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Post by ibanez4lifesz on Apr 18, 2008 10:39:33 GMT -5
Hey guys! New to the board, and I'm glad to be a part...hopefully with gear aswell  Within the next two months, I will be searching for a new amp to add to my rig...I currently run a Mesa Boogie Mark IV into a Mesa Traditional 4x12 with an x-pattern of V30s and Mesa/Celestion Blackshadow C90s (Mesa clones of Classic Lead 80s). The Mark IV has an OUTSTANDING lead tone, and is very tight, but for my rhythm work, its tightness makes it seem a little small in the mix. It's just TOO clear for my really aggressive rhythm work. It's low end is tight when there isn't too much of it...otherwise, it can mud out quite easily. So, I', very intrigued by the Nitro. It seems like it would be the perfect ticket for my rhythm work...maybe even replace the mark as a lead amp, but that is up for grabs. What is your guys' take on this? The KT-88s also seem very interesting for the HUGE rhythm sound. Would you agree, or recommend otherwise? Ofcourse, I am looking for a hard rock / metal guitar tone. I do not want the tones to be TOO tight, as with the Mark IV, this seems to sacrifice depth. I do need clarity though. The Nitro seems to be the perfect marriage of HUGE and tight. . Now, more specifically....I need the amp to be controlled with my GCX Audio Switcher and Ground control pro....does the amp have some sort of a jack so I can trigger its channels with the switcher? Finally, cab choice. I'm considering getting a second cab to run the setup on the left and right side of the stage. How do you believe the Nitro would pair with my Mesa cab? Any experience with the amp and V30s or CL80s? I would like to keep a certain symmetry to my rig, so I am considering another Mesa cab. BUT, I'm not so sure V30s are the end all for me, and am willing to experiment. Would the matching splawn cab be a MAJOR improvement in your opinion? What speakers would you recommend for the Nitro? Is it a night and day difference? Should splawn cabs work for me, I would definitely considering swapping over to them. I'm also considering a Bogner Uberschall...has anyone gotten to play these two amps? I've played the Uberschall, and quite liked it, but the Nitro almost seems like it takes it a step further. Any input would be great! Sorry for the long email, and I really appreciate your time! Happy to be a new part of the board! Eric |
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Post by snappinnecks on Apr 18, 2008 12:12:05 GMT -5
The Nitro will take anything Mesa produces, bend it over, reenact the scene from Deliverance, and not give it a reach around.
The only thing that is going to come close is an Ubershall or Ecstacy.
I would recommend you get rid of the V30's and get something with milder mids/highs.
The only Mesa amps that I have heard that really slam hard on rythms are ones that have been modded (voodoo etc). Even then you aren't going to touch a Nitro.
Engl and Diezel have good tone, but cost as much as closing costs on a million dollar mansion.
Get a Nitro. You won't be sorry.
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Post by ibanez4lifesz on Apr 18, 2008 13:33:36 GMT -5
I've come to the same conclusion...played a Recto today, and remembered how much I hate the amp.
What speakers would you guys recommend to run in a Splawn cab with the Nitro?
And how about GCX compatibility? Are the amp's functions controllable via an external switcher?
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Post by snappinnecks on Apr 18, 2008 13:46:16 GMT -5
I don't know too much about the latching system on the head. I think it can be switched using a G major or something like that. I don't use all that high tech rack stuff. I think there is a midi option, but don't quote me on that.
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Post by Silverwulf on Apr 18, 2008 13:48:01 GMT -5
Well, I've got a few concerns. If you think the Mark IV is too "tight" or "clear" for rhythm playing, and don't like the sound of the Rectos (huge bottom end and lower mid voiced), I could see you not liking the Nitro, as those are words I would use to start describing it..."tight, clear, big bottom end, lower mid voiced than the QR, etc."
