New user with a revision F.

[iplayguitar]

Hey guys,

I am a new user to this site but not really new to Mesa Boogie. I had a series 1 Solo 50 Rectifier in the past. Moved on to a Soldano 50 watt from there and just now sold my Marshall JCM 800 and bought another Mesa.

The Mesa I just bought is serial number R-001548 which I believe is a revision F? It has a black grill and a black chassis, small logo, attached cable, serial fx loop, etc.

I picked it up for $850, which from what I read seems to be a great deal.

I was wondering what you guys could tell me about this amp and how it differs from the Dual Rectifiers that are more common.

Thanks!

 

[YellowJacket]

Just a heads up: Get thine amp to a tech and have it looked over. It is 17 years old so it is probably due for an inspection and 'maybe' some new tubes. I had my Rev F tested about 7 years back so it is due for another checkup soon.

First of all, early duals are reported to have been tighter and more articulate than the later 2 channel heads. (Rev G) As I understand it, the Rev F is closer to a Rev G than it is to a Rev C, D or E.

Although I haven't ever tried a Rev G 2 channel Dual, by all accounts the Rev F and the Ref G are both very similar in tone. The Rev F is darker with a better clean than the previous revisions. The Rev F head is supposed to have the Mark III output transformer instead of the Mark IV OT that was used for the Rev G. My Rev F has a Mark IV OT but I have never been able to AB it with a head that has the Mark III OT to tell the difference.
The 2 channel heads tend to be less fizzy or aggressive than the 3 channel ones. (Not the 2009/10 reborn heads) In MY experience, the vintage and modern mode on the red channel sound very similar to the Vintage and Modern tones found on channel two of the old 3 channel heads. The orange channel, however, is different. The clean is warmer, bouncier, and more syrupy than the old 3 channel heads. When the orange channel is operated in vintage high gain mode, it becomes this wonderful elastic and vocal lead channel. Also run it in clean mode with the gain high for a great blues crunch. In my experience, the orange channel vintage tone is not present on the old 3 channel heads. As for the reborn heads, they are closer to the 'magic' of the 2 channel heads. Of course, plenty of people are happy with the 3 channel rectos and they are great amps. It just comes down to personal preference.

 

[iplayguitar]

I got the amp from a friend and it has been serviced regularly and has had new tubes put in it recently.

Thanks for the input. That is kind of what I had heard about these amps. I am really stoked to try it out with my full band and see how it sounds in the mix!

Does anyone have a guess as to what these amps normally go for?

Thanks,
DJ

 

[screamingdaisy]

I got the amp from a friend and it has been serviced regularly and has had new tubes put in it recently.

Thanks for the input. That is kind of what I had heard about these amps. I am really stoked to try it out with my full band and see how it sounds in the mix!

Does anyone have a guess as to what these amps normally go for?

Thanks,
DJ

$800 - $1100. Sometimes they go as high as $1200, but it depends on the market and the phase of the moon. Usually only Tremoverbs fetch that kind of money.

Sometimes I'll see pre 500 Rectos listed around or above $2000, but I don't know if anyone's actually silly enough to pay that price for one.