Multi-Watt Dual Rectifier Vs. 90s 2-Channel Dual Rectifier?

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90s 2-Channel or Multi-Watt?

  • 2010+ Multi-Watt REctifier

    Votes: 11 68.8%
  • 90s 2-Channel Rectifier

    Votes: 5 31.3%

  • Total voters
    16

slysendice

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Location
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Hello everyone!

I did a show today and, being the opening act, we used the headliner's amps. I used a 2-channel Dual Rectifier - I loved the thing! It made me decide that my next amp will be a Mesa Dual Rectifier.

I'm not sure if it's just hype or not, but I've noticed that the favourite Rectifiers seem to be the old 2-channel ones from the 90s. But I haven't seen a really good comparison between the revised Multi-Watt Rectifiers and the old 2-channel ones.

So I guess this is my question. How do they compare? I like the flexibility of the Multiwatt one, but I also don't want to sacrifice tone for flexibility.

I'm not sure if this has really been asked before, but I've searched and searched and found nothing.

I play in a pop-punk band by the way, reminiscent of Sum 41's old stuff (All Killer, No Filler era).

Thanks for your help!
 
I have the early 2000's 3 channel rectifier and back in the day played pop punk/emo music. That amp did the trick and you can probably find one used for under a grand i'm sure.
 
The old 2 channel rectos are awesome but they are not terribly versatile. Get the 3 channel multiwatt. You'll be able to cover way more tones i.e. very good clean, blues, classic rock crunch, punk, and modern metal. The amp will last you much longer this way. Also, plug into a Mesa Traditional 4 x 12 rectocab.

I own a '93 Rev F Dual Recto and I really use it only for metal or really heavy rock tones. I use my Electra Dyne for everything else including punk rock.
 
YellowJacket said:
The old 2 channel rectos are awesome but they are not terribly versatile. Get the 3 channel multiwatt. You'll be able to cover way more tones i.e. very good clean, blues, classic rock crunch, punk, and modern metal. The amp will last you much longer this way. Also, plug into a Mesa Traditional 4 x 12 rectocab.

I own a '93 Rev F Dual Recto and I really use it only for metal or really heavy rock tones. I use my Electra Dyne for everything else including punk rock.


Thanks everyone for your replies!

I had some pretty serious GAS for an Electra Dyne but they've discontinued it now, and I think I like the Rec better anyway. But **** the ED was awesome.
 
2 channel recto all the way for high gain if you don't need much versatility, the 3 channels just don't compare, even the multi-watts.

They still have good cleans, and 99% of pop-punk bands use the 2 channel duals.
 
JCDenton6 said:
2 channel recto all the way for high gain if you don't need much versatility, the 3 channels just don't compare, even the multi-watts.

They still have good cleans, and 99% of pop-punk bands use the 2 channel duals.
Thanks for your input! The biggest thing I like about the Multiwatt over the 2-channel (apart from the assignable wattage - that's a given) is the solo boost function. I prefer to boost my own solos and the Multiwatt would do this the most easily, or so it seems.
 
Easy enough to add a boost with a clean boost pedal in the loop.

Why would it bother you that a Dyne is discontinued? Plenty of them on the used market. The 2-channel Dual is also discontinued, for much longer than the Dyne.
 
elvis said:
Easy enough to add a boost with a clean boost pedal in the loop.

Why would it bother you that a Dyne is discontinued? Plenty of them on the used market. The 2-channel Dual is also discontinued, for much longer than the Dyne.
There's actually not much for Electra Dynes on the used market here in Canada.

Anyway I hadn't thought of boosting that way - thanks!

But still no one has really conclusively answered my question about the tonal differences between the 2-channels and the Multiwatts. Considering acquisition of a Multiwatt would be easier as well as the fact that I'd be getting a brand new amp, I'd like to know if it's really worth the hunt.

And to all that will say "Go try one!" I completely would if I lived in a city where the music stores carried Boogie stuff, but unfortunately that would be a several hours drive, so I'd like to know what to look for before going on an adventure to find it!

Thanks again!
 
slysendice said:
There's actually not much for Electra Dynes on the used market here in Canada.

Yay for Canadians!

The Electra Dyne is neither better nor worse than a Dual Rectifier, it is simply a different tool. I personally play my Electra Dyne 90% of the time and use it for most things. It DOES low gain / mid gain better than the Recto and also has a superior feel for lead playing. The clean tone is also fantastic. The Recto is better for super scooped / non mid focused tones and it has a more gainy / raunchy tone with a more guttural and bassy tone overall. As for recorded tone, it is indispensable for modern high gain tones. The Electra Dyne is smoother and more mid range-y overall. It also really crunches.

