Anyone on here use a Lonestar Special?
Looking to retire the Shiva (LOL) and gassing badly for either a Stiletto or a Lonestar.
Stiletto is a fairly straightforward Mesa take on a Marshall but the Lonestar I can't quite get my head around - doesn't help that there are different versions..
So, gainwise - is the LSS capable of the usual Mesa gain levels or is it more Texas Blues voiced - I know Timmons uses the Lonestar but he uses a Valve Driver and his usual annoying monster player mojo to get some great noises out of them...so not a real world comparison for me..
EL84 I know gives a different feel, but what I don't want is to have to kick the amp in the balls with an overdrive pedal at maximum gain to get it up to that creamy lead sound.
Opinions please.
Ta
Comments
Its probably the ideal Mesa for 'rootsy'-styles.
Build is very good - as is reliability.
In an ideal world, I'd probably have a DRRI for cleans and a Bad Cat for driven sounds - but money and space means the LSS is a very effective 'one box' solution.
If high volume live cleans are an issue it's worth pointing out that headroom isn't massive.
The 5Y3 rectifier is also run way past it's usual operation specs and they don't usually last very long. There's a technical bulletin from Mesa for the earlier models that you should have carried out by a tech to improve the reliability of the amp.
All that said, the cleans are great
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
The cleans are full of bass and top end sparkle, the lead is quite outstanding. You'll have no issue getting thick and creamy overdrive out of it at all. With or without a drive pedal.
Id highly recommend the Classic.
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