About durs836

Sound Quality: This amp has some of the best tones I've heard out of one amp. I used to have a two amp setup (Recto for dirty tones, Roland JC120 for clean tones). I was basically using 2 one trick ponies to get everything i needed. With the Roadster everything is right there in one amp if you know how to dial in your tone. it takes some time because there are so many power and voicing options, but the tones are there to be had. I'm a believer that a review can only tell you so much about tone. To truly get a sense if an amp is right for you go out a play one and spend a good amount of time on it (10-15 minutes is not enough for an amp like this). Here is how I use my Roadster:

I always use the output control to adjust my volume.... it keeps the preamp tighter and allows me to push my tone and the cabinets with the power amp. All settings are in reference to a clock.

Channel 1- Super clean that will break up just slightly if i play a little harder... full body sound thats warm and chimey.... with the rich reverb of the roadster and a little delay or vintage tremolo this channel is what i use on very clean passages.... if i switch on the the solo switch the channel brightens up for some cool clean palm muted passages

Clean Voicing, 100 Watts, 6L6 power tubes
Volume 12
Presence 1
Bass 11:30
Mid 12
Treb 2
Gain 11

Channel 2- When used dry (no fx) this is channel is pure AC/DC heaven. When used wet (reverb/delay/clean boost) this channel becomes a great lead channel for quiter/cleaner passages. It's not a full balls to the wall lead but one thats very Mark I like (picture {Petrucci playing a lead over a clean passage)... 100 watt mode gives you a little more headroom but I like it on 50 with the recto tubes to give it a little AC/DC swagger.

Brit Voicing, 50 Watts, Recto power tubes
Volume 10
Presence 11
Bass 11:30
Mid 1
Treb 1
Gain 3

Channel 3- This is my main rhythm channel for those Metallica-esk moments. Very tight and crunchy ala Master of Puppets with a little more thump. It reminds me of a Mark IV with the graphic eq engaged in a v shape. For those who covet the original 2 channel rectos (which are the most aggressive IMO) this channel is in the vein of that sound. I like it because it's not super saturated and is very musical. If you use the solo boost with a little delay this becomes your monster lead channel because the highs become very liquidy and feel like they could sustain forever.

Vintage Voicing, 100 Watts, 6L6 power tubes
Volume 10
Presence 2
Bass 12
Mid 10:30
Treb 2
Gain 1


Channel 4- Most probably use this channel with a lot of gain but i like to keep the gain below 12 and push the tone with the power amp. it produces a very punchy, Adam Jones-esk tone. Great for those metalcore breakdowns as well as tight, percussive rhythms. A little less crunchy than channel 3, but thats the great thing about this amp; 2 very similar channels with 2 totally different tones. This is also the channel that produces some of the best leads with a little clean boost and a touch of reverb. The channel is built with more compression in it than channel 3, which lends itself tone great lead and solo tones without having to turn the gain up. The sustain is very creamy and when using the neck pickup becomes smooth and liquidy.

Modern Voicing, 100 Watts, Recto power tubes
Volume 9:30
Presence 11
Bass 11:30
Mid 12
Treb 1
Gain 11

Some other key notes is that if you use good cables (the key to any good rig) this thing is dead quite. I use a Planet Waves cable from my guitar straight into the amp, and balanced cables for my fx unit in the fx loop. There is no noise reduction anywhere in my setup and this thing is dead quite. unheard of for a high gain amp. My playing style is my own with a little James Hetfield and a dash of Billy Howerdel and Adam Jones. Tone wise I'm in love with players like the aforementioned, as well as Petrucci, Porcupine Tree, and Opeth.