mesa triple rec or dual

[rainsong86]

for those of you who have played both.. which plays better, a mesa boogie dual rectifier or triple rectifier.. obviously the triple can get more dBs but that really doesn't matter to me since the dual rec has plenty of head room for clean channel anyways.. I'm talking tone here, not power.. which do you think sounds better?

[3'scompany]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

Speaking from personal experience, the triple is kinda over kill. I kinda wish I would have opted for the dual. You'll hardly ever find yourself in a situation where you need 150 watts. But if its bragging rights you want to unknowledgeable musicians, spend the extra 100 bucks and get the Triple. You'd be surprised at how many kids at shows are wowed by it.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

From everything I've heard from Rectifier owners, the best formula is a Dual Rectifier that's been modded by a tech with an internal bias pot. Mesas come with a fixed bias, and it runs the tubes in a cold 'safe zone.' Many pro Mesa users, who have great tone, have a bias pot installed, and use better tubes than the amp ships with.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of any of the Recs, but I think the Dual and Single sound the best. The triple has another channel, but the amp sounds a little more sterile. The 150W one is so damn loud, it's almost impossible to get a decent tone out of it at useable volumes.

[Guitarist]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

Definetely the Dual, out of experience...trust me. Overkill is not an exaggeration.

[Jeroen]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

I guess it really depends on how loud you're gonna play or how much power amp headroom you need. But I can imagine the Triple is a bit of an overkill. I've never fully cranked my 100 watts of H&K Triamp-power, and I hope I'll never have to, LOL. MAN, that thing is loud at 5!

[some_dude]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

The Dual sounds a little "looser", and is better for power tube saturated lead tones. The Triple is a little "tighter" and is better for scooped mid, machine gun type rhythm.

But, those above comments are broad generalizations. Both do lead and rhythm tones quite well.

The truth of the matter is that there is very little volume difference between the Dual and Triple Rectifiers, they're both really f*cking loud, and in reality if you can't drive a Triple to saturation because of the volume, chances are you wouldn't be able to drive the Dual either. If possible, try both at "gig volumes" and choose whichever one makes your d*ck hard. And if after playing them you still can't figure out which you like better, get the Dual.

[LesPaulRules]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

I've always thought the Dual simply sounded better than the Triple. I would even take a single recto over a triple.

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

Without intending to hijack this thread, I'd like to ask the same about the dual rec vs. single. Anyone?

- Keith

[Guitarist]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

Without intending to hijack this thread, I'd like to ask the same about the dual rec vs. single. Anyone?

- Keith

Most people that are lured to the Dual are the ones seeking more headroom and the extra channel that the newer models have.

Lots of people claim that the Dual sounds more organic and many say that the Single is tighter and has a more lively clean. Some say that they sound the same.

Of course with the Dual, you get many more options to tweak your sound...the Rectifier Select Switch, the souped up FX loop...

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

the souped up FX loop...

Souped up how?

[Guitarist]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

Well, the Single has a RET/SEND and a mix...while the Dual has the stated with an additional SEND level and it also allows the loop to be assigned to a certain channel, which can be activated by footswitch.

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

I like single's more. You can have the amp at higher volumes, giving you a warmer overdrive, and still not be pissing the rest of the band off.

I've found the same thing with my single rec. I've never owned a dual so I never knew what I was missing, but I always felt my single had more than enough headroom to satisfy/piss off the rest of the band.

[Metalman_666]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

I would say if it's a choice between the Dual and Triple Rectos, it's got to be the Dual unless you're playing huge stadiums and need all that extra headroom. This isn't from personal experience though, as I've never owned one or played either for more than 20 minutes. Like everyone else said it just makes sense to go with the Dual for reasons already stated.

As for the Single Recto, I would probably go for that as I know that 50 tube watts is more than enough for any gigging band applications. Hell I think maybe bigger touring bands could easily make good use of it. Some say it breaks up sooner so the distortion sounds better at lower volumes, unlike the Dual and Triple.

[joelap]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

I've also heard that the older, 2 channel Dual Recto's are more organic and less "buzzy" than the newer three channel ones. I don't have any experience, so I cant verify/deny those statements, but maybe it's something to bear in mind when making a decision?

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: mesa triple rec or dual

dual recto running at 1/2 power