UberMetalDood
New member
When I had my Mark V, I remember switching it to solid state rectifier on everything except the clean channel because it was too spongy. I guess that's what the problem with this Mini Rectifier is except it's different than that. Mesa Boogie says refers to it as an "elastic" feel. I suppose that's an ideal way to refer to it. The thing is that it doesn't have a natural response. It almost feels like playing a POD except the notes come out more stubbornly.
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it doesn't have a rectifier tube? I wonder if it's trying to emulate the feel of a rectifier tube. It doesn't seem so bad in 25w mode, so I'm thinking that maybe 10w mode tries harder to emulate it?
In any case, it's not the kind of response that I am used to so I'm considering returning it. It just doesn't feel right. I have played single, dual and triple rects and they feel more natural. Playing this one feels as if there is some kind of weird gravity that keeps your pick from fluttering out notes with ease. It's great for rhythm work, but soloing isn't at fluid unless the gain is just past the max setting that Boogie recommends.
On a separate note, it seems like the Mini Rect is real picky about speakers. It doesn't sound good with Eminence Lightnings (icepicky), Texas Heat (TOO much sizzle), and the Black Shadow speaker is an improvement but not perfect. I don't think the Black Shadow sounds a whole lot like a V30. To me it sounds darker, more bass, less mids, and more compressed.
Anyway, I just noticed that. It will probably sound good with Celestion V30 or Heritage speakers.
So is it just me or does the Mini Rect feel weird to play?
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it doesn't have a rectifier tube? I wonder if it's trying to emulate the feel of a rectifier tube. It doesn't seem so bad in 25w mode, so I'm thinking that maybe 10w mode tries harder to emulate it?
In any case, it's not the kind of response that I am used to so I'm considering returning it. It just doesn't feel right. I have played single, dual and triple rects and they feel more natural. Playing this one feels as if there is some kind of weird gravity that keeps your pick from fluttering out notes with ease. It's great for rhythm work, but soloing isn't at fluid unless the gain is just past the max setting that Boogie recommends.
On a separate note, it seems like the Mini Rect is real picky about speakers. It doesn't sound good with Eminence Lightnings (icepicky), Texas Heat (TOO much sizzle), and the Black Shadow speaker is an improvement but not perfect. I don't think the Black Shadow sounds a whole lot like a V30. To me it sounds darker, more bass, less mids, and more compressed.
Anyway, I just noticed that. It will probably sound good with Celestion V30 or Heritage speakers.
So is it just me or does the Mini Rect feel weird to play?
