Rectifiers vs Marks

[crankyrayhanky]

But even that isn't enough. Rectifiers - not very unlike the best Marshalls - must be turned up a bit to feel the way they're supposed to. Once the speakers start working, the feel of the amp improves immensely.

Totally true- my Mesa Recto sounded like awful bee buzz on bedroom and even medium settuings. Crank it up and it was like a fire breathing monster

 

[sjk]

From a technical standpoint:
Rectifier has "better" distortion. The Mark series doesn't have a cold cathode distortion stage, so the distortion is a bit more raw and grainy. Now, you might call a Rectifier grainy or fizzy, but it's for other reasons. Namely, the Rectifier doesn't have a negative feedback loop on Modern Red, which contributes to the amp's feel of being heavy and brutal (and fizzy with the wrong setup!). Of course, many complain that the Rectifier isn't tight. It's because you need to turn your amp up! Already tried that? Well, there's a capacitor that cuts out some high end on the Rectifier that isn't there on the SLO or 5150. Halve the value in the Rec and you'll be amazed at how much tighter the Rectifier gets.

I'm not saying the Mark series might not be "better". But I am saying that without a cold biased preamp distortion stage, the content of the distortion is far more filled with odd order harmonics than even order, the opposite of what our ears find "pleasing".

From an experience standpoint:
I love Rectifiers and while I've never bonded with a Mark I've played, I've heard some excellent recordings. Since you're curious about Rectifiers, I'll talk about them. I think too many people don't understand that the amp is NOT your rig. Everything - from your pickups, to your guitars, cabs, and speakers - is your rig. The amp is only a part. Because of the way the Rectifier is designed, it's very important to match it with an appropriate cab. Maybe it's a design flaw and the Rec should work better with other cabs, but then it wouldn't sound the way it does.

But even that isn't enough. Rectifiers - not very unlike the best Marshalls - must be turned up a bit to feel the way they're supposed to. Once the speakers start working, the feel of the amp improves immensely. And I would in fact argue that because the Rectifier has so little gain compared to some modern amps - Bogner Uberschall, Diezel Herbert, or the new Egnater Armageddon - it in fact is not good at covering up mistakes.

Thanks for the info, thats some really interesting stuff.

 

[Little B]

Cuz all the kids from the 90's thought the diamond plate face was cool, and the name dual rectifier sounded heavy...

Spot on. Thread complete.

+1!!!!!!!! Even Boogie themselves will tell ya recs are not meant to unleash the urgency, tightness,and focus like the MK series does.(although ive heard some mean sounding recs)...I think the whole "dual recifier" meaning is hardly even understood anymore..2 recifiers in the amp,who uses them? maybe some do,but most owners I know have it set to diode...Maybe Mesa should rename it the "Dual Diode" or "Dual Silicone" recifier!..as the majority dont use the tube recifier anyways...but the amps' obviously made a name for itself and is a staple of Mesa gear...As for me,my MKIII red stripe coli and MKIV B keeps me smilin

 

[SonicPulverizer]

Forget everything you think you know about rectifiers until you play the new multiwatt version. They tweaked it to be a pretty damn good amp. I use to detest them, but id easily consider taking one over my old mk.V-- That said, I'd set both on fire and piss on them for an RA.

 

[philb]

I tried the multiwatt rectifier and loved it. It's different form the Mark series. The reason I don't own a Rectifier is the low end. Too flubby compared to a Mark. I love the gnarl of the Mark when the eq is set just right. That being said, If I had money to burn (which I don't) I would have no problem with owning a Rectifier.

BTW, I have a Mark IV and Mark V

 

[SonicPulverizer]

I tried the multiwatt rectifier and loved it. It's different form the Mark series. The reason I don't own a Rectifier is the low end. Too flubby compared to a Mark. I love the gnarl of the Mark when the eq is set just right. That being said, If I had money to burn (which I don't) I would have no problem with owning a Rectifier.

BTW, I have a Mark IV and Mark V

Yeah same here, I had a V and bought an older triple for the added lowend. I hated the rec for single note runs. Sold both. However, I would have no problem making the new dual rec my primary amp if the price was right.

 

[jerrydyer]

Marks any day. I thought the whole rectifier thing was dumb. People started talking about a part of the amp they dont even understand saying " its the special rectifier it has that makes it o heavy" dual rect switches between silicon and tube what does triple switch between ??????????????

 

[Little B]

Exactly! +1. so I wonder how many people really know what the difference really is between tube/silicone/diode rectifiers? Perhaps Mesa's MK VI will be a combination of a Triple rec and MKIII coliseum!.I have a custom badcat that has a knob to dial in any combination of tube rectifier or solid state rectifier..it definitely changes the feel of the amp.

 

[roadifier]

I have owned a few recrifiers, and have finally gotten my triple (Current recto) to where I like it. I find that using EL34's sound amazing in it. I always use a boost, and keep the mids around 1:30, bass around 12:00. They way I have it now is great. It isn't fizzy one bit. Very heavy, and cuts well. Of course for it to be like this, I have the output arou d 10:00 and the master around 11:00. That is very very loud just at those setting, and way more than just a bedroom amp. I don't dial in a lot of gain, and I keep it pretty dry actually. I use it to play thrash, and usually tune to standard or D. I find it fits my needs perfectly.

I love marks too, they are great. The studio preamp rack I have is great, but again, needs to be turned up really loud for it to get to the sweet spot. Each amp has a great sound I love, but it requires a lot volume for that sound Both amps are great IMO, and the recto can have many uses. It just depends on what you use with and in it.

 

[srommes]

Love em both. I have one of each (Mark IV A racked and Recto Rackmount) and wouldn't want to have to choose between the two. They sound great together by the way!

 

[shreddr69]

I dig the older 2 channel rectos because you can almost get a Mark warmth and fullness with them but they still howl with sheer brutality. The new mini rectos actually sound very similar to the older 2 channel ones but you can actually get some power tube saturation without going deaf! A novel idea

 

[petejt]

I've always preferred the Mark series, and always will. The way I set my MarkIV, it sounds heavy and deep and thick. It all depends on your picking dynamics as well. You can't just fumble the guitar's strings, you really have to dig into them to get a stronger sound.

I used to hate the Rectifiers until I tried a few for myself. I even tried a Rev F version beside my MarkIV, and on the Orange mode it was great. You definitely have to crank them up and keep that bass knob low. Honestly I think that's a given for all Mesa/Boogie's amps. If the gain gets turned up, keep that bass set low!

Still, I think that 99% of all the in/famous "Recto tones" are bloody terrible. Terrible. They sound like shithouse. I hate that nu-metal rumbly mud sound. You can do so much better & heavier with a Rectifier.

 

[TheMagicEight]

I've always preferred the Mark series, and always will. The way I set my MarkIV, it sounds heavy and deep and thick. It all depends on your picking dynamics as well. You can't just fumble the guitar's strings, you really have to dig into them to get a stronger sound.

I used to hate the Rectifiers until I tried a few for myself. I even tried a Rev F version beside my MarkIV, and on the Orange mode it was great. You definitely have to crank them up and keep that bass knob low. Honestly I think that's a given for all Mesa/Boogie's amps. If the gain gets turned up, keep that bass set low!

Still, I think that 99% of all the in/famous "Recto tones" are bloody terrible. Terrible. They sound like shithouse. I hate that nu-metal rumbly mud sound. You can do so much better & heavier with a Rectifier.

Here's two of my favorite Rectifier clips, done by drucifer:

2 Channel Dual

3-Channel Triple

I like those tones partly because you really have to work your strings if you want the amp to respond like that.