Best guitar amp to get the following sound....

ryanformato · 12th July 2006, 02:30 PM

I am both an instrumental guitarist and in a punk/rock emo band. My current setup is as follows:

Digitech 2120 ---> Mesa Boogie 50/50 (Tube power amp) ---> Mesa 4x12 Cabinet.

This setup gets me an awesome instrumental guitar sound (although it is a bit "fake"and "Digitechy" sounding...but I cannot achieve an in your face sound like in the chorus of the mp3 provided.

I have been looking at a few options but am open to all suggestions. I am thinking of getting a Mesa Triaxis but there are no stores that carry them and I would have to buy it "blind."

I would even consider going the head/cab route over the rack if I am able to cover both sounds. Thanks for your help. Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated. Here is the link to the song I would like to be able to sound/record like.

It is Taking Back Sunday's hit song MakeDamnSure.

TheRigaletto · 12th July 2006, 03:03 PM

I did a little search to see if I could find what they used in the studio and Im pretty sure they used Marshall's. I cant tell from the picture, but it looks like a newer DSL or TSL head through maybe an older silver face cab possibly with green backs...

As far as your gear goes...dude...ebay everything you own...

This tone on the album is actually reminds of that nice British crunch. Look into maybe getting an Orange head and you can run that to your cab. ( I own a Rockerverb 50 head and love it!)

Pitch the Digitech AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The harsh reality is that if you want to sound like the bands you like...you're going to have to start buying the gear they play...and 95% of the real players out there dont use lower end processors.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk when I give this advice, but the best advice I ever got was from a player I greatly respected telling me "I need to take you behind the tone shed and beat you!"

tedcrop · 12th July 2006, 03:16 PM

I am gonna agree with this dude above me. Since you are already with the boogie power amp. You could slap in the tube rectifier pre but...

You can get those tones through micing a combo tube amp. Just go to the music store and play all of them until you find the sound. The amp does not have to be super powerful 30 watts should do ya.

Then take an SM57 into a nice mic pre like Greta River or Chandler, and move it around until you find the sound and then track the same part over and over for huge in your face sounds. Most heavy rythem parts nowadays are two three and four tracks and sometimes more.

I don't know what your room is like but loud aint always best. You may want to try hanging a blanket over a mic stand in T position a few feet in front of the cab to tighten up and get a less washed up sound.

Or get you a POD and plug it into a brick.

ryanformato · 12th July 2006, 03:17 PM

I have a pod xt pro as well as a Great River preamp. I just don't understand the "ebay" everything part of it. I want to get rid of the digitech 2120 but I'd like to keep the cabinet and the power amp. I need a unit that will be awesome live and recording. By the way, I also need to cover an instrumental guitar sound in the vein of Vai/Petrucci. I was hoping one unit could cover both. The pod xt pro is ok for recording but isn't very good live. Maybe I haven't tweaked its possibilities on the other hand.

el cochino · 12th July 2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanformato

I have a pod xt pro as well as a Great River preamp. I just don't understand the "ebay" everything part of it. I want to get rid of the digitech 2120 but I'd like to keep the cabinet and the power amp. I need a unit that will be awesome live and recording. By the way, I also need to cover an instrumental guitar sound in the vein of Vai/Petrucci. I was hoping one unit could cover both. The pod xt pro is ok for recording but isn't very good live. Maybe I haven't tweaked its possibilities on the other hand.

Your power amp and cab are very good and all you need is a great preamp to go with them. If I was you, I'd try the Marshall jmp-1 or the Randall MTS series - the RM4 frame can hold up to 4 different preamp modules at the same time and there's a huge variety of different modules available. I have both, the Marshall and Randall, and absolutely love them.

ryanformato · 12th July 2006, 04:39 PM

I am really interested in the Triaxis, JMP-1, and now the Randall seems like an awesome idea...I don't think the pod xt pro is comparable to any of these units. I am not sure though since I am not able to play these units at stores because they just don't carry them. Anyone who actually has any of these...can you comment on them?

