Conference napalm::guitar

    I'm having my own trappings of GTS.
    
    I just got back from a music store and played extensively with the
    Mesa/Boogie TriAxis again...(My second stop back...).
    
    I played the boogie with a Heartfield "RG550 clone".  The fackin' thing
    SCREAMS (like no boogie *I've* ever heard!).  It's got a couple
    channels (read: preamps), MIDI presets, up/down arrows and param windows 
    on the front, Speaker emulator outs, preamp outs, stereo FX loop,
    bass-mid-treb-pres. all the goodies (and all in real-time from my ART
    controller board).  All this thru a Simulclass 295 power amp -
    SMOKIN'!
    
    I was blown away by the sound - Crystal clean to thrash distortion,
    with that growling TOOB dirt...  and no NOISE!  I was really impressed
    with the ability to make the Marshall clean too (ya know... CRUNCHIE?).
    My Mp1 doesn't do CRUNCH too well...  I didn't hook up a processor, so 
    I dunno how the FX stage is, but maybe, just maybe, who needs it ??
    
    And... I hate to admit that I was equally impressed with the ART
    SGX2000 as well.  A nice unit.
    
    I have a deal pending on a ART SGX2000/Mp1 trade, I'm thinking about
    it.  the Boogie makes it hard to make a decision.  :-(
    
    jc
      

    
    
      Myself? I'd probably boogie my troubles away! 
    
      Tough decision Coop! 
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    The tough part for me is, I can get a SGX2000 on an even trade for
    my Mp1, which would free up my Quad for permanent studio duty...where
    it probably should be to begin with...  I can also use my HUSH in the
    studio too, as the SGX has all that stuff (gating, verbs etc..) built
    in...But...  and it sounds good too.
    
    That BOOGIE *really* smokes man...  Basically an "Mp1+" without the
    hi-gain noise...  I think the thing that attracts me to the Boogie so
    much is that the low notes are SO tight, where most other units turn to
    mush...  Gawd, I never thought I'd be attracted to a M/B!!  The Boogie 
    is expensive too...   Eye-yi-yi!
    jc

    Re Coop: The TriAxis got great reviews for its cleanliness in the high
    gain modes in a fairly recent _Guitar Player_...sounds like your
    experience backs that up.  I guess they weren't pleased by the tone
    of the gain-yer-brain modes...said the Marshall they were AB'ing
    against had better crunch tone.
    
    I know you didn't get into the FX loop much, but what can you tell me
    about the controls affecting the loop, if anything?  For example, can
    you mix the FX bus with 'dry' TriAxis sound, or does everything go 
    through the loop, ala MkIV?
    
    BTW, is there an onboard reverb unit?  The power amp is part of the
    deal, correct?  How'd you like adjusting stuff with up/down keys in 
    place of twisting knobs?
    

    Have you tried the Access and JMP-1 also?

    
    
      I don't know if Coop's ever tried an ACCESS, but he has drooled all 
    over the literature!
    
    							--B{}{}M--

> I can also use my HUSH in the
>    studio too, as the SGX has all that stuff (gating, verbs etc..) built
>    in...But...  and it sounds good too.
    
    If that's the same gate they stuck in the SGE, it sucks.  It's really
    harsh in it's On/Off action and doesn't let you control that.
    
    Greg

Coop I'd try an SGX before you get too wound, I think they sound like crap.

dbii

Okay, I jammed with a guy last night who had a Marshall JMP-1 and I got
to diddle with it quite a bit...he used it in conjunction with a Quad and
Boogie Simul-class 295.  It kicked ass too, but I think the Boogie was a 
little "warmer" - the Marshall was pretty "harsh".  but the Marshall was 
quiet, and had good tones, and an excellent stereo FX loop with variable
gains.  Cool!

jc (Who'll probably keep his Mp1 :-)

    Did it sound like a "real" Marshall?
    
    gh

    Dangerous question to ask me dood...
     :-)
    
    I'll be nice - Yeah, except it was a lot more "bright" and had gobs 
    of buzz.  :-0  I'd have to say it was typically "Rack" sounding, which
    means you marshall die-hards might not like it.  How about "hot rodded"
    sounding?
    
