Cost-effective Rectifier?

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Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

2-channel rectos are also fixed-bias switchable, but yeah I agree there's nothing like two amps hitting their own separate cabs.

I could do that. A JVM, a Recto, a stereo 1960A.
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

Two amps at the same time. Seriously. One of my favorite things to do is run my Recto with my JVM or Splawn. And you can run EL34s in the 3 channel Rectos, which helps too.
Heck yeah. Splawn and Road King for me. Adam Jones style.
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

I was looking at them too the other day, how do you tell the older ones apart from the reborn versions? I would buy one used if I could figure it out.
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

I was looking at them too the other day, how do you tell the older ones apart from the reborn versions? I would buy one used if I could figure it out.

FRONT VIEW
Two mini-toggles at the front(to the right) of each channel with the reborns. (one being the mode-toggle, and the other for wattage)
On the original 3-channel versions there is only the mode-toggle at the front of each channel.

BACK VIEW
It will say Multi-Watt,,,,,,plus several other changes
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

Mesa has discontinued the Roadster, which is a slightly simpler version of the Road King. You might find one of these at a good price. For my use, I've enjoyed the Recto-Verb combos more than the Roadster, but the Roadster has some great tones, too.

The Rectos aren't really my thing; I much prefer the Mark Series amps. The V probably doesn't have quite as much chug for the dropped tuning crowd, but it does so many things so well. I can't imagine a gig where I would need more than what I could get from my Mark V combo + its 112 V30 Wide-Body Closed Back cab.

I have a couple of Mark IIIs and a IV, and again, if metal is your thing, they can cut it. The IIIs came in 60, 100, 200-watt versions. There's also a 150-watt and an 85-watt Simul-Class version (this is my preference). These will drop down to 15- watts in the Class A mode, and the tones are just so creamy and smooth. The 200-watt head I have is so dynamic...it is a glorious amp to play and loud!

There are alternatives to the Rectifier Series. But if you truly need the Recto Sound, there's nothing like it.

Save your pennies, and go for the armor-plate stack!

Bill
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

There are alternatives to the Rectifier Series. But if you truly need the Recto Sound, there's nothing like it.

Save your pennies, and go for the armor-plate stack!

Bill

You're passing-out hernias like they are sticks of bubblegum!
I can't imagine the recto 412s being any heavier lol.

Ever tried the tremoverbs Bill?
I recently made the switch over to the str440 tubes in mine and all I can say is wow, it might be my favorite recto overall,,,having just a little more "mid-thunk" than the others, and now with the 440 tubes it just has this wonderful blend of mid-richness and hi-fi clarity.
 
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Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

Two amps at the same time. Seriously. One of my favorite things to do is run my Recto with my JVM or Splawn. And you can run EL34s in the 3 channel Rectos, which helps too.

Tried that many times, the JVM owned the Recto and dominated it, even when blending. Could be never find a satisfying mix/balance.
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

That’s why we’re all going to buy Dual Rectifiers. I literally cannot stop moping around and dreaming about them.

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I always considered them extremely versatile and yet criminally underused, in the sense that people who buy rectifiers use them to get that quite generic recto high-gain sound.

Then, a year ago I bought one. I was right. They ARE incredibly versatile, especially the reborn with their very good clean channel. There are a million great tones in there. You know what though? That generic tone is still an amazing one to play with. It's the sound of so many great punk bands I grew up with in the mid-90's, there's no denying that I love it and will be using it a lot...
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

You're passing-out hernias like they are sticks of bubblegum!
I can't imagine the recto 412s being any heavier lol.

Ever tried the tremoverbs Bill?
I recently made the switch over to the str440 tubes in mine and all I can say is wow, it might be my favorite recto overall,,,having just a little more "mid-thunk" than the others, and now with the 440 tubes it just has this wonderful blend of mid-richness and hi-fi clarity.

Yes, and I should have mentioned the T-O-V. It is a Dual Rectifier. Mesa also labels the Blue Angel, Maverick and the Heartbreaker as Dual Rectifiers, but those are all very different amps from the big guy. And all of them are great amps. I have a Maverick and I love it, but the others are all on my wish list. Pure lust! But I am amp rich at the moment, and the T-O-V and Heartbreaker are big heavy amps.

The T-O-V really set a new standard for versatility back in the '90s. GP magazine did a review and said that this amp will get 90% of the tones from almost all of the amps on the market. You want Twin Reverb, AC-30 or Marshall tones? They're all in there.

The tube rectifier makes a big difference in the feel of the amp, for small amp tone and sag, or tighten things up with the diodes. You can change between 6V6, El34 and 6L6 tubes, too.

Lindsey Buckingham used T-O-V heads with 412 Recto cabs last couple of times I've seen Fleetwood Mac.

Bill
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

Sell the 1960 and get a pair of used Recto 2x12s. I have both flavors, you won't regret it. ;)

What flavors would those be? Horizontal and vertical slant? My 1960A has two Mesa Vintage 30’s in an X-pattern with two G12-T75’s. I can run either kind of speaker isolated, or both.
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

+1

My Jet City JCA22H absolutely killed my Recto GAS, though honestly I've always liked Soldanos better than Rectos.

Not surprising since the Recto and the 5150 are basically modded Soldanos. I agree, too, I'd do a used Jet City all day for that sound.

I totally agree that they nail the tones of lots of cool 90s bands i grew up with, but i find those tones just don't hit my ear as pleasingly as my Matamp or Oranges cranked and boosted. But, if i WANTED that Recto sound, I'd either go CHEAP and get a Jet City, or go crazy and get a Soldano. Maaaybe split the difference if i found an insane deal on a 5150.
 
Re: Cost-effective Rectifier?

What flavors would those be? Horizontal and vertical slant? My 1960A has two Mesa Vintage 30’s in an X-pattern with two G12-T75’s. I can run either kind of speaker isolated, or both.

That's a cool way to wire it. Any way you run the thing it still sounds like a 412 mostly, but vastly different 412s when it's in split-mode.
 
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