TheRigaletto · 12th July 2006, 05:16 PM

I had the jmp-1 and if you run it right it sounds pretty good. I just dont see why you are set on these rack mounted units? Are you recording direct?? I just feel there is no comparison to a great ol plexi against the "plexi setting" on a jmp.

ryanformato · 12th July 2006, 05:20 PM

I guess since I've always had a rackmount I feel kind of stuck to it. Also, I'd like to cover more than one type of sound. I need to get an instrumental guitar sound like Vai/Petrucci and an in your face punk sound. I figured the rack is the most versatile way to go. I am not worried about going direct at all. I have the pod xt pro for direct but I like to mic anyway.

Myriad_Rocker · 12th July 2006, 05:30 PM

Some great suggestions have been given. The Triaxis is great and so is the JMP-1. I used to own the JMP-1 and it was a great pre. I had to sell if off because I never used it. As for the Randall, I've always thought those were cool. I really want to try one out but no one has them. I suppose you could pick one up and just return it if you don't like it.

Doublehelix · 12th July 2006, 05:45 PM

A few comments based on my personal beliefs and opinions:

1) Forget any type of digital modeling (Pod, Digitech, etc.).

2) Different sounds require different amps. You can't have it all. The Randall model has promise from a design standpoint, but I have never heard it so I cannot comment on the quality of sounds. It sure sounds like a great idea however.

3) I have never been a fan of the Triaxis.

4) You can get away with a lot more live than you can in the studio. One good amp and some foot pedals? For the studio, I prefer guitar -> cable -> amp.

5) The Marshal TSL sucks, and the DSL is close behind.

Just my 2 cents.

by-tor · 12th July 2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doublehelix

5) The Marshal TSL sucks, and the DSL is close behind.

retropete · 12th July 2006, 06:53 PM

Well there's a lotta ways to get there.

But you need tubes, no doubt about it. I've had the JMP-1 and it was fairly convincing from a recording standpoint, but I felt it was a bit wimpy live. I was using it with a Soldano power amp live into a pair of ADA 2x12s stereo with Celestions.

Mostly I've been happy with my Bogner Shiva with a few pedals. Not crazy about the overdrive section on the Shiva, though.

I've also used a Soldano x88 into a VHT 50/50 power amp. The band liked that best. (I still preferred the Bogner)

I've had the Randall RM-4 about a week, so I haven't played at band volume yet with it, but it sounds really good at apartment level. I've got the XTC, Brown and Top Boost modules. Again, I'm running it through the VHT power amp, generally into an ADA 2x12. Finding one is more than enough these days. I've also got a couple 4x12 cabs but I find I don't really need it live or for recording to get a good sound.

Still, even a great combo amp will get you there with the right pedals. The other guitar player in my band got awesome distortion out of an old Fender blackface Pro Reverb with a TS-808. Robert Keeley's mods for pedals really open up the sound. (robertkeeley.com) Vai, Lynch among others use his mods.

Most clubs I play at mike the guitar cabinet, so I really don't need a large amp. And for the smaller ones that don't, a 4x12 is overkill.

Still, for your setup, you've got a cabinet and poweramp you like. The Randall might be really good for your application. But at this point, I haven't heard a great clean sound out of the modules I've got. Perhaps the Deluxe module would be right for that. But then again, I not what I was looking for. The Bogner has that more than covered. The Randall website has some clips that show what each module is capable of -- check it out!

TheRigaletto · 12th July 2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doublehelix

5) The Marshal TSL sucks, and the DSL is close behind.

Just my 2 cents.

dont get me started on these new school piece of crap Marshall's

marchhare · 12th July 2006, 07:48 PM

+1 on the Orange Rockerverb 50. I really, really love mine. Alternately, a nice
Marshall JMP w/ a good pedal in front of it, or better yet a Bogner or Bradshaw
moddified Marshall (sometimes these pop up on Ebay). Or slightly cheaper, an
old Peavey 5150 head. Any of these should get you what you're looking for.

chetatkinsdiet · 12th July 2006, 08:04 PM

Agree with just about everything here. I was just having this discussion with a bandmember. We both HATE Mesa sounds. They're just too scooped in the mids and have zero tone. Even with great players, they still sound like ass. Just about any older 50w tube head will work for you.