    jc

Article 13610 of alt.guitar:
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From: [email protected] (Daniel Poirier)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar
Subject: Re: BOOGIE TRIAxis recording outputs...
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 16 Mar 93 18:27:24 GMT
References: <[email protected]>
Sender: 5E00 Corkstown News Server
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Ottawa, Canada
Lines: 44

In article <[email protected]> [email protected] () writes:
>
>Anyone have any experience with Boogie TriAxis
>recording compensated (speaker emualtor) outputs??  I wonder 
>how they sound!!
>
>Thanks!!
>
>+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
>                    Jeff Cooper - [email protected]
>          Digital Equipment Corporation - Colorado Springs, Colorado
>
>                            Thats *DOCTOR* KDX200"
>                                   To YOU!!
>
>President - DIGITAL Equipment Corp. Trail Riders Assn. (DECtrail)
>Member -    Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit - AMA - MIDI Rack Puke
>
>       No one cares about my stupid views and opinions, so why bother??
>+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Jeff,

I own a Tri-Axis, and can tell you the following:

1-) There is one single mono output emulating the clean circuitry. It sounds
    VERY good, but is mono (i.e. if you use a stereo effects unit in the
    tri-axis effects loop, like I do, you lose the stereo aspect when using
    the mono recording output).

2-) There is also one single mono output emulating the distorted circuitry.
    Ditto for the sound (it sounds VERY good), ditto for the loss of stereo
    effects.

3-) A call to Mesa-Boogie made it clear that they can modify this in order
    to give me a pair of stereo recording outputs emulating either the 
    clean _OR_ the distorted circuitry, but not both. I'm going to call 
    them back and ask about getting two stereo pairs (when I get time....)

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Daniel Poirier      e-mail: [email protected]       (613)763-5185
    Standard disclaimers... - BNR does not own or share my opinion!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    I wonder if they could just modify it so that it uses a TRS plug for
    stereo out on each one?  (if space is the problem)
    
    A guitar's a mono device anyway, add stereo effects in the mix.
    
    gh

Well, stereo guitar would be cool if I had more than 8 tracks - 
Ergo, I agree - mono will work fine for me...  I'm just excited
that this guy seems to think the emulators on the TriAxis
work well!!

I've written the guy back for more inputs - perhaps I'll post what
he has to say.

jc

Article 2867 of rec.music.makers.guitar:
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From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.guitar
Subject: Re: Mesa/Boogie TriAxis (i got one)
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 17 Mar 93 14:00:33 -0500
References: <[email protected]>
Organization: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Lines: 72

    
In article <[email protected]>, STMQ%[email protected] (Michael Quigley) writes:
> Dear Readers,
> 
>   I am in the process of looking for a new preamp for my rig. I have
> tried a couple, but haven't really found what I am looking for. From
> conversations that I have had with music store employees and friends
> I have come to the conclusion that I am looking for either a Mesa-
> Boogie TriAxis preamp, or something similar. Is there anyone out there
> who owns this preamp that could tell me about it? Most music dealers
> are also rather stubborn about giving out Mesa prices. What is this
> preamp currently selling for?
> 
Well, I checked the NET and evidently I am the only one who has picked
up one of these things (i got one of the first ones).  
so what do I think...

in a word (or two) this is THE most incredible preamp ever made.
What is keeping this fact so well hidden is that it costs a
boatload of money ($1200 is the correct price)and 
the factory programs suck...

Th TriAxis successfully mimics most if not all of the Mesa-Boogie line
of amps.  It has the ability to work with the MB power amps (and others)
with the use of remote footswitch jacks - all programmable. within each 
preset are various "modes" that reflect the voicings of all the popular
MB Amps as well as some of the Marshall and other popular stuff.

the user interface is not the best that i have ever seen, but it is
not objectionable.  the input is on the back (stupid).  But if you
use the venerable Shure wireless system like i do it's almost a 
blessing.the layout is easy to understand, and all the controls are on the 
front (no menus!!)

the best thing is the *sound*.  Direct to my console this thing CRUSHES!
it also works well with my cabinets (I have a marshall stack, a fender
combo, and a JC120).
> 
>   Right now I am using (get this) my Rockman as a preamp. I like the
> distortion it has. It is crunchy without being too fuzzy. I get crunch
> and I can still play complex voicings without losing anything. Has a
> nice lead sound. The problem is that I have no control over the
> Rockman on stage. So it doesn't cut it.

