Recto Search, need some input from you guys

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drjenkins

drjenkins

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So I’m in the market for a new amp, and I’m seriously looking into a Recto. I’ve read up on them a lot, but I’d still like to get some real world info from owners, and I know a bunch of you guys on here have extensive experience with them. I’m definitely staying in the Dual range, but I need help narrowing it down to which one, and what the going prices on them are. I want to make as an informed decision as I can and not get screwed on the pricing.

I’m considering all the models except the Road King, and probably the Racktifier . I’m leaning towards the older 2 Channels from what I’ve been reading and what little I can glean from YouTube videos and sound clips that I’ve heard. I’ve tried out 2 different older 3ch’s, and a Roadster so far, just not a 2 ch. or a Reborn 3ch. Loved the Roadsters clean, it just definitely needed to be boosted for me to enjoy the heavier side of it since I play a lot of faster palm muted type of things and I like a quicker response and feel.

I’m mainly looking for the brootz, but I’d like versatility too. If I just wanted the heavyz I’d probably just by a 6505 or something similar. But if the 2ch’s really are as bad ass sounding as people say, I have no problem having a separate amp for the other things I need.

What are good prices on the 2 channels, especially the Black face/chrome panel ones?

Are there any that I need to stay away from?

I know the 2 ch’s aren’t well regarded for their cleans, but are they serviceable?

Should I be looking into a different model of the Dual? If so, which one?

Thanks guys! :thumbsup:
 
I'd try to check out a Triple Recto, too, if you want something that has a quicker response and feel. They're expensive to retube, but not really any louder than the Dual Recto.

2-Channels seem to hover around $1,000 or so for a Rev. G in the standard chrome diamond plate/black chassis. The Black Face/Chrome chassis typically are going to cost more than that 1) just because and 2) they tend to be the earlier Rev C, D, E, or F Rectos that are also more valuable. The top of the market should be a clean, Black Face/Chrome Chassis Rev C, which I think should go for somewhere around $2,000. So you could be looking at anywhere between $1-$2k depending on what exactly you want. Sometimes you can find a deal, so just keep an eye out. I found a Black Face/Chrome Chassis Triple for ~$600 last year, but it had been molested by UPS a few times.

If you must use pedals in the loop, you probably should stick to either the new Multi-Watt or a Rev. F or earlier 2-channel. Anything else has a parallel loop. Even a good one is hard to use with pedals, and let me tell you this ain't a good one. You can tell if the amp has a parallel loop by whether or not the loop has a mix knob (only a parallel loop needs that).

At least on the Triple's I've played, the cleans are fine. They don't sound like a Fender or a Vox, but they are "clean," so if that'll all you're hoping for you'll be fine.
 
I have an '92 early Rev F - and with the Orange Hi Gain channel with an EP Booster in front, it's magic.

I'm not a brootz guy though, so I don't even use the Red Channel, although it IS monsterous.
 
cardinal":2xq58mg4 said:
I'd try to check out a Triple Recto, too, if you want something that has a quicker response and feel. They're expensive to retube, but not really any louder than the Dual Recto.

2-Channels seem to hover around $1,000 or so for a Rev. G in the standard chrome diamond plate/black chassis. The Black Face/Chrome chassis typically are going to cost more than that 1) just because and 2) they tend to be the earlier Rev C, D, E, or F Rectos that are also more valuable. The top of the market should be a clean, Black Face/Chrome Chassis Rev C, which I think should go for somewhere around $2,000. So you could be looking at anywhere between $1-$2k depending on what exactly you want. Sometimes you can find a deal, so just keep an eye out. I found a Black Face/Chrome Chassis Triple for ~$600 last year, but it had been molested by UPS a few times.

If you must use pedals in the loop, you probably should stick to either the new Multi-Watt or a Rev. F or earlier 2-channel. Anything else has a parallel loop. Even a good one is hard to use with pedals, and let me tell you this ain't a good one. You can tell if the amp has a parallel loop by whether or not the loop has a mix knob (only a parallel loop needs that).

At least on the Triple's I've played, the cleans are fine. They don't sound like a Fender or a Vox, but they are "clean," so if that'll all you're hoping for you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Great info man, much appreciated! I definitely need a usable loop

reverymike":2xq58mg4 said:
I have an '92 early Rev F - and with the Orange Hi Gain channel with an EP Booster in front, it's magic.

I'm not a brootz guy though, so I don't even use the Red Channel, although it IS monsterous.
Click to expand...

So It looks like I'm leaning the right way with the 2 channels then.

LOL, a 92 chrome face just showed up in the Classifieds, but it's a bit too rich for me right now.
 
I could ramble for days about 2 channel Rectos, but I'll keep my comments brief and focused.

The players that like 2 channel Rectos typically fall into 1 of 2 categories: the Rev C/D crowd, and the Rev F/G crowd. You'll note that E wasn't mentioned. I'll explain why in a moment.

The folks that favor Rev C/D are typically those that are only interested in an overdrive channel and do not care about cleans. Why? Because they basically don't have a clean channel. Slightly brighter with more hair on the presence, this is the circuit that was tamed a little in later models to make way for a much improved clean sound.

The folks that favor F/G tend to be those that must have a usable clean channel. Much improved over the C/D era, it's a usable clean sound on F, and an even better (dare I say "nice") clean sound on G. It's not Fender-ish, but it's clean, bold, and has a character of it's own that I've dialed in to stay clean whether I'm fingerpicking or strumming (with high output pups, no less).

