The Watering Hole

I will be driving over to the Music Store in Mesa Arizona tomorrow. They have the exact amp in stock that I have been contemplating, if it is cool I may pull the trigger on it tomorrow morning.

Take an axe, your fav drive pedal, and your check book and have fun!!  Let us know how it goes!! 8-)

I lived in Mesa for a year while a student at ASU.  Right on the border with Tempe on University Ave.  

I used to work over there, at University and McClintock, a few miles east of where you were. That was my first formal masonry estimating job.

Dearthian: — Mar 28, 2009Take an axe, your fav drive pedal, and your check book and have fun!!  Let us know how it goes!! 8-)

I will bring my favorite ax and my Credit Card. No pedals that is what this is for elimination of all pedals except the channel switcher.

BLASPHEMER!!!!!    :o

;D

DreamTheaterRules — Mar 28, 2009BLASPHEMER!!!!!    :o ;D

Who don't know that already Howie?

;D  

Seriously though, I have not ever heard an amp that couldn't be made better with a pedal or two.  Whether it's for solo boost, or just a different kind of tone, no amp can do everything.  Even the amps that have built in boosts on a foot switch... haven't played one yet that did what I WANT for solos.  Might want a smooth, compressed, mid hump OD.  Might want a bright, crunchy germanium treble boost.  Might want a warm, fat fuzz...   etc. etc...  

all boils down to this.  If you really want ONE TONE, you can find the amp/ speaker/ guitar that will get it.  I like MANY tones.  I have different style guitars for that reason.  Different style amps for that reason.  Different speakers for that reason.  And yes, different pedals for that reason.  

Of course, that was the huge appeal of Line 6 back when we all met.  The promise of all kinds of great tones in one box, or one amp.  They got the "all kinds of" down.  Just not the "great."  So I went BACK to tubes, pedals, more pedals.   ;D

Do you find the amp in Mesa Boogie Arizona?  :D

DreamTheaterRules — Mar 29, 2009 ;D  Seriously though, I have not ever heard an amp that couldn't be made better with a pedal or two.  

I only need two tones (with/without reverb), a great clean, and an awesome overdrive with lots of nice under and overtones that bleed into feedback at higher volume levels. When I played in bands I never used pedals at all I just had an amp that I could turn up full for each sized room. I like the simplicity of one guitar wire and a simple channel switching pedal. That is why I like the Lonestar so much, it does those two things superbly. It had the fattest but balanced (highs to lows) tones of any amp I have ever played. Plus the sag of the tube rectifier on the 10 watt and 50 watt settings is just perfect. Everything I ever hated in an amplifier is absent in the Lonestar. It is super smooth and sweet sounding, yet it can get gritty if you want that. I do also have some pedals but I would not need them really, in fact I only use them at home.

CraigBert — Mar 29, 2009Do you find the amp in Mesa Boogie Arizona?  :D

I didn't see no boogies in Mesa Az yesterday.

that's all that matters, DBM.  If it's "THE TONE" for you, then GET IT!  The one Lance bought that I played had GREAT cleans, and GREAT ODs if you want THAT type OD tone.  IT was by all means, a great amp.  Not perfect for me, but I can EASILY see how it could be the holy grail for many.  

With a nice Barber DD or something to "Marshall it up" of course.  LOL  

All he really needs is a Gorilla 1x6 with three (or more) Metal Zones in front of it.  ;) :D

A Mesa found in Mesa?? Sounds like an epiphany!  ;D Methinks your boat has arrived brother... ;)

cgtrox  8-)

^ or it could be a cocky J0EY song lyric as well: "I found myself the lone star in Mesa"  ;)

Kabala — Mar 30, 2009
^ or it could be a cocky J0EY song lyric as well: "I found myself the lone star in Mesa"  ;)

Poor Jose he is his own worst enemy. I kinda miss him around here

DreamTheaterRules — Mar 30, 2009that's all that matters, DBM.  If it's "THE TONE" for you, then GET IT!  The one Lance bought that I played had GREAT cleans, and GREAT ODs if you want THAT type OD tone.  IT was by all means, a great amp.  Not perfect for me, but I can EASILY see how it could be the holy grail for many.  