I converted from a Rockman COMP/Sustainor to this piece.  I have entered
another zone!!!  I actually occasionally use them both together (in
parallel, not series).  It's a pretty cool combination.


By the by, I also have one of those new Roland Guitar Synths (so shoot me, I 
can't remember the stupid number).  It's the one with the main unit that
sits on the floor.  I have the GK-1 driver mounted on a signature
series Paul Reed Smith.  This synth tracks Great!  it is the first synth
that I have ever played that didn't force me to play a different style
just to get it to keep up. And the combination of the TriAxis with the Roland
synth sounds has to be heard to be believed!!!!

Bottom line, if money is not your primary deciding factor, buy the 
TriAxis.  You *WILL NOT* be disappointed.

************************************************************************
                Brian David Maddox - Washington D.C.

[email protected] (VMS)      )  "all we are saying....
[email protected] (UNIX)     )      is do a pizza dance"
[email protected] (LAN)       )         john & yoko at the HUT
    
      -All opinions expressed above are mine and mine alone...
                         but i'm right!
*************************************************************************

     ...no i don't work for Mesa Boogie...

    Sorry to clutter up the TriAxis note with other stuff, but did you
    notice at the end of the previous posting that the dood's mounted a
    GK-1 on a *PRS signature*??? I think I'm gonna faint...
    
    Nick

    
    	...so we are auditioning a new singer last night and of course
    	Coop has this new toy and the drummer says "lets play real clean
        with no effects at all..." NOT!  This is while I am having Coop 
    	run thru some of the preamp settings from clean to CAPTIAN-CRUNCH.
    
    	COOP I think that TriAxis has set a new record for led's.
    	The cost of this thing is the engineering of the front
    	panel %~}
    
    
    	P.S. It sounded Great!

    Well, the day has come.  I'm no longer a ADA Mp1 bigot...  Now I'm a 
    MESA/Boogie bigot.  :-)
    
    I took delivery of my Boogie TriAxis Friday.  It was in excellent
    shape...  brand new boogie tubes (and the old ones), and not a scratch
    on it.
    
    I screwed it into my rack, and wired it up...Then exhibited incredible
    control - I took my wife out instead of playing with it (anyone who 
    knows me, knows that this is extremely rare).  Good PR though.  :-)\
    I read the manual when I got home.  First nit:  The manual SUCKS!
    It's about 2.5"x4" and extremely brief.  There is a mimeographed sheet
    of paper in the box also that tells about SYSEX dumping and junk.
    
    Anyway, Saturday morning at 7:30am sharp, I fired it up.  I ran thru
    the factory presets (1-10 run you thru the voicings) noticed right away
    that the "Vintage Boogie" voicing is the cats meow for the blues -
    slightly dirty without sounding too hollow.  It's ballzy, FAT and warm - 
    really nice.  
    
    The MkIV rhythm voicing is super crystal clean (ALA Roland JC120) - also 
    very nice (without being too compressed).  All the clean voicings are 
    punch and fat, and are typically "tube" sounding - even with my SP1000 
    pushing the speakers - speaking of which, I only used two of my 4x12's...  
    I set about tweaking the "MKIV" voicing to fit my needs and stored it
    in patch 1.  Basically, I just added a bit of midrange to the factory
    default.
    
    Next, I took the Vintage Boogie voicing (ala MkII or .50 calibre) and 
    added a hair of "drive" and came up with a preset with enough grunge to
    dirty up when playing hard, but still able to stay clean if I back off
    a little - perfect for doin' the SRV thang.  Stored that in patch 2.
    It was really tempting to rage the drive, but that'll be another
    preset.  :-)
    
    Next I took "Bright Boogie Lead" and nailed the drive and gain.  Instant
    metal rhythm.  The default was a little too fat for my taste, so I
    backed down the mid and treble and jumped the presence up.  Perfect.  
    Patch 3.  This voicing makes for a midrange punch that you guys with 
    the Marshalls and PV's would love...and has room for all the squeelies
    you could want.
    
    The last one for this sitting was the "High Gain British Lead" - added
    a hair of mids to this one, and ran the gain up, while keeping the 
    "drive" down a little.  Big-n-fat...
    