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Post by redneckgeetarist on Apr 18, 2008 13:59:29 GMT -5
Wow. Nuts. Ok, coming from a Splawn fan that statement is insane. Now I know tone is all subjective and what not but that was some of the worst babbling I've ever heard.ha. I've heard the QR. LOOOOVED it. I heard the Nitro and it sound ike a Splawn trying to sound like a Recto. Go figure. I currently own a Mark III Blue stripe and in my opinion, and is that, just an opinion, not fact. The Mark III eats the Nitro for lunch. My fellow guitarist owns a 94? Recto and it also makes wormfeed our of the Nitro. Now don't get me wrong, I actually like the Nitro. But to say the things you said are exaggerating QUITE a bit. Heard of an album ohhhh...Master of Puppets? Considered by many to have one the greatest metal tones EVAAAARRRR!!!!!11 Yeah, Mesa. Shall I go on?
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Post by erock503 on Apr 18, 2008 14:19:25 GMT -5
Wow. Nuts. Ok, coming from a Splawn fan that statement is insane. Now I know tone is all subjective and what not but that was some of the worst babbling I've ever heard.ha. I've heard the QR. LOOOOVED it. I heard the Nitro and it sound ike a Splawn trying to sound like a Recto. Go figure. I currently own a Mark III Blue stripe and in my opinion, and is that, just an opinion, not fact. The Mark III eats the Nitro for lunch. My fellow guitarist owns a 94? Recto and it also makes wormfeed our of the Nitro. Now don't get me wrong, I actually like the Nitro. But to say the things you said are exaggerating QUITE a bit. Heard of an album ohhhh...Master of Puppets? Considered by many to have one the greatest metal tones EVAAAARRRR!!!!!11 Yeah, Mesa. Shall I go on? yeah, I guess tone is subjective for sure. I've owned the Recto, and also the Nitro, and IMO, the nitro stomps the recto into sand. The only recto I've played that I really liked was a friends old 2ch Trec, my newer one sounded like a bag of ass comparitively. I've also owned the Mark IV, and while I really did like that amp, they are like apples and oranges tonally IMO. I do think they would sound great together though. BTW, have you actually owned the Nitro, or does someone in your band? |
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Post by Silverwulf on Apr 18, 2008 14:25:06 GMT -5
I'm not a fan of the newer 3 channel Rectos either. I had an original run of the 3 channels back in 2001 that sounded awesome, but every 3 channel I've played since then left some to be desired. I love the 2 channel Rectos though, completely different beast.
The Marks and Nitros are definitely apples and oranges. I'd put the Nitro more in the Recto category.
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Post by redneckgeetarist on Apr 18, 2008 14:27:26 GMT -5
My bandmate. Between him and I over the last two years or so we've gone through at least 10 amps. Rectos, Mark's, JCM-800's, Nitros, QR's They all sound really amazing. But you are correct it is very much apples and oranges with a MArk amp and a Nitro. Bandmate and I do agree that the older 2 ch Rectos sh1t all over the new ones. I personally HATE Rectos but his sounds amazing. But, i couldn't get into the Nitro one bit. Especially after all the hype. I'm am by no means saying it sucks but it IMO is no better than a good 2ch Recto or Mark amp. Just different. My Line 6 is better than your H & K...haha
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Post by snappinnecks on Apr 18, 2008 14:30:35 GMT -5
Master of puppets? Best tone? Ummmm yeah. For the time period it was good. That was then. I don't consider it good tone.
Dude I have heard Randalls sound better than Mesa.
I will admit the older Mesa amps sound better than the new ones.
I have not heard a Mesa come close to the Nitro's tone.
The Nitro was voiced similar to an Ubershall not Mesa mud.
I gave my opinion on what I thought of comparing the two and I am sure I am not the only one on this board that will tell you that there is no contest between a Nitro and what ever muddy fizzy mesa you want to put it up against. A modded Mesa maybe. Stock no way brotha.
