Well guys...
While resting tonight, and in preparation for what could be a "full signal chain shootout", I thought I'd open up my Fender Stage 112 Amp and mod it (whew...some rest).
First, I scalarized the clean channel and double-sushified the overdrive stage (it's got two clip stages anyway, just like a Boss HM2). I also stuck the remaining "kutsinta" acoustic scalarizers to the cabinet. BTW, the sushi module is a clip stage with a small scalarizer in it. That's why other modders (yes including Keeley the man himself) will be hard-pressed to match the BAMFx tone (hehehe...ang daya ko !!)
The results...well yeah I'd say "awesome" again, but don't take it from me.
When Anton came home, I let him hear it. And in his patented wide eyed, nose-curled facial expression of approval, he reaffirmed that it was awesome. Not yet enough to go head on head with a Herbert in the gain department, but definitely it will hold its own and perhaps kick the Herbie's butt in the clarity and the responsiveness department.
But yeah, that's the beauty of OP-Amp gain stages (specially those with high-grade chips like in the Fender Stage)...the open loop gain is enough to make you cry. No tube or set of tubes can even touch an OP-Amp in terms of gain. So well...while I was lacking in forethought on that one, the good thing is it only takes a P7 audiophile grade resistor to boost the gain to unbelievable levels.
Loudness wise, grabe. At "2"on the dial of the overdrive channel, the neighbour from across the street came over and requested that we tone down. Anton says this has never, ever happenned in the entire history of that house. We couldnt play it inside the house (even at "2") because all the windows were rattling and the nearby garbage can started to walk towards us (AWOOO !!!). Well...160 watts of pure cascaded MOSFET power is to blame. Gosh. My ears are still ringing from that series of tests. Tesla's "negative resistance" seems to be at work here. And 3D talaga sya ha ! Move a little , it's in the left ear...move a little again, and it's in the right ear. Surround sound !
Well guys. The age of the Tube Amps tone superiority over solid state is coming to a close. To play is to believe. If you come to the Saturday tone party, this monster will be there to greet you.
My new problem is, I ceased to have a "reference amp" for use when comparing scalarized and non-scalarized guitars. Most likely, any guitar stuck into the Fender Stage will sound good ! Oh well.