    When I was done, I ran (for giggles) a patch cord to my cassette deck
    and recorded some of the sounds...  The direct outs sound GREAT! 
    Better than anything I've used before, and better sounding that the 
    zillions of ways I've miked up cabs.  I think this will be very helpful
    on future recording sessions!!  Oh, there are two outputs - One for
    clean sounds and one for nasty sounds.  Both worked good!
    
    So, I'm in heaven - I got all the sounds my basic Mp1 had, in about 2
    hours.  Stored it and got burnt (this is REALLY dumb!!).  See, BOOGIE 
    makes patch locations 1-20 factory presets.  They load from ROM
    everytime you power up.  You can use those locations, but you have to
    DISABLE the ROM before you power off.  I forgot.  So, I had to go back
    and do it again.  Power up ROM is now disabled.  :-).
    
    As soon as I was done, I loaded up the rack, and boogied (wagagagaga)
    to a rehearsal.  I needed those four basic patches to get thru the
    night.  After the initial ohhs and ahhs, we got down to playing.  The
    TriAxis was in it's own.  Ballzy, lotsa punch, and even the drummer 
    commented how the TriAxis came thru the mix.  It was a long rehearsal,
    and I think Will (the bassist) wants to trade sides.  I've suddenly got
    midrange (cutyouinhalftype) punch that can be really painful (I like
    that).
    
    There are 90 factory presets in all, and some damn nice sounds.  
    
    Some observations:
    
    - The thing is HUGE !! 21 inches deep!!
    - It's built like a tank.  All steel housing.
    - Handy tube placement (5-12AX7's) - you can yank toobs
      without "de-racking".  Nice touch.
    - The membrane switches are too small for my meaty digits.
    - The LED displays are nice and big, and the up/down buttons 
      would be nice for you knob turners - NO MENU's!, just up and 
      down carrots for all params.
    - Lots of lights (hey, it's an MRP thing. :-)
    - The power up ROM is a PAIN!
    - This thing is super quiet.
    - The tones rules.  All the voices (8) work as advertised.
      I noticed that the "Vintage Mk I lead" seemed to be down 
      a bit in output - if you use this, you'll need to compensate.
    - The QuadraVerb works good in the FX loop and in-line, and the
      switching outputs on the TriAxis bypassed with no problems.
    - Function interface (patch copy, loop enable, store, dump etc...) 
      is a little klutsy. After years with MIDI guitar toys, it never 
      ceases to amaze me how many different ways there are to do the same 
      damn thing.  I suppose it's just something that I'll get used to...
      Too much time with my Mp1 I guess.
    - Boogie is going to send me a MIDI patch editor for my PC, so I can 
      download all my patches to the PC and tickle them there... FREE!
    
    Voices:
    
    - Vintage Fat Rhythm
    - Modern Bright Rhythm
    - Vintage Mk I lead
    - Hi-Gain British Style Lead
    - Hi-Gain "bright" British style lead
    - Medium Gain Boogie Lead
    - Classic Boogie Lead (ala MkII/IV)
    - Bright Boogie Lead
    
    Overall impression:
    
    Gains for days!!  My tone got a great boost, and I'm a happy camper!!
    This thing is the most "tube amp" sounding preamp I've ever heard.
    If I blind folded you, and sat you down, you'd never know I wasn't 
    doin' a hyper marshall or boogie or twin or... All that and a MIDI
    front end.  It's the "Mp1+" I was looking for:  stereo FX loop, quiet,
    recording outputs etc...A great buy!
    
    jc (Happy TriAxis owner)
          

    I played nice and clean dood!  Just a little delay for leads.  :-)
    It WILL bump up the electricity bill though, with it's lights.
    
    jc

    
    
     WOW - sounds almost as good as an ACCESS - B-} (Mr H&K snob).
    
       Glad to hear the Tri-Axis delivers the goods. Two similarities it
    has with the Access. Neither (apparently) require a tube power amp
    to do a decent, make that excellent, imitation of your standard tube
    heads. And they both have increments/decrements for just about every
    parameter so there's no menu/submenu tweaking. That's nice for getting
    your sounds together FAST! 
       I wish I'd seen the look on your face when the next power up zipped
    out your first programmed set of patches! At least you got that
    straightened out.
       It's nice that the tubes are accessible, because on the Access
    they aren't until you de-rack and remove about ten screws!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    Yeah, these toobs lay down and you just reach in and grab-n-pull.
    
