Savin' up for a Mesa!

Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Don't go by the impressions you get from video demos,,,,,,just too many variables.
With your own rig the recto might sound more like the tone you heard on the mark demo, and then vise-versa lol.

IMO the dual (any version 2 or 3channel) and the triple (multi-watt) both do low-volume better than the singles.

They can be run at 50w (with a pair of tubes pulled in the case of the duals) with tube-rectification and low-volts (spongy), and they also have the effects-level knob that can be rolled back a hair to make the master less touchy at the low range.

This effectively makes them more like a 35w amp with many places for self-attenuation if needed.



The singles/rectoverbs (50w heads) are a bit more touchy to get at the right low-volume spot, as they're diode and full-volts only, and with no effects-level.

For a haul-around gigging and/or rehearsal head I really like the single series2 (a bit more open hi-fi tone than the 1st version).

Only one pair of power tubes to ever replace, it's lightweight, takes EL34 and 6L6, and has major volume and cut when needed.

Price on all the used recto versions will be close to the same, depending more on condition than the model,,with the exception of the Road-series and multi-watts.
 
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Savin' up for a Mesa!

dave74 said:
Don't go by the impressions you get from video demos,,,,,,just too many variables.
With your own rig the recto might sound more like the tone you heard on the mark demo, and then vise-versa lol.

IMO the dual (any version 2 or 3channel) and the triple (multi-watt) both do low-volume better than the singles.

They can be run at 50w (with a pair of tubes pulled in the case of the duals) with tube-rectification and low-volts (spongy), and they also have the effects-level knob that can be rolled back a hair to make the master less touchy at the low range.

This effectively makes them more like a 35w amp with many places for self-attenuation if needed.



The singles/rectoverbs (50w heads) are a bit more touchy to get at the right low-volume spot, as they're diode and full-volts only, and with no effects-level.

For a haul-around gigging and/or rehearsal head I really like the single series2 (a bit more open hi-fi tone than the 1st version).

Only one pair of power tubes to ever replace, it's lightweight, takes EL34 and 6L6, and has major volume and cut when needed.

Price on all the used recto versions will be close to the same, depending more on condition than the model,,with the exception of the Road-series and multi-watts.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. To be honest, I'm a little bit skeptical about the Dual And Triple being quieter than the single, but hey, what do I know? Also, I was talking about the 25 watt model of the Recto-Verb rather than the 50. Well, I'm not basing the entire thing off of videos, I'm just watching a **** ton of them and getting ideas of the tones.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Look. Mesas are *the* amps that can be uncomfortable when not driven out. Think Australian Shepherd of amps.

There are also big difference between all kinds of Dual Rectos, with the original tremoverbs loosening up quite a bit.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

There's such a wide offering of Mesa amps that it can take a while to narrow down an amp.

How loud do you need to play?
What types of music do you play?
Band or solo?
Recording or live use?
How much distortion? Metal max gain?
How important is your clean tone?
Combo or head and cab, or combo with extension cab?
How big is your car?
How much can you dead lift?
Are you looking for one great tone, or do you need cop a bunch of different amp tones?
Budget?

Let me know, and I can make specific recommendations.

Bill
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Fonzie said:
Thanks for the info. To be honest, I'm a little bit skeptical about the Dual And Triple being quieter than the single, but hey, what do I know?
Click to expand...

It's not that they're quieter, just that you can set them to have a more gradual taper to the volume knobs. (compared all at 50w)

Singles go from 0 to 60 when you barely breath on the gas pedal,,,,,,,,,,which is fine unless you need it to do late-night bedroom volumes.

The Duals (any) and multi-watt Triples can be run at 50w AND have voltage-drop (down to mid-90s instead of 120v), tube-rectification (not as punchy),,,,, and by dialing back the effects-level a bit (even without anything in the loop) you can get a much more gradual volume-knob taper down low.
The Multi-Watt versions have a better taper IMO,,,,,,although I'm really not sure if it's a different pot# or just the difference in circuit paths.?

side-note;
On Fluff's new demo for the Triple Crown he says that it's more gradual volume taper is something he really likes and considers an improvement over most Mesas.
 
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Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

I have a 50 watt rectoverb single rectifier and I don't have any problem getting it quiet. The volume knobs are not THAT finicky. I can get it as quiet or as loud as I would ever need it as it is. I would think the inconvenience and cost of replacing more power tubes on the dual and triple would outweigh the benefits. The single can play real quiet if needed pretty easily.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

uOpt said:
Look. Mesas are *the* amps that can be uncomfortable when not driven out. Think Australian Shepherd of amps.

There are also big difference between all kinds of Dual Rectos, with the original tremoverbs loosening up quite a bit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight. Good to know man
 
Savin' up for a Mesa!

Boogie Bill said:
There's such a wide offering of Mesa amps that it can take a while to narrow down an amp.

How loud do you need to play?
What types of music do you play?
Band or solo?
Recording or live use?
How much distortion? Metal max gain?
How important is your clean tone?
Combo or head and cab, or combo with extension cab?
How big is your car?
How much can you dead lift?
Are you looking for one great tone, or do you need cop a bunch of different amp tones?
Budget?

Let me know, and I can make specific recommendations.

Bill
Click to expand...

