Pre-500 Recto questions

[vendo]

Hi guys

I have a chance to buy a pre 500 Dual Rec for just under a grand. It looks really clean and original but I was hoping to put together a checklist of things to look for to ensure its originality, authenticity, etc.

One thing that looks a little odd to me is the leather/tolex is quite pebbly. Other Rectifiers I've had were much smoother to the touch. Not sure if Mesa used these or if it means it was recovered.

Anyhow, any sage advice or pertinent links you could give me would be great. I'm guessing, from what I have read, that its a revision D but I guess I won;t know for sure until I take it apart (but I would have to buy it first before I can do that.

Any idea what these generally sell for? I can't see much on eBay right now...

Thanks in advance!

 

[YellowJacket]

I think the seller can oblige you by taking it apart and photographing where the circuit board says Revision G right on it. Never know, it could be a fake. That being said, you'll really be getting what is essentially a high gain chainsaw head. Keep in mind the cleans sound like dump on these things!

I wish the Boogie Archives were up. They had all the info you need to know up on there. If you search pre-500 Recto or something like that, you should be able to locate all the relevant threads on this forum.

 

[Yetti]

Yeah there is a **** load of information about the early rectos. I went as far back as about 2 - 3 years of topics and questions and info on them. Awesome to read.

As far as authenticity yeah cracking her open is going to be the best. But for appearance wise:
They were wrapped back then with real leather, and not your traditional tolex you see today, The Leather on my Triple Rev F is pretty thin and has come unwraveled a bit on the back of my head.
The Size of the logos? however i have not see any comparison to what is what.
Serial number is a good one.
And also the back to see what configuration the Cab Connections are 4 , 4 , 8 blah. and where the channel modes are if there is anything in Parentheses ( ) i dont remember specifically but something said something about (up to 7) or something? i dont know. Just something that was printed under the names back then but no anymore.

good luck

 

[vendo]

Thanks for the input!

I've read as much as I can find and everything about it seems to fit except for a couple things I'm not too sure about that make me curious so I hope some pre-500 owners can chime in and help me out.

Like I said earlier, the tolex is not smooth like I'm used to seeing on early rectos. Its more like elephant hide/tolex but looks to be leather. It looks original or is a damn good job if its a re-do. Did Mesa do custom coverings back then?

Also, in the bottom right corner it reads that the amp is wired for 220v. A replacement plug is where the original should be (the only thing obviously non-original that I can see). It works just fine. Could it be that its a modded European version thats been messed with inside the chassis to scale down the voltage?

I doubt very much that I'll be able to pull the chassis to check it out but I will certainly ask. If I do, are there any obvious red flag to watch for? Consider I'm not an amp builder so my knowledge is limited here.

BTW, the serial number is on the amp and its in the mid 400s

Thanks in advance again for any info you can provide me!

 

[Elpelotero]

This is a Revision D.

The covering back then was either smooth leather OR the pebbly tolex. My pre500 has pebbly tolex. Nothing to worry about at all. It's actually more durable than the smooth leather. Under $1000 is a GREAT price. They are selling for double that on ebay.

Get it! lol

 

[YellowJacket]

The resident boogie scholar has spoken

 

[vendo]

Thanks for the extra info. I suspected the tolex was right, thanks for confirming. I'm checking it out tomorrow and hope to pull the chassis to inspect the power cord. I'm guessing I'll end up buying it and will post pics in case anyone is interested.

If it turns out to be a Euro pre-500, will that affect its value in any way? Positive or negative?

Thanks again!

 

[Elpelotero]

I think you'll be ok either way. There are people across the pond interested in early rectos, as well, in case you ever decide to sell.

 

[vendo]

I think you'll be ok either way. There are people across the pond interested in early rectos, as well, in case you ever decide to sell.

I confirmed it to be a Euro version originally wired for 240v. Also, the grounding toggle is gone, the white print has been blacked out and there is a flat round cap filling in the hole. I talked to a tech at Mesa and he said that would have been factory, something to do with compliance with local laws.

I have the amp getting looked at by a licensed Boogie tech to see what type of voltage mod was doen to it and if it was done right.

I played it and want it but I also want to make sure some hack didn;t ruin it or worse, do something dumb enough to set itself on fire or something. :shock:

I should hear from the tech today and will make the deal if it all checks out.

Pics to follow if anyone is interested.

and btw, Elpelotero, any chance your Bogie Archives site is going back on-line anytime soon? If not is there any way I could access the info for some enjoyable reading (like a zip of the site or something)?

 

[Elpelotero]

I think you'll be ok either way. There are people across the pond interested in early rectos, as well, in case you ever decide to sell.

I confirmed it to be a Euro version originally wired for 240v. Also, the grounding toggle is gone, the white print has been blacked out and there is a flat round cap filling in the hole. I talked to a tech at Mesa and he said that would have been factory, something to do with compliance with local laws.

I have the amp getting looked at by a licensed Boogie tech to see what type of voltage mod was doen to it and if it was done right.

I played it and want it but I also want to make sure some hack didn;t ruin it or worse, do something dumb enough to set itself on fire or something. :shock:

I should hear from the tech today and will make the deal if it all checks out.

Pics to follow if anyone is interested.

and btw, Elpelotero, any chance your Bogie Archives site is going back on-line anytime soon? If not is there any way I could access the info for some enjoyable reading (like a zip of the site or something)?

After over a year hiatus, I've recently been looking into starting it back up during my free time from work. So, since I've gotten a bit of re-inspiration, perhaps in a month or so? The information is all saved in Dreamweaver. It'd be difficult to send it around.

 

[vendo]

Well I picked it up today! I'm pretty excited, its really clean and looks to be complete and authentic as far as this rank amateur can tell. Its #R0463 and the board confirms it as a Rev D Dual Rec.

It looks like it is a Euro version thats been switched over. I have pics if any of the experts can help. Here's the link to my album...

http://picasaweb.google.ca/vendo44/R0463#

I'm hoping there are enough clear shots there for anyone to point out things that don't look right. I also included pics of the transformers' serial numbers in case that helps. I have many circuit board pics to help (not really sure what I was shooting for the most part). I'll say that I'm pretty impressed by the neatness and care taken in the quality of the build.

The tolex is dirty but is virtually mint. No tears or scuffs, its just going to need a good scrubbing.

Would love to know what you think of it!

Thanks again!

(and btw, I really look forward to the Boogie Archives site going live again!)

 

[Yetti]

Looks pretty sexy man. I guess i asumed Most of the earley rectos had the black faces, and chrome chasis.
Id love to further my knowledge on these boogie archives. Would be sweet to further read on my addiction of knowledge.
Did it also act as like a history of certain known serial nimbers and stuff? Would be cool to make something like that to.

 

[YellowJacket]

Yes Yetti, what you are describing was the boogie archives before it went down. http://www.TheBoogieArchives.com