Need some Mesa Rectifier advice

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Apex1Rg7X

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I'm looking at trying a Recto out again after having one many years ago. I had an older 2 channel Dual and I feel like I had no idea what I was doing at the time so my memory and experience with it is foggy at best. I'm well aware that the newer Multi Watt heads are arguably the best version they've made but what other ones should I look for or steer clear of? I play at home only so I can get by with a Single Recto, but I'm sure the Dual and Triple have their benefits.

Also looking for suggestions as to which boosts guys like to run in front to tighten them up. I have heard the Fortin 33 demo on the Recto and that's the shit but the pedal is impossible to get these days. Thanks in advance.
 
Maxon OD808.

Here’s a good place to start.

-overdrive @ 0
-tone @ noon (or adjust to taste)
-volume near max
 
I’d go for the MW Triple... not just for extra volume... but because it is the tightest, most focused sounding, and articulate of the three. This is a good thing when dealing with a darker, bass heavy amp like a Rectifier. Also, there is not a huge volume difference between the Dual and Triple. Past 9:00 they both get loud.

Pedals: Maxon OD808, Airis Savage Drive, Keeley Red Dirt.
 
Apex1Rg7X":324rqxio said:
I'm looking at trying a Recto out again after having one many years ago. I had an older 2 channel Dual and I feel like I had no idea what I was doing at the time so my memory and experience with it is foggy at best. I'm well aware that the newer Multi Watt heads are arguably the best version they've made but what other ones should I look for or steer clear of? I play at home only so I can get by with a Single Recto, but I'm sure the Dual and Triple have their benefits.

Also looking for suggestions as to which boosts guys like to run in front to tighten them up. I have heard the Fortin 33 demo on the Recto and that's the shit but the pedal is impossible to get these days. Thanks in advance.
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So...

It kind of depends on what you're looking for out of the amp.

I've owned a Roadster... actually owned it twice, and also had a Trem-O-Verb for a little while. I never really messed with the tubes in the Roadster, but I did put EL34's in my Trem-O-Verb.

To me, the EL34 Trem-O-Verb was the best iteration of a Recto I ever used. Something about the way it responded made it super dynamic yet compressed (in a good way) if that makes sense. You can hear that sound all over Superunknown by Soundgarden, BTW. Boosted, it definitely got as heavy as you wanted it to be. The clean channel with EL34's was easy to push to get some power tube breakup which made for a juicy sound. In certain ways it reminded me of a hi-fi Marshall, just not as bright and a little bit more spongy.

The Roadsters were a bit darker. Very versatile, but dark. I found channel 2 to be relatively useless (though I've heard other people make it sound damn good), but the other three channels were awesome.

I used a SD-1 to boost both amps with great success.

All of this said, I tend to gravitate slightly towards darker tones. I've played Solos and Multi-Watts that sounded great but are a bit more bright and cutting.

I constantly think about buying that Trem-O-Verb off of my buddy I sold it to. Such a terrific amplifier that simply didn't get much run with my other amps. If only the Helix had separate preamp and power amp modeling... I'd love to take that Cali Rectifire pre and feed it into an EL34 modeled power section to get close to that tone.
 
Mini recto and a decent boost if you’re playing at home.
 
I've seen people say the mini recto doesn't get the level of grind as the big heads. I realize it shouldn't considering components size but does it still retain the same recto tone overall?
 
Apex1Rg7X":7jvtc2g2 said:
I've seen people say the mini recto doesn't get the level of grind as the big heads. I realize it shouldn't considering components size but does it still retain the same recto tone overall?
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Not to me. EL84 power amps are too mushy and sound/feel very different vs 100-150W power amp.
 
With my series 2 single rec, I loved EL34s and an OCD in HP mode as a boost. Should have kept that amp....

 
I have had two Tremoverb's. Bought one brand new back in 1996 I think? After a solid year gigging with 6L6's, tried out some EL34's and never looked back. A boost was a must for me when using gain. TS boosts work well.
 
Try a tone freak naked pedal or bb plus, suhr koko boost reloaded or a fortin 33 for super chug time.
 
I’d get a multiwatt Triple and an OD808. The mini Recto sounded terrible next to the Triple at any volume IMHO. I had a chrome chassis 2-channel Triple but I’d get a multiwatt now. Sounds just as good IMHO plus the extra features are actually useful.
 
D-Rock":32h9mbjk said:
With my series 2 single rec, I loved EL34s and an OCD in HP mode as a boost. Should have kept that amp....
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I have to agree. My Single Rec loves EL34s and JJ preamps. Bad Monkey to clean boost. Pretty much my recommendation and they are affordable used. I got mine for $500 at GC. Rectoverb.


 
The reborn's are where its at if you don't wanna fuck about. Owned and played through all the variations for years now. These are the best voiced, thus far, consistently.

My particular fave boost is a Suhr Koko V1. Thats entirely my thing though. I use it standard with all my amps. Just works for me. Also, if you truly wanna that bitch to slap your ass 'till Sunday, invest in Mesa 5 band eq for the loop. Next level. You are welcome! Good luck!
 
The MK series with the ++ mods blows doors on any recto in my book.
 
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