Mesa Boogie 25 watt
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Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
It's Mesa so it'll be built like whatever everlasting-cliché you have in mind, plus, Mesa really stand behind their products.
As for the tone, there are about a million demos and comparison vids out there. While youtube is no substitute to trying firsthand, it should give you the general idea of what the differences are. I'm no big fan of el84s but many many players sure love that thing and many do make it sound great.
It's Mesa so it'll be built like whatever everlasting-cliché you have in mind, plus, Mesa really stand behind their products.
As for the tone, there are about a million demos and comparison vids out there. While youtube is no substitute to trying firsthand, it should give you the general idea of what the differences are. I'm no big fan of el84s but many many players sure love that thing and many do make it sound great.
VinceT
New member
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
$750 is a decent used price and you could roll it if it doesn’t turn out as what you want.
I have the Rectoverb-25 combo, which is this head with reverb and the new Mesa Fillmore speaker. It’s a very good amp - gorgeous cleans and pushed on channel 1, lots of gain on tap on channel 2. Be ready to read the manual about the EQ - even though it seems simple, there’s a lot of tweakage!
I’m not a hi-gain player, so can’t comment on how close it comes to a dual rec - but both hi-gain modes have usable tone throughout their range (I find the Vintage setting a little woofy for my tastes, so lean towards the Modern with both gain and volume rolled back). The 10w/25w options are nice, but don’t go in thinking they’re different volume levels - they’re really about different levels of compression, sag and sponginess.
It’s the second Mesa I’ve owned - I previously had the TransAtlantic TA15 lunchbox, which was a great amp. Build quality excellent on both.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
$750 is a decent used price and you could roll it if it doesn’t turn out as what you want.
I have the Rectoverb-25 combo, which is this head with reverb and the new Mesa Fillmore speaker. It’s a very good amp - gorgeous cleans and pushed on channel 1, lots of gain on tap on channel 2. Be ready to read the manual about the EQ - even though it seems simple, there’s a lot of tweakage!
I’m not a hi-gain player, so can’t comment on how close it comes to a dual rec - but both hi-gain modes have usable tone throughout their range (I find the Vintage setting a little woofy for my tastes, so lean towards the Modern with both gain and volume rolled back). The 10w/25w options are nice, but don’t go in thinking they’re different volume levels - they’re really about different levels of compression, sag and sponginess.
It’s the second Mesa I’ve owned - I previously had the TransAtlantic TA15 lunchbox, which was a great amp. Build quality excellent on both.
Hope that helps.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
One thing about the Mini Rec is that it has only the solid-state rectifier — no tube rectification.
One thing about the Mini Rec is that it has only the solid-state rectifier — no tube rectification.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
After some testing with my 100w Rectos I can say that the Mini Recto's preamp sounds the same as a full-size Recto's preamp. The sonic differences are in the power section. The Mini Recto breaks up a lot earlier and easier, adding compression and harmonics that I can't get out of the 100 watters until they're at earth shaking volumes.
The 100 watters were great at clean and high gain but I always struggled with an authentic mid-gain sound (too stiff). This is where I think the Mini Recto excels, with it's earlier breakup and compression adding some excitement to the sound.
The Mini Recto through a small Mini Recto cab sounds good... but small. I think the Rectoverb's open back combo version does killer blues and old-school rock sounds. Run either through a Recto 2x12 or 4x12 and it gets a lot bigger/louder and sounds more like a traditional Recto.
After some testing with my 100w Rectos I can say that the Mini Recto's preamp sounds the same as a full-size Recto's preamp. The sonic differences are in the power section. The Mini Recto breaks up a lot earlier and easier, adding compression and harmonics that I can't get out of the 100 watters until they're at earth shaking volumes.
The 100 watters were great at clean and high gain but I always struggled with an authentic mid-gain sound (too stiff). This is where I think the Mini Recto excels, with it's earlier breakup and compression adding some excitement to the sound.
The Mini Recto through a small Mini Recto cab sounds good... but small. I think the Rectoverb's open back combo version does killer blues and old-school rock sounds. Run either through a Recto 2x12 or 4x12 and it gets a lot bigger/louder and sounds more like a traditional Recto.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
Honestly, after years of using tube mode.... I kind of like the Mini's Triode more. Could also be the EL84s... but triode is pretty sick.
Honestly, after years of using tube mode.... I kind of like the Mini's Triode more. Could also be the EL84s... but triode is pretty sick.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
Lots of good info here. I think the Mini sounds like a much bigger amp, especially with two 112s, a 212, or a 412. No reverb on this model, but a very good efx loop. It's a versatile amp than can cover several genres.
Bill
Lots of good info here. I think the Mini sounds like a much bigger amp, especially with two 112s, a 212, or a 412. No reverb on this model, but a very good efx loop. It's a versatile amp than can cover several genres.
Bill
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
It’s starting to look like the Dual Rec Reborn might come up against some competition.
It’s starting to look like the Dual Rec Reborn might come up against some competition.
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
Imho, if budget's a major concern then yes. Otherwise, the dual is much more versatile and flexible and; when you switch it down to 50 watts, barely louder than the mini... Bigger bottles, more headroom and more flexibility were all better *for me*.
