Please help me find my first Mesa

[Fender Picker]

First let me say I enjoy reading posts from the mature and helpful folks on The Boogie Board. I've been looking for help on other boards and have been insulted, called nOOb and came away without the help I much needed. I hope to find answers here.

The closest Mesa dealer is a very long distance from where I live. So, going to play an amp is unfortunately not an easy thing to do. One dealer is two to three hours east and the other is two to three hours west. So I need to get my info from experienced people like you. And I appreciate it very much.

First, let's start with my budget. Right now it's just under $1,500 US.
Second, I need a 1X12 combo.
Third, I'm looking for that deep thunderous tone with lots of fat body Metal beef that you feel as much as hear.
Fourth, I'm looking for new. I've already been ripped off at Ebay on several amps.

The only thing I see that fits my budget is the Rect-O-Verb Series 2 1X12 Combo. 50 watts is plenty for my application. Maybe later add a 1X12 or 2X12 cabinet when money allows.

Do you think it will fit my needs? Or, should I save up, sell out and wait for the Mark IV ($2000)?

Thank you for any help and useful information.

FP

 

[Platypus]

Welcome to the board!

It would help us out tremedously if you could tell us a bit of what you're looking for or what you like to play. From your description of deep thunderous low end I think you're heading down the right path with the Rectoverb. The Mark IV is a different animal altogether and the voices of the Mark and the Rectos are quite different. The Mark won't get as deep as the recto but it does have a much tighter feel to the distortion and with the 5 band GEQ, you can shape just about any tone you wish. Out of the box the Rectoverb will give you that subsonic 6L6 punch with ease.

Any other requirements for the amp?

 

[Fender Picker]

Platypus-
Thanks for the welcome.
In a nutshell, I'm looking for that Metallica/Enter Sandman tone. I'm playing an Epiphone Les Paul with upgraded electronics and Seymour Duncan Distortion pickups. Also a Yamaha AES620 with upgraded electronics and Seymour Duncan Invader pickups. As well as a new Gibson Les Paul Studio stock.
This amp will be used mostly in the basement/garage and will be handed down to my daughter who is 13 and is the real musician in the family.
Thank you for the help.
FP

 

[Platypus]

Platypus-
Thanks for the welcome.
In a nutshell, I'm looking for that Metallica/Enter Sandman tone. I'm playing an Epiphone Les Paul with upgraded electronics and Seymour Duncan Distortion pickups. Also a Yamaha AES620 with upgraded electronics and Seymour Duncan Invader pickups. As well as a new Gibson Les Paul Studio stock.
This amp will be used mostly in the basement/garage and will be handed down to my daughter who is 13 and is the real musician in the family.
Thank you for the help.
FP

Anytime Fender Picker! What a cool dad!

If you want Metallica sandman tone, you want the Mark IV for sure. I know it's tough to go and try them out but the two amps in question here really are like apples and oranges and you need to make sure you're happy. I will say this.. the Mark IV is a definite tweaker amp and does not yield results right away. This might be a bit frustrating for yourself and your daughter but the extra work learning it is without a doubt worth the investment.

The Rectoverb on the other hand will be easy to dial in within moments as long as you've read the manual and understand the tone stack.

You really can't go wrong with either model but I really do mean it when I say they are quite different and as it stands, most people find their voice in one or the other.

 

[Fender Picker]

Thanks man. I'll give this a lot more thought and time. Guess I'll call ahead to see what they have in stock and plan two trips so I can hear both amps. And save another $500 until then.
FP

 

[Platypus]

In the meantime, have you been here?
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewforum.php?f=15

There are tons of Mark IV and Rectoverb clips in there, check out the search feature and you can find some great stuff. I know it's not the real thing but it should certainly help you figure out the range of tones you can expect

 

[Matterra]

Save up for the Mark IV.

James Hetfield pretty much used it all over the Black album, and Enter Sandman.

Also: Its so versatile it will support whatever style of music she chooses.

 

[Anonymous]

Post removed.

 

[JoeEllison]

I have little to add except... isn't shopping fun?

The one thing I really DO have to add is this: do you really want to save a little now, and regret it later? I've spent about $7000 on gear in the last 10 years, and I've been happy with almost none of it. Buying 7-8 $500 and under guitars and not being happy is a big waste, while buying one $21500 would have satisfied me and saved me $2000.

My suggestion? All Boogies are good amps. Go play a bunch of them. Find the right one, and spend whatever it takes to get it.

 

[Fender Picker]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to Charlotte tomorrow to try some Mesa amps out. If I don't find one that I like and can afford, I'm going to Asheville later in the week.
FP

 

[JoeEllison]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to Charlotte tomorrow to try some Mesa amps out. If I don't find one that I like and can afford, I'm going to Asheville later in the week.
FP

Which shop in Charlotte? My brother lives in Gastonia, and I'm headed that was in a month or two.

 

[Fender Picker]

Guitar Center in Matthews on 74 east.
FP

 

[JoeEllison]

Guitar Center in Matthews on 74 east.
FP

I'm looking forward to reading about your experience there... I might have to detour a little next time I'm in the area!

 

[Fender Picker]

Ask for Steven if you want to buy something. He gives a "Steven Standard Discount" on everything.
FP

 

[PreventThis]

Personally I love my ROV. I just bought it last week and its perfect for me. But from what ive heard on this board and in the sound clips section the Mark IV is definitley more of what your looking for. It is much more tight and more smooth sounding like on anything metallica. Rectos have a more modern sounding tone. Something like Killswitch engage or As I lay Dying are the tones that come in mind that sound like my ROV. As soon as I got it home it was pretty easy to get some good tones out of it. Im still tweaking to get the tone Im looking for but the ones Im using right now definitley would work. I will buy me a Mark IV in the future for sure because I too play metallica and other things like Lamb of God but right now Im happy with my Recto. So I would say go and try different amps out. Hopefully they have both in stock. My store didnt so I had to go to a couple other places. Good Luck.

 

[wilerty]

Guess I'm too late to recommend you at least try the new Mesa Express 5:50 1X12 while you are there. It is 5 watts or 50 watts, works great in your base ment and flip a switch and you can play out. It is $1,199. I'm extremely happy with my 2X12 version ... but I don't use a lot of gain.

Just another option to consider.

 

[clutch71]

My .02 get the ROV and the 2x12 Rectifier cab, pass it off to your daughter in a year, then buy a Mark IV...but keep the 2x12 Rectifier cab.

This way you'll have access to both!

 

[Fender Picker]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a Rect-O-Verb Series 2 1X12 today. They were out of 5:50 2X12 and Mark IV. Man, I love it so far. Sooooo much better than my Peavey Classic 30 even with the Hellatone speaker and new tubes.
Thanks everyone for the help and encouragement.
If I can ever return the favor, just let me know.
FP

 

[JoeEllison]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a Rect-O-Verb Series 2 1X12 today. They were out of 5:50 2X12 and Mark IV. Man, I love it so far. Sooooo much better than my Peavey Classic 30 even with the Hellatone speaker and new tubes.
Thanks everyone for the help and encouragement.
If I can ever return the favor, just let me know.
FP

I just spent 2 hours with one... very nice amp! I have no doubt you'll get lots of enjoyment out of it.

 

[jdurso]

great amp.... have fun.....make sure you position that baby in the right place in terms of the wall you place it in front of.... i found the corner of the room to be best for me as the waves shooting out the back deflected in a more 180 degree direction.....again have fun!