Why fear the Rectifier? The Badlander is not your average Rectifier amp. No sub-harmonic issues at all. It will run with the 7 string just as well as the TC-50. Sure I have the JP2C and for a while it was the pinnacle of tone to set a standard too. Then I got my first Badlander 100. Well ****, it sounds very much like the JP2C without the fizz. For some time, the go to amp was the Royal Atlantic, actually have two of them. The key to that amp was NOS tubes, RFT 12AX7 in V1 and Ei CV492 (mullard copy) in V2 to tune the hi/lo channel. Top it off with a set of SED =C= EL34 and enjoy the bliss. Sure, it is very similar to the TC-100 and TC-50, but those are not as dynamic as the RA. Also they seem to have a predefined midrange boost since you cannot tune it out with preamp tubes as you can the Royal. Recently, I took the gamble to get another Badlander. Was concerned it would be too much for a stereo rig setup, TBH, I could not be happier with it. It has the same level of dynamics as the Royal with more grind if you need it. All three voices are very usable on each channel. Clean set to clean is amazing and on par with the JP2C clean channel. Push the gain up and you get that Plexi tone, push the gain even farther and it is at the Silver Jubilee 2555 sound (I have one to compare, aslo this is the closest Marshall to the Triple Crown and Royal Atlantic). Crunch is more in line with the Rectifier amp line but without the low-end drone. It is full bodied and not thin like the CH2 (blue) on the TC or RA. This is also similar to the JP2C gain structure as well. Crush just brings in more compression similar to the sound when pushing a Mark amp. RA gets very close too this as well and the TC is not far behind. Keep in mind that is with a lower gain setting around 9am. There is much more gain to be found. Sure, it appears like a simple amp with limited features but does not sound like it has limits. Since I got the first Badlander, the MWDR, Roadster, JP2C and Mark V have not seen the light of day. Now that I have the second one, I can put the Royal Atlantic under its covers and into the storage area. Still, I am running it with the two Bads as a dry channel and it works to boost everything in the mix. Not really sure I am ready to put it in with the other amps. In my opinion, the Badlander should have been in its own category or product line.
As for live band, the TC-100 or TC-50 was the starting point. Then came the MWDR and my bandmates said that is the best sounding so far. Now we just use the Badlander for everything. Mostly classic rock to punk rock stuff in the band. It keeps up with the bass and drums and cuts through the mix with ease without killing your ears with glassy shrill as I was getting with the Mark V90. My bandmates have not seen the stereo setup I have yet. I experimented with different cabinets. Bad by itself is awesome with the Standard 412 cab. However, in stereo I am getting a great sound with the Vertical 212 cabs.
If you are looking, I would check out the Badlander 100. Why the 100W? you get the 50W power mode for free. No GEQ required with this one. Boosting the BAD, for example the flux drive works great on the clean channel. Grid slammer on crush increases the compression effect. Boosting the front end is not a necessity but some reviewers state the opposite. Bad sounds best with the EL34 power tubes. Not boxy at all. Preamp is well tuned so it lacks any midrange hump and it is not scooped like the Rectifier amps.