Should I really get a Triple Rec?

VintageRocker

New member
Hey guys I've been wondering should I really get a triple rectifier or is there something else out there that does this Mesa tone but BETTER at the same price? The thing I like about it is I like to have three channels: clean, slightly dirty, and then heavy dist. What do u think?
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

Two channel rectos sound much better to my ears. Most people will agree. There's something about a triple channel recto that makes it sound cheaper. Also, Imo, 150 watts is very unnessesary.
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

Lots of people say the TR is way too much, but in honesty, I think it sounds a bit better than the rest (save the Dual Rack-tifier)!
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

i'd suggest going with current production dual rectifier if you want three channels. forget about the triple rectifier, 150 watts is waaayyyy too much. even 100 watts is more than necessary for most applications, but at least with the dual rectifier, you have the option of pulling two of the power tubes (and one rectifier tube, if you use the tube rectifier) to drop the power down to 50 watts.
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

VintageRocker said:
Hey guys I've been wondering should I really get a triple rectifier or is there something else out there that does this Mesa tone but BETTER at the same price? The thing I like about it is I like to have three channels: clean, slightly dirty, and then heavy dist. What do u think?
I could be wrong, VR, so take it for what it's worth. I'm in Texas, too, so I think that I know what alot of the players here seem to be looking for in tone. I currently have a Mark II and a Rectoverb. Based on what you've said and your choice in user name, I would strongly suggest that you check out a Mark IV before you pull the trigger on anything else. It'll get you the three channel effect with a clean, a dirty rhythm, and a solo tone, along with a ton of capability to produce a wide range of different tones. Yes, they take some time to learn inside-and-out, but the wide range of tones is worth it, IMO.
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

Triple recto is really overkill for me. You may wanna try out an Engl powerball. When i compared my Powerball it took the lead over the triple recto i played the same day. The Engl can be set to sound quite like a mesa but it's four channels make it more versetaille and it's a lot easier to get good sounds out of it,also it should be cheaper but since Engls come from germany i'm not sure about the price compared to mesas in US. And you surely have more useable cleans and a bit more vintage sound on the powerball than on the triple recto. Built-qualitiy wise both are handmade to pretty high standards so that shouldn't be a problem
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

HamerPlyr said:
I could be wrong, VR, so take it for what it's worth. I'm in Texas, too, so I think that I know what alot of the players here seem to be looking for in tone. I currently have a Mark II and a Rectoverb. Based on what you've said and your choice in user name, I would strongly suggest that you check out a Mark IV before you pull the trigger on anything else. It'll get you the three channel effect with a clean, a dirty rhythm, and a solo tone, along with a ton of capability to produce a wide range of different tones. Yes, they take some time to learn inside-and-out, but the wide range of tones is worth it, IMO.

well i play stuff comparable to most new acts like incubus, blindside, underoath, killswitch engage, and the reason i was asking is because i heard the triple recs have more gain/distortion than the duals which is why i was looking at it instead of the dual because i figured, hey i can get more distortion and if its too loud just cut it down to 100 or 50 watts right?
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

VintageRocker said:
... the reason i was asking is because i heard the triple recs have more gain/distortion than the duals ...
IIRC, the only difference between the (stock, same version(2ch vs. 3ch)) two models is that on is 150w and that other is 100w. The triple has more headroom; which is sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing(it's all preferance). The dual having less headroom, It will start to get power tube distortion at lower volumes(most of the time a GOOD thing, but again, it's al perferance).
I'd say go for the dual if you get a recto unless you're playing stadium's. If in face you ARE playing stadiums, then by all means, get the triple. I agree with Rob about checking out the Mark IV's as well. You also might want to check out the F-series amps. They're awesome amps that have 2 channels, but with the contour feature, it's basicly a 3 channel amp. I've got an F-50 and wouldn't trade if for anything.
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

I've heard that the single rectos have the best distortion because obviously 50 watts mean power tube distortion earlier, which usually means sweeter sounds. You might want to give one a go.
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

aright thanks a lot guys, i'm generally playing fairly small places its just the problem is we have an insanely loud drummer, not only because he hits hard but because hes using a tama starclassic custom so i just want to be able to get a good tone at a loud volume, any other opinions?
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

You could consider Krank amps as well.
 
Last edited:
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

Krank might be a good option

Do check out a Revolution 100 watt head and the Mesa single Recto!!
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

Metalman_666 said:
Krank might be a good option

Do check out a Revolution 100 watt head and the Mesa single Recto!!
I'd try the Krankenstien over teh Rev. for the simple fact that the Rev.'s have 5881(someone want to tell me why they decided to use these) in the power amp.
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

i have been thinkin about something: i know whenever the incubus guitarist used to use mesa rects he (as well as mark tremonti from creed) both had this electronic kinda fake sound. the tone was good but something sounded odd in it, and i'm wondering is that just the rectos personality or is it how u tune it?
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

yeah most modern bands that use lame digitech multieffect units and record with ProTools seem to like those Mesas. I dunno about 'em.

You can get a perfectly good "clean/slightly dirty/full-on distortion" sound with a single-channel amp that has good distortion and your volume knob...so i don't even think springing for a thrid channel is a good idea...and 100 watts of tube tone makes sense if you're in Metallica or Slayer, but if you're just playin gigs and doin little tours i don't see why you'd need anything more than a 50 watt head and a twelve-inch speaker or two. I'm actually thinking of saving up for a 30-watt Orange or Peavey tube combo just so i can get more of that sick tube distortion at lower volumes...no reason to go any deaf-er, right? :smoker: and if i wanted a volume boost for my 30 watt i could always bring a spare cab...

-X
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

As said, the only difference in gain/distortion between a Dual and Triple Recto is that you can get the Dual to break up easier at a lower volume.

Also, there is no significant difference in volume between a Dual and a Triple. The extra wattage gives you extra headroom, but in truth they're both really f*ckin loud.

For the most part 100w has been just fine for me, but a couple of times I've been wishing for more headroom as my power tubes were mushing out at those high volumes. But still, I'd rather have a Dual than a Triple.
 
Re: Should I really get a Triple Rec?

VintageRocker said:
i have been thinkin about something: i know whenever the incubus guitarist used to use mesa rects he (as well as mark tremonti from creed) both had this electronic kinda fake sound. the tone was good but something sounded odd in it, and i'm wondering is that just the rectos personality or is it how u tune it?

It could of been either something they're were using with their amp (chorus, delay, ect), or it could've been something they added in the mixing process (EQing, compression, reverb, ect).
 
Back
Top