Dual Rectifier 2 channel not enough presence|treble

[Talmaci]

Hi guys.
That's my first Mesa Dual Rectifier (2 channel) and I think that there is a problem.
It sounds incredibly muddy with no presence and treble. A lot of people recommend to set presence on 25%.
I tried each possible setting, tried different channels, vintage-modern mode, silicone-tube rectifier setting, EVERYTHING. And yes, I put a screamer in front of it.
I can't believe that DR is so disgusting amplifier comparing to VHT D60, Bogner Uber and even 5150.
Maybe I need to turn up the Master? It's sounds much louder than Uberschall for example.
Thank you very much for all the answers. Maybe there is an issue of frequent occurrence?

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I keep my presence OFF and treble at noon...still plenty of presence. Do you have the loop volume maxed out on the back (assuming you have a series loop)? Also, keep the "Loop Active Master" and "Master" at the same levels on the front.

PS: I assume you are referring to the Modern channel...?

 

[Talmaci]

I also tried to OFF the presence and put everything on 12:00, sounds too muted.
Yeas, loop volume was maxed on the back.

Yea, I'm referring to the modern channel.

 

[Shask]

Either your ears are broken, or the amp is

OK, seriously,

Rectos are fairly dark and bass focused in general, but you should easily be able to get a sizzly high end sound. For example, the mids and treble maxed should sound something like the 5150 with the mids on 1-3, treble 4-6. On mine, I keep the presence about 9-10 oclock, and the treble about 1 oclock, on the red channel.

I would look at replacing all the tubes. Many times a bad tube can neuter the sound that bad. Also, bypass the FX loop just to be sure. Use the setting that bypasses the loop and the master on the front. Use the channel masters.

 

[Talmaci]

Either your ears are broken, or the amp is

OK, seriously,

Rectos are fairly dark and bass focused in general, but you should easily be able to get a sizzly high end sound. For example, the mids and treble maxed should sound something like the 5150 with the mids on 1-3, treble 4-6. On mine, I keep the presence about 9-10 oclock, and the treble about 1 oclock, on the red channel.

I would look at replacing all the tubes. Many times a bad tube can neuter the sound that bad. Also, bypass the FX loop just to be sure. Use the setting that bypasses the loop and the master on the front. Use the channel masters.

I have replaced poweramp and preamp tubes in turn.... There were EL34, I put 6L6 from my 5150, but I didn't try to replace preamp and poweramp tubes at the same time.

 

[steve_k]

you do know that both presence controls are active for channel 1 in orange modern don't you?

 

[southpark tube lab]

you might have to munch signal from the pickups. try lowering them

 

[Talmaci]

Let me show you some examples:
That's how it sounds - https://soundcloud.com/talmaci/mesa1
Same mic position Bogner - https://soundcloud.com/talmaci/bogner-29
Same mic position VHT - https://soundcloud.com/talmaci/vht-04-11

 

[Oblivion DC]

Yeah that does sound pretty rotten. I was going to ask what speakers/cab you were going through but that seems like a nonissue after hearing the bogner and vht clips (I'm assuming you're going through the same cab for all the clips). Playing sounds great by the way. Have you tried using fresh tubes all around (pre & power) and see how that sounds? Is it biased correctly?

You might want to try running the pre section of the bogner or vht into the return of the Mesa and see if it still comes out sounding murky. And also try the reverse - run the Mesa pre out and into the return for the bogner or the vht and see how that sounds. You might be able to isolate where in the amp the problem is.

 

[reverymike]

Something is wrong with the amp. It should be sizzling. I have to keep my presence down to keep it from getting too hot.

 

[jc986]

What settings were used for that Recto clip? While it does sound a bit dark I don't think it sounded terrible.

 

[jc986]

Also just putting in some tubes from another amp may not be getting your bias into the correct range. Mesa's are fixed bias so they were designed to work with tubes within Mesa's narrow specs. You can use tubes outside that range with varied results. Do you have the ability to measure the bias?

 

[skoora]

Playing sounds great by the way.

Only one of the most widespread metal D.I. guitar tracks there is. It's a re-amp.

 

[Oblivion DC]

Playing sounds great by the way.

Only one of the most widespread metal D.I. guitar tracks there is. It's a re-amp.

Well. You learn something new everyday.

 

[acalaf]

I hate to state the obvious, but you are complaining that the amp is not bright enough and then you say that you are dialing in the presence at 25%. I suggest turning that knob up. I never go below noon on the presence in my rectos and keep the treble at 1:00 o clock. plenty of highs.

 

[Talmaci]

Think need to up this thread.
I have recorded my Rectifier and Bogner with torpedo live.
I noticed that mesa starts distorting (it sounds like the distortion of the microphone, or solid state amp) on the 9 o'clock. It still sounds horrible. All the levels are ok (on the sound card, torpedo, software). Some examples, same settings:

https://soundcloud.com/talmaci/bogner-0412

https://soundcloud.com/talmaci/mesa-04

 

[Talmaci]

Here are three tracks
Krank preamp into Mesa Power amp (as you can hear is sounds with Krank's tint)
Mesa preamp into Krank Power amp and Mesa itself (as you can hear these both tracks have a muffled tone). So I think the problem is in the preamp.
http://we.tl/Ay1dG77FpI