    I fackin HATE menus on MIDI toys.  My QV is a PAIN, with a menu for
    everything but the kitchen sink.  The Inc/Dec arrows for each param
    on the TriAxis are super convenient...Just like onna head, cept there 
    is no knob to break off.  :-)
    
    RE: Writing over my patches...
    
    I think I know what I did.  See, you gotta poke "Shift-Mode" and "enter".
    I did that then said "Hmm, I wonder if I did that right?" and did it
    again (effectively undoing the override).  :-)  Whataputz.  :-)
    
    jc

    
    
      Hey - that Tri-Axis must sit in the M/B rack real nice!
    
      What's left? Hmmm - rack mount tuner maybe? ADA microCAB?
    Hey take the wife out for another dinner!
    
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    <Hey - that Tri-Axis must sit in the M/B rack real nice!
    
    Somewere in here someone said that you need a roadie to move an
    SVT 8x10 cab.  Try lifting Coop's rack =:^(
    
    

    Yeah - it sits like lead.  :-)
    
    I have to invite Will over for a beer everytime I need 
    to move the damn thing!  :-)
    
    Thanks Will!
    :-)
    
    >          -< The tone on Coop's solos was better imho >-
    
    Thanks again...  Actually, I thought the preset volume was a tad loud
    for the leads - a quick edit fer-sure.  But, umm, do I smell a bass solo 
    coming up??  :-)
    
    jc

>   Well, the day has come.  I'm no longer a ADA Mp1 bigot...  Now I'm a 
>   MESA/Boogie bigot.  :-)
    
    Sooner or later, we all come to the same place.  ;-)
    
    	db
    
    p.s.  When Buck finally trades his 5150 for the latest Boogie, the
          cycle of things will have been complete.

>    Somewere in here someone said that you need a roadie to move an
>    SVT 8x10 cab.  Try lifting Coop's rack =:^(
    
    It's almost as heavy as a Twin!
    ;^)
    
    

    *Almost* as heavy as a Twin...
    :-)

    RE: db
    
    Don't hold yer breath!!
    
    
    Buck, who played with Rick C's boogie for quite a while once.  Amusing
    for one lead tone, but not versitile at all..

Peter, Paul & Mary said it best...      

	'The answer my friend, is to play it thru a Twin,
	The answer is "to play it thru a Twin"'.

All other amps just go 'Puff' like some magic dragon - stick with the
twin, It's heavy, 'cause it's got soul.

							Jens

    I heard that Twins were unstanble on their wheels, and if you put them 
    in front of multiple 4x12's, they could tip over, making a REALLY cool 
    sound of springs goin BOING!   :-)
    
    jc

    Hey, if anyone tells ya that yer Twin isn't cool, drop it on 'em!

    re the twin
    
    	Fender the Twin : from the latin" Hernias Incredibulus"
    	
    	In Troy in 556 BC alexander the great made a wooden fender
    twin and hid an army inside it.
    
    	The titanic didn't actually hit an iceberg, one of the bands
    twins actually fell overboard and the resultant weight shift actually
    flipped the ship.
    
    	There is no way the Wright brothers would have flown at Kittyhawk
    if they had been carrying a twin.
    
    	P.K.	

    Yo PK !!
    
    Don't *ever* say Kittyhawk in this topic again!
    :-)
    
    jc

    I still can't get over this...  There *is* life after ADA !!
    :-)

    >I still can't get over this...  There *is* life after ADA !!
    
    
    Exactly what Greg House and I have been trying to tell you for YEARS!

    
    
       ..and I just bought my first ADA piece of gear. I DID have a 
    Boogie Sus-4 rack that found its way to Colorado. That's probably the 
    first piece of gear that someone in here mentioned they wanted and I
    just happened to have one sitting in my basement that I wasn't using!
    Coop - I think the writing was on the wall when I sent you that rack!!!
    
       I think you did a good job of avoiding major GTS during '92 but
    you've already made up for that this year. 
    
