Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Introducing the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp, an embodiment of decades of amplifier craftsmanship and innovation. This musical wizard packs the best of Mesa's Mark series into a single rack, offering an exhaustive range of tonal options powered by a tube design. Designed for seasoned musicians and gearheads, the Triaxis provides a versatile control center for your sound, ensuring you're always ready to deliver an unforgettable performance.
Key Features:
- Interface: Houses a comprehensive three-band EQ, Dynamic Voice, Variable Gain, Dual Lead Gains, and a Master Volume to shape your sound.
- Modes: Features eight distinct modes, including MK I Hyper Clean, MK III Classic High Gain, and MK IV Classic British Lead for versatile playing styles.
- Tube Section: Equipped with a 12AX7-powered preamp for that classic, warm tube tone.
- Additional Features: Comes with four adjustable function switches, an FX loop, MIDI i/o, and phantom power for enhanced functionality and connectivity.
Product specs
| Brand | Mesa Boogie |
| Model | TriAxis Programmable Pre-Amp |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1990 - 2016 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Preamps |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 3 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Pedal Format | Rackmount |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
-
What type of tubes does the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp use?
-
The Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp utilizes 12AX7 tubes, known for delivering high gain and a rich tonal palette, ideal for achieving a classic tube-driven sound.
-
How many channels does the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis offer?
-
The Mesa/Boogie Triaxis features three channels, each programmable, allowing for a wide range of tones from clean to high-gain distortion.
-
Is the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis is designed for both studio and live performances, offering programmable presets and a rackmount format for easy integration into live rigs.
-
Does the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis have built-in reverb?
-
No, the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis does not include built-in reverb, allowing users to pair it with their preferred external reverb units for added flexibility.
-
Can the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis be used with a power amp?
-
Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis is designed to be used in conjunction with a power amp, providing a versatile preamp solution for both studio and live settings.
Videos
Ola Englund
Mesa Boogie Triaxis - Quick Test
Reviews
PROS
-
Nails Mesa Mark series tones, offering a range of iconic sounds
-
Exceptional clean tones, full sounding and balanced
-
Compatible with various power amps for enhanced flexibility
-
Allows for extensive tone customization with eight separate modes
-
Features both vintage and modern sounds including British lead mode
-
Built-in presets and MIDI capability for easy sound switching
-
User-friendly interface with visible settings, avoiding menu diving
-
Supports both line level and low level effects loops
-
Ideal for both studio recording and live performances
-
Durable and reliable build quality, with a heritage of engineering excellence
CONS
-
Best tones require pairing with specific Mesa power amps, like the 2:90
-
Some users may find the gain structure slightly grainy
-
Does not precisely replicate the Mk IIC+ tone, leaning more towards Mk III characteristics
-
High quality comes with a high price tag, especially for vintage models
-
The LED readout and non-knob interface might not appeal to all users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp.
Features and functionality
-
The v2 with the TX4-D Rectifier board is highly praised and considered one of the best versions of the TriAxis.
Source -
Adding a volume control in the effects loop can help achieve finer control over bedroom-level volumes without losing tone quality.
Source -
Attenuators like the Weber Mass Lite are recommended for stereo setups, requiring two units to handle the dual 50-watt power output effectively.
Source
Value and pricing
-
Prices have increased significantly, with recent purchases ranging from $600 for a beat-up unit to $1600 for a pristine model.
Source
User experience
-
Owners have noted that despite minor issues like blown LEDs, the sound quality remains the most critical aspect and does not disappoint.
Source
Use cases and applications
Mods and upgrades
-
Harley Benton and Bugera attenuators, like the PS1, are affordable options for those who want to manage volume levels while maintaining tone, though some users report a slight treble loss.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 22 Ratings
713
Mesa Boogie Triaxis
I have it in a rack with Mesa Boogie Simul class 2 Ninety power amp.This is a classical combination.I use it mostly in studio.I control it with Abacus midi controller or MusicomLab Mk4. The TRIAXIS™ packs five 12AX7’s and 25 years of tube tone heritage into one rack space of pure magic. Eight separate modes deliver the elusive creamy gain of the Mark I, the heralded focus of the Mark IIC+, the scooped Rhythm of the Mark IV™, and a modified British lead mode. But these are just a few of the classic sounds at your fingertips. Our three years of research produced a patented technology which preserves in every nuance and detail the exact audio elements which made these classic sounds in the first place. The digital circuitry is forced to serve—not dictate the tone.
Each control’s up and down keys work much like an old style knob...all parameters are displayed and active all the time. That means no scrolling to find your Treble on the gig. You don’t have to wonder how your Bass and Mid are set, you can see them from across the stage.
You can store your favorite sounds into 90 user presets and these can be mapped to any of the 128 midi program locations. The TRIAXIS is an arsenal of the most powerful guitar tones available in the world today!
