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jaybird1
Copper Member
49 Posts |
 Posted - 10/20/2007 : 05:18:43
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| i have a Gibson GA-RV15 Class A tube amp. Reverb Volume and Tone..A pentode and Triode settings for 6 or 15 Watts. Its very loud and perfect for me...INHO a great little amp w/ a professional sound. Find em on Ebay ..Got mine new as it was discontinued for $599.00 in 2005..Best purchase ever next to my SG with 3 Dimarzio Humbuckers Split Coil Super II's and my Musitronics Mu-tron Micro V. Good luck on yer search... |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2007 : 07:58:18
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Well Defrag???
We haven�t heard from you on this topic, did the Boogie blow up or something? 
Or did you reach Nirvana by just playing it? 
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2007 : 13:29:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Goran
Well Defrag???
We haven�t heard from you on this topic, did the Boogie blow up or something?
Or did you reach Nirvana by just playing it?
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2007 : 17:43:41
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Tube Heaven! I can die now. 
The Mesa Boogie Roadster is a dream. At first I thought some of the features were going to be a bit confusing but what a well thought out design. Kudos to Mesa Engineering. Now I'm a little envious of the Roadster's big-brother the Road King II with EL34s in addition to the 6L6s, & Progressive Linkage that allows you to harness the valves in any combination. Mesa Boogie amps are not cheap, but the versatility challenges even more expensive boutique amps like Matchless for value.
First off, the Roadster sports 4 channels, 2 clean, 2 dirty. Yes, it really is 4 amps in one! Tones anywhere from Clean (pristine might I add), Tweed (sweet clipped Fenderish blues), Brit (trebely, can you say AC30?), Raw (a bit more gain for crunch), Vintage (fat & creamy), & Modern (unparalleled aggression). The EQ settings are tuned for each channel thus presenting unique voicing, but you can duplicate a low-gain channel (1/2) or high-gain channel (3/4) & tweak just a bit. For instance, you can run CH1 & CH2 Clean with the same settings, then tweak CH2 a hair for some extra punch.
There is no favorite channel as they each have their own strengths & no weaknesses. The footswitch runs the 4 channels, very good analog reverb, tuner/mute, FX loop, & Solo. Solo is cool in that you can crank its knob up a bit over the main output & mash the Solo switch to break out from the band for your 15 seconds in the limelight. You can run each channel in Diode or Rectifier mode, 50W or 100W, assign FX loop default on/off when the channel is selected, & each has its own reverb as well. Like I said, versatile. Couple a rectified 50W with the Spongy switch on the front panel & CH1 or CH2, & you'll get the elusive "brown" sound for that true vintage feeling. 
With enough unique channels, FX control, speaker connections (4, 8, & 16-ohm ouptuts), it even has external switching so that you can incorporate the amp into your MIDI rig & control everything the footswitch does. Of course, most tones are dripping with rectified sound, but that sound is simply amazing & unique enough as to present modest emulation of the different styles without having to own a room full of amps. You can use the adjustable Slave output as a preamp output to drive other amplifiers as needed. An attenuator can be patched into the amp at the speaker jacks to drive higher output as the 2x12" speakers simply plug into the head itself, which is a great hidden feature! You can also switch the FX, Master/Solo controls, & associated circuitry totally out of the signal path for pure, unfiltered tone for studio sessions.
Initially, I wanted to buy the 2x12" half-cabinet that sits below the Roadster combo amp, but I don't have the space in my bedroom (even if I go vertical), not to mention the fact that it would probably sound like a gunshot in a car, rather deafening. It is definately a nice match though. With the combo on top of the 2x12 cab, you have the versatility of taking your amp to practice sessions, yet you'll enjoy a 4x12 half-stack at home & small gigs! The Roadster also comes in a single 12" speaker configuration that is ported in the back to ease the stress on its speaker as compared to the 2x12" model. I'd like to have the port on my 2x12" combo if only to let some air move behind the cones a bit which would manifest itself with higher frequency output. But the closed-back design is great nonetheless; you can get enough mid/highs through very responsive EQ.
The Mesa Boogie Roadster is mainly for modern music but is quite capable of producing vintage tones from the 50s, 60s, 70s, & 80s too. Having 4 channels with their own unique aural configurations available at the press of a switch is invaluable. I've setup my channels with progressively increasing gain structures. You almost don't need distortion pedals with this amp but any normal chorus/delay & wah is highly recommended. The only problem I had was pretty silly: the clean channel sounded like I had a distortion on somewhere in my chain. After about 30 min, I narrowed it down to the Input Level on my RE-20 Space Echo! I simply would not believe that all my BOSS pedals would degrade my signal that much. Luckily, I was right.
