Mesa Boogie Triaxis?

[Superhuman]

Anybody got experience with the Mesa Boogie Triaxis? I have a Rectifier Recording Preamp, the clean channel is amazing but the high gain channel sucks big time. I'm playing an Ibanez Jem with Breed pickups through it so it's not the guitar. The tubes are new so I think it's just the hardware tone itself. Sure there is plenty of distortion but very little 'power' behind the sound. At the moment I get the best sound playing the GNX on Rectifier setting through the clean channel (!). THe Triaxis looks like it will suit the bill but I have to buy one online cos they dont sell them in any of the shops in my country (no chance to test drive one). Anybody use one? I need something that will give a really heavy but crystal clear sound for rhythm parts and also has excellent lead possibilities. I'm not afraid of spending a bit to get my home studio setup right so if anyone can recommend something better I'm all ears.
PS please don't recommend any of the POD series, they suck balls in my opinion!

[DonGraham]

Triaxis is a great preamp------petrucci (among others) was using one for his live rig for years. To get the best out of them definitely want to run it thru a nice tube power amp though.....(simul-class 90, etc...).

[punkin]

I'd like to know a little more about this preamp as well. I had a look see at the website but it's the usual sales hype just telling you how wonderful it is. Seems like an amp modeler with tubes inside. Anyone use it in front of an amp other than a Mesa? Do tell...good topic Superhuman.

[Superhuman]

I wonder would the Triaxis work as well put through the Rectifier Recording Preamp, then out through the studio monitors? The reason I ask is the Rectifier Preamp is analogue with built in tubes, it also has the exact sound of a stack mic'd up in a control room (dry sound). Any opinions?

[Lopp]

Originally Posted by punkin

I'd like to know a little more about this preamp as well. I had a look see at the website but it's the usual sales hype just telling you how wonderful it is. Seems like an amp modeler with tubes inside. Anyone use it in front of an amp other than a Mesa? Do tell...good topic Superhuman.

Hey Punkin,

The Triaxis is just a preamp. Not an amp modeler. It uses different circuit boards with the actual pramp circuitry from different Mesa amps. I use mine through a Lee Jackson power amp and a Mesa 4x12. It sounds amazing. It will give you the warm clean of a Mk I and the shimmering clean of a Mk IV. It will also give you tones from the full chunk of the Mk IIC+ to the full shred of a Mk III along with the balls of the Recto. (Hmmm... Does that sound like the "sales hype" of the website?) Regardless, I love it.

[punkin]

Cool review..thanks!

Do you run it into your effects loop or do you put it right into the amp's gazinta hole?

Again, thanks!

[Superhuman]

Originally Posted by Lopp

Hey Punkin,

The Triaxis is just a preamp. Not an amp modeler. It uses different circuit boards with the actual pramp circuitry from different Mesa amps. I use mine through a Lee Jackson power amp and a Mesa 4x12. It sounds amazing. It will give you the warm clean of a Mk I and the shimmering clean of a Mk IV. It will also give you tones from the full chunk of the Mk IIC+ to the full shred of a Mk III along with the balls of the Recto. (Hmmm... Does that sound like the "sales hype" of the website?) Regardless, I love it.

Your sales pitch worked;-) Sounds like I might just go for this one.

[Lopp]

Punkin,

Oooh, baby. I slam it right into the gazinta hole! My power amp doesn't have an effects loop. Just straight out of the TriAxis main outs into the power amp inputs.

Superhuman,

It's a dream preamp. Also, a great power amp and speaker cab complete the tonic arsenal.