Mesa Boogie, seeking direction

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Meeotch

Meeotch

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I've always wanted to give Mesa an honest shot at the sound in my head. I've owned a number of amps including 5153, Archon, Sig:X, and Herbert. They all sounded awesome, and had their own thing going on, but for some reason or another I have moved on.

Bottom line is, I need to try a Mesa. And when I say try I mean OWN. Live with it for a while, really feel it out. My tastes are rooted in 80's thrash, but I also like modern tones as well. Pristine, sparkling cleans are a must. I don't mind boosting.

I've actually tried a few in stores: JP-2C, TC50, and Dual Rectifier. None of them really did it for me on the spot, but we all know that the true test is taking the amp home. I've managed to bring home a JP-2C and this thing is seriously awesome. So far it's the closest thing I have found to the sound in my head, and I'm really thinking about keeping it (return window clock is ticking).

My main question is, do I need to give the Dual Rectifier an honest shot before deciding? This isn't really a Mark vs Dual Rec question, I know they each have their strengths. I like tight, thrashy tones but I also like a big low end. That loose, wall of sound the DR is known for is appealing to me for certain applications, and from what I hear it has no equal in that regard. Maybe the answer is to own both, but buying/selling amps is getting a little old for me. Thanks in advance for the help!
 
I'm a thrash guy as well and I own a MW DR and would have to say it's not really the best amp for those tones. Can it pull off thrashy riffs...sure, but only with an OD and even then it's still not 100% right for thrash tones IMHO. It's got that low mid oriented grind and like you said the huge low end.

Not bad for thrash by any means, but not the best choice either IMO.
 
Short of a real C+, I think the JP2C or a Mark IV is your best bet for the tones you seek. If you go Recto I highly recommend a Triple, 2 channel or MW. They are way tighter than a Dual IMO and with a boost are deadly. But the duals I've owned had a hard time losing the flub, even with a boost. For the price of the JP you could grab a Triple and a Mk IV if you are ok with used amps. Best of both worlds. The Mk IV can get very close to the JP IMO.
 
I have five mesas. I must say that a dual isn't a thrash machine, but an invaluable piece of gear to own. I really like my mkIV, better than the mkV for my uses. I have not tried the JP2C, so I can't compare.

I want to get a royal Atlantic, I fell in love with one a while ago and have not found one for the right price local.

Stilettos are cool too though. Another underrated mesa IMO.
 
For me , a Recto is completely useless without a boost. With a boost , they sound great. The Stiletto (Series 2) can nail old school thrash tones , as well as all of the Mark series amps , without a boost.

Just my humble opinion of course
 
Thanks for all the input! So what type of metal would you say the Rectifier series excels at, if not thrash? Or is the Recto more of a hard rock amp that can do metal with a boost? I'd like to hear what it's best application is...like, in what circumstance would you say "I definitely want the Rectifier for that tone". What are some classic artists/albums/songs that show off the best tones that amp can produce?
 
mark iv all the way, love that amp and can be had cheap
 
I agree with the Stiletto advice. You get the British EL34 voicing, with Mesa signature grind. I've owned 2, and it's in my top 5 favorite amps I've owned. It's a beast.

This said, the Royal Atlantic has piqued my interest of late too.

Personally, a Rectifier wouldn't be on my short list for thrash tones at all. *Maybe* a Single Rectifier with EL34's... I certainly prefer EL34's for that genre, for sure.
 
It's possible, I'm pretty sure Testament used the Triple Rec on "The Gathering" and "First Strike Still Deadly" and those tones were really good, but it is a lot harder to get a usable thrash tone from a Rectifier. Compare to the JP2C which is an updated IIC+, the Metallica amp! The thing has thrash in it's bones. If you love the 2C, I'd say just stick with it. The only thing I'd compare it to are cheaper Marks like the III and IV, see if you get a similar enough tone to satisfy for less money. But I'd totally understand sticking with the 2C, it's an incredible amp.
 
