 2?

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Flavatrocious

Flavatrocious

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Well would ya?

Given the opportunity to own one of these bad boys, and run it with the good ol' axer, what do you guys think?

Don't need any "well what do you use now" or "what do you prefer" questions. Just looking for input on the above! :rock:

Peace, love an' hair grease Rigatoni ;)
 
Honestly I've found the best sounds for me thus far have been those entirely boring, flat, solid state D class amplifiers either as a peripheral or as a built-in/powered source.

I ran my A2 with the Fryette 2/90/2, the Mesa 2:50, as well as - for shits and giggles - a Marshall poweramp, and while it sure was nice to have real glass in the equation, it just didn't sound as 'right' as it does now with the [recommended FRFR solid state] linear power stage stuff.
 
Completely agree with the above....I found like I was fighting to make the Axe FX work with tubes. The tones emulation and versatility really comes through when using FRFR IMO.

Best,

Eric
 
Back around 1989, I got a Strategy 400 really cheap, while looking for stereo rack power that I could afford.

It was tricky at first, because those were ALOT of 6L6's, and ALOT of power, for running two 4x12's. I used the "set it and forget it" method, once it was dialed in. But, I was constantly checking the output knobs before sending power to the rack, due to not wanting to replace 8 speakers at once (we sometimes partied at our practice space, so girlfriends would sometimes turn knobs for the hell of it, and when transporting gear the knobs would somehow get tweaked, as well).

If it is a really great deal, I would go for it, but if it is merely just a good deal, I would pass due to eliminating the "worry" factor. ***Your results may vary though***
 
Cool info fellas :rock: You guys are the shit! Keep it coming!

So i guess i'm gonna lean towards the Matrix gear then...?

I'm really gassing to replace my mills cabs speakers with all EVM12L Black Labels,
replacing the X-pattern of G12K100's/V30's. Throwing a Matrix GT1600 in the equation (or 2) and then heading towards the nearest hearing aid store, haha!

Shitting aside, I really want the Axe to work out so i can use just a rack setup and lose the heads. The axe sounds as close as you could wish, just a hairs difference, not worth worrying about. I'd like just to have a big sound, nice and clean, not necessarily loud etc. All the bands artists i dig are using pretty much just the axe 2.
 
Been there and done that!

I had way better luck getting the Axe to sound good through the Strategy 500, than through a big watt QSC. This was with guitar cabs, not full range.

The Strategy is worth the price of admission for slaving alone. Should here a Herbert slaved to it for 3 full stack of ground pounding! :D

Still have the Strategy, the Axe is but a memory.
 
Flavatrocious":31ircu12 said:
I'm really gassing to replace my mills cabs speakers with all EVM12L Black Labels,
Click to expand...


I have a few of those in some Thiele cabs. Awesome speaker.

My experience is that I like the tubes in the mix. I "hear" in emulating the power section a less complex tone. It just is missing something to me. Even into FRFR I am using a tube power section just loaded down. I've tried all kinds of combinations of digital and analog and the one area I still feel needs some work is the power section emulation.

That being said, if you get the Mesa you will be stuck with that "tone" since you can't swap like you can in the digital world. So, it depends if you think you will get along with the Mesa's tube set.
 
I'm thinking the Mesa would sound really good but i cant help but feel its older technology and the Axe might be held back a bit in more ways than one.

With all the new things coming out associated with the axe its hard to decide. Especially products like the Two notes Torpedo...
 
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