Original Mesa Stiletto

[rattlehead74]

See if I can get a heads up on this amp, Thinking about trading my 212 carvin v3 plus some cash for it. Anyone have any problems with theres? Doesn't have all the gain my v3 has but I can't get out of my head. One thing is my v3 has so many tone options and I've been happy with it but I think I'm iching for a change.:think:

[roodyrocker]

See if I can get a heads up on this amp, Thinking about trading my 212 carvin v3 plus some cash for it. Anyone have any problems with theres? Doesn't have all the gain my v3 has but I can't get out of my head. One thing is my v3 has so many tone options and I've been happy with it but I think I'm iching for a change.:think:

A friend of mine who is actually a tech bought a Trident which is the same amp basically. He got it new and then Mesa came out with a mod for the Stilletto/Trident to increase the gain. I think it was called the Hollywood Mod or something. Since he is an authorized Mesa repair facility he got the parts from them and did the mod. We both agreed that even though it had a bit more gain than before it didn't really sound any better, it was muddier. So he reversed the mod and put it back to stock. Still has that amp and never had any issues with it as far as reliability is concerned. He was in a cover band for a while and depending on the song he used a pedal through the front of it for added gain, a Marshall Gov'ner. Hope that helps.

[rattlehead74]

Yeah I was thinking of picking up a tube screamer to go along with it, but to be honest I'm no really a gain freak any more. I usually back the gain down for a tight sound. I'm going to go play it one more time before I choose to get it. Thanks for your input.

[Rupe]

I had one several years ago and loved it...it did the hot-rodded Marshall thing as well as most of the boutique amps that I've tried (with the Mako Custom Hundred being the only one that I felt truly trumped it). Although I never had any issues, I traded it to Sambencuda who then sent it off to JGCable (both from this forum), who in turn had issues with it.

A Mesa dealer I know said that he's seen nearly half of the amps that he's sold in recent years come back for service...not cool. Even worse is that when one customer's amp went (Triple Rec), it took the power tubes with it. Since the tubes aren't what "failed", Mesa refused to cover them, even though they cost more than the faulty part that caused the issue. I'm done with any new Mesas until they correct their QC issues. Actually, with the Axe-FX, I'm most likely done with Mesa period.

[roodyrocker]

I had one several years ago and loved it...it did the hot-rodded Marshall thing as well as most of the boutique amps that I've tried (with the Mako Custom Hundred being the only one that I felt truly trumped it). Although I never had any issues, I traded it to Sambencuda who then sent it off to JGCable (both from this forum), who in turn had issues with it.

A Mesa dealer I know said that he's seen nearly half of the amps that he's sold in recent years come back for service...not cool. Even worse is that when one customer's amp went (Triple Rec), it took the power tubes with it. Since the tubes aren't what "failed", Mesa refused to cover them, even though they cost more than the faulty part that caused the issue. I'm done with any new Mesas until they correct their QC issues. Actually, with the Axe-FX, I'm most likely done with Mesa period.

Hmm, thats interesting to hear. From what I understand Mesa's customer service is supposed to be tops. I've had a Mesa Dual Recto since 2001 which I bought new. Only issue it ever had is a bad cap about 4 years ago which was easily replaced locally. I've had friends of mine borrow it to record with and Remcarr from this forum has borrowed it to play out live while his was getting re-tubed.

[nor]

Love my Series 1 Duece. Plenty of gain for all but the heaviest stuff (MXR fullbore takes care of that!). The Duece really like having the front end slammed, so a good clean boost is recommended.

Bought mine new - zero issues.

[jgcable]

Great amp. I had issues with mine because of UPS shipping damage. Once I got it all sorted out it was an excellent amp. Its a very dominating amp in a live mix.
VERY different from a V3. Much louder, much more presence and not as much gain.
The V3 is a fine amp.
The Randall RM100 is even finer.

[skintaster]

I had one several years ago and loved it...it did the hot-rodded Marshall thing as well as most of the boutique amps that I've tried (with the Mako Custom Hundred being the only one that I felt truly trumped it). Although I never had any issues, I traded it to Sambencuda who then sent it off to JGCable (both from this forum), who in turn had issues with it.

A Mesa dealer I know said that he's seen nearly half of the amps that he's sold in recent years come back for service...not cool. Even worse is that when one customer's amp went (Triple Rec), it took the power tubes with it. Since the tubes aren't what "failed", Mesa refused to cover them, even though they cost more than the faulty part that caused the issue. I'm done with any new Mesas until they correct their QC issues. Actually, with the Axe-FX, I'm most likely done with Mesa period.

I've only personally owned one Mesa amp, a Duel Rec that I bought new back in 2000. That amp really disappointed me... It had quality problems almost immediately... Kept breaking down, and even though I had it serviced by a Mesa repair tech, it was never really "right". I wanted to like it, but that amp left a bad taste in my mouth, and I sold it after a year or so. Most guys I know that play Mesa amps swear by them, so maybe I got a rare lemon of the bunch, but who knows?

[wildrat666]

I just love Mesa boogie. loud and with lots of tone even with the gain put on high.
A boost in front of it makes it growl just a little bit tighter. go mesa!

[Dreamland_Rebel]

had one, loved it, traded it for a Marshall, even happier now.

[jgcable]

The Stiletto is a Mesa that thinks its a Marshall. It does a nice job of it too.

[broken_fusion]

Just scored a stage II duece. Thing FUCKIN rips!

[JediHalen]

Just scored a stage II duece. Thing FUCKIN rips!

I know, they are my fave amps.. I bought one 2 year ago and havnt had a prob with it, Stilettos have that British Metal thing goin on, which is perfect for me as I am in a British Trad metal band.
..(Maiden, Priest etc) I recently bought a Suhr Shiba Drive and tried it in front of the tight gain setting on channel 2 . . Jesus!!!! I think I found the holy grail of metal sounds.

Congrats mate.. you should be very happy.. I know I am

Pete.
www.vendetta-theband.com

[RJF]

I've played on a stage 2 and a stage 1 with the fluid drive mod. I really liked the newer stage 2, but the stage 1 with the mod was like something stuck between the stages and wasn't too impressed myself.

[tomanyjacksons]

Quick question about your V3, can you play thick high gain at live levels with some good bass without rattling the whole amp making it sound wonky?