Mesa Rectifiers

Lucid_Lunatic

Lucid_Lunatic

Rebelyellologist
I've never owned one but I've played a few in shops over the years. I don't know much of anything about different Mesa models in the Rectifier series.


Which are regarded as the best sounding?

Is there any differences between the Single, Double and Triple other than the power output?

I've noticed half the named models have a Rectifier badge. What's the difference?
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

I can only speak about the Single and Duals. I think most people would go with the Dual. Namely you get features on the dual like the option for Tube Rectification and the Bold/Spongy switch. Personally speaking I'm happy with the Single. I find it a bit more snappy and aggressive (thanks Faith No More for reminding me how to spell that). That being said, if I were gigging at decent sized venues I would need a Dual.

The Single: Diode Rectifier only, 2 Channels/5 Modes (Clean/Pushed)&(Raw/Vintage/Modern), No Bold/Spongy "Variac" option.

3 Channel Dual: Has Dual Rectification with Diode or Tube Rectifers, 3 Channels (Green, Red, Orange) Orange has the same modes as the Red Channel but IIRC they sound a bit different/have higher gain, you get the Bold/Spongy "Variac" option.

Never spent any time with the Original Two Channel Dual or the Triple but as far as I know the Triple is the same as the Dual but rated at 150w.

Likewise I can't speak to the Roadster/Roadking as I have never played through them.

But yeah if I were to buy a again I would go for either a Dual or a Roadking.
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

I always found odd that they didn't add a tube rectifier to the single. If it had that, I assume a lot of folks would actually go for the single... although most of the rectos insane distortion comes from the pre-amp so maybe I'm wrong about it...
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

beware of how bassy dual rectifiers are unless you give them some volume, definetly NOT a bedroom amp
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

I think the rackmount dual rectifier was the "one" for a lot of people?

They're kinda rare these days!
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

A producer friend told me he had a rackmount dual recto. Seems like it sounded like Jesus Christ playing Eruption: it's the only piece of gear he regrets selling.
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

Rectos all sound like Rectos, there are subtle flavor difference between the models and over the different revisions.

Single = Silicon diode 50 watts
Dual = Silicon diode or tube rectifiers 100 watts
Triple = Silicon diode or tube rectifiers 150 watts

Best sounding Rectos are usually considered to be the earliest Duals, the rack mount (Racktifier - not the Recto Recording Preamp), and the Road King/Roadster. They all have kind of similar qualities, a bit more liquid with more emphasis on upper mids than the high end.

The most common versions, such as the typical 3 channel Dual, are just a touch brighter and bit more agressive in the top end.

Other amps in Mesa lines also have dual rectifiers (switchable between silicon diode and tube), such as the Stiletto, but are different sounding amps due to the preamp and power amp and not considered "Rectos".

These are just basic generalizations.
 
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Re: Mesa Rectifiers

BTW according to some guy in the TGP forum a 25 watt lunchbox EL84 driven mini Rectifier is coming in the near future.
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

Surgeon said:
I always found odd that they didn't add a tube rectifier to the single. If it had that, I assume a lot of folks would actually go for the single... although most of the rectos insane distortion comes from the pre-amp so maybe I'm wrong about it...
Click to expand...

TBH having A/B'd my Single and another Dual (using the Tube Rectifier) through the same cab I'm not sure I miss it at average volume levels. At louder volumes there's some difference (but you're also dealing with headroom issues as well). The other interesting feature is the Spongy/Bold feature which makes a big difference.

The cab also plays a big part. For a while I was using a lot of smaller 4x12's that were really tight sounding and you could really tell the difference between the amps. The Mesa cabs also really help with the whole "Recto Tone". Personally I like having the more aggressive Single going into my oversize 2x12. For gigging I'd really like to run the oversize 2x12 and a Traditional Recto/Stiletto 4x12.
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

TheProphet said:
Likewise I can't speak to the Roadster/Roadking as I have never played through them.
Click to expand...

They are voiced darker than the regular rectos and are smoother sounding like the current production multi watt dual and triple rectos.
 
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Though, cleans have never been the Rectos strongpoint the TREM-O-VERB and Roadster/Roadking II's undoubtedly have the best cleans. The regular Solo Heads have always had a stiff/harsh clean that I never found very useable (FYI SIngle Rect cleans were improved in Series 2 SOLO Heads and RECT-O-VERBS though). In regards to the cleans of the Duals and Triples their cleans weren't updated until the release of the 2010 multiwatt Dual and Triple Recto Heads. Having said that, while the current multiwatt Rectos cleans are better than ever I still feel that they still aren't anything to write home about.
 
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Re: Mesa Rectifiers

I also forgot to mention that the TREM-O-VERB is a brighter voiced Recto and has a sizzle-like midrange character to it (if that makes sense). :)
 
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Re: Mesa Rectifiers

GuitarGuy503 said:
Though, cleans have never been the Rectos strongpoint the TREM-O-VERB and Roadster/Roadking II's undoubtedly have the best cleans. The regular Solo Heads have always had a stiff/harsh clean that I never found very useable (FYI SIngle Rect cleans were improved in Series 2 SOLO Heads and RECT-O-VERBS though). In regards to the cleans of the Duals and Triples their cleans weren't updated until the release of the 2010 multiwatt Dual and Triple Recto Heads. Having said that, while the current multiwatt Rectos cleans are better than ever I still feel that they still aren't anything to write home about.
Click to expand...

I think the cleans are actually pretty nice. Comparitively most other amps I looked at for my sound didn't have as nice a clean channel. So outside of using a dedicated clean amp it's not bad.

One trick to getting great cleans from the Single Series 2 is using EL34's. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of how that makes the amp sound under heavy gain. Makes me kind of want either a twin amp setup (Singles one 6L6 and on EL34).
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

TheProphet said:
I think the cleans are actually pretty nice. Comparitively most other amps I looked at for my sound didn't have as nice a clean channel. So outside of using a dedicated clean amp it's not bad.

One trick to getting great cleans from the Single Series 2 is using EL34's. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of how that makes the amp sound under heavy gain. Makes me kind of want either a twin amp setup (Singles one 6L6 and on EL34).
Click to expand...

As I mentioned in my post the Series 2 Single Rects have improved cleans. Having said that, I can't imagine you having a problem getting decent cleans. I used to own a Series 1 RECT-O-VERB and the cleans were harsh, in your face, and stiff sounding. It was one of the reasons I parted with that amp.....
 
Re: Mesa Rectifiers

Not here :(

Used Dual Rec's usually part for around $1,200. I got my Single for $950 used.

I suspect that the new Mini-Rectifier will retail at around $1,100 (slightly higher than the Transatlantic 15). The national distributor in Canada also insists on a strict pricing policy, so I approach is to buy used.
 
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