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SonicPulverizer « Beautiful tones »
Published on 08/31/12 at 19:06Handbuilt in Petaluma, California. The Mesa Boogie Stiletto Ace is a very well rounded el34 based amplifier. Offering two channels with 3 distinct voices assignable to each, the Ace can cover a lot of ground. The ability to switch between Rectifiers allows you to dial in two totally separate feels-- Tube rectification for more sag, or diode for tighter tracking. No onboard reverb but an effects loop is present. You have the ability to switch between bold and spongy on the power switch to allow for more variac-esque sounds if you prefer them. Footswitch features a boost which can be adjusted on the amp.
UTILIZATION
There are a great number of options available when dialing in either channel. The tonal real-estate that Mesa Boogie offers in the Stiletto Ace is brilliant--I've never felt so over-served as with the current lineup of amplifier Randall Smith has been producing. The amp is very easy to dial in. The combo, while being excessively heavy, is a great all-in-one option for the gigging musician. I have gigged actively with the Ace for over a year now and feel very confident that it will stay in one piece.
SOUNDS
The clean mode is can operate in 3 modes: fat clean, tight clean, and crunch. The fat and tight clean modes share many similarites with the fat clean offering more low end emphasis and a less compressed feel. The crunch mode on channel 1 is duplicated in channel 2. both offering a wonderful mid gain spectrum between dirty blues and classic rock territories. Channel two continues with two additional mode: tight gain and fluid drive. tight gain is a great rhythm tone for modern rock and alternative styles, while fluid gain is ideal for soaring lead tones and high saturated riffing. The amp is considered bright by many. I feel that the amp may take time for some to dial in to taste, and will require patience as with all Mesa Boogie amplifiers.
OVERALL OPINION
The amp is brilliant. Great feature set. Great sounds. Beautiful to look at. The Ace is no longer in production but can be had for between $900- $1200 used. If the Ace is too bright for your tastes , you may consider Mesa boogie's Royal Atlantic amplifier. It shares many traits with the Ace and possesses a darker gain tonality as well as attenuation and onboard reverb.
UTILIZATION
There are a great number of options available when dialing in either channel. The tonal real-estate that Mesa Boogie offers in the Stiletto Ace is brilliant--I've never felt so over-served as with the current lineup of amplifier Randall Smith has been producing. The amp is very easy to dial in. The combo, while being excessively heavy, is a great all-in-one option for the gigging musician. I have gigged actively with the Ace for over a year now and feel very confident that it will stay in one piece.
SOUNDS
The clean mode is can operate in 3 modes: fat clean, tight clean, and crunch. The fat and tight clean modes share many similarites with the fat clean offering more low end emphasis and a less compressed feel. The crunch mode on channel 1 is duplicated in channel 2. both offering a wonderful mid gain spectrum between dirty blues and classic rock territories. Channel two continues with two additional mode: tight gain and fluid drive. tight gain is a great rhythm tone for modern rock and alternative styles, while fluid gain is ideal for soaring lead tones and high saturated riffing. The amp is considered bright by many. I feel that the amp may take time for some to dial in to taste, and will require patience as with all Mesa Boogie amplifiers.
OVERALL OPINION
The amp is brilliant. Great feature set. Great sounds. Beautiful to look at. The Ace is no longer in production but can be had for between $900- $1200 used. If the Ace is too bright for your tastes , you may consider Mesa boogie's Royal Atlantic amplifier. It shares many traits with the Ace and possesses a darker gain tonality as well as attenuation and onboard reverb.