Okay, so I had the opportunity to use the MPE-14 at a rehearsal over the weekend. I will say that I did find it quite useful, making little micro adjustments here and there to really dial in my high gain tones. But, as I predicted, I found myself wishing for even more surgical control. Basically, wishing for more bands.
The MPE-28 arrived today, so I swapped it in and fired it up just now. I immediately went right for 800hz, boosted it 3dB, and it was instant Boston. I also gave a very slight bump at 500hz. It's Faux-Boston, of course. Tom Faulz? LOL. I digress...the point is, while I sacrifice stereo capability with the MPE-28, I get double the control over my tone. I am suspecting that this may be a strong enough selling point to make me choose the MPE-28 over the MPE-14.
But on Friday, the PE-17 gets here. That will give me godlike control of my tone. But, I will sacrifice MIDI control. The MPE-14 and MPE-28 are both fully MIDI controlled, which means I could have separate EQ curves dialed in for high gain rhythm, lead, high gain detuned rhythm, and clean, all instantly called up when I switch my presets. I have to say, the PE-17 will have to absolutely blow my mind. It can't just edge out the MPE-28. It has to bury it, in order for me to give up the luxury of unique EQ curve presets.
I guess we'll see!
Oh, and also, props to both the MPE-14 and MPE-28 for being dead silent and seemingly quite transparent.