noob Buying first Mesa !

[ibmorjamn]

So , I have a British Amp All ready. GC had a couple of deals I have been watching used prices.
First , I had recently played a Jvm 410 , a Mesa Boogie Triple Recto , and a Peavey 6505+ . The obvious happened. I got to have a Mesa to play some tighter sounding stuff.
Of course out of the 3 the 6505+ is one in my budget, Until I see the single Recto Solo 50 and I know it is the red headed step child of the 3 recto's . I thought it sounded pretty good up against the 6505 and I liked the Peavey this time around but it was not apples to apples. The 6505 was hooked to a Jcm900 4 x12 cab . The Solo 50 was hooked up to a 2 x 12 marshall cab. I could get good controlled sustain out of the Peavey.

It makes it tough because I feel like I might have made quick choice based on the brand name.
I would like some honest opinions based on tone and those of you who might have one or both of these.

 

[LesPaul70]

You need to trust your ears on this one. You are the best judge of your own taste. An amp isn't good or bad just because it is or isn't a Mesa.

The 5150/6505 can be heard on more metal albums than many people realize. Just be aware that just like a Triple Recto, it is a very loud amp, and you won't get the best tone until you crank it. This could be an issue, depending on where you will be playing.

The bottom line is, believe your ears.

 

[ibmorjamn]

You need to trust your ears on this one. You are the best judge of your own taste. An amp isn't good or bad just because it is or isn't a Mesa.

The 5150/6505 can be heard on more metal albums than many people realize. Just be aware that just like a Triple Recto, it is a very loud amp, and you won't get the best tone until you crank it. This could be an issue, depending on where you will be playing.

The bottom line is, believe your ears.

Thanks for the reply LesPaul70 , I understand. It is hard to spend a short time playing a amp with out having it at home with your speaker cab set up.
I could bring my cab down there I guess and spend some time. It's funny because the first time I tried my DSL I didn't like it. Same thing first time I tried the 6505+ I didn't like it. I played it at a moderately loud volume , enough to get sustain and that is something I need but that also has to do with the speaker cab.
I have a very loud drummer that I jam with.

The other thing is of course popular opinion. The single Recto gets no respect. I am sure that Mesa builds a solid amp. It seems to me it has a better lower mid sound than my amp for note separation. I don't currently drop tune but I might try drop "D"

 

[LesPaul70]

The day I need a Triple Rec to keep up with my drummer is the day I fire him! :lol:

A 50-watt Single Rectifier is plenty loud enough vs any human drummer. The reason for its so-and-so reputation here is probably related to its stigma as being the "entry-level" Rectifier. It only offers diode rectification, which is great for aggressive/metal tones but can be limiting otherwise. Also, since current Reborn Duals can also be dropped down to 50 watts, and they offer an extra channel and lots more sonic options, the 50-watt Single has started looking somewhat redundant. Besides, 100 watts isn't really that much louder - it just sounds bigger and better.

If you can't take your own cab to the shop, at least try to play both amps through the same cab (preferably one that is relatively similar to yours). And the same volume you normally use. Then just close your eyes, play and listen. Ignore the name tag on the amp.

(Of course there's always the mojo factor, not denying that. If some gear feels great to play because of its manufacturer or its reputation, that can inspire you to play better. Which is a very good thing.)

 

[YellowJacket]

Single Rectos sound great. They just aren't as beefy sounding as a Dual.

 

[ibmorjamn]

The day I need a Triple Rec to keep up with my drummer is the day I fire him! :lol:

A 50-watt Single Rectifier is plenty loud enough vs any human drummer. The reason for its so-and-so reputation here is probably related to its stigma as being the "entry-level" Rectifier. It only offers diode rectification, which is great for aggressive/metal tones but can be limiting otherwise. Also, since current Reborn Duals can also be dropped down to 50 watts, and they offer an extra channel and lots more sonic options, the 50-watt Single has started looking somewhat redundant. Besides, 100 watts isn't really that much louder - it just sounds bigger and better.

If you can't take your own cab to the shop, at least try to play both amps through the same cab (preferably one that is relatively similar to yours). And the same volume you normally use. Then just close your eyes, play and listen. Ignore the name tag on the amp.

(Of course there's always the mojo factor, not denying that. If some gear feels great to play because of its manufacturer or its reputation, that can inspire you to play better. Which is a very good thing.)

Lol , I don't need 150w , 50w is plenty but my 40w 1 x 12 (open back combo) is a challenge to hear if it sits on the floor with out an extension cab (with a drummer)
I don't know if it is just the name it does carry a "mojo" factor. It would be a entry level for me in to mesa , I have been back at playing for a over year after a hiatis. I felt the 6505+ would probably be better compared to a more similar product (dual rec 100w or triple 150w.)I'm not about finding the loudest amp and especially not in practice.The tone is what it's about for me "which is great for aggressive/metal tones" aggressive is the other tone option I am looking for and reading about the single solo 50w made me think it might not be a good choice. Your above statement is kind of what I was looking for is un biased description. cool , you know it sucks if you buy something and you don't like it. Last amp I bought was my first new tube amp and I had to exchange 5 amps before I kept the one I have.

 

[ibmorjamn]

Single Rectos sound great. They just aren't as beefy sounding as a Dual.

