NAD: Mesa Recto Rev C

[cardinal]

This arrived last night. Always wanted one. With this, I've had Rev C, E, F, and G. (Just not D). I currently also have the Rev F, but otherwise haven't owned many at overlapping times unfortunately.

Conventional wisdom seems right. Earlier Revs are brighter with less rumble. Later Revs are a bit darker and deeper sounding. Biggest difference I noticed so far with the Rev C is the orange channel. Way more gain earlier in the dial. Amp overall is just more angry sounding.

I'll try to get some C v. F clips together. Both sound awesome. Been liking my Rectos more than my JMPs lately, which I would have though impossible not long ago.

 

[Racerxrated]

This arrived last night. Always wanted one. With this, I've had Rev C, E, F, and G. (Just not D). I currently also have the Rev F, but otherwise haven't owned many at overlapping times unfortunately.

Conventional wisdom seems right. Earlier Revs are brighter with less rumble. Later Revs are a bit darker and deeper sounding. Biggest difference I noticed so far with the Rev C is the orange channel. Way more gain earlier in the dial. Amp overall is just more angry sounding.

I'll try to get some C v. F clips together. Both sound awesome. Been liking my Rectos more than my JMPs lately, which I would have though impossible not long ago.

Congrats!

I’ve only had Rev Gs, dual/triple. What I might do is find an older G triple and send it to Mike B; he can mod any 2 channel to the Rev C version. About 200 bucks plus any new caps that might need replacing.

 

[mnemonic]

Neat, looks great too. I love the chrome chassis versions.

I think you’ve had a multiwatt also right? I’ve read forum posts that the multiwatts have some of the ‘rev c’ sound. Do you think that’s right, or just forum-lore?

 

[cardinal]

Neat, looks great too. I love the chrome chassis versions.

I think you’ve had a multiwatt also right? I’ve read forum posts that the multiwatts have some of the ‘rev c’ sound. Do you think that’s right, or just forum-lore?

I've only had the Triple multiwatt. I also had a Rev G Triple (but not at the same time), and the Multiwatt was tighter and brighter than what I recall from the Rev. G.

I'm actually really interested in getting a Dual Multiwatt to see how similar it would be to the Rev. C. This Recto is maybe my "newest" amp, and it's still nearly 30 years old. I might be nice to get a new amp that I don't have to worry about so much.

 

[311boogieman]

Sweet. Congrats

Love the look of your amp and look forward to your comparison clip

 

[ErikT]

This arrived last night. Always wanted one. With this, I've had Rev C, E, F, and G. (Just not D). I currently also have the Rev F, but otherwise haven't owned many at overlapping times unfortunately.

Conventional wisdom seems right. Earlier Revs are brighter with less rumble. Later Revs are a bit darker and deeper sounding. Biggest difference I noticed so far with the Rev C is the orange channel. Way more gain earlier in the dial. Amp overall is just more angry sounding.

I'll try to get some C v. F clips together. Both sound awesome. Been liking my Rectos more than my JMPs lately, which I would have though impossible not long ago.

Congrats!

I’ve only had Rev Gs, dual/triple. What I might do is find an older G triple and send it to Mike B; he can mod any 2 channel to the Rev C version. About 200 bucks plus any new caps that might need replacing.

Grats on the Rev C! Enjoy.

Also, wow at that revelation. Worth it to find a Rev G and get it modded instead of paying over $2k for a C. *Mind blown*

 

[cardinal]

Only had a few minutes to tinker with it tonight, so no clips.

But the cleans seem fine? Orange to Modern with the clean switch engaged. No one will confuse it with a Deluxe Reverb but it's a fine clean for a high gain head. Not sure why all the complaints.

 

[Speeddemon]

Do you run them unboosted at all?
Asking, since I wonder if any of the Rev differences are less pronounced once you start slammin' the front end.

 

[cardinal]

Do you run them unboosted at all?
Asking, since I wonder if any of the Rev differences are less pronounced once you start slammin' the front end.

Yes, I don't like boosting Rectos. I sometimes use a high-pass filter in front to clear up some rumble.

 

[controlled_voltage]

one day i will own a dual rec but it seems like a deep dark rabbit hole with all of these revisions
how the fuck do you tell them apart?
also it seems many people dislike the JP mesa but isn't it based on the best mark v ever?
and on top of all that mesa's are known to be challenging to dial in with all of the switches and how they affect the eq controls...
i like reading manuals so that's not an issue
I see a lot of dual recs FS on my local FB marketplace
prices vary from 750-8 to 1500.
shit is confusing
right now there is a 1993 .50 caliber combo FS about half a mile from my house for 500 and it's also tempting me
but for 3-500 more I can get a dual rec
FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

 

[cardinal]

one day i will own a dual rec but it seems like a deep dark rabbit hole with all of these revisions
how the fuck do you tell them apart?
also it seems many people dislike the JP mesa but isn't it based on the best mark v ever?
and on top of all that mesa's are known to be challenging to dial in with all of the switches and how they affect the eq controls...
i like reading manuals so that's not an issue
I see a lot of dual recs FS on my local FB marketplace
prices vary from 750-8 to 1500.
shit is confusing
right now there is a 1993 .50 caliber combo FS about half a mile from my house for 500 and it's also tempting me
but for 3-500 more I can get a dual rec
FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

Serial number is generally the easiest way to tell them apart. They all have that Recto tone, just different shades of it. Play one and if you like it, then get that one. If you want one a little darker with more sag, get a later version. Want brighter and a bit tighter, get an earlier version.

