HXDA vs. 25th w/ mod?

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Originally Posted by LSchefman

I agree, a great amp like these makes you want to play more precisely.

Though I gotta say, my Mark V seemed to want a lot of accuracy as well, especially in its Tweed mode, and I dug the Mark V, even though I feel more connected to the HXDA.

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I feel the same way about the Recording Amp...so I am assuming this holds for the 25th Anniversary Platform based amps...its interesting because A/B circuitry I have personally viewed (to my hands and ears at any rate) as more forgiving than Class A amplifiers.

On the subject of The Mesa Recto...it is not known for subtlety...however that doesn't mean it's not there...most people playing those amps buy them for Modern Red..and never even explore the amp's other modes....liked the Pushed mode for example which is amazingly touch sensitive...vintage and glorious in its own right.

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Originally Posted by DirtyMoonsRJT

I feel the same way about the Recording Amp...so I am assuming this holds for the 25th Anniversary Platform based amps...its interesting because A/B circuitry I have personally viewed (to my hands and ears at any rate) as more forgiving than Class A amplifiers.

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Interesting you should mention that. An amp designer of note once told me that other than single-ended (one power tube) class A designs, there are no true Class A guitar amplifiers. I don't remember why, I'm sure someone can elucidate. Might have been Bruce Egnater that told me this, but it was a while back, so it's too difficult to recall whether it was him or not. I know a few of the guys who're making amps pretty well.

In any event, Two-Rocks are very very revealing, fast amps, with very quick transient response, and they're often regarded as more revealing of errors, and they're Class AB, and I agree that certain modes on the Rectos are very revealing. I had a Tremoverb, essentially a recto, and it was capable of a lot of nuance if you didn't crank the gain too high, which you probably know I don't.

I got sick of mud and buzzsaws on my recordings. I keep the gain pretty darn low or moderate. If I want a big sound, I use layers.

I just don't like the extremely high gain stuff at all. Unless I'm forced to play it by a client with a purchase order in hand. ;) Haha! I'm a ho!

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Originally Posted by LSchefman

...there are no true Class A guitar amplifiers...

...Two-Rocks...often regarded as more revealing of errors, and they're Class AB, and I agree that certain modes on the Rectos are very revealing. I had a Tremoverb, essentially a recto, and it was capable of a lot of nuance if you didn't crank the gain too high, which you probably know I don't.

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It's funny but I felt the same way for quite a while, especially about my Boogie. And after trolling the Grailtone forums for years, I'm convinced that there are very few Boogie owners that keep the preamp gain as low as I do. Ended up going to strictly the class A mode (probably not true class A mode) and keeping the master between 5 and 10. It was a completely different animal that revealed nuances of my picking style and helped solidify something unique to me (and sounded freakin' amazing with P90s!). I honestly believe that some of the best inspiration comes when you throw all convention out the window.

I was into P90s with my Mesas in a big way, too. Great combination, same with the TR, P-90s always worked.

With the HXDA I prefer buckers.

I also spent a tremendous amount of time lurking on the boogie boards...Learned a lot of really good stuff....I also run gain pretty low...even when I'm hanging in Modern Red....As to convention look at the way some of the SLO guys run their amps....Warren Haynes runs his gain fairly conservatively compared to what that amp can do.

I've heard similar things regarding true Class A circuitry....if you get a chance check out the Rivera Venus 5 and 3....I've spent a decent amount of time talking to both Paul Sr. and Jr. about the amps over the years....they are said to have class A power sections....very cool amps.

Bruce Zinky's stuff which is Class A/B is also pretty revealing...keeps you honest...if you haven't checked his amps out its worth a shot.

one of my best friends has a gorgeous mint Tremoverb...one of the best amps Mesa ever put out! I've been trying to buy it from him for years...doubt he will ever part with it!

Ive actually been playing my Thorns with Staple-tops through my Recording Amp lately and they kill...big thick Warren Haynes Tone....p90's sound amazing through it....my amp has sounded good no matter what ive thrown at it pickup wise....Les it might be worth revisiting P90's with the HXDA....speaking of which...got to get me an HXDA, a 25th Anniversary, a Super Dallas, and my Recording Amp to try back to back! See which cinemag based amp is the top dog!

BTW....I've also been running a 305 through my amp with the gains cranked all the switches up mid and bass on 2/3rds and treble on 1/3rd and have been getting beautiful monster overdriven strat tones...no pedals needed! Reminds me a bit of Rory Gallagher!....flick of the volume knob and I go from sparkling clean to Jacknife Beat!

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Originally Posted by DirtyMoonsRJT

...got to get me an HXDA, a 25th Anniversary, a Super Dallas, and my Recording Amp to try back to back! See which cinemag based amp is the top dog!!

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That would be epic! And I wouldn't want to really find which one was best, but which one I'm buying next. ;)

BTW, there's a Super D on eBay right now that may go for a song. It's serialized really close to mine.

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Originally Posted by DirtyMoonsRJT

Les it might be worth revisiting P90's with the HXDA....

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+1. I've been completely having a blast with my P90 guitars and my HX/DA. It's a killer combo IMHO, especially through a closed back cab

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Originally Posted by DirtyMoonsRJT

Les it might be worth revisiting P90's with the HXDA

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I plan to go to my brother's and bring back my old '65 SG Special to do that.

But one of the reasons I wanted the Sig Ltd was to get the split coil sounds, and the tighter neck pickup sound, and the HXDA sounds phenomenal with that guitar. The 408s are great with the HXDA, I should have mentioned that.

The weird thing is that I greatly preferred single coil sounds with every other amp I've ever owned, and generally ran my humbucker guitars split unless I really needed something very "humbuckery". With this amp, I like both the splits and the full buckers, but I have a slight preference for the buckers to get those greasy tones. Yum.

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Originally Posted by Boogie

That would be epic! And I wouldn't want to really find which one was best, but which one I'm buying next. ;)

BTW, there's a Super D on eBay right now that may go for a song. It's serialized really close to mine.

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Uh oh....don't tempt me!!!

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Originally Posted by Serious Poo

+1. I've been completely having a blast with my P90 guitars and my HX/DA. It's a killer combo IMHO, especially through a closed back cab

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Stop it! *hands over ears* Na na na na....I CAN'T HEAR YOU. :wink:

My #1 gigger is P90 equipped, so my whole guitar life revolves around perpetuating the awesome grind and bloom I get out of that guitar. The last thing I need to know is how well the HXDA melds with that pup. GAS is building up even more now.