With a nice Barber DD or something to "Marshall it up" of course.  LOL  

Howie I may pull the trigger on one today or tomorrow. I just found out on the Guitar Player Forum that there is a 2-12 floor model at Az Music over in East Phoenix (a long ways through many many many many traffic lights, maybe 25 miles through towns.) If I like the one there I may pull the trigger, if not I will call Mesa up and order the short head. That amp if for old farts like me who like mellow tone over in your face grinding tone. Listen to the second video down on this page. http://guitarlogic.org/index.php?topic=7736.0 It sounds exactly like that when set for that tone. That is me amigo, that is it. However with some presence and more trebles it gets some grinding hair on it. At the 100 watt setting it also gets that pick attack in it too, eliminating the tube rectifier does that at any setting.

That is a smoking clip!  

Dearthian: — Mar 30, 2009That is a smoking clip!  

Yeah I like the heck out of his technique. But what I like better is that sound, man oh man I been looking for that kind of tone for years and years.

That's a great clip all the way around, great playing and tone.  Funny I had heard a tune from that same guy and he sounded like a John Petrucci clone.  I mean exactly.  But this clip shows him in a whole different light, guess he's a real chameleon.  

Stop teasing us and get the amp already, dbm!   ;)

KrankZilla — Mar 30, 2009Stop teasing us and get the amp already, dbm!   ;)

I am working on it diligently, I just heard there is one in East Phoenix, a 2-12 combo, so now I have to call and see if I  should go look/demo the thing before I can call Mesa. I hear it is a Lonestar Classic which may not have the 10 watt class a ability. Only the newer ones called simply Lonestar have that, and I want the newer version. I have to call and find that out. If it is only the 50/100 version, I call Mesa today and pull the trigger.

Holy crap that clip jams!  :o

That's definitely a tone I like too. :)

On my way to east Phoenix tomorrow, they have a 2-12 combo, 10/50/100 watt Lonestar. Exactly what I was looking for. Maybe pulling the trigger monyanna.

In the words of Jea-Luc Picard from Star Trek the Next Generation, "Make it so Number 1".  

Everything about that vid clip was great, the phrasing reminded more of Gambale than LC, but whatever, it kills, chops, tone, flair, etc, guy has it all together, somebody shoot him.  ;) ;D

Dearthian: — Mar 30, 2009In the words of Jea-Luc Picard from Star Trek the Next Generation, "Make it so Number 1".  

I am on my way over there after my workday at 11:00 AM

I decided I don't want a heavy 2-12 amp or even the 1-12 Lonestar. I have to think on this a bit more. Maybe when I get back from Northern Cali next Wednesday I might have a better idea what to do. My only hold back is my wrists, I have arthritis and it hurts to play. I can do single note lines OK but chording really bothers me. And the Arthritis ain't going away, so this may be nearing the ending of my guitar playing and the ending of my interest in making music. I have a doctors appointment with my wrist Doctor April 16th. Maybe after that, but I think I have to accept the fact that my 40 year long interest in making guitar music may be just about over. I did sing in an A-Capella group for about 4-5 years before deciding on learning the guitar. So that is a long time to be doing what I really liked to do. But if it is over, se la vie. No big deal I will adapt easily.

Aah shit - that sucks

fingers — Mar 31, 2009Aah shit - that sucks

Another guy on the Guitar Player Magazine gave me a suggestion that really worked, he gave me a link to some wrist straps made for guitar players, and man oh man, I went into my room and tried an ankle wrap I have for walking on my left wrist and it immediately showed me that I can play without any pain by holding my wrist from excessive movement. What a relief, because I have been fretting over the wrist thing for a week and a half, I did not want to spend two grand on an amp and then have to give up playing. That would suck.