I generally wanted a Rev C because I knew I'd never be completely satisfied with a Recto until I at least tried one. And I do like it.

I'd like to try the JP2C as well. The problem with it, IMHO is that they used the 100 watt power section and not SimulClass, and they took away control over the input gain and all the pull functions (treble shift and deep, etc.), so you're actually somewhat limited in how you can dial it in. I'd much rather them release a non-signature version that at least gives you an internal trim pot for the input gain and PLEASE give back control over the pull functions (rather than forcing certain ones on, like the JP2C does).

 

[311boogieman]

I think a 93 .50 Cal would be great to have.
I don't find Rectos hard to dial in at all. I hardly ever touch mine.
Vol = 3, Pres = 6, B = 3, M = 6, T = 4, Gain = 5 to 7
The Mark series are the ones that are notorious for being difficult.
Also consider a Single Rect if you can find one.
I got my Rectoverb head for $500 because the reverb was borked.
50 watts, takes EL34s or 6L6 (Series 2) and it has a very nice clean channel - as all Rectos do.

 

[thenine]

That would s 1-10 or in o’clock?

 

[endofall]

This arrived last night. Always wanted one. With this, I've had Rev C, E, F, and G. (Just not D). I currently also have the Rev F, but otherwise haven't owned many at overlapping times unfortunately.

Conventional wisdom seems right. Earlier Revs are brighter with less rumble. Later Revs are a bit darker and deeper sounding. Biggest difference I noticed so far with the Rev C is the orange channel. Way more gain earlier in the dial. Amp overall is just more angry sounding.

I'll try to get some C v. F clips together. Both sound awesome. Been liking my Rectos more than my JMPs lately, which I would have though impossible not long ago.

Congrats!

I’ve only had Rev Gs, dual/triple. What I might do is find an older G triple and send it to Mike B; he can mod any 2 channel to the Rev C version. About 200 bucks plus any new caps that might need replacing.

Grats on the Rev C! Enjoy.

Also, wow at that revelation. Worth it to find a Rev G and get it modded instead of paying over $2k for a C. *Mind blown*

I done this. I do not regret it at all. It’s now my favorite amp.

 

[311boogieman]

That would s 1-10 or in o’clock?

Great question. I actually usually do write that in o'clocks but I also spell it out.
For once I just list the dial numbers and
But yeah. Dial numbers 1 - 10
Can you imagine a Recto with the Volume and Bass at 3 O'Clock

 

[Speeddemon]

Can you imagine a Recto with the Volume and Bass at 3 O'Clock

Effect in your basement:

 

[thenine]

HAHAHA!

 

[JCDenton6]

Hell yeah, congrats on a hell of a purchase!
I'm content with my Triple modded to Rev C specs but would like the black/chrome look as it looks metal as fuck!

 

[controlled_voltage]

one day i will own a dual rec but it seems like a deep dark rabbit hole with all of these revisions
how the fuck do you tell them apart?
also it seems many people dislike the JP mesa but isn't it based on the best mark v ever?
and on top of all that mesa's are known to be challenging to dial in with all of the switches and how they affect the eq controls...
i like reading manuals so that's not an issue
I see a lot of dual recs FS on my local FB marketplace
prices vary from 750-8 to 1500.
shit is confusing
right now there is a 1993 .50 caliber combo FS about half a mile from my house for 500 and it's also tempting me
but for 3-500 more I can get a dual rec
FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

Serial number is generally the easiest way to tell them apart. They all have that Recto tone, just different shades of it. Play one and if you like it, then get that one. If you want one a little darker with more sag, get a later version. Want brighter and a bit tighter, get an earlier version.

I generally wanted a Rev C because I knew I'd never be completely satisfied with a Recto until I at least tried one. And I do like it.

I'd like to try the JP2C as well. The problem with it, IMHO is that they used the 100 watt power section and not SimulClass, and they took away control over the input gain and all the pull functions (treble shift and deep, etc.), so you're actually somewhat limited in how you can dial it in. I'd much rather them release a non-signature version that at least gives you an internal trim pot for the input gain and PLEASE give back control over the pull functions (rather than forcing certain ones on, like the JP2C does).

cool
thanks for the heads up
so you can just do an internet search with the serial number ?
or is there a data base on the mesa website?

 

[cardinal]

cool
thanks for the heads up
so you can just do an internet search with the serial number ?
or is there a data base on the mesa website?

You can Google the search number ranges. C was something like 1 to 250ish, Rev D from 250ish to 500ish, Rev E from 500ish to 600ish, Rev F from 600ish to 3000ish. I think; somewhere around there.

Rev G is easy to spot, as it has a parallel loop. The rest have a serial loop.

Anyone trying to charge a premium for an early version should be happy to take a pic of the circuit board with the Rev letter on it, anyway.