Raw Mode

[Guitarmiester]

I'm sure this isn't very typical of a Recto user, but my main tone revolves around channel 2's raw mode. I have it dialed in for a really nice mid-gain crunch. Most people are all about channel 3 modern and/or channel 2 vintage, but raw does it for me. I'm no metalhead, but occasionally mess around with channel 3 on modern.

I don't really have time for the band thing anymore and I hate not being able to fire up my Triple every weekend. I've been back and forth about selling the Triple, but every time I play the amp I feel like I'd regret selling it. What would you guys do? Any suggestions on amps that come close to channel 2's raw mode?

 

[rocknroll9225]

this may be because i'm kind of a pack rat, but i always regret getting rid of stuff sooner or later. i'd say think long and hard before you make that decision. i know that i would regret selling it at some point down the line if i were you, especially because you seem to like it so much.

 

[espboogie123]

There's a raw mode? :shock: j/k

If you like the raw tone... then maybe other amps might suit you better like marshall or peavey. If not... then don't sell it and jam it out! :mrgreen:

 

[Guitarmiester]

this may be because i'm kind of a pack rat, but i always regret getting rid of stuff sooner or later. i'd say think long and hard before you make that decision. i know that i would regret selling it at some point down the line if i were you, especially because you seem to like it so much.

I also have a Stiletto Deuce that I'll mess around with tomorrow. If I can come close to the tone I get from raw mode with the Stiletto's tight gain or fluid drive, that may push me toward selling the Triple. The Stiletto is very different from the Recto and I have it setup very different, as well. It's a lot brighter and more clear sounding, whereas the Recto is warmer and thicker sounding, if that makes any sense.

There's a raw mode? :shock: j/k

If you like the raw tone... then maybe other amps might suit you better like marshall or peavey. If not... then don't sell it and jam it out! :mrgreen:

:lol: I knew it was only a matter of time before something along those lines popped up.

I'm very picky when it comes to Marshall. I was very tempted to pick up a '59 reissue last week, but had to remind myself I'm trying to downsize... again. I had a JCM900 SL-X that I really liked but sold to fund my Stiletto. The Stiletto really covers that Marshall crunch with the added Mesa power section. What Peavey(s) do you have in mind?

 

[rocknroll9225]

if you want the raw mode type crunch (except better), then the tite gain seems right up your ally. from what little time ive had to play a stiletto, i personally like it a lot.

 

[espboogie123]

What Peavey(s) do you have in mind?

I used to have a Peavey JSX. That thing was a crunch machine. I miss that amp. I could never get that crunch in my roadster.

 

[Blaklynx]

What Peavey(s) do you have in mind?

I used to have a Peavey JSX. That thing was a crunch machine. I miss that amp. I could never get that crunch in my roadster.

I could not agree more! The JSX is a really, really good amp. Sooooo easy to dial in and use. For the price of a used amp, it's unbelievable value for money. I bought a head about a year ago for $1200 posted from the other end of the country, 6mths old, here in Australia. That's cheap here! (retail about $3500, on sale now for $2500). Just could not pass this up and don't regret it at all. Check youtube, there's some really good vids on there. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-en8Jnab7do that i always refer to others. This guy plays really well and gets some ripper tones. Through a Mesa cab too. Check his other vids.

For Mesa, as far as raw mode, I really like it. I've got a Rectoverb. It seems I spend more time on this mode than the others. It's smoother, sounds great and when pushed with an OD and with EQ pedals up front and in the loop, this mode really delivers. Plus, I like that it feels more dynamic, not as compressed. I like to consider this mode as smooth, dark chocolate. Did i say that I really like it?

In the end, up to you. There's some really good amps out there but value for money (and decent quality and service availability - both important), the JSX is it, even the Ultra Plus. I'm also partial to Carvin, too, another make that's good value (own a Quad-X preamp).

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

The raw mode is awesome. From cleans to heavily distorted blues tones, that mode does it all...

 

[Guitarmiester]

What Peavey(s) do you have in mind?

I used to have a Peavey JSX. That thing was a crunch machine. I miss that amp. I could never get that crunch in my roadster.

I could not agree more! The JSX is a really, really good amp. Sooooo easy to dial in and use. For the price of a used amp, it's unbelievable value for money. I bought a head about a year ago for $1200 posted from the other end of the country, 6mths old, here in Australia. That's cheap here! (retail about $3500, on sale now for $2500). Just could not pass this up and don't regret it at all. Check youtube, there's some really good vids on there. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-en8Jnab7do that i always refer to others. This guy plays really well and gets some ripper tones. Through a Mesa cab too. Check his other vids.

For Mesa, as far as raw mode, I really like it. I've got a Rectoverb. It seems I spend more time on this mode than the others. It's smoother, sounds great and when pushed with an OD and with EQ pedals up front and in the loop, this mode really delivers. Plus, I like that it feels more dynamic, not as compressed. I like to consider this mode as smooth, dark chocolate. Did i say that I really like it?

In the end, up to you. There's some really good amps out there but value for money (and decent quality and service availability - both important), the JSX is it, even the Ultra Plus. I'm also partial to Carvin, too, another make that's good value (own a Quad-X preamp).

On several occasions, I've come extremely close to buying a JSX. Over the summer, a guy in my area was selling the JSX half stack for $700, but someone beat me to it. I'll have to spend some time with one again. You gave me an awesome suggestion without even meaning to... Rectoverb. I randomly see one or two pop up. 50 watts, 2 channels, and the sames modes I'm used to. If I can hunt down the head, I think it'd be a perfect replacement for my Triple. The Rectoverb wouldn't leave me regretting letting go of the Triple. Do you have clips of your Rectoverb?

