Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

[Jeff5]

I'm thinking about selling my rack set up and getting a head. (eventually a cabinet to match too but the head first.) Currently I have a tri-axis and a 50/50 power amp.

The Tri-Axis is a WONDERFUL amp. I can't stress how **** versitile it is. I really don't need that many channels though.

I do love the Mesa sound, and find myself in the Tri-Axis channel that mimics the Mark IV lead tone the most. I play mostly high gain stuff. Some clean, some lighter gain, but not much. I'd say I play about 10-20% clean and the rest fairly high if not insane gain.

So I'm wondering which amp you all would recommend. I've read some magnificent things about the Mark IV (I know its a bit more than the Dual Recto but both are in my price range), but I also know that high gain is what the Rectos do best. My concern with a Recto is that the supposed (I say supposed because I don't know how close it really is) Recto channel on my Tri-Axis isn't very good imo, and I have trouble getting a tone I like out of it. Any thoughts or opinions would be welcome. Thanks!

Jeff

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

If you like the Mark tone, you like the Mark tone... But the only way to know for sure is to go to a Mesa dealer and play both. In fact, I'd suggest also playing a Stiletto and Road King/Roadster while you're at it. That's a couple of hours of playing (and working with the tone controls, but you know that already being a Mesa user ) so go to the store during an off time. Maybe talk to the owner/manager to discuss your plans. If he knows you are trying to find an amp and make a purchase, he'll approach the situation completely differently than if he thinks you're just killing time.

Good luck with your amp search! Fun stuff...

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

I'd say a plus 1 to PFD. See if you cant try out the amps. Spend a lot of time with em fiddling around with the controls, especially on the mark IV.

I'll say that my personal preference, though, is the Mark IV. Its a friggin dream amp...very tweakable, and very versatile.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

Try 'em all if you can. Mesa is a strange brand in the fact that their models differ from each other so much (in a good way!) I have a Mark IV A, and as great as it is, I find myself usually playing on my Road King II.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

Thanks guys. Yeah I find my Tri-Axis, and all Mesa products from what I've heard, to be extremely sensitive to tweaking in terms of getting a good tone. What I may do is go to the Guitar Center here and try them out. With their 30 day return policy I can buy one, take it home, try it, take it back, try another, and if I don't like it get my money back. (I did this with my Tri =P) In the end I'm looking for a really good distorted mid-very high gain tone. Cleans are fine, but I use them so little they they can be secondary in my selection.

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

I love the mark 4 and I like it's high gain tone loads better than the recto. It's hard for me to explain, but I always think the recto is fuzzy and grainy, and the mark 4 has this awesomely tight, smooth high gain tone.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

Mark IV.

 

[Andvaka]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

Mark I4. There is no comparison. You can be sure of one thing. If you don't like the recto tone on your tri you will hate the amp itself. A few years back I had my eye on a M4 head, (but here i Iceland they are a special order item) and I had played one for awhile. I let some people talk me into buying a recto halfstack with sidearmour n'all. supposed to be the mother of all metal amps. I hated the thing. Had it for two years and never got a usable tone out of it. The tri is brilliant but the mark IV is the king. But it is a complecated beast and you need to give it some time. Imo the mark has the sweetest gain on the planet. Just my two cents..... sorry for the rambling.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

The problem with your rack set up may be something that the Mesa Customer Service guys can give you some help with. Give them a call before you do anything, and see what they have to say.

I also prefer the Mark IV to the Recto; but your Tri-axis, with the right power amp, should be as close to a "dream" rig as many of us will ever get.

Sometimes even just spending a few minutes re-reading the Owner's manual can help me see things in a different light and find new settings.

And you may find that it's not the Tri-Axis, but your POWER amp that might help you find the tone you're looking for. Perhaps a 20/20 or Simul-Class 2:90 will be a better fit.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

Bill, that is a very point about the power amp. If I decide to stay with a rack set up, I'll definately switch out my Mesa 50/50 Power Amp with a 2:90 which I believe compliments the Tri much better. If I do decide to go with a head though, its looking more and more like the MarkIV would be it.

Andavaka you made a good point about the recto tone on the Tri-Axis which is really my concern with the amp. I just don't know how close a real recto head tone is to the channel that is on the Tri. Obviously it can't be exact, but I wonder how close it actually is. As a side note I have the 1.0 version I believe (I'll have to go check), which I think means that the recto channel can be modified by boogie. But I heard that many folks prefer the version I have anyway so I haven't bothered. (I might though since I don't like that channel at all right now)

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Mesa Mark IV vs. Dual Recto

Just read the full post - you've got a Tri-Axis already... get a 2:90 poweramp, and be done with it! Pick up a used Rectifier or Recto pre if you REALLY need that authentic recto voicing, but I prefer the Tri-Axis + 2:90 to both the Mark IV and the Recto.