Meeotch":1zwhr6re said:
Thanks for all the input! So what type of metal would you say the Rectifier series excels at, if not thrash? Or is the Recto more of a hard rock amp that can do metal with a boost? I'd like to hear what it's best application is...like, in what circumstance would you say "I definitely want the Rectifier for that tone". What are some classic artists/albums/songs that show off the best tones that amp can produce?
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It'll do any metal really IMO. Its just that the midrange voicing is more low mid oriented, its a very thick sound, and its not the fastest tracking amp. The MW Dual I have is tight as hell when slightly boosted and with the amps gain at moderate levels and the low end is huge but completely under control with ZERO mush/mud. I can dial it to shake the world around me or be relative thinner and pretty damn dry and focused. I tried it the other day with E34Ls and its even tighter and more focused ;)

Like I said, I can get it to do thrash all day no problem, its just not gonna sound/feel exactly the same as the 80s stuff which doesn't matter to me honestly. If I wanted that tone exactly, I'd grab an old Marshall and stick a RAT out front or grab an old Mark. Some people are purists but I am clearly not :D I can take most any amp I have/have had and get decent thrash tones out of it with a good od and an eq in the loop. I think the MW Dual Recto, if dialed in right, is good for thrash, but it really excels at death metal and more modern metal, and it's definitely got that late 90s early 2000s hard rock sound too if desired (i.e. Godsmack, Disturbed, etc).
 
Again I appreciate all the input! This is super helpful. I'm not out to copy Hetfield's tone, it's just what my tastes are rooted in, and the type of tone I'm most drawn to. I like the idea of having a huge, thick sound for rhythm work. It's gotta be punchy, but surgically tight is not my preference. The JP-2C finds this awesome balance, but definitely on the tighter end of the spectrum which lends beautifully to thrash tones. It sounds like the DR can get there, but is just a different breed (which is the conclusion I was expecting).

I think I'm gonna keep this JP...it just makes sense. I love everything about it, and it nails a tone that is super inspiring to me. And as I suspected, I'll never really know about the DR until I bring one home, and that will probably happen sooner than later. :lol: :LOL:
Cheers!
 
I should say that I run my dual with E34L's l. It makes it just a little bit better. I actually use E34L's on my mkIV too. A rec with E34L's is tighter than a nun's ass.
 
I think you’re good to go with the JP2C....that’s a rippin’ amp. :thumbsup:
 
+1 to EL34 in the Recto


Here are just a few that pop into my head when I think of that huge Recto sound:

311 (both Tim and Nick)
Behemoth (Nergal uses a a Road King)
Slipknot
Cannibal Corpse
Korn
Mark Tremonti
Nickleback
Limp Bizkit
POD
Between The Buried And Me (Dustie uses a Roadster)
KSE

And of course Godsmack and Disturbed as mentioned.

The dude from Godsmack also played through a lot of Splawn Amps (as did KSE) so I'm not just saying this because I'm a fanboi but if you like a nice recto+marshally thrash goodness give Splawn amps a look and keep your JP2C.


Right now my happy place is my Single Rec Rectoverb + Splawn Quick Rod. Its funny because those could be considered kind of as opposites. But then by the same token they are kind of close too :confused:

It's weird. Each one has its own unique thing going that the other can't touch but when you put them together they just sing along so nicely.
 
@311 he turned me onto splawn over a decade ago and I own three. I also own mesas too (in sig) but they are the perfect match for a solid track. Polar opposites that suplament each other very well.
 
If I could spare the coin and played thrash, the JP2C would be it for me.
 
yeah, the Jp2C is very good. The cleans are great too.

Try it with a Buxom Boost instead of the internal boost. Amazing.

Out of the few mesa's I have tried the JP2C was absolutely the best with an older Solo Rec with an OD808 2nd.

The JP2C sat in a band mix better than any amp I have ever played and to me that makes it that much better. Very well thought out amp IMO.
 
Tight and trashy = Mesa Mark III/JP2C
Wall of sound, huge low end boooommmm = Triple Recto
 
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