Carvin makes some great stuff. I had a Legacy for a while that I got for an absolute steal. As much as I liked it, it wasn't for me.

The raw mode is awesome. From cleans to heavily distorted blues tones, that mode does it all...

Exactly my point. It doesn't retain the top end clarity like the Stiletto, but covers a lot of ground very well.

 

[Blaklynx]

Sorry, I don't have any clips. I don't have a recording setup. Space restrictions at home (still renovating), I have no spare rooms so I cannot get an ideal setup. PC is at one end of the house, amp is at the other end, other gear is put out of the way. It frustrates me to no end and I can't see it getting better any time soon.

If you want to brighten the raw mode a little, place an EQ in the loop and boost the high/high-mid freq's a little, watching the front end tone controls on the amp. Use an OD out front, too. Here's a thread that may interest you, to give you different ideas and approach to your amp: http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=52293. If the amp sounds a little dark, make adjustments where necessary.

FYI: The rectoverb doesn't have a rectifier tube, spongey/bold option. There's also series I and series II amps. Can't remember the differences but I think it's the 6L6 and EL34 option on the series II.

Read some good stuff on the Carvin Legacy. I wanted to buy one but the series I amps didn't have enough control compared to the series II. By then I had the rectoverb and the JSX came in at a steal. Regardless, the value is excellent for Carvin gear.

Let us know how you progress.

 

[Guitarmiester]

I like running a very simple, effective rig. I've gone from having a massive custom pedalboard to being perfectly fine with just a tuner, OD, and delay. An EQ can be helpful, but I've always preferred fine tuning the amp. Additional EQ's change the characteristics of the amp too easily. I didn't realize the Rectoverb doesn't have the bold/spongy option. I'm aware there are no rectifier tubes. I'll have to hunt one down before making a final decision to hear if the Rectoverb will satisfy my needs.

The Legacy is a great amp with the smoothest lead channel of any amp I've ever played. Great for lead guitarists, but is really lacking in the rhythm department. One thing a lot of people don't consider when buying a Legacy is that because it's such a warm, dark sounding amp you'll most likely have issues cutting through the mix if you have another guitarist. It may be a loud amp, but the warmth can really play against you.

 

[boss4]

You like the Raw mode and you are talking only in hi-gain heads. Maybe you should consider small amps (combos perhaps) like Fenders Hot Rods, Orange Crush, Vox AC-30, etc.

 

[Guitarmiester]

You like the Raw mode and you are talking only in hi-gain heads. Maybe you should consider small amps (combos perhaps) like Fenders Hot Rods, Orange Crush, Vox AC-30, etc.

I was pretty set on a Rectoverb, but after reading this the other day and really thinking about it maybe it is time to try something a little different. A few weeks ago I came across a Vox AC that caught my interest. I don't have much experience with Vox amps other than some of the Valvetronix amps that I did not like at all.

 

[YellowJacket]

Guitarmiester, do yourself a favour and try an Electra Dyne. You might really like it. The clean 'mode' does that fender blackface thing really well, the vintage lo mode does an incredible mid gain crunch, and the vintage high mode is great for liquid leads. Oh, and that is only with the gain setting set to do more modern tones. You can totally back off the gain and get into blues / classic rock territory if you desire. It also switches between 45 and 90 watts. You probably would have no qualms ditching the Triple if you tried this amp. I'd say it is a very crunchy sounding amp but it definitely is smoother, creamier, and darker than a Stiletto.

I really want this amp, can you tell!?

 

[ifailedshapes]

Guitarmiester, do yourself a favour and try an Electra Dyne. You might really like it. The clean 'mode' does that fender blackface thing really well, the vintage lo mode does an incredible mid gain crunch, and the vintage high mode is great for liquid leads. Oh, and that is only with the gain setting set to do more modern tones. You can totally back off the gain and get into blues / classic rock territory if you desire. It also switches between 45 and 90 watts. You probably would have no qualms ditching the Triple if you tried this amp. I'd say it is a very crunchy sounding amp but it definitely is smoother, creamier, and darker than a Stiletto.

I really want this amp, can you tell!?

+1

 

[Guitarmiester]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Electra Dyne. The only problem is finding one to try. The closest store that carries Mesa is about an hour away. The videos on the Mesa site sound very promising.

 

[YellowJacket]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Electra Dyne. The only problem is finding one to try. The closest store that carries Mesa is about an hour away. The videos on the Mesa site sound very promising.

The video is great for sure. I think the video gives a good indication of how the 112 combo with the c90 sounds. That being said, the cleans are much thicker, swirling, and chimey in person. With a Stiletto 4 x 12, the crunch starts to get even more round and, well, crunchy. Pretty dang impressive! Definitely worth an hour trip to go demo!

 

[Guitarmiester]

The next time I'm up that way I'll definitely stop in to hunt down an Electra Dyne. Does the head and combo have the same features?

 

[YellowJacket]

Yes. The head and combo are virtually identical except for one minor cosmetic detail. The lettering on the amp chassis for the combo is upside down when compared to the head since the tubes point up in the head and down in the combo.

I was playing on an Electra Dyne halfstack and I can honestly say I like the 1 x 12 combo better. I just works better at lower volumes and it sounds a little smoother than the 4 x 12. v30s tend to be harsh at low volumes.