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Mesa Stiletto vs Mesa Lonestar vs Dr Z Mas 38 Senior

Doughboy

Doughboy

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I'm getting rid of all my rack gear (ADA-MP1, Alesis Quadraveb, BBE Sonic Maximizer, SPX900, Carver power amp, Furman Power conditioner)  to go for a 2x12 combo amp with pristine Fendery tones & a warm smooth overdrive channel. I do NOT like high gain amps. I'm more of a smooth low gain warm fusiony distortion tone overdriven with a pedal & a clean pristine tone like an old Fender or a Victoria 115 amp, which is the greatest clean tone I've ever hear....but no distortion to speak of.

Does anyone have 1st hand opinions on these 3 combos,or any others that may fit the bill...all must have reverb?

Thnaks!!!
 
I'm a bassist - so I'll refrain from much comment.  I have/do play with folks that have dumped their bigger rigs in favor of smaller but higher quality gear by Zinky, Mesa, Dr. Z, Guytron, etc.  The results have been outstanding for all concerned.  There may be something to that getting older/wiser stuff afterall...  :laughing7:
 
You don't mention your budget which is the most important thing. The less expensive option is to go with any Blackface of Silverface Fender. If you want a new amp (and more expensive) any Tone King will give you the Fender tone and more. EZG-50 is more Fender than the MAZ 38 Sr if you go with Dr.Z. Both of them are very loud! I'm not familiar with any new Boogie 'cause I'm not a fan...

 
Ceriatone OD Special? I don't have one, but it sounds like exactly what you want and not any more $ than a Dr Z.
 
Hey Tfarney,

I'm days away from pulling the trigger on a Ceriatone amp.
I read your writeup on the Super Champ.
I may go with that, or the 18W Marshall.

Do you have any last minute tips on buying from them?
Nik did respond to an initial inquiry in a few hours as everyone said.

I hear about certain mods people request, but aren't on the website.
Did you get anything added?
Still working out for you?

Thanks,
James
 
Love mine, love it. I have no complaints about product, price, packaging. It took 5-6 weeks to get to my house, just about what they quoted me at order.
I had a 1/2 power switch added for $15, if I had to do it over again though i'd get VVR for $65, I'm eager to try out that tech. I may just try and add it in myself (roll up sleeves, wipe sweat off brow) - since it's handwired, it just seems much more user friendly to mod myself. I'm contemplating adding in VVR and getting a combo cab and a different speaker and calling it good until such time as I really need a full gig volume amp.

As far as special stuff, I would just make a list of everything you think you would want on it, assuming anything is possible, and just send the list to Nik and say, how much of this could you do and what would it cost? Apparently the "creme brulee" model, came about just from a customer's email asking for such and so type of amp. They seem to basically be an amp custom shop that doesn't advertise itself as such.
 
tfarny said:
Love mine, love it. I have no complaints about product, price, packaging. It took 5-6 weeks to get to my house, just about what they quoted me at order.
I had a 1/2 power switch added for $15, if I had to do it over again though i'd get VVR for $65, I'm eager to try out that tech. I may just try and add it in myself (roll up sleeves, wipe sweat off brow) - since it's handwired, it just seems much more user friendly to mod myself. I'm contemplating adding in VVR and getting a combo cab and a different speaker and calling it good until such time as I really need a full gig volume amp.

As far as special stuff, I would just make a list of everything you think you would want on it, assuming anything is possible, and just send the list to Nik and say, how much of this could you do and what would it cost? Apparently the "creme brulee" model, came about just from a customer's email asking for such and so type of amp. They seem to basically be an amp custom shop that doesn't advertise itself as such.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot!
I have never heard of VVR.  Sounds very interesting.
I sent Nik an e-mail with questions.

James
 
I finally buckled under & picked up a Mesa Lonestar Classic & a 2x12 cab.

At 1st, I didn't know what to make of it when I got home. It sounded so different than the gear I'd been using for the last 20 years. The Lonestar looks quite plain, but it's really loaded with a ton of options. It took 4-5 hours of tnkering with it, but finally the good tones started to get dialed in. I've now had it for a few days & I absolutely love it. Great clean tone, warm rich overdriven tones & everything in between.

I generally can't stand Mesa Boogies, as they always sounded too harsh & buzzy to me, but the Lonestar is the most un-Boogie sounding amp I've tried from the company. None of that harsh high end sizzle & harsh distortion that they're famous for. All my Warmoths suddenly sound so much better.
 
Yeah, after reading what you were looking for I was going to suggest removing the Stiletto from your wish list. The Lonestar is definitely the wiser choice. Mesa Boogie makes a fine line of amps. It's a blessing and a shame that they are only known for their Dual Rectifier. In your own words, the Lonestar doesn't have that harsh & buzzy sound that Mesa is known for. Glad to see that you've seen beyond the Rectifier. You're gonna love that amp more and more as time goes by.
MULLY
 
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