Thanks yellow jacket , kind of helps to hear other views than what I have read and I can get a Dual for $250 more but I am not doing any gigging at the moment and that would be determining factor in the cost to me. thanks

LesPaul70
" It only offers diode rectification"
This is only an issue I suppose if you place them side by side with the same cab, guitar and pick ups. I know the early Marhalls were tube rectified but they soon went to diode rectification and Soldano explains this scenario pretty good on his site. That being said I suppose the tube rectification is why the Dual and Triple are so tight.

 

[TRENCHLORD]

That being said I suppose the tube rectification is why the Dual and Triple are so tight.

It's why they are so versatile.
Diode rectification improves tracking-speed (tighter), and hits with more attack and solid feel.
Honestly I find both useful even in the context of extreme metal.
Tube-rec for metal leads is amazing, as is vintage mode if it's stroked right.

The reason the dual and especially the triple are tighter is just that they have more power/thud.

 

[kyldh]

I had a Triple Rec for years, and I can honestly say that it's all sorts of overkill. It sounds amazing, but ****... so loud. Mine also didn't have the option to switch down to 50w like the newer ones do. I would set up on stage and I'd have the volume knob set to 3 or 4 (imagining it was actually numbered from 1 to 10) and whoever was running sound would still be yelling "Guitar has to come down!" You probably noticed how the rectifier heads have that "jump" in volume if you played around with one. They're really quiet, then you start to turn up the volume knob and BAM, you get some pretty serious volume all the sudden. Right above that spot is where I'd generally have my amp set for 90% of shows. That doesn't even stretch a Triple Rec's legs.

I got kind of tired of having this amazing head and never getting to fully utilize it, so I sold it and got a Rect-o-verb (Single Rec).. kept it for about a week... haha. I liked it well enough, but it didn't sound as "full" as the Triple to me. Returned it and got a Roadster. I know the Roadster is more expensive, but holy cow. Best amp I've ever owned. Roadster's Dual Rec power is more than reasonable and I love having reverb and a GOOD sounding clean channel for blues playing. You may not care about clean though. The Triple's Clean Channel existed, but that's about all it did. haha. I never got a good clean tone out of it. I actually took a MusicMan head with me for clean tones. The Roadster really helped me consolidate.

My Triple was my first Mesa. I was 16 (had to borrow the money of course at that age) and got it because I wanted to sound like the Professionals. Kept it till I was 26 and loved it, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have gotten it.

So, my vote goes for Dual Rec if you want a Solo head. If you want good clean tone in combination with that Recto gain, go Roadster.

 

[knotts]

I say roadster. They're not super expensive used. Some guys sell them for between $1,200 and $1,400 with a few years left on the warranty. Not sure if it's in the budget but might be worth it to stretch a little.

 

[ibmorjamn]

I say roadster. They're not super expensive used. Some guys sell them for between $1,200 and $1,400 with a few years left on the warranty. Not sure if it's in the budget but might be worth it to stretch a little.

Unfortunately it is not in my budget.My trade was not a bad amp (90s Jcm 900 DR) but I feel I am trading up in value as well. I have read a few reviews that say the single recto is good for the studio.
I probably don't even need it. I started this by looking at the 6505+ and both amps apparently have some drawbacks. I'm going to take my cab down and try another test to decide.

 

[ibmorjamn]

I appreciate all the replies.

 

[ibmorjamn]

So , I have the amp home. I like the single rectifier. It's going to take a while for me to get it set up the way I want it and to figure out my favorite settings. From what I have seen a lot of tube sales are going JJ but they are hand picking them for the mesa. Sounds a bit like BS except on the power section. Once I get the right tubes I should be set. I still need a good 4 x 12 , I like the G12-t75's.

I have to find a good thread about the single recto but I guess that Mesa has so many premier amps the single doesn't fair well against the more versatile power house amps.

 

[thejay]

Tubes are subjective, there are a couple of good tube lots but typically I see JJs across the board. I personally, like the stock mesa tubes, mullards and Tung sols in the mesa amps I currently have, they serve me well. If you have the funds try a couple of different tube combos... Go back to the statement earlier of letting your ears decide. I know the advice is semi unhelpful but at the end of the day just b/c you have what (insert guitar player here) has doesn't mean that works for you. Half the fun is finding your tone....it's an expensive journey though!

 

[ibmorjamn]

Well , I don't even know of a guitar player I listen that plays a mesa with the exception of Metallica but of course not this amp so I will know the tone I am looking for. Really just good sustain and harmonics and the tight percussive tone. Just about every player I listened to played Marshall but I like the Mesa Boogie sound. Many times people discuss the bias mod but I'm not to the point of wanting to mod anything just yet.
yes it is a expensive journey. The first thing I had to do was buy a foot switch for the solo feature.

 

[BoogieTom]

Hi: I have the Rectoverb series-2. Here are settings I use to achieve sustain. These settings may not be for everyone, but they really drive the tubes. Oh yes, as a disclaimer, not for apartment use. You may get evicted.

Vintage mode
Gain-11:00
Tone-12:00
Mid-10:00
Bass-12:00
Presence-11:00
Master-12:00
Reverb-off
Output-9:00 to 11:00

 

[ibmorjamn]

Thanks , that will help. Getting used to setting these amps does through a curve.