Gain, Treble / Mid / Bass - Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Owner's Manual

FRONT PANEL: Controls & Features
While you have most likely taken your new Stiletto for an inspiring spin around the world of high performance EL34 tone, we encour-
age you to read through the Control section to learn how these interactive controls can shape your dream tone. Many hours were
spent making sure they are powerful, musical and that they will deliver all the shaping power you'll ever need to craft a signature
sound all your own.
GAIN:
This control adjusts the predominant gain stage in each channels' circuit with the function and taper being optimized for
each individual channel. Remember that your Stiletto is really two separate multi-mode amplifiers built onto one chassis, so though
each channel looks identical, the GAIN Control for each channel comes in a different place and adjusts a different point in that chan-
FAT
CLEAN
TITE CLEAN
CRUNCH
GAIN
CRUNCH
FT.SW
TITE GAIN
FLUID
DRIVE
1) The GAIN Control has basically three tonal regions -
Low (7:00 - 11:00) provides the cleanest, least saturated sounds and in this region the sound will be brighter and contain more upper
harmonics lending a three dimensional character to the sound.
Middle (11:15 - 2:00) enhances the saturation and replaces some of the upper harmonics with a richer, warmer quality and a fuller
bottom end response. Not yet fully saturated, this region is the easiest place to get a great sound in both channels. This region con-
tains many of the Stilettos' best sounds...especially for soloing due to the crucial blend of an expressive attack combined with ample
sustain.
High (2:15 - 5:00) saturates the signal and enhances low and low mid frequencies. While this region provides the maximum satura-
tion and therefor sustain, it also compresses and softens the attack characteristics.
NOTE: Due to the Stilettos' extreme gain potential, the highest regions of the GAIN Control may possibly push the pre-amp tubes
past what they can handle, producing microphonic squealing. While we screen and test the tubes your amplifier was shipped with
and the tubes in your amp passed our rigourous test, we can't predict how the tubes will respond over time exposed to extreme
gain settings.Your tubes are warrantied for a period of 6 months under normal use, but you can save yourself the present and future
inconvenience of having to deal with annoying microphonic tube problems by simply using a little common sense...Don't turn the
Gain all the way up with the Tone Controls at their maximum settings!
If you must for a specific part or at very low volumes, back down the TREBLE and PRESENCE Controls.Your Stiletto was designed
to provide amazing gain and tone at less than extreme settings removing the need for you to crank everything all the way up. If you
are not able to achieve the sound you want at sensible settings on any or all of the controls, your problem may lie elsewhere in the
signal chain, i.e. pick-ups, cabinetry, processing etc. Keep in mind you can always call on one of our product specialist Monday through
Thursday and seek some advice should you find yourself struggling to get the sound you want.
2.) GAIN - In conjunction with theTone Controls - Basically, a simple rule applies...as the Gain is increased the Tone control string
has less and less effect on the signal until at 5:00 the signal is so saturated that you are getting mostly Gain and very little Tone. Again,
this is the reason we suggest using the GAIN Control in its middle region. Here the Tone control string is very active and provides
maximum shaping power - allowing you to dial virtually any sound you desire.
nels circuit.
In most guitar amplifiers, and especially in all-tube circuits, the GAIN Control is the most
powerful control in the preamp. It shapes the overall style and character of the sound and is
responsible for whether the sound is clean, overdriven or anywhere in between.
INPUT
In your Stiletto, the GAIN Control is even more powerful. It not only determines the amount
of drive, but also acts as an integral part of the tone control string as well.
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