Finally got a chance to do a side by side comparison of my Lonestar and Single Rectifier, as well as run the Lonestar through my external Laney IRT212 cab. I was very surprised at how well the Lonestar kept up in metal tracks, when you crank that thing and get the gain under control it has some serious beef to it. I typically dial my Single Rectifier back to vintage settings anyway so with the side by side comparison the difference wasn't even that big in terms of distortion / meat. However when you're pushing the Lonestar that hard it really does help to run it through an external closed back cab, really tightened up the bass response and projection. I think I might like it more than my Single Rec, even in a metal setting, it did a really good job and added a very significant boost in clarity & voice. The Single Rec doesn't do a whole lot of tone coloring itself, I've always liked how it allows my guitar's voice to really shine through the distortion, but the Lonestar takes that a step further, it's pure Fender tone at any setting.
Also went ahead with ordering a new bridge for the Tele.
After spending a lot of time with my other Tele's true vintage saddles I'm convinced that I like the modern ones more in terms of comfort.
I will admit that the vintage saddles win in terms of style, though, and there may be a bit more twang in there too.
