Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

[Monty-Jay]

Well, I just got back home from a little winter break in Arizona and the racktifier #0860 was waiting for me I haven't had much of a chance to give it a decent run through but what I heard so far is making me very pleased and without any second thoughts on selling my Tremoverb head. It does need a good cleaning and it appears as though the lower left rack ear took some abuse during shipment, but I think I can fix it all pretty soon.

I'll take some better pix in a day or two, post some more in depth ramblings, etc. And yes, a rack case is coming in a bit so shaddup

mj

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

A studio and and a quad? Man, you've got a nice setup.

If I may ask, does the headphone out on the quad sound any good?

 

[Monty-Jay]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

Thanks I honestly don't care for the headphone/direct/recording outs and I rarely use them. Having said that, I HAVE heard some folks get pretty decent recordings and tones from it so I dunno

mj

 

[MartinSixStringCustoms]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

I like the EVH inspired wallplate

 

[Monty-Jay]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

Everyone does seem to dig it, haha

Now I just got done playing the racktifier and lemme tell ya, people aren't lying or hyping them up when they say these things sound beastly and vastly different than their brothers in the recto line. I immediately noticed quite a few differences compared to my tremoverb...and that is saying a lot because I (and many others) LOVE the Tremoverb and think it has cool tones.

Off the top of my head, here are some quick thoughts:

1) No stereotypical Recto buzz/fuzz. NONE. I can crank the treble, gain, and presenece (not that you should but you COULD and it works) and there really isn't that buzz which turns so many people away from Rectos. It can get in that same realm of aggression for SURE but it is very pleasing.

2) Lots of gain. LOTS OF GAIN. Now, it's a very usable gain and not just a huge amount causing buzz and fuzzy clipping when rolled down. In fact, the gain sounds very sweet and smooth running as low as 9:00. If I tried that on the Tremoverb, the tone would sound kinda weak. But the racktifier is EXTREMELY punchy and thick. Think of the feeling you get when you plug a great head into a great cabinet and can feel all that chunky roar jumping out at you. It's nuts. Down side is orange variable high gain does get rather compressed sounding the higher you run the gain. But around 12:00 is very Warren Haynes-ish

3) Leading off from #2, I gotta say this is a very tight, thick, and articulate amp. It has that recto vibe but it just feels and sounds much much nicer.

4) The clean mode isn't as nice as the Tremoverb, but I haven't messed around with it much. Even if it doesn't cut it, it's no biggie for me

mj

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

I've often heard that the rack versions of Rectifiers were the best built and best sounding of all of them. I dont' know the details though.

I'm sure you can bend that ear back with a vice or vice grips. Make sure you use something like plastic, leather, or cardboard to line the grips. A vice might be the best way to do it.

And I know I'm stating the obvious, but........where's the rack???
I saw the perfect one recently. A guy selling a Mesa SUS-16 for $150!!!

 

[Monty-Jay]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

I can't find a place that sells good racks that will ship to Alaska. I can't find a place that sells CRAPPY racks that will ship here for that matter, haha. I might just get some cheapo kit thing for home and try to figure out how to get a good one up here. Even if it were possible, for the price of one plus shipping I could buy like 3 really nice shock racks in the lower 48

mj

 

[metlking]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

Nice ADA, looks to be in good shape. Do you use it? I've been using one since '90.....

 

[Pacer_87]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

I like the EVH inspired wallplate

Me too.

 

[SeraphimTN]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

Is it sad that I'm paying more attention to the ADA? Love that rig but I feel sorry you when you hafta start carrying that thing to gigs! That'd kill me! Heck, 2 cabs kills me!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

If I were you, I wouldn't get a rack that can hold all of them, because you'll never want to move it. Get a 8 or 10 space SKB for your essential pieces.
Most guys who've bought shockmounted ATA cases regretted it because of the size and weight. The SKB's add almost no weight, so they're a smarter buy.
They're a lot cheaper too. I'm assuming there's stores in Alaska that carry SKB.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Back home: Mesa Boogie RACKTIFIER photos

The SKBs are lighter, but I also find they're rather bulky and, well, kinda ugly. I like a cleaner, more streamlined look.