But still no one has really conclusively answered my question about the tonal differences between the 2-channels and the Multiwatts. Considering acquisition of a Multiwatt would be easier as well as the fact that I'd be getting a brand new amp, I'd like to know if it's really worth the hunt.

2 Channel Duals are looser and warmer (except Rev C - F) and more of a grunge / nu metal tone. The Red channel is great for rhythm while the orange channel is more elastic and suitable for leads. It just sucks because the orange channel also dubs as the alternate clean which is smooth and buttery but a bit dull. It sounds as good as a bad Fender, definitely way better than any Marshall. Keep in mind that the 2 Channel Dual does Modern / Vintage high gain and 'clean' which does not have terribly much headroom. Generally if you need cleans, you're stuck with cleans and whatever you can dial in on the other channel and I used my Dual for years before realizing how awesome the orange channel actually is when you use it for what it was designed for: High gain.
The 2 Channel Duals are basically that mid to late 90s iconic high gain tone and they do that well.

The 3 Channel Multi-watt duals have some distinct advantages over the 2 channel version.

1) A much improved clean tone.

2) 3 channels. You have clean cleans, or cleans with breakup and two more channels for a discrete mid / high gain lead and rhythm.

3) Added versatility. You have the following modes: Clean / Pushed on Channel one as well Raw Vintage High Gain and Modern High Gain on Channel Two and Three.

The Clean / Pushed and raw modes are much improved over the original 3 channel heads, not to mention the 2 channel ones. The Raw modes can be used as an alternate clean or a clean with hair as well as blues / classic rock type applications.

Vintage and Modern high gain are both an updated tone which is tighter and brighter than the original 2 channel heads which are warmer and darker by comparison.

4) Channel assignable power / rectification. This counts for something since 50watt / tube rectification can be selected with vintage high gain for a killer elastic lead tone while 100watt / silicon diode can be used for cleans for maximum headroom and 100watt / tube rectification for a phat rhythm tone on Modern high gain. Nice and wide.

Obviously the addition of a solo boost is nice as well but not so necessary with the multiplicity of channels. Of course, it depends how you are using the amp...

So, the 2 channel duals are one trick ponies. The Multiwatt Duals are versatile tools that can be used for many applications.

The Electra Dyne overall is a more midrange focused and complex tone that is more british sounding than the Rectos.

There you have it. I recommend the Multiwatt head because you'll get more mileage out of it. If you must get a 2 channel Dual, get the Electra Dyne to do everything else. You won't be sorry. My $0.05. (also Canadian)
 
YellowJacket said:
slysendice said:
There's actually not much for Electra Dynes on the used market here in Canada.

Yay for Canadians!

The Electra Dyne is neither better nor worse than a Dual Rectifier, it is simply a different tool. I personally play my Electra Dyne 90% of the time and use it for most things. It DOES low gain / mid gain better than the Recto and also has a superior feel for lead playing. The clean tone is also fantastic. The Recto is better for super scooped / non mid focused tones and it has a more gainy / raunchy tone with a more guttural and bassy tone overall. As for recorded tone, it is indispensable for modern high gain tones. The Electra Dyne is smoother and more mid range-y overall. It also really crunches.

But still no one has really conclusively answered my question about the tonal differences between the 2-channels and the Multiwatts. Considering acquisition of a Multiwatt would be easier as well as the fact that I'd be getting a brand new amp, I'd like to know if it's really worth the hunt.

2 Channel Duals are looser and warmer (except Rev C - F) and more of a grunge / nu metal tone. The Red channel is great for rhythm while the orange channel is more elastic and suitable for leads. It just sucks because the orange channel also dubs as the alternate clean which is smooth and buttery but a bit dull. It sounds as good as a bad Fender, definitely way better than any Marshall. Keep in mind that the 2 Channel Dual does Modern / Vintage high gain and 'clean' which does not have terribly much headroom. Generally if you need cleans, you're stuck with cleans and whatever you can dial in on the other channel and I used my Dual for years before realizing how awesome the orange channel actually is when you use it for what it was designed for: High gain.
The 2 Channel Duals are basically that mid to late 90s iconic high gain tone and they do that well.

The 3 Channel Multi-watt duals have some distinct advantages over the 2 channel version.

