This Mesa Badlander demo sounds promising!

[VESmedic]

Badlander is a cool amp. It has the Recto style grainy gain structure, but it's way tighter. You run the bass at like 3:00 instead of 9:00. It's also drier, especially the crunch. The crunch mode is most similar to a Stiletto.

I think it's funny that people say it shouldn't have been labeled a Rectifier. It's more similar to a Dual Rec than the Blue Angel, Maverick, or Stiletto.

Yea I was waiting for the maverick/blue angel reference… also I can dime my bass on the recto with the right boost and have absolutely no issues in a mix.

 

[HarryCooter]

Maybe if they badged it "Gibson Badlander" I wouldn't have immediately tried to associate it with a recto.

 

[Racerxrated]

The BL is a ripping amp. It’s tight, has a liquid/bouncy feel, wicked mids, and a ton of growl. It just doesn’t have the massive lows of a typical Recto. I think a resonance control would would have done wonders for it. It’s got it’s own thing going on, and Mesa fucked up by calling it a Rectifier.

Demos/Clips rearing their ugly head again. This type of thread is why I trust guys here who have actual experience with the amp...clips just fall way short of what many amps are actually like.
I know, I know..."It's all we have to go on!" I get it. I'd rather wait though, for actual real reviews on Rig Talk vs hearing a shit clip that does no justice.

 

[gtr31]

I much prefer the Triple Crown
There is just something in the mids that grates on me like nails on a chalkboard

 

[Philo Beddoe]

The BL is a ripping amp. It’s tight, has a liquid/bouncy feel, wicked mids, and a ton of growl. It just doesn’t have the massive lows of a typical Recto. I think a resonance control would would have done wonders for it. It’s got it’s own thing going on, and Mesa fucked up by calling it a Rectifier.

 

[Devin]

I thought this sounded good and was what initially got me listening to clips. I prefer the drier sound of the low end compared to the sub sonic boomy low end of the original rectifier, but then again I have never been a fan of the original Rectifier anyway.

To skip to the playing it's a 2:58 mark I believe, although the whole clip is really good if your a Sykes fan and Ben Eller did a fantastic job with this.

This sounds incredible. Not surprised though, Eller is the fuckin man

 

[napalmdeath]

I

I guess we all have different ideas of tone as I thought it sounded pretty good.

I did too. Sure, it'll have some boxiness playing through a combo. But, I could picture hitting it with a boost and a 4x12 cab would bring the goods. I'd love to have one.

 

[Spaceboy]

I much prefer the Triple Crown
There is just something in the mids that grates on me like nails on a chalkboard

I got both, the Badlander crunch mlde is so much better than the TC 3nd channel. BL crush vs TC 3rd channel I could be happy with either. I think both of these amps are a bit anemic in the low-end but that's fine for playing gigs. I bought the amp wanting the next evolution of a rectifier but what I got was not recognizable as a recto at all, but I still dig it. The Lamb of God guys recently switched from TC to BL as well.

 

[Techdeth]

I have not paid any attention to Badlander. I guess I’d try it in person but it not something I’m yay or nay for

 

[gtr31]

I got both, the Badlander crunch mlde is so much better than the TC 3nd channel. BL crush vs TC 3rd channel I could be happy with either. I think both of these amps are a bit anemic in the low-end but that's fine for playing gigs. I bought the amp wanting the next evolution of a rectifier but what I got was not recognizable as a recto at all, but I still dig it. The Lamb of God guys recently switched from TC to BL as well.

Maybe I have just heard bad clips but it’s the Mids on BL that bug me and are harsh The TC I find smoother and more SLO ish and articulate but that’s just me
The TC needs that tight switch on though IMO
This to me sounded killer

 

[espquade]

That TC does sound really nice!

 

[HarryCooter]

I had a TC100. It's a pretty unique amp. For thrash type stuff or leads it's fantastic. The harmonics are ridiculous. But, it lacks in the low end department, and when the low end is present its too smeared and flubby for me. I still wish I had not sold it sometimes, but I wasn't really using it.

 

[GJgo]

I had a BL 100 for a while. As guys have said, it's nothing like a rectifier. Just like they shouldn't have labeled the MKV modes after the IV and the C+ (and would have been better off to have them stand on their own), I agree they shouldn't have labeled this a Recto. I thought it was a killer rock amp but way to light in the ass for metal.

I will say that it had good mix cut & fantastic liquid leads- thought it was a better shot at IIC+ liquid leads than the JP is! :haha:

Also agree that a resonance knob could've been a game changer.

Here's a phone clip of jamming it at band practice.

Here's a clip against a Triple F and a Coli in the mix. Just single tracked so nothing is hiding.

 

[the4thlast1]

I gotta agree that a resonance/depth control on the Badlander would be a nice addition. I had a Badlander 100 for a while and I did like it but it also lacks in low-end department. I dont think it needs the massive low end of a recto but it would benefit from more than it has. It is very focused in the mids , too much so IMO. Even my 5152 which also has a lot of midrange has more low-end than the Badlander.

 

[Devin]

Anyone ever try one of these Amptweaker depth finders to "add" depth/resonance? Wonder how well they work

 

[espquade]

Anyone ever try one of these Amptweaker depth finders to "add" depth/resonance? Wonder how well they work

Hmm.. That looks interesting.