Mesa boogie

[Rowan]

I've been keeping my eye out for a tube amphead good for hard rock and metal. Right now I've got a line6 stack and amphead, and I really like the 'metal' channel on the amp (modeled after a mesa).

-What would be the advantages of a single rectifier vs a dual or triple rectifier?

-How much do these amps run new and used?


-And finally are there any other comparable amps I should be looking at?


Thanks guys!

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Mesa boogie

Single has a slightly sweeter tone than the newer Dual/Triples, but the 2ch Dual/Triples still sound better, at least in my, and most other people's opinion.

The Single doesn't have an option to run tube rectifiers, and it doesn't have the bold/spongy switch - it's always got a solidstate rectifier and is on the bold mode.

New, 1200-1300 or so, depending on what Mesa is charging these days. Used, 700-900 depending on condition, series I vs II, Rectoverb, etc.

The only thing that really sounds like a Recto is a Recto... that said, there are some fairly similar amps. Anything with the Soldano circuit will get you in the ballpark - JSX, 5150, SLO100 itself, etc.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Mesa boogie

I own a Single, and I've played through a Dual. (Never tried a Triple.) The Dual always seemed like overkill for my needs, but as I've never owned one, I can't give it a fair review. The Single is great for my needs. I think you'll find the Raw/Vintage/Modern switch to your liking for going from rock to metal. The Rectifier series does that very nicely.

As Jeff said, if you want the Recto sound, get a Recto. If I could change one thing about mine, I'd have gone with the Rect-O-Verb (same as my model, but with built-in reverb). For the kind of music I play through the Single Rec, a reverb pedal fits the bill just fine, so in the end it's a wash.

Great amp all around. Just pay attention to what kind of cab/speakers you play it through. I've always played mine through 2x12 Celestion V30s.

Hope this helps.

- Keith

 

[rainsong86]

Re: Mesa boogie

if you're looking for an amp for only dirty tones then I would go with a 2 channel dual rectifier.. you can get one for 1000-1300 (unless it's a "pre-500" serial number, which would fetch more).. those amps have a pretty good clean tone but you can also put it in "variable high gain" mode which has 2 heavy channels.. If you need an amp with more variety and great cleans then go with a roadster.. 1900 new, 1600-1700 used

 

[disturb]

Re: Mesa boogie

I have a 3-channel triple. Wicked sounding head. So many people hate them 'cause they're hard to dial. I hated mine for a a long time until I found the sweet spot on all 3 channels. If you don't have them set right, they sound really bad. Better tubes help too.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Mesa boogie

If you play on some rectos you may find that they don't sound like line 6's version... line 6's sounds like a compilation of Mesa amps that have gone through post-recording compression and such, which helps reel in the recto tone that can sometimes get out of control and way too hairy. Consider the new Express amps or the newly retired F-series too... they aren't rectos but still sound really huge and Mesa-esque. Cheaper too. +1 on the rectoverb over the single rec, I think they're around the same price but reverb can really help with potential sterility (cleans especially).

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Mesa boogie

Not trying to discourage you of course, just don't count out the other Mesas just because they aren't rectifiers

the F-30 for example was their smallest amp as of 2 years ago and those things sound HUGE! Really rocking. A lot of people end up unhappy with rectos because they want it to be something its not- so make sure to check out Mesas other offerings if you can!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Mesa boogie

Not trying to discourage you of course, just don't count out the other Mesas just because they aren't rectifiers

the F-30 for example was their smallest amp as of 2 years ago and those things sound HUGE! Really rocking. A lot of people end up unhappy with rectos because they want it to be something its not- so make sure to check out Mesas other offerings if you can!

Good point. I used to have a Mesa DC-5 along with my Single Rec, and I had to sell one of them -- couldn't justify owning both. I gave up the DC-5, but not because I liked the Single Rec better, only because I found myself doing more metal with the Mesas than straight-up rock. The DC-5 is capable of most, but it leans more toward the hard rock side, while the Single Rec leans more toward the metal side.

Both are great heads, capable of accomplishing solid rock and metal tones. Don't count out the Dual Caliber (DC) series. It's discontinued, but people seek it out for great rock tones that go from vintage to in-your-face. As Alex said, look at other Mesas as well. You may be pleasantly surprised.

- Keith

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Mesa boogie

I have tried a recto-verb amd i really like the Dual better never tried a tripple. It is tighter and just plain sounds better too me.

 

[marcg71]

Re: Mesa boogie

Are the cleans on a Single Rectifier basically the same as on the Rectoverb? Also, anyone use el34s, sonically what differences are there with this change?

 

[34029324079]

Re: Mesa boogie

get the dual or the road king! pros use em for a reason! I would not go with single recto because it is solid state!

 

[marcg71]

Re: Mesa boogie

How are they solid state, they use power tubes?

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Mesa boogie

He's confused... it's got a solid state rectifier.


That said, most people doing metal with a Recto are using the SS rectifier and the bold mode, anyways.

 

[marcg71]

Re: Mesa boogie

Don't many tube amps have solid state rectifiers? May I ask what sonic differences are there between solid state rectifiers and tube ones?

 

[Rowan]

Re: Mesa boogie

Hmmm what do you guys about mesa combos? The local shop has a mesa nomad 45 and it has like 4 seperate channels. I guess it wouldn't sound as big as a single rectifier into 4x12's huh? Thats important because I gig and play in a live setting.

 

[marcg71]

Re: Mesa boogie

I had a nomad for 6 months - for my application could not get any good sound clean nor distorted. That was a while ago tho - my ears seem to change from year to year.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Mesa boogie

Don't many tube amps have solid state rectifiers? May I ask what sonic differences are there between solid state rectifiers and tube ones?

Most tube amps do use silicon diodes for rectification, tube rectification exagerates the tube sag and gives the sound a bit more of a chewy quality. Its most effective and tasty on low to mid gain settings. As you get into high gain country, the tube rectification can be a little too squishy in the low end.

That being said, I really like using tube rectification on channel three of a Road King set to Vintage with a high gain setting.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Mesa boogie

Most tube amps do use silicon diodes for rectification, tube rectification exagerates the tube sag and gives the sound a bit more of a chewy quality. Its most effective and tasty on low to mid gain settings. As you get into high gain country, the tube rectification can be a little too squishy in the low end.

That being said, I really like using tube rectification on channel three of a Road King set to Vintage with a high gain setting.

So would you say that when a lot of people say that Messa are too buzzy it is because kids just crant the living hell out of pre-amp gain and the rectifier tube "squishies" ? or is that that that squishiness at high gain comes only with 6l6s and there is different behavior with EL34s E34Ls ?

 

[BlueSky]

Re: Mesa boogie

I would personally find a used soldano, but if you must go with mesa check out a stiletto trident.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Mesa boogie

So would you say that when a lot of people say that Messa are too buzzy it is because kids just crant the living hell out of pre-amp gain and the rectifier tube "squishies" ? or is that that that squishiness at high gain comes only with 6l6s and there is different behavior with EL34s E34Ls ?

I have rant about this stuff somewhere....

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?p=1502500#post1502500

The don't think the sag is effected much by power tube type, both sag about the same with tube rectification. Any perceived buzziness just completely disappears in the context of a band or when you mic it. I never thought they were buzzy myself.