       Oh Yeah :
    
    ---KittyHawk-KittyHawk-KittyHawk-KittyHawk-KittyHawk-KittyHawk-KittyHawk---
    
    					(I still love my M1's to death)
    
    						-=B{}{}M=-

    Humph.  I still say the Mp1's rule the earth...  Just that TriAxis
    rules the universe.  :-)
    
    jc

           <<< COFFEE::USER$DISK:[NOTES$LIBRARY]HOME_STUDIO.NOTE;6 >>>
                          -< Home Recording Studios >-
================================================================================
Note 50.25                    Recording the Guitar                      25 of 25
KDX200::COOPER "Let The Light Surround You!!"        21 lines  14-APR-1993 13:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well, I thought I'd drop a note in here...
    
    It's always  been said that you can't quite get the right sound 
    from recording direct from an amp/direct_box/whatever.
    
    I recently picked up a preamp for my guitar rig that has direct
    "recording compensated" outputs (one for distorted signals, one
    for clean).  The preamp is a Mesa/Boogie TriAxis.
    
    I did some recording with it last night, and am extremely pleased 
    with sounds I got!!  It's the best guitar sound that I've ever gotten
    on tape (including open-miking cabs).  I'm tickled to death.  The most
    amazing thing to me was that I recorded some real hi-gain/hi-distortion
    lead lines, and it preserved that nice fat boogie sound really well,
    without sounding like a bumblebee in a beer can.  :-)
    
    The Boogie isn't cheap though, but they proved to me that direct outs
    CAN work.  So, perhaps there will be some less expensive alternatives 
    coming around in the near future!!                  
    
    jc 
    

    Yeah...Boogies are great. I used to do a lot of recordings with the
    studio .22. Great sounds out of that one!! I have been recording with a
    Marshall Artist as of late but once I get my 60 htz hum out of my Mark3
    Simulcast I'll be back with the Boogie in the studio. Most of my
    recordings have been with Boogies and Marshalls and even some GK's...
    The ada has a decent sound as well especially the clean sound.
    
                                    stig

    Snarfed from the January 1993 Mesa/Boogie Price List, without 
    permission:
    
    TRIAXIS PROGRAMMABLE PREAMP
    
    This one rack space represents 20 years of pioneering guitar
    amplification design.  All tube analog audio circuitry, complete
    programability of all controls and features, plus MIDI compatability
    make the TriAxis the most comprehensive guitar sound tool to date.
    A simple "one page" layout lets you spontaneously create any current,
    classic or vintage sound imaginable - in seconds - and save it for
    instant access at future sessions.
    
    Features include:
    
    - Tone!  (I didn't print that! -jc)
    - 5x 12AX7 Tubes (accessable from the rear, without deracking)
    - Eight modes! Consisting of 2 clean (one vintage, one modern
      'hyper-clean'), and 6 lead (3 vintage configurations, 3 modern
      configurations).
    - Individual "+", "-" keys and displays for each control
    - Individual preset and program displays with dedicated "+", "-"
      keys.
    - "One Page" layout for continuous display of and access to all 
      functions
    - Programable stereo effects loop with indicator
    - Four programmable tip-to-ground function switch ports -with
      indicators- for controlling external devices.
    - Stereo "Main Out" jacks
    - Stereo "Recording Out" jacks for truely accurate direct recording
    - Manual concentric stereo "Output Level" controls (eliminates the 
      need for re-write of master settings in different size venues).
    - Shift function enabling copy features and numeric keypad for
      program/preset entry.
    - 90 presets (20 factory, 70 user)
    - 128 MIDI program locations for storing presets
    - Memory mapping 
    - MIDI In, Out, Thru
    
    "New Features"
    - COMPLETE Rectifier circuit board added (Red 1 Mode)
    - New Inc/Dec keys - even more touch sensitive
    - "Continuous Control" of all parameters now possible!
    
    TriAxis preamp:   		$1,395.00
    with Abacus MIDI controller $1,695.00
    
                   

    Snarfed from the January 1993 Mesa/Boogie Price List, without 
    permission:
    
    SWITCH TRACK(tm) POWER Like having two power amps in one
    
    A new concept in guitar power amplifiers.  SWITHCTRACK(tm) lets a
    player voice the power amp differently for clean and distortion sounds
    and switch between thew two voicings.  It's like having channel
    switching in your power amp!
    