Imho, if budget's a major concern then yes. Otherwise, the dual is much more versatile and flexible and; when you switch it down to 50 watts, barely louder than the mini... Bigger bottles, more headroom and more flexibility were all better *for me*.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
I bought a Rectoverb:25 thinking it'd be a nice "grab-n-go" option. It's become my main amp. I sold my 2 channel Dual and my Roadster sits in the corner collecting dust.
I bought a Rectoverb:25 thinking it'd be a nice "grab-n-go" option. It's become my main amp. I sold my 2 channel Dual and my Roadster sits in the corner collecting dust.
dystrust
New member
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
I did pretty much the same since getting my Mini Jube, though I have no plans of selling my 2555.
I did pretty much the same since getting my Mini Jube, though I have no plans of selling my 2555.
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
Get a rectoverb50 head or series2 single head IMO. Find one in great condition and make sure it's the tube-type-switchable version.
They usually list them in the $600-$700 range so offers of $500-$600 are fair-enough IMO (based-on age/condition/tubes)
Get a rectoverb50 head or series2 single head IMO. Find one in great condition and make sure it's the tube-type-switchable version.
They usually list them in the $600-$700 range so offers of $500-$600 are fair-enough IMO (based-on age/condition/tubes)
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Nightburst
New member
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
Dunno, I was not impressed when I tried one in a store the other day. Found it hard to dial in a tone that was not fizzy/grainy but everyone seems to like it so it might be my lack of experience with this amp. I associate Mesa with big tight bottom end, and this amp didn't seem to have it.
I'm surprised they choose to use EL84 tubes for this amp over 6v6.
Dunno, I was not impressed when I tried one in a store the other day. Found it hard to dial in a tone that was not fizzy/grainy but everyone seems to like it so it might be my lack of experience with this amp. I associate Mesa with big tight bottom end, and this amp didn't seem to have it.
I'm surprised they choose to use EL84 tubes for this amp over 6v6.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
The Mini-Recto has a ton of gain, but I've not noticed fizzy/grainy, unless the tubes are bad. I think the MR sounds more like a big bottle amp than most EL84 amps, and is just amazing with the big V30 412 Recto.
Smith doesn't use 6V6 tubes often, though some of his 100-watt models can use a quad of 6V6s. He loves EL84s though. And some say modern 6V6s don't have vintage specs, or quality. So, not that strange.
Bill
The Mini-Recto has a ton of gain, but I've not noticed fizzy/grainy, unless the tubes are bad. I think the MR sounds more like a big bottle amp than most EL84 amps, and is just amazing with the big V30 412 Recto.
Smith doesn't use 6V6 tubes often, though some of his 100-watt models can use a quad of 6V6s. He loves EL84s though. And some say modern 6V6s don't have vintage specs, or quality. So, not that strange.
Bill
6stringerguy
New member
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
How is the Mark V 25 just out of curiosity
How is the Mark V 25 just out of curiosity
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Mesa Boogie 25 watt
The Mark V:25 is a fun little amp. Compared to the lunchbox amps that other companies have on the market...this thing is a top-of-the-line AMG Mercedes. The quality of construction is superior, as one would expect, since it is twice the price. But the amp is packed with features, and more importantly...it's packed with tone.
The built-in Cab-Clone makes recording, silent headphone practicing and live sound reinforcement a breeze. It's the right power for a small club gig, as long as Godzilla isn't on the drums. Great clean tones, singing Boogie lead tones, massive gain if you want it. Or, go for some soulful blues. Switchable power levels and a great buffered loop...like I said, it has FEATURES.
I have the full stack, with both straight and slant 112 V30 Recto cabs. It will get loud. It also works well with the 212 Horizontal and Vertical cabs. And the stack is just such a cool looking rig...and it will fit easily into a subcompact car.
Take a look at the vids on the Mesa site. Petrucci does a demo of the prototype, so the amp does heavy, and there's lots of gain.
And if you don't think 25 watts is enough, try the Mark V:35 with 4xEl84 power. I have the combo, and this one has become my "jam night" amp. I love it!
These are keepers!
Bill
The Mark V:25 is a fun little amp. Compared to the lunchbox amps that other companies have on the market...this thing is a top-of-the-line AMG Mercedes. The quality of construction is superior, as one would expect, since it is twice the price. But the amp is packed with features, and more importantly...it's packed with tone.
The built-in Cab-Clone makes recording, silent headphone practicing and live sound reinforcement a breeze. It's the right power for a small club gig, as long as Godzilla isn't on the drums. Great clean tones, singing Boogie lead tones, massive gain if you want it. Or, go for some soulful blues. Switchable power levels and a great buffered loop...like I said, it has FEATURES.
I have the full stack, with both straight and slant 112 V30 Recto cabs. It will get loud. It also works well with the 212 Horizontal and Vertical cabs. And the stack is just such a cool looking rig...and it will fit easily into a subcompact car.
Take a look at the vids on the Mesa site. Petrucci does a demo of the prototype, so the amp does heavy, and there's lots of gain.
And if you don't think 25 watts is enough, try the Mark V:35 with 4xEl84 power. I have the combo, and this one has become my "jam night" amp. I love it!
These are keepers!
Bill
