Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

[charper66]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to buy a new amp and Guitar Center has a lot of used Mesa Dual Recs, unfortunately none within my driving distance so I can't see them for myself.

My questions are:

Does anyone have experience with GCs used gear?
I'm looking only at ones classified as excellent.

Does anyone know how high their quality control is?
I know there's always risk with used amps of the previous owners not taking care of their amp or modding it. I just don't want to get screwed after dropping 1k+ on a new head.

Any info or advice is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

As long as it's not beat up, and less than 10 years old it should be fine. Make sure the foot switch and all it's buttons work. Tubes would be all that the thing may need. It's a lot of tubes though. Ask if they might cut a deal on tubes with the purchase if you think even one may be bad. They are easy to replace yourself if you never had a rec. before.

It's a tough reliable head. I've beat on mine, shows, booze, all the good stuff and it just runs for the last 15 years.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

Only issue anyone I personally know had was they bought a Mesa Single Rectifier and when the got the amp, one of the pre amp tubes had shattered in the socket during shipping and they wouldn't cover it.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

Their return period is like 45 days. Worst case scenario you wind up paying to ship it back.

 

[donnievaz]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

Have them ship it to the closest store and pick it up there. If there's a problem you can get your money back right there (less shipping). I bought a beautiful blue Peavey Wolfgang online and did that. When it arrived I checked it out and the frets were seriously worn down to the point where only a refret would work. It told them either they refret it or I want a refund. I got a refund. Odds are that the amp will be fine but it's nice to be able to check it out in the store in case it's not.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

Have them ship it to the closest store and pick it up there. If there's a problem you can get your money back right there (less shipping). I bought a beautiful blue Peavey Wolfgang online and did that. When it arrived I checked it out and the frets were seriously worn down to the point where only a refret would work. It told them either they refret it or I want a refund. I got a refund. Odds are that the amp will be fine but it's nice to be able to check it out in the store in case it's not.

+1

Mesas are built like the proverbial brick sh*t house, so no need to worry about < 10 yrs old or 'excellent' condition. If the amp seems like a decent deal go ahead and order, and you can always call the store if you have any questions about condition or whether they have the foot switch for it. Then ship it to a nearby store and make sure it works; as has been mentioned before they probably won't be willing to replace a broken foot switch or tube(s). Replacement tubes aren't terribly expensive and will need to be replaced at some point regardless, so I wouldn't let that stop me from taking advantage of a good deal. A broken or missing foot switch OTOH runs around $50 for a single button to $200 or more for the 5-6 button switch that newer Rectos use.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

I'll echo the sentiments above, ship to your local store so you can look it over before you take it home. Mesas are built quite tough, I'd have minimal concerns about buying a used one.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

+1

Mesas are built like the proverbial brick sh*t house, so no need to worry about < 10 yrs old or 'excellent' condition. If the amp seems like a decent deal go ahead and order, and you can always call the store if you have any questions about condition or whether they have the foot switch for it. Then ship it to a nearby store and make sure it works; as has been mentioned before they probably won't be willing to replace a broken foot switch or tube(s). Replacement tubes aren't terribly expensive and will need to be replaced at some point regardless, so I wouldn't let that stop me from taking advantage of a good deal. A broken or missing foot switch OTOH runs around $50 for a single button to $200 or more for the 5-6 button switch that newer Rectos use.

I forgot to mention that I order used gear from GC several times per year typically, and my luck is generally pretty good. My best deal in recent memory was an Ibanez SR-400 that I paid $139 for before passing it on to longcat. I'd been intending to replace the stock pickups with an EMG P/J set, but found them already installed when I opened the box. It isn't every day that you pay $140 for a bass with a $160 pickup set, but good deals do turn up. I also saw a white Spector Euro 4 for $599, but decided to pass as it was in somewhat rough shape and longcat and I already had two at that point.

On my most recent purchase I made use of their return policy. I'd found an original TC G-Major for $90 and decided to try it out for s***s & grins because who can say no to a cool rack processor at stompbox pricing? It sounded quite good, but I found that the previous owner had done a half-a***ed repair on a broken encoder. I thought about fixing it, but ended up returning it instead because I decided that I don't want to deal with the inherent complexity and potential reliability problems of rack gear. I had to eat $11 in shipping costs, but that isn't a bad deal to 'rent' a cool toy for a month.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

GC will ship it in and they have 45 day policy.
A couple of my buddies have scored some sweet deals at GC on used gear..

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

I've gotten really good deals on used gear at my local GC, but never ordered online from a GC store.

I LOVE Mesa amps, but I'd suggest caution with the Dual Recto. I see lots of used Dual and Triple Rectos; the reason being they are simply too much amp for most players. If you really need that much power or crave that tone, by all means go for it. But I'd suggest looking elsewhere if you're just wanting a practice amp.

Bill

 

[uOpt]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

In some models the rectifier tubes can be fitted with the really big ones (too lazy to look up names). They touch the top of the case and get crushed when shipped.

I got an early one which is still labeled as a trem-o-verb. I think they have a bit of an additional color to the sound, which in addition to maybe being to your liking improves the impression when playing at less than insane volume levels.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

Not intending a hijack, but want to add a slight twist to this topic since lots of you seem to have experience with GC that way.. I am familiar with how they ship to local store etc, but how do you get the original store that has something to respond to you? Ive found a couple of things and posted a question about the items but could any responses.. I mean, I found WHERE you post the question. just wondering if there is a secret to getting a response.??

 

[dystrust]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

Not intending a hijack, but want to add a slight twist to this topic since lots of you seem to have experience with GC that way.. I am familiar with how they ship to local store etc, but how do you get the original store that has something to respond to you? Ive found a couple of things and posted a question about the items but could any responses.. I mean, I found WHERE you post the question. just wondering if there is a secret to getting a response.??

My luck with getting a question answered via email is pretty much identical to yours. If I have a question on a used item I'm thinking about ordering, I just call the store that has it and ask.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

ok, thanks

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

My only experience with contacting the local store one time was they were working hard to unload an amp and get it out of their store. It was so badly represented, one could say Bait and Switch.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

reminds me of that dude on here that ordered a dual rec from GC and they shipped him an empty box then said it was his fault.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

reminds me of that dude on here that ordered a dual rec from GC and they shipped him an empty box then said it was his fault.

w...........wha?

 

[DankStar]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

w...........wha?

yeah it was pretty weird; I think he eventually sorted things out but it was a battle between him, the shipper, and GC. it's on here somewhere.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Used Mesa Dual Rec and Guitar Center

I've heard almost nothing, but great things about used gear from GC. If I were to do it today I'd have it shipped to my local store, try it out and if it's good take it home and really put it through its paces to make sure it's what you think it is. Most places do not have much of a return policy, if any, so GC is a step above for that very reason.

The last used piece of gear I bought from GC was a Trussart rustomatic Steelcaster and it had some weird neck stability problems. Even after having it at home for something like 3 weeks they took it back no questions asked; heck, a tech even took a look at it for free to see if he could fix it up for me to make me a happy customer (I never even requested that) so GC has IMHO a good reputation for trying to maintain good customer satisfaction post a sale. Based off of that experience alone, I'd buy from them again without any hesitation.