1) A much improved clean tone.

2) 3 channels. You have clean cleans, or cleans with breakup and two more channels for a discrete mid / high gain lead and rhythm.

3) Added versatility. You have the following modes: Clean / Pushed on Channel one as well Raw Vintage High Gain and Modern High Gain on Channel Two and Three.

The Clean / Pushed and raw modes are much improved over the original 3 channel heads, not to mention the 2 channel ones. The Raw modes can be used as an alternate clean or a clean with hair as well as blues / classic rock type applications.

Vintage and Modern high gain are both an updated tone which is tighter and brighter than the original 2 channel heads which are warmer and darker by comparison.

4) Channel assignable power / rectification. This counts for something since 50watt / tube rectification can be selected with vintage high gain for a killer elastic lead tone while 100watt / silicon diode can be used for cleans for maximum headroom and 100watt / tube rectification for a phat rhythm tone on Modern high gain. Nice and wide.

Obviously the addition of a solo boost is nice as well but not so necessary with the multiplicity of channels. Of course, it depends how you are using the amp...

So, the 2 channel duals are one trick ponies. The Multiwatt Duals are versatile tools that can be used for many applications.

The Electra Dyne overall is a more midrange focused and complex tone that is more british sounding than the Rectos.

There you have it. I recommend the Multiwatt head because you'll get more mileage out of it. If you must get a 2 channel Dual, get the Electra Dyne to do everything else. You won't be sorry. My $0.05. (also Canadian)
Thanks and happy Canada Day (well, for the last hour there is left of it)!

This is pretty much the answer I was looking for. I probably will wind up with a Multi-Watt or an Electra Dyne. I've always been interested in both, I guess I'll have to pit them against each other sometime and see which I really prefer.

Thanks again!
 
Hmm. Punk...

so.

Electra Dyne: (vintage hi mode) does more of a Greenday kind of punk tone. Hotrodded vintage marshall type tone. Can get quite aggressive when EQ'd correctly.

Dual Recto: Sum 41, Bad Religion, The Ataris (Although I'm pretty sure Bad Religion also uses Marshalls)

+s for Electra Dyne. Killer tone and feel. Easy to use. Amazing cleans, blues tones, vintage punk crunch, and a nice round mid heavy California punk pop kind of rhythm tone. Nice rich lead tone. The Vintage Lo mode is particularly cool because it is very dynamic and really responds well to pick attack. Very musical and fun to play. The amp feels alive and has soul.

-s for Electra Dyne. Features. Period. Shared SINGLE EQ string for 3 modes. No solo boost. Somewhat channel assignable reverb can be bypassed or controlled by an aftermarket footswitch. Does not have enough gain for modern metal. The shared EQ is a dealbreaker for many people and it is annoying to work around. A separate EQ string for each mode would have solved the one issue I have with this amp.

+s for Dual Recto Multiwatt: Features. Flexibility. Improved clean / pushed / raw is really cool. Vintage Hi will get you in the ballpark of the Electra Dyne and beyond. Solo boost. Records particularly well. Reference previous post but you do get the idea.

-s for Dual Recto Multiwatt: Not an Electra Dyne, still a Recto. If you like Oranges (the fruit) the Recto is an Apple so you're kinda screwed. If you like apples, then you're in luck.

My recommendation: Dual Recto Multi-watt with EL-34 tubes instead of stock 6L6s. Also, Mesa Traditional 4 x 12 rectocab for gigs. (RA 27" 1 x 12 extension cab for practice, trust me) If you aren't gigging really regularly, pass on a 4 x 12. The 2 x 12 Rectocab of that RA 27" 1 x 12 are perfectly good smaller format options. If you never play out and just jam, get a Mini Recto instead. TRUST ME!

As much as I love the tone of the 'Dyne, the lack of features will probably be a dealbreaker for you. The multiwatt is the best option.
 
YellowJacket said:
Hmm. Punk...

so.

Electra Dyne: (vintage hi mode) does more of a Greenday kind of punk tone. Hotrodded vintage marshall type tone. Can get quite aggressive when EQ'd correctly.

Dual Recto: Sum 41, Bad Religion, The Ataris (Although I'm pretty sure Bad Religion also uses Marshalls)

+s for Electra Dyne. Killer tone and feel. Easy to use. Amazing cleans, blues tones, vintage punk crunch, and a nice round mid heavy California punk pop kind of rhythm tone. Nice rich lead tone. The Vintage Lo mode is particularly cool because it is very dynamic and really responds well to pick attack. Very musical and fun to play. The amp feels alive and has soul.

