Opinions needed.

[Biggib]

Hello all!!

I'm new here and I have a few questions. I've mainly played Marshall amps in the past and I'm in the market for something new. I'm interested in a Mesa Rectifier series amp. I play everything from 70's to present rock and metal music (o.k. some pop too) but really like 80's rock and metal (Dokken, Ozzy, etc). I know, they all used Marshalls and yes I do like the Marshall sound but I'm looking for a slight twist on that sound and something different.

First question: what Mesa amp should I be looking at?
Second question: I found a decent deal on a Roadster combo, does the closed back combo have the umph of a head and seperate 2x12 or 4x12 cab?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[screamingdaisy]

This clip explains it better than I can.

Skip to 2:15 to get to the actual demo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7j5INzX1yE

 

[rocknroll9225]

if you're looking for a "slight twist" on a marshall sound, then i would recommend a stiletto. roadster would also be a great choice.

 

[talltxguy]

Although I own a Roadster and love it, it's not what I'd call a slight or even moderate twist on the Marshall sound. I would suggest you spend some time playing a Stiletto or an Electra Dyne.

 

[YellowJacket]

Although I own a Roadster and love it, it's not what I'd call a slight or even moderate twist on the Marshall sound. I would suggest you spend some time playing a Stiletto or an Electra Dyne.

Definitely Stiletto or Electra Dyne.

For a roadster / Dual Rectifier. You could load the amp with EL-34 tubes and run v30s / Greenbacks in an X pattern (In a marshall 4 x 12) and that will get you a slightly more 'classic tone'. That being said, START WITH THE STILETTO OR ELECTRA DYNE!!! They sound much more like what you're looking for!

 

[Biggib]

Thansks for the replies!! I guess what i should have said was that even though I like the Marshall sound, I'm kinda tired of it and looking for something different. I occassionally play out and would like a sound, along with the classic recto sound, that could be a slightly less, mesa twist on an 80's rock and metal sound. I don't know if this makes any sense but I am just looking for something different. Also, is the 1x12 or 2x12 sealed roadster combo have the punch of a standard closed back 2x12 cab??

Thanks

 

[screamingdaisy]

Thansks for the replies!! I guess what i should have said was that even though I like the Marshall sound, I'm kinda tired of it and looking for something different. I occassionally play out and would like a sound, along with the classic recto sound, that could be a slightly less, mesa twist on an 80's rock and metal sound. I don't know if this makes any sense but I am just looking for something different. Also, is the 1x12 or 2x12 sealed roadster combo have the punch of a standard closed back 2x12 cab??

Thanks

I can't answer your question, but I can point out that the Roadster 1x12 combo is 94lbs and has a single handle that's located on top of the combo. It's both heavy and awkward to carry, particularly if stairs are involved.

The 2x12 combo is 100lbs.

I recommend a separate head/cab.

 

[b0nkersx]

Hello all!!

I'm new here and I have a few questions. I've mainly played Marshall amps in the past and I'm in the market for something new. I'm interested in a Mesa Rectifier series amp. I play everything from 70's to present rock and metal music (o.k. some pop too) but really like 80's rock and metal (Dokken, Ozzy, etc). I know, they all used Marshalls and yes I do like the Marshall sound but I'm looking for a slight twist on that sound and something different.

First question: what Mesa amp should I be looking at?
Second question: I found a decent deal on a Roadster combo, does the closed back combo have the umph of a head and seperate 2x12 or 4x12 cab?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!!

It sounds to me like a Mark V would be right up your alley! It will excel at all of those styles of music you listed and sounds nothing like a Marshall. I personally think it would be better at 80s metal than a Rectifier would.

 

[shytfayse]

+1 on screamingdaisy. The combos are ball busters for stong youths only! Mesa's are built like a tank and weigh like one. I would have selcted a separate head and cab if I had looked closely at the weight on the spec sheet before I purchased it, but, I've always been a combo guy. The heavy ******* has nearly taken me down several times! Now I think the 1x12 combo had an open back while the 2x12 is closed. Two distinct cabinet voicings for sure. The low end will be predominate with the 2x12 and you shouldn't be able to tell the difference between it and a separate 2x12 closed cab. For bigger venues I will bring out a 4x12 cab for more presence. I don't think Mesa is offering the 1x12 combo anymore so you may be looking at a used piece to get one of these. It's not a marshall but you can get some passable AC/DC tones out of it - Pat.

 

[YellowJacket]

Thansks for the replies!! I guess what i should have said was that even though I like the Marshall sound, I'm kinda tired of it and looking for something different. I occassionally play out and would like a sound, along with the classic recto sound, that could be a slightly less, mesa twist on an 80's rock and metal sound. I don't know if this makes any sense but I am just looking for something different. Also, is the 1x12 or 2x12 sealed roadster combo have the punch of a standard closed back 2x12 cab??

Thanks

Wait, you want something LIKE a Dual Rectifier or you Don't want something like that!?? I'm going to go and recommend a Mark V with c90 speakers. That should get pretty 80s rock and metal! They're wicked amps and they dub as much as a practice amp as a performance one, thanks to the 100, 50, 10 watt options and the ability to dial in great low volume tones to begin with! It also doesn't hurt that the amp has a stunning clean, 9 modes, and a myriad of possible tone shaping options. You'll never get bored.

 

[screamingdaisy]

I think he said he wants the Recto sound... but also wants the versatility to be able to play other, more 80s oriented stuff.

The Mark V will excel at achieving classic 80s studio tones, which were all over various 80s recordings... including a lot of stuff that people assume is Marshall tone. It'll also do thrash, heavy metal, jazz, pop, punk, modern rock, classic rock, really old rock, Santana, George Thorogood and a bunch of other stuff.

What it won't do is sound like like a Recto. Although I do agree that if he's looking for an alternative to Marshall it's also a good choice.

Still, the Roadster will also get him what he's asking for.

 

[droptrd]

I he wants the recto sound then the roadster is the way to go. Nothing else will give you that recto wallup. If youre into the marshall stuff ill put another vote in for the stiletto

 

[Biggib]

Thanks guys, I will have to play some of these amps to make a final decision.