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Posted by: VinceG Jun 12 2008, 08:49 PM

Amp after amp of not finding the right tone for me, decided to stick with the music that made me love guitar as much as I do now. I have searched everywhere but not finding the right amp that I really wanted. This came out as Marshall's, Engl's, Laney's,Peavey's, Orange, and bajillion other more.

I was listening to Andy Timmons last night while trying to fall asleep. I really think that Timmons inspired me more in guitar playing than any other band or artist out there. His masterful tone is just massive and smooth.

So yea, decided to buy either a Mesa Boogie Stiletto Ace or a Lonestar Special.

Anyone got experience with any of them and can give me tips and advice on how versatile or non versatile it is? Music that is meant to be played and not to be played in them. I know I can't play "Metal" in them, but I'll stick to my Crate for Metal abuse hehe.

Thanks

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Jun 12 2008, 11:11 PM

mmm you should remember that a good tone is not only a good amp. There are lot of more effects that you can add... For me for instance is really important to get an addition pedal drive, a compressor, etc

Posted by: VinceG Jun 13 2008, 02:05 AM

Yep, I knew that. I don't even like using effects. I think for the most part of my playing guitar, I've only had 1 pedal, and thats a distortion. I'm gonna try both of them this weekend so we'll just see.

Posted by: Tjchep Jun 13 2008, 04:34 AM

I think the the stilleto duece would be your best bet.. imo it has better distortion... and nearly as good cleans.

but i found a cool video where andy explains his rig.. might prove usefull..

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4185496214394761186&q=andy+timmons&ei=f-xRSPRAlIatApvWsLsM&hl=en

Posted by: FrankW Jun 13 2008, 05:19 AM

Andys' studio rig for his newest album, the white one, included mostly old Marshalls. Mesa Boogie got input from him while they were working on the design of the Stilettos. Andy swears that Boogie nailed the old Marshall tones with the Stiletto Deuce. The Deuce is capable of extreme high gain, also. The Lonestar is also a killer amp with some of the best clean tones in the business. The lead tones of the Lonestar are not as high gain, but are sweet and musical. It depends on what style you're going for. I'm convinced that you can't go wrong with either of these killer amps. Go to the Boogie website and read all the reviews, you'll see what I mean.

Posted by: VinceG Jun 13 2008, 06:00 AM

I'm sure on which ever I choose, I'm gonna be extremely happy. Right now, I'm mostly in the side of Lonestar (standard). I think with its versatility in clean tones and gain, I will be extremely happy. Plus, its home/studio and gig worthy material. I love how you can choose the output power wattage to a 10w, 50w, and a 100w. I'm sure it will be pricey, but it could also be the end of all my amp buying for years.

Posted by: FrankW Jun 13 2008, 06:44 AM

I'll bet you're right!

Posted by: JVM Jun 13 2008, 07:24 AM

That lonestar looks pretty awesome.

Posted by: Trond Vold Jun 13 2008, 07:55 AM

I dont think you can go wrong with any of those two amps.
Have you had the chance to try them out a store?

Thanks for the link that was quite informational

Posted by: audiopaal Jun 13 2008, 08:19 AM

Why not buy both amps, and give the one you like the least to me?

Posted by: VinceG Jun 13 2008, 08:28 AM

No Trond, I'm going to Guitar Center about 45 min away from me to try em out tomorrow. There the closest dealer I have. They gave me a price for it new: Stilleto Ace for $1600 and Lonestar for $1700, I think this is the Specials price. Seems reasonable since the Peavey 6505+ that I was looking at was about $1800 half stack, marshall kerry king head was about $1800 just for the head, and the Engl thunder is about $1299. I know I can't really compare a high gain amp to the Stiletto and Lonestar, but tone wise, versatility, ability of recording/home/practice/gig make the Boogies a steal for me!

@audiopaal: I wish I could buy both of them! If I ever win the lottery, Mesa for every GMC member!

Posted by: MickeM Jun 13 2008, 08:42 AM

IMO a "useless" pedal. If you have an amp with good distortion in it's own. The only useful effects as I see it are EQ, Delay and Wah.

If an amp lacks reverb that would be a good pedal too.
And if it lacks descent distortion, sure, a dist pedal. But if that's the case I'd say you've got the wrong amp.

None of the amps you've been looking at lack distortion so I belive you're on the right track.

Getting an amp is a "picky" business, takes an enormous emount of time to find the right one. But really, in the long run I don't think it' matters that much. Now I have a H&K Switchblade and I'm very happy with it. But if I had a Marshall JVM I'd surely be happy with that too being able to key in the sounds I'd want. I think one will alsways find ways no matter the amp you've got but it's great to feel "I choose the right one for me".

Good luck with it whichever you choose!

Posted by: VinceG Jun 13 2008, 08:50 AM

thanks MickeM! We'll see how they feel when I get to play with em tomorrow. I feel good about it though.

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Jun 13 2008, 09:00 AM

well, if you only want a good amp just chack both and decide... but remember to put the amp loud enough

Posted by: audiopaal Jun 13 2008, 09:06 AM

That sounds great, hope you win sometime then

Posted by: VinceG Jun 15 2008, 03:38 AM

So, I tried out a bunch of Mesa Boogie earlier in the GC store. I tried the Single Rectifer, 5:25. Stiletto Ace, Mark IV, and Lonestar Special. I gotta say, that my 2 choices of Stiletto Ace and Lonestar were the best suited for my needs. Both creamy lead, crunch, voicings and a clean tone to die for. Seriously, now I know why these amps are expensive, its just impossible to get a bad tone out of these things. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Lone Star special, but I might try both the Stiletto Ace and Lonestar again before I buy it in a month.

Oh yea, the 30 watt lonestar special weighted about 90lbs. Very freaking heavy haha.