-s for Electra Dyne. Features. Period. Shared SINGLE EQ string for 3 modes. No solo boost. Somewhat channel assignable reverb can be bypassed or controlled by an aftermarket footswitch. Does not have enough gain for modern metal. The shared EQ is a dealbreaker for many people and it is annoying to work around. A separate EQ string for each mode would have solved the one issue I have with this amp.

+s for Dual Recto Multiwatt: Features. Flexibility. Improved clean / pushed / raw is really cool. Vintage Hi will get you in the ballpark of the Electra Dyne and beyond. Solo boost. Records particularly well. Reference previous post but you do get the idea.

-s for Dual Recto Multiwatt: Not an Electra Dyne, still a Recto. If you like Oranges (the fruit) the Recto is an Apple so you're kinda screwed. If you like apples, then you're in luck.

My recommendation: Dual Recto Multi-watt with EL-34 tubes instead of stock 6L6s. Also, Mesa Traditional 4 x 12 rectocab for gigs. (RA 27" 1 x 12 extension cab for practice, trust me) If you aren't gigging really regularly, pass on a 4 x 12. The 2 x 12 Rectocab of that RA 27" 1 x 12 are perfectly good smaller format options. If you never play out and just jam, get a Mini Recto instead. TRUST ME!

As much as I love the tone of the 'Dyne, the lack of features will probably be a dealbreaker for you. The multiwatt is the best option.
Interesting that you should say that the Multiwatt is a better fit for me, when your description of the Dyne is exactly what I need for the music I play :lol:

But really, thanks very much for your input! I do gig rather regularly. And like I said in my original post, I'm on a quest for tone, not versatility - If the two truly come in the same package with no compromise (as in the Multiwatt), then that's great, but if there's any compromise to be made tonally that would come with the versatility it offers, I'd rather have a one-trick pony (as in the 2 channel or the ED that you've made me fall back in love with).

Your description of the ED describes the tone I'm after anyway: The mid-heavy tones of the Californian pop-punk bands of the 90s/early 2000s. Interestingly, most of those bands used 2-channel Rectos.

Anthony Raneri from Bayside uses an ED and I loved their tone on their last record, which according to him, all the rhythm tones were his Dyne. So there's that, too.

I've played an Electra Dyne before, also. Only briefly, but I loved every minute of it. It truly is a great amp.

It looks like it's down to the Multiwatt Rec or the Electra Dyne, which I know are an apples and oranges comparison, but I happen to like both apples and oranges! I'll have to find a way to try them both out extensively and figure out which one I like best. If only I could have both :mrgreen:
 
Start with a Gibson Les Paul Standard / Mesa Traditional 4 x 12 Rectocab combination and go from there. I think either head will get you in the ballpark for the tone you want so it is simply a case of seeing which will work better.

*I* like the Electra Dyne better and almost sold my 2 channel Dual until people here convinced me to hang onto it. Instead, I paid penance for 3 weeks in the hot sun to pay back my debt to my wife hahaha!!! I do have both and would grab the Electra Dyne without question for doing punk stuff so perhaps there is a solution with that FX loop to rig up a solo boost!?
The Dual is still my go to for uber rock / metal tones since the Electra Dyne does not have THIS much saturation. FWIW the Recto has more growl and bite while the Electra Dyne has more crunch and cream.
 
YellowJacket said:
Start with a Gibson Les Paul Standard / Mesa Traditional 4 x 12 Rectocab combination and go from there. I think either head will get you in the ballpark for the tone you want so it is simply a case of seeing which will work better.

*I* like the Electra Dyne better and almost sold my 2 channel Dual until people here convinced me to hang onto it. Instead, I paid penance for 3 weeks in the hot sun to pay back my debt to my wife hahaha!!! I do have both and would grab the Electra Dyne without question for doing punk stuff so perhaps there is a solution with that FX loop to rig up a solo boost!?
The Dual is still my go to for uber rock / metal tones since the Electra Dyne does not have THIS much saturation. FWIW the Recto has more growl and bite while the Electra Dyne has more crunch and cream.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Test out the heads with the same setup and figure out which I like better.

Thanks so much for your help!

Just out of curiosity, why do you suggest the Traditional Recto cab over the standard?
 