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Post by Silverwulf on Apr 18, 2008 14:36:24 GMT -5
In the last few years, we've owned or still own more amps than I can count...haha. Probably 3-4 Rectos, Mark III, couple Marshall 30th Anniversary, a couple JCM 800, a few Stiletto's, 5150 and XXX, some reack gear like rackmount Rectos, Studio Pres, MP-1, etc...and of course the Splawns - Nitro, old and new QR, and a 4X12 w/BB & SB 65's. Random thoughts:
Like Nitro better w/V30's
Like QR better w/BB & SB 65's
Mark III scooped through BB/SB cab sounds identical to MOP
Would probably sound closer with 4 SB 65's
Like Recto better than the Nitro
Like the QR better than any Marshall I've ever played
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Post by redneckgeetarist on Apr 18, 2008 14:43:38 GMT -5
Don't like MoP's tone. OK, I can give another great example that not too many on here will dispute. John Sykes-Whitesnake. That was a Mark amp.
I can only think of one exmaple of Randall right off hand that sounded good to me..Dimebag
You say you have not heard a Mesa come close to the Nitro's tone. Of course it won't come close b/c once again, apples and oranges. But, the Recto we have actually sounds VERY similar.
Right now my bandmate and I are using the 93 or 94 Recto for him and a Mark III for me andour tone is as tight as a Catholic school boy before the first preacher visit.
Oh yeah, both of our amps are stock.
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Post by erock503 on Apr 18, 2008 14:47:02 GMT -5
My bandmate. Between him and I over the last two years or so we've gone through at least 10 amps. Rectos, Mark's, JCM-800's, Nitros, QR's They all sound really amazing. But you are correct it is very much apples and oranges with a MArk amp and a Nitro. Bandmate and I do agree that the older 2 ch Rectos sh1t all over the new ones. I personally HATE Rectos but his sounds amazing. But, i couldn't get into the Nitro one bit. Especially after all the hype. I'm am by no means saying it sucks but it IMO is no better than a good 2ch Recto or Mark amp. Just different. My Line 6 is better than your H & K...haha hehe, yeah, I understand what you're saying. It's odd, the Nitro is a weird bird it seems. Some people really dig it, others don't at all. I have a couple friends with whom I normally completely agree with about gear. Both of them don't care for the Nitro, but I love it, it kind of surprised me. Maybe I would be less jaded about the Rectos if I had owned an older one. I had a 3ch and a Recto Pre. Trying to dial those in was so frustrating, I was constantly comparing it to my friends older one and falling short. I dialed his in for him, lol, so it wasn't a question of EQ. I guess the Nitro just has a lot of the qualities I really liked about the Recto, without the downsides I really hated. That said, I bought the Nitro to replace the QR, but that's not happening, lol. |
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Post by Silverwulf on Apr 18, 2008 14:52:29 GMT -5
hehe, yeah, I understand what you're saying. It's odd, the Nitro is a weird bird it seems. Some people really dig it, others don't at all. I have a couple friends with whom I normally completely agree with about gear. Both of them don't care for the Nitro, but I love it, it kind of surprised me. Maybe I would be less jaded about the Rectos if I had owned an older one. I had a 3ch and a Recto Pre. Trying to dial those in was so frustrating, I was constantly comparing it to my friends older one and falling short. I dialed his in for him, lol, so it wasn't a question of EQ. I guess the Nitro just has a lot of the qualities I really liked about the Recto, without the downsides I really hated. That said, I bought the Nitro to replace the QR, but that's not happening, lol. Eck...I tried one of those Recto's pres and didn't like it either. I've only heard 1 3 cannel Recto I liked, and it was one I bought new back in 2001. The rest of them have sounded like garbage to me. It is funny about people and how they perceive tone. I like the QR better than any Marshall I've played, but some people still swear by their new JVM amps (and I have no clue why). I actually like the QR better than the Nitro. not that I dislike the Nitro at all, just prefer my Recto to it for that sound, and prefer the QR to the Nitro in general. |
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Post by Silverwulf on Apr 18, 2008 14:54:53 GMT -5
I can only think of one exmaple of Randall right off hand that sounded good to me..Dimebag Bah...I'll pretend I didn't hear that... ;D |
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