Too bad, but I do understand, that shit SMARTS! I'm sure I don't experience it on your level but I do feel stiffness and pain in the finger joints and wrists almost every time I play, I just keep the sessions short so I can keep enjoying the hobby, its those long woodshed type days the kill it!

FWIW, I get inspiration from older than myself guys that still play daily...my dad is 63 and plays in a cover band, in fact, he called last week, wanted me to fly up for a few days and visit, wanted me to watch his band play a gig - they played at some local park during a 'spring is sprung' fair. Even though I didn't go, his enthusiasm for guitar didn't go un-noticed! Keep jammin', Harv, you never know, the new amp might inspire ya!

I just had a 4 long day session a couple of weeks ago (8hr+ sessions) -  I probably don't play that much in a whole month normally
definite wear and tear feel to it on fingers, wrists and forearms.

Needs enough rest like anything else.
wary of  marathon sessions like that now

Here's a few things you may or may not have heard of for Arthritis Dave.  My Mom (and others) have tried these and here's the results.

1)  Black tart cherry (no, not THAT kind of cherry! ;) )  This is a very cheap supplement that you should be able to find at most vitamin stores.  My Mom and a few others have all had very good results with it.

2)  Capsazin - This is the ingredient in all hot peppers that makes them hot.  Pure Capsazin is 10 million Scoville units so it can definitely burn if not used correctly.  Only put in on joints (no, not THOSE kind of joints! ;) ) and you should be ok.

3)  Raisans in gin - This is one of those folk recipes which my Mom's neighbor swears by but didn't seem to do anything for my Mom (or she was just embarrassed to have gin around?).  You soak white raisans in gin and, after a couple of days, start taking about a dozen each day (the directions are unclear on whether you're supposed to then drink the gin, but I would! :D ).

Anyway, numbers 1 and 2 are strongly recommended and you're on your own for number 3.  :)

CraigBert — Apr 01, 2009Here's a few things you may or may not have heard of for Arthritis Dave.  My Mom (and others) have tried these and here's the results.

1)  Black tart cherry (no, not THAT kind of cherry! ;) )  This is a very cheap supplement that you should be able to find at most vitamin stores.  My Mom and a few others have all had very good results with it.

2)  Capsazin - This is the ingredient in all hot peppers that makes them hot.  Pure Capsazin is 10 million Scoville units so it can definitely burn if not used correctly.  Only put in on joints (no, not THOSE kind of joints! ;) ) and you should be ok.

I don't have that kind of arthritis, the kind I have is the wearing out and elimination of th padding between the bone joints, nothing helps that except an operation where they take out the three bones at the thumb wrist joint and pull the tendon, ball it up and pin it to one of the remaining bones. I can get some shots of Cortisone and Lydicaine  but I have only one working kidney, so I am seeing my urologist next month I can ask him if the Cortisone shots will harm the kidneys, if not my wrist guy can shoot those joints up every few months and the pain goes away for that long.

Ah...  Well, for the wearing out and elimination of padding (as I have in my knees), there's something from Vitamin World called Joint Soother that has worked well with me.  Here's a link:

http://www.vitaminworld.com/pages/file.asp?xs=3D6619061DF642FDB9A51A4BEB158865&PID=777&CID=&CPID=1634&rlid=

In the stores they had one with SAM-e in it as well.  

I also take Hydrolyzed Collagen to help with the rebuilding of those areas.

http://www.vitaminworld.com/pages/file.asp?xs=3D6619061DF642FDB9A51A4BEB158865&PID=658&CID=688&CPID=723

I've never had anything structually wrong with my knees (except a chipped knee cap after taking an 85+ mph fastball off of it), but the doctors say I've worn them out.  If I run they burn because of all the cartilage parts act like sand in there.  I've gone from fast to the tin man!  Oh well...

