Lunchbox High Gain Shootout - Mesa Mini Rectifier VS PRS MT15

[@gusmc01]

This is how you do an amp demo/shootout. Don't talk, just play, show us both channels and turn the knobs while playing. Thank you.

[@patrickallen8787]

I plan on owning both of these eventually but i am SO impressed at how close the very affordable and awesome looking PRS sounds to the absolutely legendary and rather expensive Mesa Rectifier.

[@fl4k880]

owning both makes no sense, you said it they sound close...

[@patrickallen8787]

@@fl4k880 For practical purposes, yes. I however, am completely out of my mind and wish to have all of the amps.

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

00:53 that tone and that riff CRUSH

[@bodielancaster7952]

Honestly I think the PRS sound better. It sounded smoother in the overdrive and cleans. Definitely impressive for a small lunchbox amp

[@jult2309]

I got one on layaway. I can't wait to pick it up

[@KratosIsSick]

I will fight anyone who says putting IR Packs in the signal chain is better than real cab + mics when showing DIFFERENCES in Amps. Great demos. Takes time to setup baseline, adjust, iterate.

[@goodmanwiseman303]

This is the best demo channel by far.

[@RubyRoks]

Wasn't expecting a Dorje riff on clip 4. Great shootout

[@HairFollicle]

That prs is a beauty

[@KahnuevsKrake]

I used to own a Mini Rectifier and a Mark 5:35, both INCREDIBLE amps, but the Mini Rec was a tad harsh in the highs, which the Mark wasn't (amazing lead tones), but it lacked the low end thump with palm muting and there was so many voicings, I was forever trying to decide which one I liked best and dialling the sweet spot. The MT15 on the other hand managed to nail both the low end thump and the lead tones and was so much easier to dial in. I loved it so much, I sold my Mark 5:35 to pay for it.

[@PK22-b7v]

So you prefer the MT15 over the Mini Recto ?

[@KahnuevsKrake]

@@PK22-b7v Absolutely!

[@PK22-b7v]

@@KahnuevsKrake the only thing i dislike about the MT15 is the lack of a gain knob on the clean channel ... so you cant crank the clean without it breaking up. Sheer stupidity by PRS. Clean channels need a gain knob just as much as the gain channel.

[@mattpn]

They sound pretty close ! The PRS has a smoother gain and more medium, the Mesa is... A mesa ! ^^

[@Cookie4yabro]

I can’t say for the PRS but I own the Mesa mini and it has an amazing amount of low-end for being what it is!

[@zerosoma33]

Do you speak English

[@guitarjawa7726]

I really wanted one of them to stand out more, one way or the other but they were close all the way around.

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

Yeah it’s interesting. Tremonti loves rectifiers so I guess it’s almost based off the rectifier sound 👍

[@paulchoate1]

Doesn’t it suck when that happens lol. Now, what cabinet/speaker to get?

[@KahnuevsKrake]

@@TobysGuitarGearDemos Mark Tremonti Uses a Triple Rectifier and a Bogner Uberschall together. I think he was trying to combine those 2 amps into one as not everyone has the money for a massive rig like his.

[@tim_cilento]

Super close. The PRS has more low end, and is a bit smoother. It sounds a bit more saturated in some of the clups as well. The cleans as well are super close. The Mesa again doesn't have as much low end and is a bit brighter like a Vox style clean. The PRS sounds more scooped and not as chimey like a Fender style clean

[@fjk1138]

I had the MT15 for a brief period. The sound was awesome, but there was unfortunately a noise problem that I could not get rid of after a week and I had to send it back. I now have the Mini Rectifier and it sounds awesome also. It's too bad about the MT15 because it was cheaper than the Mesa, but...well...the Mesa's build quality is superior to say the least. Great demo regardless.

[@polarbear7577]

Great demo Great playing Great job recording too ! Agreed, they both sound really good for small size amp

[@curttrego]

I own an mt15 now, and I've ownded a 90s two channel dual rectifier in the past. I prefer the mt15 even over the full size rectifier, which i still loved.

[@mikedickerson7535]

Was it a volume issue ? Cost of ownership? Or just lighter to move ?

[@Dieselpower994]

Both are great amps. I have the MT-15 so that’s the only one I can speak from experience with and it’s an incredible amp for the size and price

[@LottimusMaximus]

I have the rectoverb 25 and I’m having trouble loving it. I think the cleans are better on the PRS. Dialing in the Mesa…. I’ve been at it all day and it’s either face melting or doesn’t sound good at all. Lol. Like it does 1 thing. That 1 thing is really cool though….