The amp that's the oddball is Revision E. It's the "redheaded stepchild", and maybe 80-90 or so were only made with good reason: the desire of most players fall outside it's capabilities. If you only want an overdrive channel, you'd probably defer to C/D and clone it. If you need cleans, you're going to go to the F/G because it's better suited. They quickly improved the circuit, and F was born.

If you need cleans, I'd look to F/G. Sounds like you do since you were aksing the question about clean sounds.
 
I owned a bunch of duals my favs was the multi watt and the roadtser. I like my rectos boosted.


Couple days ago i bought a multiwatt triple rect for 950 shipped and i should have it by the end of the week.
 
I'll let you in on a secret.... I really don't think there is all that much of a difference in tone between the C, D, E, F, and dare I say even the G. Heck, I had an early 2000's 3 ch ( the really crappy era) triple that was just as tight as the early Duals that I have. As far as early pre 500's having more presence and what not, that is what EQ's are for. I have my rev C and F EQ'd and they sound basically identical.

As far as values go. I have no decent idea right now. I used to think 8-900 for rev G's, and $1000 for rev F's. $1500 or so for a pre 500. BUT........ lately I've seen people selling rev F racktos for a stupid asking price, $2000+. Which I don't believe would be an accurate appraisal. Because of this, I posted up my rev C here for $2600, and while I didn't have any local folks any too interested, I did have two guys overseas that wanted to buy.

But, I think the rev F is the way to go. Pre 500's are priced too high and they don't sound any better than an F, not to mention it's been a while since I've even seen one for sale. Throw a set of EL34's or KT77's in, a boost up front, ORANGE ch modern, and let 'er rip.

Lets talk about cleans with the 2 channels....... who gives a frick!

Now, lets talk about something that a recto wishes it could sound like. A Bogner Uberschall. IMHO, the Uber is everything that a recto is, but better.

Now, on with the recto porno.... :D

"Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached." Well cancel that then. :confused: :thumbsdown:
 
RJF":2cmaag4w said:
As far as values go. I have no decent idea right now. I used to think 8-900 for rev G's, and $1000 for rev F's. $1500 or so for a pre 500...
Click to expand...

I think this assessment of value is spot on, and I lump the E in with F in terms of value. In terms of tone, I agree. I think C/D are similar and F/G are similar. E is basically the F drive sound with the poor "clean" sound of the C/D.

That being said, with a few tweaks of the EQ knobs, you can make the drive sounds of all 5 revisions sound nearly identical.
 
NewWorldMan":2452phx6 said:
That being said, with a few tweaks of the EQ knobs, you can make the drive sounds of all 5 revisions sound nearly identical.
Click to expand...

Shhhhh....quit speaking truth..... you're killing the mystic and most importantly, the resale value of my rev C. :lol: :LOL:
 
reverymike":1sewkg94 said:
I have an '92 early Rev F - and with the Orange Hi Gain channel with an EP Booster in front, it's magic.

I'm not a brootz guy though, so I don't even use the Red Channel, although it IS monsterous.
Click to expand...

Yeah, try to find a early Dual or Triple rectifier! I also have a Rev F, which absolutely kills!
 
My favorite to date is a 2 channel revision F. I also currently own a Roadking V1 and a multiwatt triple that I just picked up. I have also owned every revision except Revision E and out of them all the Revision F is my fav followed by G, although the multi watt is pretty good to.
 
reverymike":3q3mulpc said:
I have an '92 early Rev F - and with the Orange Hi Gain channel with an EP Booster in front, it's magic.

I'm not a brootz guy though, so I don't even use the Red Channel, although it IS monsterous.
Click to expand...

My friend and I went in on a Rev F rackmount, got a super steal on it. Anyway we both love the orange channel with and overdrive, so creamy.

For those multiwatt players, try running orange channel in raw with gain maxed and a OD in front, that is also a very creamy channel
 
born_hard":7738nzwv said:
Which revision is this one here?
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Mesa-Boogie-Dual ... 1e8f3298f0

And whats about the Single Rectifier? Is this also a good head, if you dont need the power of 100Watts?
http://www.ebay.de/itm/MESA-BOOGIE-Sing ... 233dd28656

school me!
Click to expand...

Not proven but I think there is 3 revisions of the 3 channel version. My friend Mike from the band Division has an original first year 3 channel triple and I owned a first year Dual and we both swear they were a little different and sounded the best out of the 3 channel we heard.

For official though you have the original 3 channel and then the 3 channel multi watt reborn.
 
I own a Rev C, and I have owned a Tremoverb, a very early Rectoverb, and a 3 channel Triple. I hated the 3 channel, liked the Tremoverb and Rectoverb, and love my Rev C. There is something 'magical' about the Rev C. But, the clean channel totally sucks. I think the best of both worlds would be a Rev. F.
 
There is some special sauce in the 2 channel versions. They are just more pleasing to my ears on the overdrive side of things.

However, I love and use clean sounds a lot. I think the Road King II is the best Rectifier built by Mesa, of any time period. It may be overkill for some players but all of the options are pretty usable and there are some killer tones available with the different tube combinations. The loop is actually very usable as well.
 
RJF":2vmlmj6t said:
Now, lets talk about something that a recto wishes it could sound like. A Bogner Uberschall. IMHO, the Uber is everything that a recto is, but better.
Click to expand...

Not to make too many waves here, but I absolutely agree with this.
 
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