What makes a Rectifier a Rectifier?

[ando]

Ok, this might sound like a stupid question, but I was just wondering what exactly is it about a Rectifier that makes it different to other amp designs? Is it the Rectifier tube itself, or is the whole design of the amp itself the reason for the particular sound. Are there differences in the tubes, signal routing, position of the EQ/tone controls in the signal chain? What is the difference between single, dual and triple rectifiers.

The reason I am asking is that in the past I have had modelers that claim to be based on the rectifier sound. I use the LD1 Red mode on my Triaxis which is supposed to be a rectifier of some sort. I just figured it would be good to know exactly what part of a Rectifier's design creates that bone crunching sound? Does the Triaxis LD1 red mode actually sound like a Recitifier to you guys?

Finally, are rectifiers capable of a smoother, less aggressive sound? How versatile are these amps compared to, say, a Mark IV? Are these newer amps like the Roadking/Roadster also able to be setup as a Rectifier?

 

[MusicManJP6]

It is interesting that the Rect-O-Verb (and maybe all single recs - not sure) don't have a Rectifier tube which initially I thought is where the Rectifier got it's name. This does not seem to be the case and, rightly so, since even on Duals you can use diodes instead of tube rectification in which case you would not even be using the Rectifier tube(s). So, it must be the amp's circuitry that gives it the 'recto' sound we all know and love (well most of us at least!).

 

[Turumbar82]

a Rectifier just converts AC line current to DC. Your signal chain doesn't even flow through.

The only Mesa Recto's that are true to name are the Single and the Dual. The Single only has one rectifier, a silicon diode. The dual has two, the tube rectifier and the silicon diode rectifier. The Triple doesn't have 3 rectifiers as the name would imply in the sequence. It is just like the dual with a silicon diode and a tube rectifier.

The actual Mesa Recto feel has a lot to do with the preamp design (voicing, values of the EQ and presence knobs) and how it interacts with the power amp specifically.

I'm not a master at amp design by far but most amp designs are very similar.

Amp design is like soup. There are a bunch of specific ingredients to each kind of soup but you can substitute other ingredients to change the way the soup tastes. Certain ingredients you can't take away though, like broth, or it won't be soup anymore.

 

[muramasa]

The only Mesa Recto's that are true to name are the Single and the Dual. The Single only has one rectifier, a silicon diode. The dual has two, the tube rectifier and the silicon diode rectifier. The Triple doesn't have 3 rectifiers as the name would imply in the sequence. It is just like the dual with a silicon diode and a tube rectifier.

The actual Mesa Recto feel has a lot to do with the preamp design (voicing, values of the EQ and presence knobs) and how it interacts with the power amp specifically.

What do you mean the Triple Rectifier doesn't have 3 rectifier tubes? Mine has 3

Edit: I see what you mean, it doesn't have 3 kinds of rectification. My mistake.

 

[ando]

Thanks for the explanations folks!

In Australia it's very hard to find these amps anywhere to try them and get to know their characteristics - they are just so expensive here that hardly anyone will stock them. People still buy them on reputation alone though - so there must be something pretty special about them.