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If you're assuming that this is only a metal amp, you're mistaken which is why I chose to write this review. I've owned my Roadster for about 5 years and I play weekly in a progressive worship band. We run the gamut of styles from ambient, airy atmospheric tones to classic rock to modern high gain. There hasn't been a tone I've needed that I couldn't pull off with the Roadster.. The options on this amp are incredible. 100/50 watts selectable for each channel as well as reverb level, fx loop in/out and tube/solid state rectifier per channel. Great effects loop, solo switch when using the loop and footswitch, tuner mute and slave out round out the options. All of the channels and modes also take pedals very well. From distortion and fuzz pedals to overdrives. Channels 1 & 2 - The clean channels. Not much difference between them if you set up the same mode identically. Clean Mode; Nice, neutral clean tone. Not sterile but no 'character' either but not in a bad way. Fat Mode; Much more full, definitely more character. I had a Lonestar Classic and this mode comes very close to that tone. Tweed Mode; Nice slight break up to smooth crunch available in this mode. Cleans up nicely rolling back the guitar's volume. Brit Mode; This mode is very bright and virtually unuseable unless the gain is set below 11:00. It does a good job as a higher headroom clean, much louder than the other modes. Cuts through a bit better as a result. Channels 3&4 - The gain or rhythm/lead channels. There is a difference between these two channels in the eq when set to the same mode. Channel 3 has a touch more mids and channel 4 adds a bit tighter bottom end. Raw Mode; Nice classic rock gain structure and tones available with this mode. Also works well as another clean channel option. Vintage Mode; On channel 3 will get close to a Marshall JCM tone than any other option on the Roadster. On channel 4 it is great for 80's rock with the gain around noon and virtually any high gain riffing and rhythm work with the gain around 3:00. Modern Mode; Channel 3 in this mode is similar to channel 4 in vintage with added mids. Channel 4, this is what Mesa's are known for; great high gain sizzle and bite with some girth.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
This amp is everything I hoped it would be. The rhythm channel has a surprising amount of head room which breaks up nicely when you dial in more gain. The lead channel starts out dirty and gritty at about 25% and really starts to grind at about 75%. With 11 (6 pre amp, 4 power and 1 rectifier) tubes it actually helps warm the house a little. 4 Jensen alnico speakers which don't seem capable of making a bad sound. I have to admit this is probably my favorite amp of all time (I've been playing guitar for 40 years). One last thing construction seems to be outstanding and when I called Mesa a person answered.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is an AMAZING amplifier. As with any Mesa amp, you need to be prepared to take a little time to dial in your sound, so be prepared to spend at least a day getting to know the amp. The single best thing about this amp is the options in my opinion. You have 4 channels, each with their own mid, treble, bass and reverb settings, and you can turn effects, reverb, and boost on and off on the footswitch. On top of that each channel has 3 preset sounds that you can use by flipping a switch. INCREDIBLE amount of options. The pre amp is the same as the triple rectifier, so you get the same tone with a little less headroom. The upside to this is that you don't have to murder your ears to get to the sweetspot with the volume...That said, this is a LOUD amp. Your speakers will make a difference, especially on the low end. 4x12's on the floor gives you an incredible amount of punch. I am completely IN LOVE with this amp.Read full review
This is a BEAST! It sounds marvelous! It's compact, balanced, and beautiful to look at. I see no limitations with this "Slaya' from the Himalaya". In my opinion it's the best of the best. What would be nice would be a nice ventilated cover for the back to protect the valves. Other than that this is a perfect amplifier for all genres of musical styles. I recommend it for the musician who wants and needs an amp that can effortlessly do it all. By the way, it's pricey, but believe me, it's worth every penny paid for it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I couldn't find something exactly like this in my area new or used. This is the three channel version. The blogs and forums typically talk up the two channel Rectifier as being better, but as usual it's a matter of knowing how to get tone out of your setup. I have selected guitars and speakers over the years that have proven great tone and that helps considerably. The clean channel is Fender-ish, the gain channels have two distinct sounds respectively, one is the Famous Mesa tone and the other has more hair and grit. And I think it's cool to get great tones out of something that others struggle with and give up on. High quality American made, and that's a part of it too.
I was always a Marshall guy until my friend moved back from California last year with his Mesa Rectifier. This amp has the most unbelievable sound. Wether you are wanting a bright blues or a heavy crunch, this amp can do it all. Play in both tube and solid state, this is an amazing amp. I bought the older version with the large Rectifier tubes which have since been, with the newer models, there are smaller rectifiers. This is by far an amp that you should respect and take good care of if you actually buy one. As far as having these sent in shipping, it would be better to buy one to pick up. These are very sensitive to jarring movements so it is likely that you should take your amp after getting it to a professional tech experienced in the Mesa to have a look over on it like I did. So my overall view is that this is the top of the line amp that the serious guitar player should have.Read full review
Sure it's not cheap but it's like you're getting three really good amps in one. Channel 3 and 4 pretty much just have different gain levels but you still have the possibility of having them voiced differently. This amp is so versatile, it has awesome grinds and chuggs on channel 3-4 and beautiful cleans to face melting overdrives on channel 1-2.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Channel 1 Clean - very glassy, smooth, and punchy. I love the clean channel! Channel 1 Pushed - sounds exactly like Nickelback's Rockstar And Photograph. Really useful and sounds really good. Channel 2 Modern - like Blink 182, Unwritten Law. Channel 2 Vintage - kinda scrapes the distortion off allitle. Can tweak some nice classic rock. Channel 2 Raw - I would say I use this the least. Really scrapes of distortion, it still sounds amazing, I just don't use it. Channel 3 Modern - this will getya some nice Avenged Sevenfold tone. Crank up the gain and you get that As I Lay Dying tone from 94 hours. Oh, and Metallica tone with mid all the way down. Channel 3 Vintage - this gives you almost a Marshall tone kinda like Malmsteen sound. Channel 3 Raw - like I said I don't use raw as much. just amazing!!!!!! yeeeaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!Read full review
Very good amp! But for getting original great sound need use original mesa boogie tubes. In my opinion and in my hearing other tubes change the sound so mush!!! I get my dual rectify with all not original tubes and it one issue of my amp. Now I change all pre-amp tubes (5 tubes 12ax7) to original mesa bogies tubes and sound already change so mush! Next time I want change other not originally tubes, and I think sound return to original mesa statement! Thank and good luck 🤘
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
one of the best sounding amplifiers ever made. I have played guitar for 30 years, have had several amps and nothing compares to this thing. Keep in mind, it does not have reverb on-board. I use separate rack units for effects and reverbs, so this is not a concern. These things can be played very loud as well, so they make for great live amps - you will never be drowned out with this thing. It also sounds great at lower levels too