JCM800 series from Marshall

Sunn Spectrum/Solarius and all the other late 60s Sunn heads.

Ampeg V series....V4, VT40, VT22, etc. Basically, these are mini-SVT amps. Monsters.

Even old Fender Silverface or Blackface amps will work. Take a bassman head with a nice Marshall cab and you're getting a better tone.

ALL of these amps take pedals very nicely and can give you some flavor. If you're looking for the versatility of a rack mount effects unit, forget it. But, give me pure tone anyday. In my opinion, that's why I can't listen to guys like Vai, Satch, Sheehan, Eric Johnson, etc. It's all too processed and sounds terrible. Give me someone with great tone and less flash anyday.

Seriously, you say you're in a punk band....what would you rather hear....Vai wank around for hours or Johnny Thunders with his LP Jr plugged directly into a marshall?

Also, am I the only one here that doesn't even like the Mesa cabs? Give me a Marshall with Greenbacks or V30s anyday. The breakup is much nicer.

m

Bob Ross · 12th July 2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanformato

I want to get rid of the digitech 2120

In the (perhaps unlikely) event that there are some guitar tones in that 2120 that you'd miss, but you still can't justify keeping it around just for them, consider this:

The 2120 can be used as a remarkably flexible standalone outboard reverb.

Use the FX Loop Return jack as the input, be sure to enable the FX Loop in your routing, and dial up the algorithm with the fewest modules (or whateverthefuk they're called). Then assign that module to the biggest CPU hog available ("Q1"? I'm drawing a complete blank on what crap is called in that box) and use that as your Hall or Plate 'verb.

My 2120 was gathering dust in the guitar rack, going unused for months on end. As soon as I took it out & wired it into the outboard effects rack I started using it on almost every mix. Bypass the toobs and all the fuzz stuff, just use it as a faux Lexicon. Surprisingly effective (no pun intended).

On the other hand, PrePal says folks are getting $466 for used 2120's, so maybe we should both sell ours...

el cochino · 12th July 2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retropete

The Randall might be really good for your application. But at this point, I haven't heard a great clean sound out of the modules I've got. Perhaps the Deluxe module would be right for that.

It seems that this was a problem with earlier production modules, which can be fixed with a simple mod.

I found this on grailtone.com:

Randall Clean & Blackface Mods
There was an issue discovered after several production runs in all the clean to mid-gain Randall models including the Clean, Blackface, DLX, Top Boost, Plexi, JTM, & Brown, that causes excess distortion overloading the input gain. Too eliminate this issue and clean up these modules, position R1 which is a 470 ohm 1/2w resistor, needs to be changed to a 150 Ohm 1/2w resistor. This is only the early production Randall models and some of the early Egnater models. The new modules have been fixed at the factory but you should check any current module that you have. You can identify what value is in your module by the color bands located on the resistor, 470 ohm resistors have yellow, purple, and brown color bands, where the correct 150 ohm resistors have brown, green, brown color bands.

You might wanna check if you have the early modules.

Absolute · 12th July 2006, 08:31 PM

great playing bud--where on LI, NY are you?

we can talk all day but its not the guitar gear--its the ear. Just go over to harmony central and *hear all the awesome amps that sound like a butt mic'd.

There is nothing special about the song you posted..your not trying to nail EVH's tone--its just a generic guitar sound. Steve Vai used that preamp on CD's and sounded great you just have to increase your knowledge on getting good sounds(you have some nasty buzziness on the songs on your site probably caused by the Digi not being meant to be heard through that cab)--

I would get the triaxis--it works perfect for your setup. It will take some time to learn it though because its got like 20 different voicings

Jonboy79 · 12th July 2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chetatkinsdiet

Agree with just about everything here. I was just having this discussion with a bandmember. We both HATE Mesa sounds. They're just too scooped in the mids and have zero tone. Even with great players, they still sound like ass. Just about any older 50w tube head will work for you.

