Mesa Rectoverb OR Tremoverb... which would you pick?

[AmpliFIRE]

Look for one of the older/original T-Verbs with the attached power cord and pointer-style chrome knobs.

In this case, Older = Better

I had the wheat grill version with the non-pointer knobs and loved it. I didn't like the pointer knobs for some reason. They just didn't look right to me. I know, that does nothing for the tone but the mental image bothered me for some reason.

I still say get one of the older ones. If the knobs bother you, replace 'em. The older ones have mojo that I just have never heard in the later versions.....

I call BS on this one...I've owned both and thought the newer, non-pointer knobs version sounded much better.

 

[Anonymous]

Im so confused!!! My brain is aching!

 

[locoed]

IMO the rectoverb sounds tighter,but either one will do,they both
Sound great.

 

[FixXxer]

Both are solid. I have a T-verb now and sold my old REctoverb.

GREAT amps. Lots of fun.

 

[Dale B]

Oh yes... since you opened up that topic, what are the differences between the series of these amps? I have a guy who tells me that he just bought his tremoverb new about 2 years ago... its a 100 watt head in the wheat grill version, is this head still made? If so... is this a series 2 amp, and is it better or different than the series one? Hey Robo... what didnt you like about the tremoverb? Which series tremoverb did you have and was it 100 watts? Did you change tubes around ect? Also I forgot to ask, is the only difference between the tverb and rverb the effects? Seems like the tverb also has reverb as well, but does the rectoverb have the blues channel modes?

Couple of things. There were never two series of Tremoverbs. There were two series of rectoverbs. There are older styled tremoverbs with different knobs and detatched/attached power cord differences, but the features were basically the same. The rectoverb series II added a mode to the clean channel ("Pushed" I think? It's been a while since I had it.)

The tremoverb has not been made for well over 5 years now. I'm not sure when the discontinued them, but it was early in 2000. All tremoverbs are 100 watts. The rectoverbs are 50 watts. Headroom was an issue for me on the clean channel at loud volumes with the rectoverb. It is not a pristine clean at that point.

IIRC, I think the Series 1 Rectoverbs can only use 6L6's. They added the EL34 option later, but I could be mistaken on that. For some odd reason, that is kind of stuck in my head.

If you get a T-verb, make sure all of the options work. The relays in them tend to go bad. The last thing worth mentioning is they have the dreaded pop and/or volume swell when switching channels. Almost all of the 2 channel Rectos and earlier Mesa amps have this characteristic. It's not as noticeable and sometimes disappears if the channel volumes are equal. Other than that, they sound great.

 

[gibson08]

Damn, couple of Tremoverb threads going, def amp d'jour I dunno, gold dot knobs for me, the wheat and the black both look good though so could go either way on that.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Tremoverb. Amp of the week.

 

[Anonymous]

And thanks to you Danyeo... it might be my amp of the week in October!!!

 

[rlord1974]

Look for one of the older/original T-Verbs with the attached power cord and pointer-style chrome knobs.

In this case, Older = Better

I had the wheat grill version with the non-pointer knobs and loved it. I didn't like the pointer knobs for some reason. They just didn't look right to me. I know, that does nothing for the tone but the mental image bothered me for some reason.

I still say get one of the older ones. If the knobs bother you, replace 'em. The older ones have mojo that I just have never heard in the later versions.....

I call BS on this one...I've owned both and thought the newer, non-pointer knobs version sounded much better.

Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion!

I had my '94 T-Verb side-by-side with one of the "newer" versions once and we were both running 100% stock Mesa 12Ax7's and 6L6's. My T-Verb crushed my buddy's. Just sayin'.....

 

[stephen sawall]

I have a Tremoverb that I bought new in 94 from the first run.... they stopped making them in 2003. They sound the same all the way 94/03. The difference is that particular amp and the quality of the tubes in it. I had 6 in a room one time with 8 other DR's they all sounded a little different. It was not about what year they were.

No matter who makes the amp .... everyone of them is like a snowflake and will sound a little different than amps that are identical even if built on the same day.

I was in a band with a guy that has a Rectoverb ... cool amp but I like the Tremoverb better.

If you can find some vintage 6CA7's that is the tube you want for this amp .... take my word on this.

 

[stephen sawall]

Tremoverb. Amp of the week.

I wonder if Steve K has one ? It's the best of the Soldano circuits. Even Mike Soldano liked my Tremoverb .... I think he said "that's a cool amp"...

 

[Anonymous]

Tremoverb. Amp of the week.

I wonder if Steve K has one ? It's the best of the Soldano circuits. Even Mike Soldano liked my Tremoverb .... I think he said "that's a cool amp"...

OH MAN!!! HERE WE GO!!!

 

[stephen sawall]

Here is the deal with the Tremoverb and DR's in general .... they have become such a staple sound I keep one around just like I keep a vintage Marshall and Fender around just to have those sounds.

The Tremoverb is a little more loaded down so that takes away from the high's a bit giving a smoother sound. The clean was changed from the other 2 channel amps to a much better sound and the blues channel was added. The blues channel is great for point of break up and crunch stuff. The Orange channel is the most Soldano like ... but pretty different than any Soldano. The Red channel is it's own thing and never heard any amp sound as aggressive as this sound by anyone.

With all DR if you do not have the poweramp pushed a bit expect to be hit with a halo of bee's .... this sound with the poweramp pushed is part of the voice that makes it so aggressive. Not a side-effect ... part of the sound.
The loose bottom is not great for fast playing ... but does give a distinct growl like effect to power chords and makes lead sound sing with more bloom. This can easy be made tighter with several different pedals.

Is the DR for everyone ... no amp is. I used one live for years .... often with other amps. It certainly can do a lot more than heavy stuff ...

 

[RSRD]

Look for one of the older/original T-Verbs with the attached power cord and pointer-style chrome knobs.

In this case, Older = Better

This is exactly right. I've played quit a few but my 1993 has much better overall tone then the rest.

Tverb > all mesas

 

[RSRD]

As much as they smoke I need to sell mine if anyone is in the market for one....

 

[richedie]

How can you tell the difference between a rectoverb series one and two.
My friend has a 1998 that kills.

 

[some dude]

How can you tell the difference between a rectoverb series one and two.
My friend has a 1998 that kills.

The simplest way is to look at the mode switch on channel 2.

Series 1 = Vintage/Modern high gain.

Series 2 = Raw/Vintage/Modern high gain.

If it's from 1998 it's a series 1. I think the series 2 came out in 2005 or 2006, but I could be wrong.

 

[petejt]

I'd ditch both for a MarkIV.

 

[richedie]

How can you tell the difference between a rectoverb series one and two.
My friend has a 1998 that kills.

The simplest way is to look at the mode switch on channel 2.

Series 1 = Vintage/Modern high gain.

Series 2 = Raw/Vintage/Modern high gain.

If it's from 1998 it's a series 1. I think the series 2 came out in 2005 or 2006, but I could be wrong.

That is great since I don't like the Raw mode since I can get those tones out of the Vintage mode. I tend to leave the amp on Vintage and just use the gain or volume to vary tones. Plus since this is a series 1, it should be cheaper. The 1998 Rectoverb I played was killer!!!!!! Great clean and fat and thick rock tones. Way better than the early 90s rectifier I played.

 

[Mr. Brady]

I'd ditch both for a MarkIV.

Blasphemy.

I'm glad you're still liking that Mark IV.