Artist usage
Add artist
From a November 2011 article found on mesaboogie.com:
"The core of the preamp switching and FX integration happens via Mesa/Boogie Amp Switchers controlled with Digital Music Corp.’s GCX Expander switching units. The Boogie amps being switched are two Triaxis Preamp’s run into a 2:90 Power amp. One Triaxis is set to the Mark IIC+ mode while the second Triaxis is used for clean sounds in the Green Clean mode. Like Kirk, James also has DBX Quad gates and T.C. Electronic G Major FX Processors along with a few extra pedals kept in the rack. The signal runs out of the 2:90 into two Mesa Traditional Straight 4x12s for a true stereo mix." (original source: http://mesaboogie.com/news/2011/11/metallica-live-rigs/)
In this video, John Petrucci's guitar tech, Maddi Schieferstein, gives a rundown of the guitar rig that was used during Dream Theater's 2014 "Along for the Ride" tour. The Mesa Boogie Triaxis can be seen at 0:23.
In this video, Tom talks about mixing the Triaxis with a Marshall JMP-1 for many years in tour with blink
In a video by Collarts titled "Ausmusic - Observing the Setup & Operation of a Stadium PA," a Metallica technician discusses the band's sound equipment, specifically mentioning Jason Newsted's use of the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp at the 26-minute mark.
From Musician magazine, October 1993 issue:
"Depeche Mode keeps things simple onstage: no amplifiers. Every sound, from keyboards to guitar to drums, runs through the P.A. system: a Brittania Pow Flashlight System. Dave Gahan and the backup singers use Samson Synth radio microphones with EU 757 capsules. Martin Gore plays a Roland A-50 and Alan Wilder plays an Akai MX1000, each controlling two Emulator Emax II samplers: Andrew Fletcher has another pair of Emaxes. Each pair is hooked up in parallel, so that if one were to malfunction, the other is ready. But 'I don't remember an instance when we had to go to a spare,' says Wob Roberts, the keyboard technician. Samples come from strange and sundry sources, including old analog equipment. The piano onstage is a Korg 01/W Pro X transplanted into a grand-piano body. For down-stage keyboards, Fletcher and Wilder use Philip Reese MIDI line drivers. A MicroLynx sends SMPTE time code to the video and film setups. Away from the keyboards, Gore plays either a Gretsch Country Gentleman or a copy of a Gretsch Anniversary guitar, strung with Gibson strings, from .010 to .046 gauge. Dick Knight copied Gore's original Gretsch for stage use, using Gretsch parts but adding more wood in the body to cut down feedback. The guitars run through a MESA/Boogie Tri-Axis preamp and a Zoom 9002 effects processor, with a Sennheiser UHF transmitter. Wilder's drums are mostly Yamahas: a 22" bass drum and 12", 13", 14" and 16" tom-toms. He uses Noble and Cooley piccolo and 7" snare drums and Zildjian K cymbals: a 22" ride, an 18" China, 16" and 18" crashes, a 6" splash and 13" hi-hats. And don't forget the tapes: two Sony 3324s, one of them a spare. Of the 24 tracks, Depeche Mode uses only 14, because many of the songs were dubbed from a 16-track Tascam that used 12 tracks for sound and four for sync. 'As soon as anyone sees the size of the machines, they think the whole show is on tape,' says Roberts. 'But it's just bass and drum parts and a couple of sequences. This band does not mime.'"
In his YouTube video titled "Mesa Boogie Triaxis - Quick Test," Ola Englund demonstrates the use of the Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp.
ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE – JULY 2006 ISSUE
Amplification: Fishman Ellipse blend (Martin); Mesa Boogie/Simul-Class 2:Ninety power amp, Triaxis preamp
For some different distorted tones, James has used a Mesa TriAxis all-tube pre-amp, which has 8 pre-amp modes, MIDI control, etc.
Exclusive gear from the private collection of Richard Z. Kruspe. Has been played live or in the studio with Rammstein and Emigrate. Every item comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Richard himself. Mesa Boogie TriAxis All Tube Preamp, used by Richard Z. Kruspe of Rammstein & Emigrate on tour. This is a US version that only works at 110V. For buyers in other regions, a transformer is required. A signed document of authenticity is included.
Album Usage
The Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp has been featured on the following albums:
Maps and Trails
Sergey Golovin (2016)
Pathos and Logos
Ethan Meixsell (2016)
Kairos
Sepultura (2011)
DDG Experience - Depois da Guerra - Collection (Ao Vivo)
Oficina G3 (2010)
2 A.M. Wakeup Call
Tweaker (2004)
The Divine Wings of Tragedy (Special Edition)
Symphony X (1997)
One Second
Paradise Lost (1997)
Draconian Times
Paradise Lost (1995)
Inside Out
Fates Warning (1994)
Parallels
Fates Warning (1991)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation2 alternative and related items for Mesa/Boogie Triaxis Guitar Preamp, curated by the Equipboard community.
$598.27
The JMP-1 is Marshall's alternative to the Triaxis. Although the tone is characteristically different, it ends up being a matter of personal taste.
More Mesa/Boogie Guitar Preamps
Accessories & Related Items
Most Popular Guitar Preamps
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
equipboardGear IQ 4934
-