Teach me in the ways of the Mesa recto line

[gybe!]

Ok, I am by nature a Marshall or Marshall derivative (bogner) guy. I have played on a few rectos (one voodoo modded one that was pretty sweet), but have never really paid much attention to them. I now find myself thinking that maybe I should add one to my aresnal, but the question then becomes which one?

I know that 2 channels are generally prefered over three channels (why?), but what about a temoverb or a series 2 roadster or road king? The road king is definitely intriguing to me, but do all of the options actually help? What about the triple or single rectifiers? From a comparison standpoint I am mostly concerned with tonal variation, not necessarily feature differences. Although, if there is a particular feature that is missing that really limits a particular model, that's helpful to know...

 

[Shask]

The Single Rectos don't have the tube rectifier option, I also think some of them don't have the EL34/6L6 option. (Series I).

The Rectoverb is a Single with Reverb.

The Tremoverb has a Blues channel and Tremelo/Reverb that the Duals/Triples don't have.

Most people think the 3-channels sound fizzier than the 2 channels. You get more modes/variations, but many believe the 2-channels have a better base tone.

I like the Triple, as it seems to sound bigger and more "Metal" than the others.

My $.02

 

[guitarslinger]

don't forget about the Maverick and Blue Angel.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

If you're looking for the best compromise between versatility, tone, and ease of use, the Roadster is the way to go IMO. 4 channels with an outstanding clean (not there on most of the other models), lead, and brutal rhythm sound. I covers A LOT of ground

With the rectifiers in general, you will find a lot of slight variations of a similar sound. The Roadster is the darkest of the rectifier line, but it can get just as aggressive and bright as the 3 channel version when redialed. The dark nature of the amp allows for its greater versatility...you can't get those smoother tones easily out of the 3 channels IMO.

The older 2 channel rectifiers are great amps. Not much to be said about the clean channel...it's basically doesn't exist. The gain channel, from my experiences, sits between the 3 channels and Roadster...slightly brighter, but still has some of that organic and smoother texture found in the Roadster.

The 3 channels are naturally the most aggressive of the rectifier line IMO....geared a little more towards the modern scooped and gained out tone. Again, all these amps can be redialed to sound closer to each other, but each has a general gravitation in the tone stack. Don't be tricked though...all the other rectos can get just as aggressive...it's just slightly different though....it's easier to get the 'ALL OUT BROOTZ' on a 3 channel.

Overview:
-3 channel if you want the 'all out metal' amp, with two other tones at hand.
-2 channel if you want the more organic, and IMO, better dirty channel, with little versatility.
-Roadster if you want the great tone, and INTENSE versatility.
-Road King for an even more versatile Roadster.

I think I covered most of it...

Eric

 

[gybe!]

The Single Rectos don't have the tube rectifier option, I also think some of them don't have the EL34/6L6 option. (Series I).

The Rectoverb is a Single with Reverb.

The Tremoverb has a Blues channel and Tremelo/Reverb that the Duals/Triples don't have.

Most people think the 3-channels sound fizzier than the 2 channels. You get more modes/variations, but many believe the 2-channels have a better base tone.

I like the Triple, as it seems to sound bigger and more "Metal" than the others.

My $.02

Does the blues channel on the TOV take away a different mode?

 

[guitarslinger]

Hey, Gybe. Every 2 years or so, I think I might want a 2 channel recto or a tremoverb. Then, I come to my senses.

BTW, I love my Blue Angel, but it's not exactly what you're looking for.

however, it's Very loud and VERY warm.

 

[Heritage Softail]

I have MKV, had a Single Rec. Road Tested Dual and Trip. About 20 hrs on a friends Roadster.

Single Rec is a sleeper amp. You get the cranked tone and feel but at lower, but still very very loud levels. Get a Series 2 Single rec for the added mode. Less clean headroom with the single compared to the double or triple. To me, this amp is great as a companion tone in a stereo setup. It has that great crunching riff that the REC line is famous for. That is what I bought it for. After trying many many REC amps, I got the Series 2 Single.

Roadster is a great amp. A tad darker and a little more nu-metal to my ears. Definitely test drive a Roadster. If you like the Mesa vibe, there is mojo in that one.

Road King - have not had the opp to thrash one.

Sold the REC to get a Rivera Knuck Tre. It has a better bottom end and is way more of a brutal metal amp. About the same price and it has a way better clean channel. A different voice. Some say the REC family has a loose bottom end. I have noticed people trying to cover the bass chug line usually have this complaint. Properly used, the Rec is great for what it is. Getting to be quite cheap now that so many are on the market used, the new "reborn" rec is out, and so many other amp makers have found a way to do the same thing.

Funny thing, the Single REC, is really cheap now, kids see the 50 watt output and think it won't be loud enough to play SUM 41 in their bedroom.