Quiet enough for practice at my house during the day. I have neighbors right next to me, but it doesn't need to be whipser quiet. I also play in a band, but the amp doesn't need to be that loud. We play small to medium gigs most of the time, and when we're playing outdoors our speakers are usually mic'd.

I play everything, but I really don't care about extra features, I just need a nice clean channel and a dirty channel with loads of gain. Most Mesas can do that though.

Band and solo.

Both.

Metal max gain would be nice, even though I don't really play much metal. I use those high gain mark and recto type sounds a lot.

My clean tone is pretty important, but I'm not very picky.

I'd like to have a head and cab, but combo would be alright since it would be much easier to transport.

It depends, I could most likely find a way to make room for anything though.

I can handle myself.

I'm looking for a couple great tones.

Don't really have a budget as this is for the future, but would like to keep the head/combo around or under $1,000

Thanks!
 
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Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

jclampitt said:
I have a 50 watt rectoverb single rectifier and I don't have any problem getting it quiet. The volume knobs are not THAT finicky. I can get it as quiet or as loud as I would ever need it as it is. I would think the inconvenience and cost of replacing more power tubes on the dual and triple would outweigh the benefits. The single can play real quiet if needed pretty easily.
Click to expand...

Yeah Dual or Triple is WAY overkill for me man. I agree.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

The dc 5 combo i gigged with for years. Liked it so much i bought another 1 a couple years back, in case the other goes down. Both were bought used.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

sonicexplorer said:
The dc 5 combo i gigged with for years. Liked it so much i bought another 1 a couple years back, in case the other goes down. Both were bought used.
Click to expand...

Ooo those seem nice. 1x12 right? How would one of these compare to a Caliber Studio?
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Yep 1x12. Dont have any experience with studio calibre (watched my cousin test 1way back then). But the dc 5 has good cleans and lotta gain. The eq i set up for solo boost. Control wise it was easier to set tgan my mk iib.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Fonzie said:
Quiet enough for practice at my house during the day. I have neighbors right next to me, but it doesn't need to be whipser quiet. I also play in a band, but the amp doesn't need to be that loud. We play small to medium gigs most of the time, and when we're playing outdoors our speakers are usually mic'd.

I play everything, but I really don't care about extra features, I just need a nice clean channel and a dirty channel with loads of gain. Most Mesas can do that though.

Band and solo.

Both.

Metal max gain would be nice, even though I don't really play much metal. I use those high gain mark and recto type sounds a lot.

My clean tone is pretty important, but I'm not very picky.

I'd like to have a head and cab, but combo would be alright since it would be much easier to transport.

It depends, I could most likely find a way to make room for anything though.

I can handle myself.

I'm looking for a couple great tones.

Don't really have a budget as this is for the future, but would like to keep the head/combo around or under $1,000

Thanks!
Click to expand...

It really does sound like the Rectoverb 25 is for you - might be able to get used for close to your budget.


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Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

sonicexplorer said:
Yep 1x12. Dont have any experience with studio calibre (watched my cousin test 1way back then). But the dc 5 has good cleans and lotta gain. The eq i set up for solo boost. Control wise it was easier to set tgan my mk iib.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks! Is it too loud for moderate home volumes?
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

VinceT said:
It really does sound like the Rectoverb 25 is for you - might be able to get used for close to your budget.


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Click to expand...

I know right man? Yeah I've seen the combos go for under $1000. I'm still intrigued by the all expensive Mark V 25 though.
 
Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

Fonzie said:
I know right man? Yeah I've seen the combos go for under $1000. I'm still intrigued by the all expensive Mark V 25 though.
Click to expand...

The 25s will likely hold their used value well over time so you might want to start there and, if it doesn't fit, you won't lose out much. If it does, then you're set. And maybe later you could trade up to the more expensive ones.

I mean: Mesa Boogie Recto-Verb 25 Combo Amp 2016 Black/Cream (Used)
https://reverb.com/item/3475991-mesa-boogie-recto-verb-25-combo-amp-2016-black-cream-used

$840 - inc shipping to Continental US. Damn!


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Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

VinceT said:
The 25s will likely hold their used value well over time so you might want to start there and, if it doesn't fit, you won't lose out much. If it does, then you're set. And maybe later you could trade up to the more expensive ones.

I mean: Mesa Boogie Recto-Verb 25 Combo Amp 2016 Black/Cream (Used)
https://reverb.com/item/3475991-mesa-boogie-recto-verb-25-combo-amp-2016-black-cream-used

$840 - inc shipping to Continental US. Damn!


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Click to expand...

Thanks alot man. Damn! That is a good deal


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Re: Savin' up for a Mesa!

jclampitt said:
I have a 50 watt rectoverb single rectifier and I don't have any problem getting it quiet. The volume knobs are not THAT finicky. I can get it as quiet or as loud as I would ever need it as it is. I would think the inconvenience and cost of replacing more power tubes on the dual and triple would outweigh the benefits. The single can play real quiet if needed pretty easily.
Click to expand...


Yeah you can definitely set the singles to be super-quiet if you keep the channel-volume waaaay down,,,,,,,,,otherwise the output knob gets very potent quickly.


I guess my point was just that you can't really judge an amps lower volume "cooperativeness" by it's wattage output. My triple multi is much "better/funner" than my single at low levels,,,,,,,and i absolutely love the singles.
 
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