Ol' Bob should be satisified now.  He's always on my ass to keep alive 'round here. I especially needed his spin on the tech side of tubes. Tks Bob! Life is damned busy, that's all. Anyway, I hope this info finds a niche in your understanding of what is a great amplifier & a great company. Hand-wired in the USA baby! It comes standard with a transferable 5-year warranty; how can you go wrong?
As always, thanks to everyone for their interest & input. It sure is fun to participate on this forum. All you guys rock! Except you lil' Moe.. you still owe me $50!
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Rectifier_Series/roadster/roadster.html
A 9.9 on Harmony Central doesn't hurt either:
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Mesa%2FBoogie/Dual+Rectifier+Roadster+212+Combo/10/1 |
Edited by - DeFrag on 10/22/2007 21:25:54 |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 07:34:16
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| The way you write about your new Boogie tells that it�s a very good amp, congrats once more! I suppose you have isolated yourself from mankind until you have tried every knob and every sound this beauty is capable of. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 08:16:57
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Tks Goran. I have been holed up with it for awhile tonight & have been contemplating calling in sick tomorrow. Now... if I could only play the guit-AR.. this kazoo doesn't interface well. (I've been working on my blues turn-arounds).  |
Edited by - DeFrag on 10/23/2007 08:18:42 |
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StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 13:44:36
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| nice looking amp Defrag, now all you need is a RC-2 and youll be a full blown hermit |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 19:55:42
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Hi Defrag the problem you are having with your kazoo may be this:You are probably using Boss pedals. Boss pedals are not suitable for kazoo, you MUST use danelectro or behringer pedals with a kazoo. PSK pedals may or may not work on kazoo,but I don't know for sure. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 20:32:54
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quote:
Originally posted by pedals 4 pv
Hi Defrag the problem you are having with your kazoo may be this:You are probably using Boss pedals. Boss pedals are not suitable for kazoo, you MUST use danelectro or behringer pedals with a kazoo. PSK pedals may or may not work on kazoo,but I don't know for sure.
*ROTFLMMFAO*  |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 21:33:15
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| Nice amp DeFrag!!! I am wanting to get more tube amps myself after wetting my feet with 2 Epiphone Valve Junior heads, but am highly considering the Build Your Own Amp route.... |
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One-Way
Bronze Member
New Zealand
104 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 11:37:34
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Mean amp, a sort of modelling tube amp.
Hope you have no neighbours living within a couple of miles so you can crank the sucker up and peel paint off the walls and rattle the windows. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 18:53:29
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I was telling dr bob the other day that because of the amount of gigging i do,i was thinking of picking up something smaller and lighter but one of my critera was the quality had to be as high as what i have now..i've been looking at the 45 watt pubster series from rivera but hughes & kettner have brought out a 1x12 amp lately called the statesman quad with a switchable effects loop( handy for the rack units...)that looks very tasty and has got some great reviews.....also they seem to be easier to get on the internet in europe(are you reading this mr rivera..) i'm in germany after the pudding so i'll check them out then..if i can sell my motorbike in time...i need two for a stereo setup like the one i have.... ........ |
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StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2007 : 02:47:36
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| ^^^ive heard nothing but good things about H&K although ive never tried one for myself. |
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DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2007 : 21:17:25
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I had a 20% off coupon to Guitar Center so we cruised down & picked up my 17 year-old son the following amplifier (saving about 150 clams in the process):
Fender Hot Rod DeVille 60-watt
All tube preamp & power amp
2-12" Special Design Eminence Speakers
3 Selectable Channels
I talked him into the Fender for its outrageously clean tone. I figured if he had a clean amp, he can run effects to get any sound he wants. As opposed to getting a more "dirty" amp as kind of a one-trick pony. He's a bit more into metal but also needs the versatility for clean melodic picking with a chorus. The Fender reverb is deep & everything I'd hope for.
Maybe he has my Fender & I have his Mesa Boogie.. in any case, he's ecstatic & isn't receiving a Christmas present now. Well besides the cell-phone which he needs. I think I'll encourage him to join the board. |
Edited by - DeFrag on 12/06/2007 01:29:34 |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2007 : 22:23:59
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| lucky Boy Nice amp |
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Topic |
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I need a tube amp
