The Rectoverb is in...

[FretFire]

Unfortunately I don't get off work for a couple hours, so I have to sit here and stare at it until then . This thing is in immaculate condition, very clean. One quick question (and I probably already know the answer). I assume the preamp tubes are tucked inside the 5 metal cylinders to the rear left part of the amp (when looking in the back of the head)...

Comments tonight after I put it through its paces

 

[iDunnoMang]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

*jealouses*

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Nay, be happy but don't envy

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

One quick question (and I probably already know the answer). I assume the preamp tubes are tucked inside the 5 metal cylinders to the rear left part of the amp (when looking in the back of the head)...

Nevermind, I have since discovered they're just spring loaded covers :smack:

Can anyone guess this is my first tube amp haha.

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Nevermind, I have since discovered they're just spring loaded covers :smack:

Can anyone guess this is my first tube amp haha.

Eh! Some have covers some don't. It can kinda throw you to start with.

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Yeah, I just saw the springs (which looked sort of like threads to screw something in at first) through a small hole in the top, and my first instinct said "crap he took out the preamp tubes and forgot to pack them"

 

[iDunnoMang]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

i dunno mang

you should get your christmas stuff until christmas.

you're cheating!

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Hey, I bought this myself joker

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Alright, I've spent some time with the head (must start packing for my trip though , so I had to cut it short), but I can easily say I'm happy with my purchase. I'll be even happier when my Avatar cab gets in though, the crappy Legion Sound 4x12" I have left over from my POD rack setup is thoroughly disappointing with this head.

The cleans are MUCH better than I was expecting from this amp, I've only begun to twiddle the EQ knobs, but I've already dialed up a very respectable clean sound with only the onboard reverb so I'm anxious to hear what the CH-1 on the way will do for it. Unfortunately, once any amount of gain hits the speakers in this cab, they sound blown. They are very buzzy, harsh, and sterile. The only thing they had going for them with the POD was that they are flat enough that the cabinet and mic sims could take over, and sounded quite good. I expected this though, as the POD sounded the same with those same models turned off through the cab.

I can definitely hear a solid foundation through the cab beehive though, and I'm certain that once the REAL cabinet gets in, I'll be able to dial in some tones I'll fall in love with. I haven't turned it up terribly loud yet, maybe channel volumes 10-12 o'clock and master 9 o'clock, but I'm about to go out to the garage and do that now. Cleans and bluesy stuff sounds great, now I need to go test out the ROCK sounds... oh and maybe some jazz/fusion too

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Well, I spent a couple more hours jamming on the amp, this time I got to crank it a bit. I'm still stuck on the cleans and mid-gain settings, I haven't even gotten to the nasty stuff yet. For a 2 channel amp (although you could probably call it 4), this thing is pretty versatile. I got a nice clean, a raunchy blues lead, and a pretty smooth jazz tone out of it, and haven't even played with higher-gain territory. An OD pedal and some chorus or delay will really help smooth out the sound, but so far I'm pretty happy with my first impression. The real test will come when I get back into town this weekend and jam with the band for the first time.

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Oh yeah, any other Rectoverb owners have any "must try" settings they want to share?

 

[SemperRhythm]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Oh yeah, any other Rectoverb owners have any "must try" settings they want to share?

For a small, one time fee of only $100... :laugh2:

Seriously, just mess around with it. My dials never stay in the same place too long so I really don't have any to offer. I'd recommend starting flat (12:00) and tweaking from there. Moderate use of the gain knob is useful too from my experience with it. It can get awesome heavier tones with only moderate gain.

Good luck, and enjoy!

Nathan

 

[FretFire]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

For a small, one time fee of only $100... :laugh2:

Seriously, just mess around with it. My dials never stay in the same place too long so I really don't have any to offer. I'd recommend starting flat (12:00) and tweaking from there. Moderate use of the gain knob is useful too from my experience with it. It can get awesome heavier tones with only moderate gain.

Good luck, and enjoy!

Nathan

Yeah, that's what I did tonight, start at 12, turn turn turn turn turn... back to 12, repeat. So far I like the vintage setting more than modern dirty-wise, but I'm sure a LOT of things will change once I get a decent cab under it so we'll see. I still haven't had the gain past 1 o'clock or so, but I pretty much stayed in the clean/mildly dirty realms tonight. I shall return Sunday, Happy Thanksgiving fellow SD forumites!

 

[Jeff5]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Fret. Not a rectoverb owner but I do own a boogie amp and I play a lot of high gain stuff. (Tri-axis) One bit of advice is not only tweak with care but be very very careful with the bass. On most amps it adds low end, but with Boogies it tends to thicken up the sound, and too much bass will mush it out. Boogies are naturally bassy anyway. Usually, on most of my Tri-axis gain type channels, I have the bass on zero, or at the highest 2 or 3. (except for lead 1 red but that's a different story) Hope that helps and have fun with your amp!!!!

 

[SemperRhythm]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

So far I like the vintage setting more than modern dirty-wise, but I'm sure a LOT of things will change once I get a decent cab under it so we'll see. I still haven't had the gain past 1 o'clock.

I do prefer the vintage gain over the modern gain setting. It's thicker and more syrupy than the modern setting. I have noticed I don't go farther than 1:30 on the gain knob, but I'm not into heavy metal or anything THAT heavy really.

Also, like Jeff5 said, the bass knob not only adds bass but thickness so use with care.

Tweak, smile, and enjoy FretFire. With that Avatar cab, you'll be in tonal heaven. Let us know how it all works together when you get back.

Early Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

Nathan

 

[B2D]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

Glad you're diggin' the amp!

A few quirks I've found with this amp (not bad quirks just personality things) is that the presence control can be a bit strident if you turn it all the way up... i usually leave mine on 7-8, fairly high but not wide open. Same with the treble on the clean channel... it seems to take a big jump between 6-8.

The mid and bass controls are wonderfully voiced. You can get away with cranking the mids and not get nasally as all and the bass is a lot of things but never has been woofy.

I find i get the best distortion out of it by leaving tha gain at a deceptively low level (6-7) and then cranking it up LOUD to let the power tubes do the work. it sounds WONDEFUL that way. Hitting it with a Blues Driver just sends the amp into an orgasmic fit! Oh yes this amp likes pedals, too.

The controls on this amp seem much more active than any other boogie Ive tried, save for the Maverick and the Road King so be sure to play with them thru their full range... theres a lot of good tones to be had here.

And it's gonna sound BITCHIN thru a good cab.

BTW... you say this is your 1st tube amp. Just make sure to power it up by turning the power on 1st but leaving it in standby while the tubes warm up for 2 mins or so. This extends tube life by allowing the bias to settle so the tubes don't get too hot too fast and run away with themselves.

Have fun!

 

[some_dude]

Re: The Rectoverb is in...

The best advice I can give is to write down absolutely every setting you find that you like. Trust me, It'll pay off in the long run.

I prefer the vintage voice for 80% of my playing, but I prefer the modern voice for heavy, muted rhythm stuff.

I generally run my bass pretty low (10:30 or less) on everything but clean tones.

If you're one to ride the volume knob, you can easily use all the channels for clean, OD, and lead gain.

By somewhat scooping the cleans, you can get them to sound cleaner, and have more shimmer to them with the master volume sufficiantly high.

I'll post my list of settings later, once I find them again.