[@tankdarla637]

Man they both sound great, I would be stoked with either one, I want a real tube amp again so bad. Gonna get a Joyo Zombie to hold me over til I can afford the real deal...

[@ivan5299]

Gracias por la demostración! Excelente trabajo!

[@billhillard]

Cleans sound better than I expected. Especially on the PRS.

[@draper858]

Prs for my taste

[@DavidL1980]

This is fking amazing, thank you so much

[@dgarrr2]

The PRS even chases after the signature crazy open Recto Modern sound if you push the presence and scoop the EQ. Damn...I sold an MT15 a long time ago for an EVH 50, but now that I have an EVH 100 and I'm looking for a different flavor, the MT15 might need to come on back! (Unless the MT100 finally appears in January~)

[@markolivares6943]

They just released them if you haven’t found out already

[@OTCRock4one]

I'll take the PRS MT15 which is probably 1/2 the price and sound so similar to the Mesa any day!

[@breukelenman]

Very nice amp comparison. Both sound very good. Having owned both myself, I'd say the Mesa has the edge for three reasons: two fully independent channels, a more even sweep of the volume controls, and my Mesa was quieter than.the PRS. I'm not saying this is true of every PRS MT-15, only that it was true of the one I owned.

[@NickFabi]

Not sure why you were turning the prs mt15 presence knob on the clean channel as it only works on the drive channel

[@fredmuloin1545]

I have the Mesa RectoVerb 25 Combo. Almost a mini rec with reverb. I love it. There's 2 downfall with this amp, 1 too much difference of volume between the vintage and modern chanel, 2 it's harder then a usual amp to find your tone. You really need to work with the amp to find it. BUT, when you have it. You're in haven.. or hell... depending what you playing. 🤪🤘

[@thiagonogueira9363]

Are rectoverb and mini rectifier the same, except for the reverb, man? Tks

[@fredmuloin1545]

@@thiagonogueira9363 yes exactly, the only other difference is the mini you can't have it in a combo.

[@ashleyjackson8538]

Originally I’m a metal head , but these days , I love the clean tones . I believe the Mesa had something a little different to the PRS when I heard that last clip ..

[@maku_2002]

What’s the high gain riff? Sounds dope

[@youztuber5000]

Recto is more scooped, sounds bigger and clearer and more brootul, especially in a mix

[@MrKadidle51]

A few minutes in and I think I like the PRS

[@MrKadidle51]

Damn. Clip 4 was almost identical

[@PhuketMyMac]

I just ordered the PRS cause it’s cheaper and it seems well built and repairable which is important to me. I guess the Mesa is more versatile and I would have preferred it for that reason. We’ll see how this PRS handles rock sounds.

[@geomusicmove]

I'm thinking of buying one, so how did yours go? I'd really like your input.

[@kevinbothwell8425]

How are you liking it?

[@PhuketMyMac]

@@kevinbothwell8425 Well just seeing this now, sorry guys... The PRS has too much gain (to my liking) that I had to tame with different valves. Still it's too much but it's way more usable. I will push the gain up to 11 o'clock at most (which used to be around 9 o'clock before the tube swap) I have other amps that I prefer better like my Jet City JCA50H modded on a Soldano. But it's good amp for the price and a keeper in the end.

[@veerchasm1]

Which one has the brightest red bulb?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

PRS, no Doubt

[@iordanistzivas4902]

Hahahahahaha 😅

[@karmatologist]

They sound quite similar. How did it feel in the room? If you had to pick one what would it be if price is not a issue? Or better yet, is the price difference justified?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

If price wasn’t an issue. I’d probably go Mesa. I prefer the sound of the Mesa, in the room it has more control in the low end and is more recording ready. The Mesa is also more versatile with the little switches, lowering the wattage completely changed the sound of the amp. However the price difference is huge and the difference is minor 👍

[@karmatologist]

@@TobysGuitarGearDemoscurrently I’m using a Vox ac15 with a Tumnus and RAT for everything clean to moderate distortion. The high gain sounds leave a lot to be desired. Any recommendations for a low wattage high gain tube amp head? I’ve heard the Mesa and PRS can be quite loud.