JCM800 series from Marshall

Sunn Spectrum/Solarius and all the other late 60s Sunn heads.

Ampeg V series....V4, VT40, VT22, etc. Basically, these are mini-SVT amps. Monsters.

Even old Fender Silverface or Blackface amps will work. Take a bassman head with a nice Marshall cab and you're getting a better tone.

ALL of these amps take pedals very nicely and can give you some flavor. If you're looking for the versatility of a rack mount effects unit, forget it. But, give me pure tone anyday. In my opinion, that's why I can't listen to guys like Vai, Satch, Sheehan, Eric Johnson, etc. It's all too processed and sounds terrible. Give me someone with great tone and less flash anyday.

Seriously, you say you're in a punk band....what would you rather hear....Vai wank around for hours or Johnny Thunders with his LP Jr plugged directly into a marshall?

Also, am I the only one here that doesn't even like the Mesa cabs? Give me a Marshall with Greenbacks or V30s anyday. The breakup is much nicer.

m

I completely agree about the Marshall cabs but completely disagree about the Mesa amps comment. It's tough to say you don't like the tones of an amp company when they put out amps with such a varied sound. I think every good amp company has amps that'll fit the needs of any specific kind of player. It's just with most people they pick the popular amp and then claim to hate the company, like Rectifiers with Mesa, or TSL's with Marshall. Since they think the rectifier sucks they claim all the amps by that company does, same with the TSL. I personally detest the TSL's and think they're pure shit, but I love jcm800's and even most of the old reissue amps. With Mesa, I don't really care for the rectumfriers, but I love their lower wattage el84 driven amps.

ryanformato · 12th July 2006, 08:48 PM

I am from Mastic, NY. The recordings on my site are OLD and I've learned so much since then...it was definitely my recording technique more at fault than the amp. I just hope that the Mesa triaxis can do that in your face sound. I already know it can do great Vai/Petrucci.

Thanks for your help.

TheRigaletto · 12th July 2006, 08:57 PM

Are you looking to record the Triaxis direct also?

chetatkinsdiet · 12th July 2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonboy79

I completely agree about the Marshall cabs but completely disagree about the Mesa amps comment. It's tough to say you don't like the tones of an amp company when they put out amps with such a varied sound. I think every good amp company has amps that'll fit the needs of any specific kind of player. It's just with most people they pick the popular amp and then claim to hate the company, like Rectifiers with Mesa, or TSL's with Marshall. Since they think the rectifier sucks they claim all the amps by that company does, same with the TSL. I personally detest the TSL's and think they're pure shit, but I love jcm800's and even most of the old reissue amps. With Mesa, I don't really care for the rectumfriers, but I love their lower wattage el84 driven amps.

Yeah, a little unfair of me. I'm talking about the mulit-rectified Mesa stuff. The old Boogie stuff is nice, as is all of their EL84 stuff. I've heard, briefly, their newish Lone Star stuff and it sounded ok in the store...didn't have much time to really jack with it. But really, if we're talking EL84 stuff, I want it to say Vox on the front.

Later,

m

Jonboy79 · 12th July 2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chetatkinsdiet

Yeah, a little unfair of me. I'm talking about the mulit-rectified Mesa stuff. The old Boogie stuff is nice, as is all of their EL84 stuff. I've heard, briefly, their newish Lone Star stuff and it sounded ok in the store...didn't have much time to really jack with it. But really, if we're talking EL84 stuff, I want it to say Vox on the front.