    Choose the Strategy 500 for maximum power and headroom, while the
    stereo Simul 2 Ninety(tm) delivers the ultimate creamy lead voice that
    has won SimulClass power world-wide acclaim.
    
    *NEW* Stereo Simul 2:Ninety(tm)
    - 90 watts per side, all tube, only two rack spaces!
    - 3 'voicing feature' jacks: "Half Drive", "Deep Extend" and
      "Modern" (These features can be accessed by TRIAXIS program 
      change or by most any tip-to-ground switcher).  Each voicing 
      feature has a corresponding front panel LED indicator.
    - Instrument/Line Level input selector
    - 1x8 ohm or 2x4 ohm speaker outputs per channel.
    - Tone!  By far the most responsive and guitaristic power amp
      available to date.  Employs both simulclass power and a driver
      circuit thats more like an amp head.
    
    The ultimate TRIAXIS companion!
    
    $995
    

    I left out the blurb on the Strategy 500 power amp....  If anyone 
    wants to see the whole thing, let me know.
    
    In a nut shell though it's an all tube power amp that has (8)6L6 tubes
    *PLUS* (4) 6550's - 200 watts per channel (OUCH!).  3 rack
    spaces.   It's got switchtrack, and sep. volume/presence controls
    for each channel.
    
    I've heard the Simul 2:90 and it KILLS deer at 200 yards with the
    volumes on 2.  I just can't imagine what the 500 would do...  Elk
    maybe??
    :-)
    
    jc (Who wants to 2:90)
    

    Some clarifications...  
    
    Recording outputs:
    
    There are two.  The chincy "manaul" (I use the term loosely) says
    that the bottom jack is voiced for distortion sounds, and the top
    jack is voiced for clean sounds.
    
    The catalog says "Stereo Recording outputs".
    
    A quick call to Boogie (John) and I find the following:
    
    - The bottom jack is voiced for distortion - MONO!
    - The top jack is voiced for clean - MONO!
    - If you have a plug in each, you get an "in-between"
      voicing in STEREO.
    
    Also, if you have an older model TriAxis, Mesa/Boogie will upgrade
    yours for $270 - Included is the Continous Control of all parameters, 
    a new circuit card with the "Dual Rectum Frier" circuitry which
    REPLACES (not adds)  a voice.  Ergo - if you like your "Shredding
    British Style Lead" - then don't get THIS upgrade.
    
    The good part about the upgrade is you can mix-n-match what you want
    as follows:
    
    1.  Continuous Control.	$100
    
        It's a PROM.  You just pry out the old one and slap in the new 
        one.  Allows you to continuosly control (via MIDI) any paramter
        that you want (all four bands of EQ, Master volume, gain, drive,
        voice etc...).  This one is user-installable, and (fwiw), adds
        a whole new realm of light shows to your rack, as all the leds
        blink when you diddle with your CC's.  Nifty!!  an added bonus
        to rack pukes everywhere!
    
    2.  Dual Rectum Frier.	$150
    
        Replaces your Red Mode 1 sound with the more vintage sounding 
        Dual Rectifier stuff.  This is a factory replacement circuit 
        card only (none-user installable).
    
    3.  Touch Sensitive Controls.   $20
    
        User installable - They'll send you a whole new front panel with
        a built on circuit card...  The harder you push, the faster the
        parameters go whizzing by etc...
    
    I think Boogie was SMART to break down the upgrade like that...  But I 
    miss the days of ADA giving you FREE upgrades.    :-)
    
        
    I know I'm the only one who has a TriAxis, but perhaps in the future
    others will snarf one up...So this is FYI.
    
    jc

    BTW - For you Dream Theater fans (Buck, you listening), John Petrucci
    uses the TriAxis with a Strategy 500 amp...(You knew that)...
    
    The nice part is, Boogie doesn't sponser him...  He just likes
    the TriAxis!                                              

    I finally got to hear (& touch) a Tri-Axis yesterday. It was running
    through a 2:90 on 2 4x12 Marshall cabs. It's *the best* I've heard. 
    
    I've also heard the Dual Rectifier & it has good sounds, but I don't
    know if I'd pay a couple hundred bucks *and* a "red" sound for the
    option on a Tri-Axis. If you do the mod, is it possible to dial in the
    lost sound on another program channel, or is it just gonzo ?
    
