BenoA
Well-known member
Hey guys, it's been a while since my last post here. Been terribly busy.
Just got a new Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier a few days ago. Very good deal and quick shipping from The Guitar Shop (no affiliation with them, just giving them the credit)
I would have thought that the new Mini Rectifier would generate more discussions on the forum but as it hasn't been talked much let me post the review of my latest case of GAS. I posted on some other forums but for those who haven't seen it and want more infos on the lil' Mesa, here is my review with some updates.
Brand new unopened box:
Would have love to spend more time with it since I got it but that's the way it is! I managed to go through the different options very quickly in the past days but must admit I've been spending 90% most of my time on the distortion channel. \m/
Tried it with 2 guitars: my EBMM JP6 (mostly) and a Godin LG Summit with a 59' in the bridge (for some drop-d riffing). 4x12 cab was a Peavey Triple XXX.
On the distortion channel, I dig both the modern and vintage option. The vintage one does the classic rock/80s sound very well.
The modern adds more meat to it but not to the extreme (to my ears).
I have no experience with Mesa amps, this one is my first but I do play ocasionnaly on a beat-up Single Rectifier at the rehearsal room we rent every 2 weeks.
My buddy in the band owns a Mesa Mark IV (forumite Mokaccino) and it will be cool to compare/hear them side by side at the next rehearsal.
The Mini Mesa is tight and dry, doesn't feel "greasy" like my Peavey 6505. It has less gain too than the 6505 and less fizz/buzzing that you can hear in the 6505 distortion.
Does the Mini Recto has enough gain? For me yes, I was mostly setting it around 1 to 3 o'clock and I haven't tried it boosted with a Tube screamer yet but I bet some players out there will prefer their Mini Recto boosted for that added gain. But as I only played it at low volume, may be cranking it will give it even more oomph. BTW, this lil' amp is quite loud (wife told me so). Even on the 10 watts setting this lil' amp is LOUD! And flipping the switch to 25 watts shows that it got some volume to spare! I will add to my report once I will have tried it with my band and it should be this coming Thursday!
I could add that this "10/25 watts" all-tube amp over a 4x12 is way too loud to be enjoyed playing at what folks on the internet call "tv volume"... The Mini Recto wants to be cranked! This is not your typical bedroom amp. It does sound good a low volume but you gotta crank it to get the best out of it.
Back to playing the Mini Recto, when you hit chords, you can hear all notes clearly and I notice that it shows my "less-than-good" technique on fast runs! This amp doesn't forgive! It's also very dynamic. Play softly or roll your volume on your guitar to get some "lesser" distorted tone on the modern/vintage channel. Good job Mesa!
Tried the "vintage" mode with a Tube Screamer last evening. Guitar players looking for a "boosted Marshall kinda tone" will like this a lot. Add a lil' reverb to it (I tried it with my Boss GT8) and it almost sounds brown. I don't regret getting rid of my Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe to get this amp.
Speaking of tone, the knobs offers a good range of control of the EQ on both channel.
As for the FX loop, I tested it quickly with my Boss GT8, nothing to complain here. Seems well balanced regarding input/output volumes and you have a hard bypass switch in the back for purist.
Construction: the amp feels very very well built. Fit and finish is top notch and when you pull the handle, the amp feels balanced (unlike most small Egnater out there). The chassis/casing is all metal construction, no wood on this one.
The carrying bag is a nice add-on. Made a joke to the wife that it's not a "Gucci" but worth as much! And as the head is quite small, it will make it very easy to carry around.
I barely played the clean channel but really like the "pushed" channel with gain maxed and with the humbuckers splitted as single coils on the JP6. Very addictive with a few Martinis!
If I compare it to some "made in China" offers from other companies out there (I played a few), the Mini Recto is worth the 1000$ I paid for it. And it's made in the USA and feels quality.
Some quick clips I've done:
Clip recorded with a SM57:
Very quick clip done using camera mic:
Some jamming/noodling/improvising I caught with my iPhone to make sure I would not forget it (I thought the riffs sounded cool
https://soundcloud.com/jb-aka-benoa/nov_25_2011-001
Feel free to ask questions, I'll do my best.
