A Mark guy asks... Which Rectifier should I get??

[rarebitusa]

Ok folks... my era was the 80s... Marks were the deal, still are. But TBH I've always had mild GAS percolating for the Rectifier 90's deal, just never took that next mental step to cross the line. Dunno maybe it's all this recent Rect RI that's flying around that has stoked the GAS a bit more, or the fact that I've mentally starting to make room for acquiring another amp anyway...

So if you just wanted some of that Rect experience but looking for a model that doesn't break the bank... what used models are worhwhile considering?

 

[Eevil]

Ok folks... my era was the 80s... Marks were the deal, still are. But TBH I've always had mild GAS percolating for the Rectifier 90's deal, just never took that next mental step to cross the line. Dunno maybe it's all this recent Rect RI that's flying around that has stoked the GAS a bit more, or the fact that I've mentally starting to make room for acquiring another amp anyway...

So if you just wanted some of that Rect experience but looking for a model that doesn't break the bank... what used models are worhwhile considering?

I liked the Roadster a lot and it should not break your bank.

Or single rectifier can also scratch that itch pretty well

 

[tbonesullivan]

I liked the Roadster a lot and it should not break your bank.

Or single rectifier can also scratch that itch pretty well

Yet the roadster WILL break your back, especially the combo. It's the heaviest combo that Mesa Boogie has ever made. But yes it'll scratch the itch.

There are also lots of Dual Rectifier three channels on the market, single rectifiers, rectoverbs, and so forth. Lots of ways to get that sound. For me, I have a Tremoverb combo, and that's all I'll ever need, IMHO.

 

[rarebitusa]

Yea I'm fighting being sucked into the Rect vortex. The Roadster would definitely scratch the itch no doubt, but logistically it's not a first choice. Like @tbonesullivan I've got an ACE, V:90, LSS also a IIC+ and a Badlander. Dig each but none really do that deep boomy thing.

Have seen single rect 50W Rect-o-verbs pop up at prices that fuel the GAS. Is the only difference between Ver I and II the raw voicing?

 

[Eevil]

Yet the roadster WILL break your back, especially the combo. It's the heaviest combo that Mesa Boogie has ever made. But yes it'll scratch the itch.

There are also lots of Dual Rectifier three channels on the market, single rectifiers, rectoverbs, and so forth. Lots of ways to get that sound. For me, I have a Tremoverb combo, and that's all I'll ever need, IMHO.

Yea I'm fighting being sucked into the Rect vortex. The Roadster would definitely scratch the itch no doubt, but logistically it's not a first choice. Like @tbonesullivan I've got an ACE, V:90, LSS also a IIC+ and a Badlander. Dig each but none really do that deep boomy thing.

Have seen single rect 50W Rect-o-verbs pop up at prices that fuel the GAS. Is the only difference between Ver I and II the raw voicing?

RoV or plain single are good choices

 

[Eevil]

Yea I'm fighting being sucked into the Rect vortex. The Roadster would definitely scratch the itch no doubt, but logistically it's not a first choice. Like @tbonesullivan I've got an ACE, V:90, LSS also a IIC+ and a Badlander. Dig each but none really do that deep boomy thing.

Have seen single rect 50W Rect-o-verbs pop up at prices that fuel the GAS. Is the only difference between Ver I and II the raw voicing?

Thanks for the GAS anyway…

 

[rarebitusa]

As if I didn't need more fuel on the Rect fire... this guy drops one.

 

[Eevil]

As if I didn't need more fuel on the Rect fire... this guy drops one.

Yep

 

[bandit2013]

OK, I see you have the IIC, then the trainer Mark V which helps to break the Vol 1 control habit. The next step would be the Mark VII which is more of a kindergarten trainer for those Mark users having many decades of familiarity all thanks to the crunch and VII modes. This throws the gain in front of the tone stack. Ok, the Mark V has that too on CH2 as well as the V:25 and V:35 in crunch mode. First grade trainer you already have, Badlander 50. That is more to the Rectifier than a Mark as all of the gain is up front dumped into a low impedance tone stack like any of the other rectos.

That solo 3CH sounded really good. The 3CH solo was the first Rectifier that parted ways of the LDRs. So that is a fair bet all will be good with those models. Still you would have to find a 50W version. Not sure a 3CH 50 or single was made. All of the 2 CH Rectos made use of LDRs which do not last forever and when they crap out, good luck finding something that works.

The MWDR was just a reborn 3CH solo but with improved clean and some other features (not sure what they are, probably more gain and a series FX loop). This amp is one beast but can be tamed easily at 50W setting. I really love the MWDR for what it is.

The Roadster was the second Dual Rectifier to have the MW capabilities if not mistaken. Also includes reverb and four differently voiced channels. The first Dual Rectifier to get the MW switching was the Road King. That is more of a beast as it maxes out at 120W if you use all 6 power tubes (one pair of EL34). The RK is probably the most versatile since you can select to run the pair of EL34, or a pair of 6L6. I assume you can also run EL34 + 6L6, 4x 6L6 or all power tubes. Combine that with spongy power mode, Tube or silicon tracking on the fly (Roadster and MWDR have that ability to select rectification modes per channel).

Now Mesa/Gibson went back to the past, updated the Rev F without LDRs, gave it a series FX loop and made some changes. Why they opted not to include selectable power modes is questionable. What you can do with the MWDR and Roadster, you cannot do with the reissue Rev F: Set one channel to 50W with tube tracking and the other at 100W in silicon diode. That is one important feature you get with the MWDR and Roadster, Road King. Not being able to drop the power to half is almost a deal breaker. Reason why Mesa came out with the MWDR in the first place. Just imagine having a Triple Rectifier and no way to drop the power down. Being stuck at 150W all the time may be hard for all applications. Probably why Mesa did not make many KRG versions of the IIB, IIC, IIC+ or the Mark III. (I assume that would be the 300 Series).

I so not have knowledge on the other Recto models that were made before the MWDR or before the Roadster.