    It would be nice if they'd settle on what they want to put into the box
    instead of all those quasi-hack after market "options".
    
    I think I'll wait until they've "matured" a little & look for a used
    one. Coop, maybe you could sell me your "old" one for half price.
    
    Paul
    

    Greg,
    
    You got to hear the TriAxis last night at Joes - whadja think of it?
    Improvement over the Mp1, or what??
    
    jc

>    You got to hear the TriAxis last night at Joes - whadja think of it?
>    Improvement over the Mp1, or what??
 
    Yeah, as I told you that night, it's about a million times improvement
    over the Mp-1.  I thought both you and Mark (who uses a JMP-1 based
    rig, for you other gentle readers) had good sounds for the stuff you
    did.  Real full, but still blended well with each other.
    
    Greg

    Look out...just got an issue of "AMPlitude", the new Mesa newsletter
    (gee, if every company does a newsletter, GP can stop publishing!) and
    guess what, bassist John Myung of Dream Theater is using a Tri-Axis
    *bass* preamp.
    
    Sell that SWR, sell that SVT, sell that Trace and step up to real man's
    tone...
    
    						Dennis Dunaway			

so dbii took the plunge and bought Coops' triaxis!

it arrived last night and I messed with it for a short while, (I couldn't
play long because I put a wood splinter under the nail on my left middle 
finger and couldn't get it out...it's buried real deep, this weekend's gig
will be interesting if I can't get it out!)

It smokes!

dbii

    Huh????
    
    Coop sold his Tri-Axis.
    
    OK Coop, what is the current pre-amp du jour?

he was mumbling about a jmp-1...better thrash tone...

me I'm now a happy boogie owner (ahhhh my first boogie)


dbii

    
    Coop sold his Tri-Axis?!?  I thought I would NEVER happen.
    
    Coop, if you're reading this -- go for an ACCESS!

    You got your's yet, Buck?

    If I was a pre-amp/rack sort of person, I would have one for sure.
    The ACCESS system is the best rack thing going imvho -- much nicer
    than the MESA Studio series to me.
    
    BUT -- I'm a combo 'n' stack man, so, that's what I own.

    
    
       I agree with Buck !!!!!! 
    
    
       And I didn't put him up to saying .55 either!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    Yeah, the pre-amp du-jour will be either an ADA Mp2, or a Marshall
    JMP-1.
    
    I figure that ADA intro'd the Mp1, and it was a ground breaker.  I
    loved mine.  Now, on paper this thing is HOT.  We'll see what it sounds
    like.  I'm taking the rest of the afternoon off today, and all day
    tomorrow to go to Denver and horse around with these pups.
    
    I've played thru the Marshall JMP-1, and really liked it a lot...
    But MIDI implementation is important to me, and (on paper), the
    ADA Mp2 has the Marshall beat!!  CC of all params, included the
    stereo FX loop return, and all that stuff.
    
    I'll have to sit down and write up a review of the goodies I try.
    
    DB - You'll love the booger!!
    

    
    
      RE: -.1 
    
         dbii will like it better with the sliver out of his finger (ouch!)
    
         Hey Coop - So you still have everything else? Who should I
    (finally) send the M/B logo to? 
      Do yourself a favor. At least TRY the Digitech GSP-2101. The new
    footswitches are supposed to be shipping shortly. I tried the GSP-2101
    with a plain footcontroller and got to play some of the presets and 
    mess with some of the parameters. I am very impressed with this 
    preamp/processor. It's everything the GSP-21 isn't. I think Digitech 
    did some homework. The key here is that it is a nice sounding tube
    preamp before you start throwing in effects. And it has full bandwidth
    (at last some real lows and highs!) and is real clean. To top it off
    it is a nice solid, professional looking product. 
      If I wasn't happy with the ACCESS, I would buy the GSP-2101!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    Coop
    	please please please post a review of the MP2......I'm hangin.
    P.K.

    Hey, which of the zillion Mesa notes had the poop on the V-Twin stomp
    box?  Well, I got my answer on price...$350 at Daddy's.  Hmm, that's
    cheaper than a germanium Fuzz Face!!!!
    
    							Henry Vestine

    Mine should be arriving any day now...
    
    Kev --