Rock on!
Just got a new Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier a few days ago. Very good deal and quick shipping from The Guitar Shop (no affiliation with them, just giving them the credit)
I would have thought that the new Mini Rectifier would generate more discussions on the forum but as it hasn't been talked much let me post the review of my latest case of GAS. I posted on some other forums but for those who haven't seen it and want more infos on the lil' Mesa, here is my review with some updates.
Brand new unopened box:
Would have love to spend more time with it since I got it but that's the way it is! I managed to go through the different options very quickly in the past days but must admit I've been spending 90% most of my time on the distortion channel. \m/
Tried it with 2 guitars: my EBMM JP6 (mostly) and a Godin LG Summit with a 59' in the bridge (for some drop-d riffing). 4x12 cab was a Peavey Triple XXX.
On the distortion channel, I dig both the modern and vintage option. The vintage one does the classic rock/80s sound very well.
The modern adds more meat to it but not to the extreme (to my ears).
I have no experience with Mesa amps, this one is my first but I do play ocasionnaly on a beat-up Single Rectifier at the rehearsal room we rent every 2 weeks.
My buddy in the band owns a Mesa Mark IV (forumite Mokaccino) and it will be cool to compare/hear them side by side at the next rehearsal.
The Mini Mesa is tight and dry, doesn't feel "greasy" like my Peavey 6505. It has less gain too than the 6505 and less fizz/buzzing that you can hear in the 6505 distortion.
Does the Mini Recto has enough gain? For me yes, I was mostly setting it around 1 to 3 o'clock and I haven't tried it boosted with a Tube screamer yet but I bet some players out there will prefer their Mini Recto boosted for that added gain. But as I only played it at low volume, may be cranking it will give it even more oomph. BTW, this lil' amp is quite loud (wife told me so). Even on the 10 watts setting this lil' amp is LOUD! And flipping the switch to 25 watts shows that it got some volume to spare! I will add to my report once I will have tried it with my band and it should be this coming Thursday!
I could add that this "10/25 watts" all-tube amp over a 4x12 is way too loud to be enjoyed playing at what folks on the internet call "tv volume"... The Mini Recto wants to be cranked! This is not your typical bedroom amp. It does sound good a low volume but you gotta crank it to get the best out of it.
Back to playing the Mini Recto, when you hit chords, you can hear all notes clearly and I notice that it shows my "less-than-good" technique on fast runs! This amp doesn't forgive! It's also very dynamic. Play softly or roll your volume on your guitar to get some "lesser" distorted tone on the modern/vintage channel. Good job Mesa!
Tried the "vintage" mode with a Tube Screamer last evening. Guitar players looking for a "boosted Marshall kinda tone" will like this a lot. Add a lil' reverb to it (I tried it with my Boss GT8) and it almost sounds brown. I don't regret getting rid of my Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe to get this amp.
Speaking of tone, the knobs offers a good range of control of the EQ on both channel.
As for the FX loop, I tested it quickly with my Boss GT8, nothing to complain here. Seems well balanced regarding input/output volumes and you have a hard bypass switch in the back for purist.
Construction: the amp feels very very well built. Fit and finish is top notch and when you pull the handle, the amp feels balanced (unlike most small Egnater out there). The chassis/casing is all metal construction, no wood on this one.
The carrying bag is a nice add-on. Made a joke to the wife that it's not a "Gucci" but worth as much! And as the head is quite small, it will make it very easy to carry around.
I barely played the clean channel but really like the "pushed" channel with gain maxed and with the humbuckers splitted as single coils on the JP6. Very addictive with a few Martinis!
If I compare it to some "made in China" offers from other companies out there (I played a few), the Mini Recto is worth the 1000$ I paid for it. And it's made in the USA and feels quality.
Some quick clips I've done:
Clip recorded with a SM57:
Very quick clip done using camera mic:
Some jamming/noodling/improvising I caught with my iPhone to make sure I would not forget it (I thought the riffs sounded cool
https://soundcloud.com/jb-aka-benoa/nov_25_2011-001
Feel free to ask questions, I'll do my best.
Rock on!