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

​@@karmatologist Hey, Yes the Mesa imho is too loud to bedroom. The PRS can be bedroomed but the volume pot is a bit all or nothing. I used to have an EVH 5150 LBX1 and really miss it. It sounded very good but I've heard people have had reliability problems so I sold it (mine blew a fuse on first power up and I never fully trusted it due to other stories). The PRS is probably the standout if you want an American tone, it just takes a while getting the volume control where you want it. There's also the Peavey 6505 mini head but I've never played one 👍 They may have fixed the reliability with the 5150 mini heads in which case I'd be looking at 5150 LBX's, 6505 MH and PRS MT15.

[@kagenotatsumaki]

PRS for cleans. Mesa for gain. The deal breaker: The PRS even on gain is 90% the amp at almost half the price. Lol

[@240zzz]

The PRS is a bit richer-thicker. If you want to pull more out of it put a EQ in the loop and stand back.

[@kittysofdoom6968]

When it came to these amps price made a huge difference. MT15 all the way. I would still like a mini rectifier though.

[@geomusicmove]

Maybe it's me but I hear the Mesa a bit more nasally in both the clean and dirty tones. It does sound like it has more head room than the PRS and more versatility though, but that fuzzines hmm me no like.

[@Hello-dy1gh]

I played both, the Mesa is better without a doubt! Don’t get me wrong, the PRS is no toy. It can get the job done. For the money, always go Mesa, you know you’re getting the best with one it factor. The Diezel, most likely the same quality just tonality differences.

[@robertbmxpa]

Can you tell me little bit about the positioning and blending of the SE ribbon mics, and why two of them? Thank you!

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

Sure, so SM57 is close where the dustcap of the cone meets the speaker. Then the SE mics are R1 Ribbons and are at the other end of the room up 7foot high and pointing down towards the amp. I use hardly any of the room mics in the final sound but what they do is give it a touch of room and space and stop it sounding claustrophobic 👍

[@anxiousnation3820]

While I like the PRS it does bother me that its made in china. The Mesa is built to last and will hold value much better. With that said if you can only afford the PRS or just prefer the extra gain solid choice for the money. I wish PRS would make a nicer USA custom shop version of this amp like their guitars.

[@beholdthecakola]

How much of that Mesa do you think is actually made in the US, and not just assembled here?

[@x-Gingerbeard-x]

There is a guy here on KZbin that did a very thorough inspection of the internals of the MT15 and he said it was actually very nicely built with good components! Much better than certain big brand amps that make budget friendly amps.

[@anxiousnation3820]

@@beholdthecakola I am not so worried about the part quality as that has stood the test of time. I do worry about the assembly however. China is getting better every year and one day it will be a non issue.

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

​@@x-Gingerbeard-xTony McKenzie

[@dimebagtribute]

I have the MT15 and it's really a very good amp but the Mesa sound awesome as well, both are great and both deserved to be owned😊 The main difference is the price of course, but one is made in the USA and the other one in China... The PRS is very well-made by the way, in the same way their SE Guitar line is! But new you could find almost 1500 bucks of difference between those 2... That's pretty substantial, especially for the kid who is looking for a good amp to play metal and look at these amplifiers, his decision is pretty quick to take I bet, 500 bucks or 1900?

[@ezequiels3293]

Can you do a video comparing the Orange OR15 and the Marshall sv20?

[@ikigai47]

he ignored your request :(

[@mikebodnarchuk2056]

Which one sounds bigger in the room ? Which one has more low end?? I would think the PRS should be a bigger sounding amp due to the 6L6’s. I have the mini rec but was thinking of getting the PRS instead

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

PRS is bigger in the room but I find the Mesa has a more controlled low end. Both great amps. If I had to choose I'd go Mini Rec 👍

[@brianpark492]

PRS has a better clean Based off Fender twin. Heavy is based off a Mesa. SO. Yup both amps are sick. Your choice.😊

[@suleymanduruakan6140]

what's the song in the first high gain?

[@ozgurovec]

Mesa for drives, PRS for cleans.

[@kidthunder1311]

I chose the Mesa for the buffered effects loop. Also, prefer to buy American made products.