 

[rlord1974]

The Tremoverb has 2 channels:

First channel: You can select either 'Clean' or 'Vintage Hi Gain' with a switch on the front panel. This selection is not footswitchable

Second channel: You can select either 'Blues' or 'Modern Hi Gain' with a switch on the front panel. This selection is not footswitchable

Then, you can switch between the first and second channels using the footswitch. In other words, there are 4 channels/modes in total, but you can only footswitch between the 2 you pre-select with the front panel switches.

The Tremoverb also has a nice spring reverb and tremolo effect (both footswitchable). The tremolo can also be pre-assigned to be 'On' or 'Off' in each of the first and second channels.

The 'Clean' and 'Blues' modes are nice additions to the standard 2 channel Recto. They both sound really nice when dialed properly.

If 2 channels are enough for you, I recommend the Tremoverb over a regular 2 channel Dual or Triple Recto. Used, they come in close to the same price (e.g., $850 - $1,100). However, if you need to be able to footswitch between at least 3 pre-dialed channels, I guess you're into the newer 3 channel Recto or Roadster/Road King.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Hey, Gybe. Every 2 years or so, I think I might want a 2 channel recto or a tremoverb. Then, I come to my senses.

If you like the amp then get one, don't let other people make the decision for you.

 

[guitarslinger]

Hey, Gybe. Every 2 years or so, I think I might want a 2 channel recto or a tremoverb. Then, I come to my senses.

If you like the amp then get one, don't let other people make the decision for you.

What part of "MY senses" didn't you get?

I just have a gas problem, and then I realize I don't really need a Recto.

 

[rlord1974]

Just as a point of reference.....

1.) I have owned an early serial number Tremoverb since the early 90's and have used it extensively in bands I have played in. I have compared it side by side to early 2 channel Dual Rectos and don't think the DR's sound better. In fact, I prefer the T-Verb, as it has a little bit of a warmer, darker tone than the standard 2-channel DR's.....

2.) When the T-Verb came out, Boogie was billing it as their flagship amp - even over the versatile MKIV.

3.) I also own Marshalls, Eggies and Bogners, so I am not comparing the T-Verb to a POD, Spidervalve or Peavey Bandit

Good luck with your tone search!

 

[facefirst]

The Single Rectos don't have the tube rectifier option, I also think some of them don't have the EL34/6L6 option. (Series I).

I had a Series I and it does have an EL34/6L6 option.

 

[JakeAC5253]

Hey, Gybe. Every 2 years or so, I think I might want a 2 channel recto or a tremoverb. Then, I come to my senses.

If you like the amp then get one, don't let other people make the decision for you.

What part of "MY senses" didn't you get?

I just have a gas problem, and then I realize I don't really need a Recto.

There's no reason to get offended. If you keep coming back to the idea of getting one then you must like it. I'm just saying, lots of times people are steered away from a piece of gear because somebody else doesn't like it. Just wanted to make sure you had a good reason for not getting it since you obviously like it in one way or another.

 

[guitarslinger]

There's no reason to get offended. If you keep coming back to the idea of getting one then you must like it. I'm just saying, lots of times people are steered away from a piece of gear because somebody else doesn't like it. Just wanted to make sure you had a good reason for not getting it since you obviously like it in one way or another.

Sorry, I overreacted.

The problem = I don't have a good reason FOR getting it.

 

[rlord1974]

The problem = I don't have a good reason FOR getting it.

Gene, if you have money in the bank than you DO have a reason to get one!

Show yourself some love!

(Just makee sure you get the T-Verb!)

 

[gybe!]

Hey, Gybe. Every 2 years or so, I think I might want a 2 channel recto or a tremoverb. Then, I come to my senses.

BTW, I love my Blue Angel, but it's not exactly what you're looking for.

however, it's Very loud and VERY warm.

I think we are on the same 2 year cycle It just seems to me that with all of the amps I have gone through I should probably own at least one Mesa. Well, I owned a mkII B once, but I don't think that counts

I could, of course, just buy another uber and be done with it.

 

[robb]

I've got a single recto. Great as a reliable back up. Wasn't too expensive, can be be re-tubed without biasing, EL34/6L6. Is it the best sounding amp? No, but to me a cranked 50 tube amp sounds and feels better than any digital simulation thing.

 

[Filter500]

It's subjective, but I think my Single Rectifier sounds a lot better than an old Dual Rec Blackface I used to have. The only thing I don't like about it is the channel switching lag. The old rectifiers have a different switching design and have no lag.

 

[robb]

It's subjective, but I think my Single Rectifier sounds a lot better than an old Dual Rec Blackface I used to have. The only thing I don't like about it is the channel switching lag. The old rectifiers have a different switching design and have no lag.

I agree. But I only use channel two "vintage".
My cleans come from an other amp.

 

[rlord1974]

It's subjective, but I think my Single Rectifier sounds a lot better than an old Dual Rec Blackface I used to have. The only thing I don't like about it is the channel switching lag.

LAG = FAIL