Later,

m

Yeah I use a Mesa DC-3, great little amp, and like I said I also do not like the rectumfriers. I do agree about the Vox thing, but I'm a little leary about the new chinese versions, love love love the sound of a Vox though.

ryanformato · 12th July 2006, 10:33 PM

I am not worried about going direct with the triaxis. I am worried about live sound and recording (miking). If I can go direct, great, but I have the capabilities to mic so why not.

retropete · 12th July 2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

from el cochino -- It seems that this was a problem with earlier production modules, which can be fixed with a simple mod.

I found this on grailtone.com:

thanks man -- lot of good info there. The Lynch modules look especially interesting. But as I said I wasn't looking for a clean module between the Brown, XTC and TopBoost.

If I do, I'd probably go for a Blackface.

sloanfiske · 12th July 2006, 11:05 PM

a dimed jcm800 thru a marshall 4x12 would be my guess.

AdamJay · 12th July 2006, 11:08 PM

Randall 1086 MTS module is pretty damned hot and versatile

TAVD · 12th July 2006, 11:33 PM

I'm not a big fan of the 90w Mesa speakers (if that's what you have). If you have an opportunity to borrow other speakers, give that a try first. The Randall preamp recommendation is a good one. Otherwise, you rig is nice.

Achieving the "in your face" sound might also be a technique/ mic placement/ recording chain issue.

ryanformato · 12th July 2006, 11:41 PM

I have the Mesa 4x12 with Vintage 30's. There are no recording chain issues because I can't achieve the in your face sound "live" first. I get GREAT sound....It just has a very sonic digitech touch to it that is very processed sounding.

If I get the Randall or the Triaxis.....will I be able to achieve both sounds(Vai/Petrucci..& modern punk)...that is the question...Thanks.

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12th July 2006, 03:03 PM	#2
TheRigaletto Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Perrysburg, Oh Posts: 209	I did a little search to see if I could find what they used in the studio and Im pretty sure they used Marshall's. I cant tell from the picture, but it looks like a newer DSL or TSL head through maybe an older silver face cab possibly with green backs... As far as your gear goes...dude...ebay everything you own... This tone on the album is actually reminds of that nice British crunch. Look into maybe getting an Orange head and you can run that to your cab. ( I own a Rockerverb 50 head and love it!) Pitch the Digitech AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The harsh reality is that if you want to sound like the bands you like...you're going to have to start buying the gear they play...and 95% of the real players out there dont use lower end processors. I don't mean to sound like a jerk when I give this advice, but the best advice I ever got was from a player I greatly respected telling me "I need to take you behind the tone shed and beat you!" __________________ Play a note wrong once...it's wrong...play it twice...it's jazz...

12th July 2006, 05:16 PM	#7
TheRigaletto Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Perrysburg, Oh Posts: 209	I had the jmp-1 and if you run it right it sounds pretty good. I just dont see why you are set on these rack mounted units? Are you recording direct?? I just feel there is no comparison to a great ol plexi against the "plexi setting" on a jmp. __________________ Play a note wrong once...it's wrong...play it twice...it's jazz...

12th July 2006, 05:30 PM	#9
Myriad_Rocker Gear addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The States Posts: 346	Some great suggestions have been given. The Triaxis is great and so is the JMP-1. I used to own the JMP-1 and it was a great pre. I had to sell if off because I never used it. As for the Randall, I've always thought those were cool. I really want to try one out but no one has them. I suppose you could pick one up and just return it if you don't like it. __________________ Myriad Rocker Website: Myriad Productions - We do web design, graphic design, provide audio mixing services, and more.

12th July 2006, 05:45 PM	#10
Doublehelix Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: USA Posts: 951	A few comments based on my personal beliefs and opinions: 1) Forget any type of digital modeling (Pod, Digitech, etc.). 2) Different sounds require different amps. You can't have it all. The Randall model has promise from a design standpoint, but I have never heard it so I cannot comment on the quality of sounds. It sure sounds like a great idea however. 3) I have never been a fan of the Triaxis. 4) You can get away with a lot more live than you can in the studio. One good amp and some foot pedals? For the studio, I prefer guitar -> cable -> amp. 5) The Marshal TSL sucks, and the DSL is close behind. Just my 2 cents. __________________ DH "Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded." -Yogi Berra