CraigBert — Apr 01, 2009Ah...  Well, for the wearing out and elimination of padding (as I have in my knees), there's something from Vitamin World called Joint Soother that has worked well with me.  

I do a MSM Joint Formula already by Joint Factors, it is the same type of formula. But the Hydrolyzed Collagen might be a help, I never heard of that before, Thanks for the heads up. I don't think any of it works all that well on old folks, but I will give it a try.

OK Harv, I FULLY understand your lust for this amp - just got back from GC, they have 3 of them here, all combos, 2x12, 1x12 and a beige colored one, not sure what was different on that. Anyway, I grabbed a PRS and plugged into the TS808 that someone must've been sampling with the 2x12 LS, it is truly instant yum, best amp I ever heard when first plugged in, I mean it just rocked, even with the low volume (had the volume at 9:00, the gain max and I think the thick switch on) it was smooth and buttery, no raspy distortion, just legit special tone in a 2x12 box, I wanted to take it and the TS808 home (that pedal kills as well, sounded incred with the amp, two organic sounding pieces paired up). Am I understanding the Lonestar is pure class A and not AB? It was so thick and gooey, hard to believe. Anyway, I hope you get that thing even more so now - I'll bring the pedal over, lol.  ;)  :)

Kabala — Apr 10, 2009
Am I understanding the Lonestar is pure class A and not AB? It was so thick and gooey, hard to believe. Anyway, I hope you get that thing even more so now - I'll bring the pedal over, lol.  ;)  :)

The Lonestar is Class A on the 10 watt option only. It is Class AB on the 50 watt and 100 watt settings. The Tube rectifier works only on 10 and 50 watt settings then it is a silicon diode rectifier for the 4 6L6's. I have dreams about that amp amigo. I am thinking if they have the short head in the Hollywood store (I have an e-mail in to them asking) I may pull the trigger on it. I never heard an amp with that kind of on board tonal ability, everything from screaming lead to sweet and clean and Lonestar only tones. I never plugged any pedals into the ones I tried. I got some great lead tones right from the overdrive channel, I would need no pedals but the foot switch.

Kabala — Apr 10, 2009
OK Harv, I FULLY understand your lust for this amp - just got back from GC, they have 3 of them here, all combos, 2x12, 1x12 and a beige colored one, not sure what was different on that. Anyway, I grabbed a PRS and plugged into the TS808 that someone must've been sampling with the 2x12 LS, it is truly instant yum, best amp I ever heard when first plugged in, I mean it just rocked, even with the low volume (had the volume at 9:00, the gain max and I think the thick switch on) it was smooth and buttery, no raspy distortion, just legit special tone in a 2x12 box, I wanted to take it and the TS808 home (that pedal kills as well, sounded incred with the amp, two organic sounding pieces paired up). Am I understanding the Lonestar is pure class A and not AB? It was so thick and gooey, hard to believe. Anyway, I hope you get that thing even more so now - I'll bring the pedal over, lol.  ;)  :)

The beige one is a Lonestar Special.  It's Class A EL84 version with wattage ratings of 5, 15, or 30.

The Roadster I have incorporates the two channels of the Lonestar, adds the lead channel of the Dual-Rec and a special 'Roadster' channel that is less radically affected by the Presence knob.  

They will have the head in at the Hollywood Mesa Store by Thursday or Friday I told him to call me for credit card info, if he does I will pull the trigger on the head version. Oh yeah. I am looking forward to this bit of Gear Acquisition Satisfaction.

Most Excellent!!!  

Fingers crossed for ya!!! :)

Thanks.

I TOTALLY agree with Derek as far as instant nirvana when using this amp.  ;) Like I said, if I had the cash I would already have it! It really is a great amp, hope you get it Harv. :)

cgtrox  8-)

I am waiting for the phone call, it ships today from the factory according to the store guy, and they expect it at the store Thursday or Friday.