[thadood]

A little bit of information:

I currently use a Genz Benz El Diablo into a Vader 4x12, with my own OD pedal. The sound, once I really get it cranked (way over levels suitable for venues) sounds pretty sweet, but it seems like this amp just isn't filling the audio spectrum like I want it to. It has a slight vintage voicing, and I think that's what's doing me in. It has that little slight-nasal high-mid grind that I'm not overly fond of. Perhaps this would be fixed with a move back to 6L6's (KT77's right now), but I'm just in the mood to move on!

Onward!

I'm thinking of doing something I'd never catch myself doing.

Going Mesa!

I think the Roadster would suit me rather well. I like a thick tone that has a low-mid emphasis that just slaps you in the face. I have a pretty bright guitar setup (DC727 + Bare Knuckle Warpig), so I really think that the Roadster would be a good match, seeing as it's a slightly darker sound. On my amp now, I've found myself pulling out the high end by about -6dB from neutral, just to compensate for brightness.

So, aside from the Roadster, what else could be recommended, given the description of the sound I'm after?

[LordOVchaoS]

You will NOT be disappointed if you get rid of that for a Mesa! ESPECIALLY the Roadster!

I think the El Diablo is great for old school rock but a metal amp it IS NOT!

[Karl Hungus]

Not played a Roadster, but any Dual Rec I've used in the past has never let me down, or for that matter, any other Mesa, including the Mark IV and Nomad. Mesa are just a company that are hard to go wrong with, so a Roadster would get my full aproval.

[budda]

i was thoroughly disappointed with the el diablo combo i tried. it had nothing on my traynor in the high gain department, whereas i was expecting more modern tones.

even a dual rec will be a huge benefit. hell, get a rectoverb lol

[thadood]

My setup is really odd. On my head, I've been running the gain on 3ish, on the standard 10-scale, using the compression engaged, high gain disengaged, and just running my OD's level at about 80%, drive 20%. The EQ on the amp is setup where noon is 0dB gain, and has +/- 15dB from there. The bass is about +4, mids +4, highs -4. The tube contour is just a nudge to the right of being at noon, as well. This gives me more than enough gain. Obviously, I'm not a saturation seeker. I like just enough saturation to make palm mutes hard, but I tend to like a more percussive chunk than a blooming wall of gain.

This is really all up in the air right now. I still have to sell a ton of gear and line up a buyer for the Genz so I can order a new head.