what's the difference between rectifiers,roadsters and still

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blakkspider

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Hello everyone! i'm new in this so i want to buy my first mesa boogie but i don't know what the differences are between rectifiers(dual,triple) and the roadster and stilletos.

can somebody explain it to me? thanx!!
 
The dual and triple are more or less the same amp except for the wattage they output. There is also a Single Rectifier. I prefer the triple to the duel although i own a dual rec roadster. All 3 amps use 6L6 power tubes, but basically here's how you break it down:

Single Rec 50 Watts
Dual Red (DR) 100 Watts
Triple Rec (TR) 150 Watts

Now each recto has some different models except the triples (atleast to my knowledge). The Roadster, Road King, Maverick, and Tremoverb are different models of the DR which have differen features from the standard DR. The Tremoverb has tremolo and reverb and has a darker voicing on the gain than a standard DR. The Road King is the king of all rectos as it has tons of extra functionaility. it has progressive tube linkage that allows you to use 6L6 or EL34 power tubes or a combination of both. It also has a ton of features that would be too much to type but check out the mesa site if it sounds interesting to you. The Roadster is somewhat like a watered down Road King without the progressive linkage and some other features but still ckock full of goodness. The Maverick was the least Recto of the Recto family in my opinion. reminded me more of the Nomad and/or the newer Lone Star. The single recs also have a Rectoverb model which is like the standard Single rec but with reverb and a slightly different gain voicing. The Tremoverb, Rectoverb, Roadster, and Road King all come in head and combo versions.

The DR and TR have gone through some changes over the years going from 2 to 3 channels (the two channels sound the best to my ears). The Road King and the Roadster both have four channels. Ok so enough with the rectos.

The Stilletto is basically Mesa's answer to the british or "Marshall" tone but with more Mesa characteristics. I look at it as a more modern Marshall with more features and a better sound. It uses EL34s instead of the 6L6s which gives it more of that british style of gain. Awesome all around amp and to me a prefect compliment to the recto family.

Hope that gives you some what of a start. I've been playing Mesa religiously for over 8 years now and gone through almost all the different models i could get my hands on (TR 3 channel, DR Tremoverb, DR Roadster, Mark IV long head, Redtoverb, Triaxis/2:90, F50, and DR Maverick), but in know way do I compare to the pool of knowledge of this fourm.
 
Roadster = Road King Preamp + Dual Rec Poweramp (plus some additonal goodies)

Stiletto is a whole different beast. EL34 power section. Different preamp entirely.
 
as far as i know all the rectifier series amps can have EL34's put in them. I bet the stilettos have an OT that's a better match for the EL34's. Any amp that uses EL34, can use E34L's and KT77's.

IMO anything bigger than 50W tube is over kill, and cost more to retube. You also have to turn it up louder to get power tube saturation.
 
nomad100hd said:
as far as i know all the rectifier series amps can have EL34's put in them. I bet the stilettos have an OT that's a better match for the EL34's. Any amp that uses EL34, can use E34L's and KT77's.

IMO anything bigger than 50W tube is over kill, and cost more to retube. You also have to turn it up louder to get power tube saturation.

Right but the Stilleto's sound is built around the characteristics of the EL34 while the REctos are built around the characteristics of the 6L6
 
jdurso said:
The dual and triple are more or less the same amp except for the wattage they output. There is also a Single Rectifier. I prefer the triple to the duel although i own a dual rec roadster. All 3 amps use 6L6 power tubes, but basically here's how you break it down:

Single Rec 50 Watts
Dual Red (DR) 100 Watts
Triple Rec (TR) 150 Watts

Now each recto has some different models except the triples (atleast to my knowledge). The Roadster, Road King, Maverick, and Tremoverb are different models of the DR which have differen features from the standard DR. The Tremoverb has tremolo and reverb and has a darker voicing on the gain than a standard DR. The Road King is the king of all rectos as it has tons of extra functionaility. it has progressive tube linkage that allows you to use 6L6 or EL34 power tubes or a combination of both. It also has a ton of features that would be too much to type but check out the mesa site if it sounds interesting to you. The Roadster is somewhat like a watered down Road King without the progressive linkage and some other features but still ckock full of goodness. The Maverick was the least Recto of the Recto family in my opinion. reminded me more of the Nomad and/or the newer Lone Star. The single recs also have a Rectoverb model which is like the standard Single rec but with reverb and a slightly different gain voicing. The Tremoverb, Rectoverb, Roadster, and Road King all come in head and combo versions.

The DR and TR have gone through some changes over the years going from 2 to 3 channels (the two channels sound the best to my ears). The Road King and the Roadster both have four channels. Ok so enough with the rectos.

The Stilletto is basically Mesa's answer to the british or "Marshall" tone but with more Mesa characteristics. I look at it as a more modern Marshall with more features and a better sound. It uses EL34s instead of the 6L6s which gives it more of that british style of gain. Awesome all around amp and to me a prefect compliment to the recto family.

Hope that gives you some what of a start. I've been playing Mesa religiously for over 8 years now and gone through almost all the different models i could get my hands on (TR 3 channel, DR Tremoverb, DR Roadster, Mark IV long head, Redtoverb, Triaxis/2:90, F50, and DR Maverick), but in know way do I compare to the pool of knowledge of this fourm.

Nice, perfect and concise...

The Stiletto does have the Mesa take on a Marshall with the tube rectification like the older Marshalls and the modern gain of the newer amps..
 
What type of stuff will do you play? That should be a factor in your overall happiness. This board is awesome but doesn't take the place of good ole first hand experience. Get out and plug into as many things as you can.

Don't forget to review the Amp settings data base. Not knowing where you are coming, from Mesa's can take a while to dial in the tone you want. I don't mean that in a bad way.

Good luck and welcome to the board.
 

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