12th July 2006, 03:16 PM	#3
tedcrop Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 304	I am gonna agree with this dude above me. Since you are already with the boogie power amp. You could slap in the tube rectifier pre but... You can get those tones through micing a combo tube amp. Just go to the music store and play all of them until you find the sound. The amp does not have to be super powerful 30 watts should do ya. Then take an SM57 into a nice mic pre like Greta River or Chandler, and move it around until you find the sound and then track the same part over and over for huge in your face sounds. Most heavy rythem parts nowadays are two three and four tracks and sometimes more. I don't know what your room is like but loud aint always best. You may want to try hanging a blanket over a mic stand in T position a few feet in front of the cab to tighten up and get a less washed up sound. Or get you a POD and plug it into a brick.

12th July 2006, 03:17 PM	#4
ryanformato Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 38	I have a pod xt pro as well as a Great River preamp. I just don't understand the "ebay" everything part of it. I want to get rid of the digitech 2120 but I'd like to keep the cabinet and the power amp. I need a unit that will be awesome live and recording. By the way, I also need to cover an instrumental guitar sound in the vein of Vai/Petrucci. I was hoping one unit could cover both. The pod xt pro is ok for recording but isn't very good live. Maybe I haven't tweaked its possibilities on the other hand.

12th July 2006, 04:39 PM	#6
ryanformato Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 38	I am really interested in the Triaxis, JMP-1, and now the Randall seems like an awesome idea...I don't think the pod xt pro is comparable to any of these units. I am not sure though since I am not able to play these units at stores because they just don't carry them. Anyone who actually has any of these...can you comment on them?

12th July 2006, 05:20 PM	#8
ryanformato Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 38	I guess since I've always had a rackmount I feel kind of stuck to it. Also, I'd like to cover more than one type of sound. I need to get an instrumental guitar sound like Vai/Petrucci and an in your face punk sound. I figured the rack is the most versatile way to go. I am not worried about going direct at all. I have the pod xt pro for direct but I like to mic anyway.

12th July 2006, 06:53 PM	#12
retropete Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hoboken, NJ Posts: 387	Well there's a lotta ways to get there. But you need tubes, no doubt about it. I've had the JMP-1 and it was fairly convincing from a recording standpoint, but I felt it was a bit wimpy live. I was using it with a Soldano power amp live into a pair of ADA 2x12s stereo with Celestions. Mostly I've been happy with my Bogner Shiva with a few pedals. Not crazy about the overdrive section on the Shiva, though. I've also used a Soldano x88 into a VHT 50/50 power amp. The band liked that best. (I still preferred the Bogner) I've had the Randall RM-4 about a week, so I haven't played at band volume yet with it, but it sounds really good at apartment level. I've got the XTC, Brown and Top Boost modules. Again, I'm running it through the VHT power amp, generally into an ADA 2x12. Finding one is more than enough these days. I've also got a couple 4x12 cabs but I find I don't really need it live or for recording to get a good sound. Still, even a great combo amp will get you there with the right pedals. The other guitar player in my band got awesome distortion out of an old Fender blackface Pro Reverb with a TS-808. Robert Keeley's mods for pedals really open up the sound. (robertkeeley.com) Vai, Lynch among others use his mods. Most clubs I play at mike the guitar cabinet, so I really don't need a large amp. And for the smaller ones that don't, a 4x12 is overkill. Still, for your setup, you've got a cabinet and poweramp you like. The Randall might be really good for your application. But at this point, I haven't heard a great clean sound out of the modules I've got. Perhaps the Deluxe module would be right for that. But then again, I not what I was looking for. The Bogner has that more than covered. The Randall website has some clips that show what each module is capable of -- check it out!

12th July 2006, 07:48 PM	#14
marchhare Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 348	+1 on the Orange Rockerverb 50. I really, really love mine. Alternately, a nice Marshall JMP w/ a good pedal in front of it, or better yet a Bogner or Bradshaw moddified Marshall (sometimes these pop up on Ebay). Or slightly cheaper, an old Peavey 5150 head. Any of these should get you what you're looking for.