The Traditional Rectocab is a "Marshall sized" cab that emphasizes the midrange overall with a more tapered high end and tight lows. Compared to a Marshall 1960vintage 4 x 12 , the Traditional Rectocab has much more punch and thump. It is far tighter.

The Standard Rectocab is wider sounding with more 'sag', a huge bottom end, and more emphasis on the highs. It has a very hollow sounding midrange by comparison. Definitely best for Nu-Metal and grunge!

The Traditional Rectocab is better for punk, period.
 
I played a multi-watt recto and I didn't understand why everyone complained about clean tones or Rectos, dark/fizzy sounding etc., Mesa apparently took care of that in the new version. So my vote goes for the Dual Rec Reborn for the versatility.
 
YellowJacket said:
The Traditional Rectocab is a "Marshall sized" cab that emphasizes the midrange overall with a more tapered high end and tight lows. Compared to a Marshall 1960vintage 4 x 12 , the Traditional Rectocab has much more punch and thump. It is far tighter.

The Standard Rectocab is wider sounding with more 'sag', a huge bottom end, and more emphasis on the highs. It has a very hollow sounding midrange by comparison. Definitely best for Nu-Metal and grunge!

The Traditional Rectocab is better for punk, period.
That makes sense, actually. Sounds like the Traditional cab is what I'm looking for.

Thanks again for all your help - now I know what I'm looking for, at least!
 
That cab is awesome, you'll love it. (And you'll sprout biceps trying to carry it everywhere)

I see you're in Kingston. They've had an Electra Dyne head for the better part of a couple of years at Long & McQuade steeles so if you call them, it might still be there. The Traditional Rectocab will give that great round mid tone both with Vintage lo and hi on the 'Dyne as well as Vintage High Gain on the Recto Multiwatt.

For punk tone on the 'Dyne, put the volume at 9:00, set the gain trim switch on the back to 'clean' and run the tone stack at 12:00 noon for start. Adjust master to taste but start with it OFF and turn it up really slowly. IT's **** touchy. You can try 45 and 90 watts but I think 45 is best for punk. The 90 watt mode is much thicker and phatter with more low mids. With the 'Dyne, the mid knob is the crunch button. Turn up to activate. Rolling back the bass will help tighten things up.

Recto: for punk, Vintage Hi, 50watt, tube rectification with the presence at 9:00 and all other tone controls at noon. Set the amp master at around 9:00 and bring the channel master up from zero. You'll probably have to roll back the bass and bump the mids up for a rhythm tone. The 100 watt mode has a thicker sound with more girth, something which is better for heavier styles. 50watts should be tighter and less bassy / thick.
 
YellowJacket said:
That cab is awesome, you'll love it. (And you'll sprout biceps trying to carry it everywhere)

I see you're in Kingston. They've had an Electra Dyne head for the better part of a couple of years at Long & McQuade steeles so if you call them, it might still be there. The Traditional Rectocab will give that great round mid tone both with Vintage lo and hi on the 'Dyne as well as Vintage High Gain on the Recto Multiwatt.

For punk tone on the 'Dyne, put the volume at 9:00, set the gain trim switch on the back to 'clean' and run the tone stack at 12:00 noon for start. Adjust master to taste but start with it OFF and turn it up really slowly. IT's **** touchy. You can try 45 and 90 watts but I think 45 is best for punk. The 90 watt mode is much thicker and phatter with more low mids. With the 'Dyne, the mid knob is the crunch button. Turn up to activate. Rolling back the bass will help tighten things up.

Recto: for punk, Vintage Hi, 50watt, tube rectification with the presence at 9:00 and all other tone controls at noon. Set the amp master at around 9:00 and bring the channel master up from zero. You'll probably have to roll back the bass and bump the mids up for a rhythm tone. The 100 watt mode has a thicker sound with more girth, something which is better for heavier styles. 50watts should be tighter and less bassy / thick.
Yeah, according to their site there are some Electra Dynes left around their Ontario locations. I'll have to head out sometime to give them a try.

You seem to know exactly the tones I'm looking for and have been an enormous help - thank you!
 
Just something to add here, do not be fooled by the recto's, they have plenty of midrange, it is just low mid's compared to upper mid's of Marshall and the Electrodyne.

As for late 90's and early 2000 punk, that was mostly all 2 channel recto and then 3 channel recto, mostly on modern. Such groups as All time low, New Found Glory and Fall out boy, the Atari's and AFI etc.. all used either 2 channel or 3 channel rectos going into the oversized cabs. Not to mention many more groups like them.
 

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