NAD! not a good one so far. Mesa roadster.

[mchn13]

I picked up a used Mesa roadster today at my local guitar center for a pretty good deal, and after making sure it worked in the store, I took it home to boost it and put it thru it’s paces with one of my guitars.....
I have owned at least 5 previous rectos, last two being a 3channel dual and triple respectively. Loved them all with a boost, and could get a tight metal tone with ease. Not so far with this mf’er...
I feel like I’m doing something wrong. I can’t get this thing to get tight(ish), even with a boost and charvel with a lundgren in it.
Anyone have any ideas? This sumbitch may be going back for a refund tomorrow if I can get it tight. Again I’ve had a few rectos before and loved them; I can’t even get the bass on 1 out of 10 little own 10:00 like my others have been. Pretty much have the bass off or it’s just mush. So bummed right now.

 

[Fordman65]

I assume you checked the tubes to make sure they're all firing? For what its worth, I own the tightest recto around, use NOS vintage tubes, boost it and still keep the bass at almost 0.

 

[mrhiwatt]

My Mark's and jp2c require bass almost off add back with eq. That is how the mesa tone stack works.

 

[some dude]

The guy who sold it may have put his oldest set of tubes in it.

Or... they could still be the original tubes and the guy sold it because he couldn't figure out why it sounded like muddy sh*t.

 

[mchn13]

My Mark's and jp2c require bass almost off add back with eq. That is how the mesa tone stack works.

Even the rectos.? My old dual and triple could get by with 10:00 or so. All the tubes appear to be firing and good. This bitch is just flubby. I hate returning shit but this thing is going back tomorrow. My Evh and my Randall just wipes the floor with this thing. Could be something wrong with it I guess, but I’m not a tech.

 

[mchn13]

The guy who sold it may have put his oldest set of tubes in it.

Or... they could still be the original tubes and the guy sold it because he couldn't figure out why it sounded like muddy sh*t.

True. Wish I had an extra set to try.

 

[slaveunit]

What about the spongy/bold and tube/diode rectifier settings?

 

[MetalHeadMike]

That sucks man. Tight is a MUST for me as well. Could be something wrong with it but if your not getting what you want from it sounds like you need to invest more money and have a good tech check it out or return it. I've been lucky and every amp I've owned or still own is the perfect tightness when boosted. The only amp I've owned that was absolutely perfect in the tightness department stand alone plugged straight in was the ENGL Savage 120. Every other amp has needed the old Ts9 clean boosting to get the tightness/attack I want.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I had a Roadster... one of my least favorite Rectos. Dark, muddy, with some flubb. Mine was brand new. Return it and look for a multi-watt Triple Recto. Much brighter and tighter.

 

[Dave L]

My Mark's and jp2c require bass almost off add back with eq. That is how the mesa tone stack works.

Even the rectos.? My old dual and triple could get by with 10:00 or so. All the tubes appear to be firing and good. This bitch is just flubby. I hate returning shit but this thing is going back tomorrow. My Evh and my Randall just wipes the floor with this thing. Could be something wrong with it I guess, but I’m not a tech.

Yeah, not the Rectos. They have the EQ after the gain stages, just like most high gain amps except the Marks.

 

[mchn13]

I had a Roadster... one of my least favorite Rectos. Dark, muddy, with some flubb. Mine was brand new. Return it and look for a multi-watt Triple Recto. Much brighter and tighter.

Yeah I’m taking it back this morning. I’ve had five other rectos and they were all killer with a boost. This thing is dull like my tone knob is turned down a bit (I don’t have one).

 

[mchn13]

What about the spongy/bold and tube/diode rectifier settings?

Yeah I had all channels on bold/diode, full power etc... I just can’t believe how flubby it is with the bass off. Could be tubes, but I’m not gonna sink anymore in an amp I’m not sure about just to find out it’s a turd.

 

[tfridgen]

There's definitely something wrong with it. It's a bit darker than most Rectos but on mine you could definitely dial out any flubbiness. Best amp I've ever had, wish I wouldn't have sold that friggin thing.

 

[cardinal]

Roadster I played was dark but I don’t think would have given you this much trouble. Even if it is just old tubes, probably better off just returning it instead of sinking money into it.

I’ve had several Triples and they’re pretty tight with an OD 808 boost even if you set the amp up blindfolded.

 

[DeathbyButterslax]

Honestly seems like a tube issue, I had a roadster for a long time and it was always tight with a boost. Bass 9-10 o clock

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, like most amp issues it´s about 99% chance it´s a tube. Try swapping a known good preamp tube from that VHT thru all the positions.

 

[anomaly]

Sounds like you need a Mark IV. They are tight as hell when dialed right.

 

[glpg80]

Even if you did fix it by replacing the tubes, you're having problems with a new amp which will forever be attached to it. Sell it now and get something that matches closer to what your needs are.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Sounds like you need a Mark IV. They are tight as hell when dialed right.

... or a Mark III.

 

[mchn13]

Sounds like you need a Mark IV. They are tight as hell when dialed right.

... or a Mark III.

Omfg I hate that i got rid of my old red stripe. Just started a new writing project tonight though, and my Evh blue channel came through again. I’m beginning to think that this amp is killer and has worked for me so far on very different types of rock.