12th July 2006, 08:04 PM	#15
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,473	Agree with just about everything here. I was just having this discussion with a bandmember. We both HATE Mesa sounds. They're just too scooped in the mids and have zero tone. Even with great players, they still sound like ass. Just about any older 50w tube head will work for you. JCM800 series from Marshall Sunn Spectrum/Solarius and all the other late 60s Sunn heads. Ampeg V series....V4, VT40, VT22, etc. Basically, these are mini-SVT amps. Monsters. Even old Fender Silverface or Blackface amps will work. Take a bassman head with a nice Marshall cab and you're getting a better tone. ALL of these amps take pedals very nicely and can give you some flavor. If you're looking for the versatility of a rack mount effects unit, forget it. But, give me pure tone anyday. In my opinion, that's why I can't listen to guys like Vai, Satch, Sheehan, Eric Johnson, etc. It's all too processed and sounds terrible. Give me someone with great tone and less flash anyday. Seriously, you say you're in a punk band....what would you rather hear....Vai wank around for hours or Johnny Thunders with his LP Jr plugged directly into a marshall? Also, am I the only one here that doesn't even like the Mesa cabs? Give me a Marshall with Greenbacks or V30s anyday. The breakup is much nicer. m

12th July 2006, 08:31 PM	#18
Absolute Lives for gear Join Date: May 2003 Location: NY Posts: 833	great playing bud--where on LI, NY are you? we can talk all day but its not the guitar gear--its the ear. Just go over to harmony central and *hear all the awesome amps that sound like a butt mic'd. There is nothing special about the song you posted..your not trying to nail EVH's tone--its just a generic guitar sound. Steve Vai used that preamp on CD's and sounded great you just have to increase your knowledge on getting good sounds(you have some nasty buzziness on the songs on your site probably caused by the Digi not being meant to be heard through that cab)-- I would get the triaxis--it works perfect for your setup. It will take some time to learn it though because its got like 20 different voicings

12th July 2006, 08:48 PM	#20
ryanformato Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 38	I am from Mastic, NY. The recordings on my site are OLD and I've learned so much since then...it was definitely my recording technique more at fault than the amp. I just hope that the Mesa triaxis can do that in your face sound. I already know it can do great Vai/Petrucci. Thanks for your help.

12th July 2006, 08:57 PM	#21
TheRigaletto Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Perrysburg, Oh Posts: 209	Are you looking to record the Triaxis direct also? __________________ Play a note wrong once...it's wrong...play it twice...it's jazz...

12th July 2006, 10:33 PM	#24
ryanformato Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 38	I am not worried about going direct with the triaxis. I am worried about live sound and recording (miking). If I can go direct, great, but I have the capabilities to mic so why not.

12th July 2006, 11:05 PM	#26
sloanfiske Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 252	a dimed jcm800 thru a marshall 4x12 would be my guess. __________________ the bahamas are islands

12th July 2006, 11:08 PM	#27
AdamJay Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,368	Randall 1086 MTS module is pretty damned hot and versatile

12th July 2006, 11:33 PM	#28
TAVD Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,066	I'm not a big fan of the 90w Mesa speakers (if that's what you have). If you have an opportunity to borrow other speakers, give that a try first. The Randall preamp recommendation is a good one. Otherwise, you rig is nice. Achieving the "in your face" sound might also be a technique/ mic placement/ recording chain issue. __________________ Tom Denyle Custom Guitars

12th July 2006, 11:41 PM	#29
ryanformato Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 38	I have the Mesa 4x12 with Vintage 30's. There are no recording chain issues because I can't achieve the in your face sound "live" first. I get GREAT sound....It just has a very sonic digitech touch to it that is very processed sounding. If I get the Randall or the Triaxis.....will I be able to achieve both sounds(Vai/Petrucci..& modern punk)...that is the question...Thanks.