[@jacobbockover1628]

These are very close the rec sound a bit nasal (which i like) im not usually a high gain player more hard rock so im sure what works for who always differs id probly stay in the vintage settings on the rec or go for a runt. Then the price thing? I had bad luck with the sonzera i brand new and it would randomly cut out so im am suspicious of prs amp quality but they are half the price. Its really amazing that the mini rec is as cheep as it is. Boogies are made in petaluma ca in sonoma county (a county i was priced out of a decade ago) so production costs must be high

[@greybeardbaldgamer]

They are very close. The mt15s clean sounds like it has a bit of chorus on to me. For me, I'd buy the cheaper one and be very happy. If they are the same price, flip a coin.

[@samnmaxforever]

On default settings with flat EQ I liked slightly more the PRS, however the controls have a much bigger influence on the sound of the Recto than on the MT15. In the end if I had to buy one, I think I'd prefer the Rectifier

[@Jhoofnail]

The PRS sounds like it has more oomph and now I have to get one ughhh

[@jensvide777]

Wow, they are very similar.

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

Does both good in low volume (not half power)?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

PRS is a better at low volumes. The Mesa with the volume completely off puts some very quiet fizzy gain out of the cabinet, you need to turn it up slightly (not loud but loud talking volume) to get over this then it disappears

[@fixxxer602]

Mesa all the way for live or recording. That tone will cut thru the mix perfectly. The PRS sounds amazing like a good solo practice amp with a very unique EQ and harmonic richness. For live I think it would get a little lost in the mix.

[@josiahperez384]

Do you do give aways

[@thomasstair3187]

I wonder how that Harley Benton one sounds that's only two hundred bucks I haven't seen any comparisons of that one I just got rid of the Mt 15 I didn't really care for it yeah after I got it and bought it at home my Marshall sounded a lot better

[@hartleymartin7129]

What song is the riff from clip 2 from?

[@Matt-wx6ut]

Tread Lightly

[@nj1255]

Weirdly enough it's not the Mesa that has a fatter/flubbier bottom end. The PRS has a better high gain tone imo, but it did sound a bit flubby in the "mid push" part. Did you have a overdrive in front of them or was it just pure amp?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

All amp only, no OD 👍

[@PK22-b7v]

Is that MT15 the 6L6 or the 5881 version?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

Original 6L6 version 👍

[@PK22-b7v]

Does yours have any noise issues? 60 cycle hum or effects loop noise?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

I’ve personally not had any noise issues. I bought it 2nd hand from a guy who told me he went and tried it in the shop because he was aware it was a problem with some batches. This one is fine. FX Loop can be a little noisy depending on what you put in it. I think the FX loop noise is only a issue at low volumes, the fx loop noise on mine doesn’t seem to scale with volume so it become negligible once you raise the master above talking volume. I’ve experience similar issues with the FX Loops on older Orange amps 👍

[@psocques]

I heard some Dorje in there.

[@HairFollicle]

Do these work alone or u have to have a cabinet attached to them?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

They need a cab, I'm using a Harley Benton 2x12 with Vintage 30 speakers 👍

[@HairFollicle]

@@TobysGuitarGearDemos gotcha

[@Yxzjvc]

@@TobysGuitarGearDemos HB 2x12? The horizontal or vertical one? And is there any major difference to an expensive V30 2x12 speaker?

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

@@Yxzjvc Yeah, I'm running the horizontal one, but I tip it up on it's side simply because the vertical one wasn't available when I bought it. I would go vertical now. There isn't a big difference in more expensive cabs with V30s. Some cabs are oversized like the Orange ones which gives you more low end. Mesa and Marshall use slightly different variations of V30s as well but the Harley Benton is the one to go for in terms of price vs performance 👍

[@trulsolsen683]

@@TobysGuitarGearDemos how's the mic position? Sounds a little boxy in my ears

[@cc5053]

This a perfect example of "you get what you pay for". Sure, they both sound great and the similarities in sound simply don't justify the huge price difference...on the surface. However, The MT15 is well known to have noise issues in the FX Loop, enough to where a lot of them were sent back. And from what I've seen here, the volume and gain knobs on the MT15's lead channel are near useless. The volume jumps from zero to loud and the gain goes from high gain to higher gain. Not much of a low gain crunch option so you're limited to using a pedal on the clean channel for that. The Boogie is a lot more expensive but doesn't seem to have any of those issues from what I can tell. It comes down to whether you want to buy your way out of the low cost MT15's flaws. It's also disappointing that Boogie didn't put reverb on a >$1,000 amp. I doubt that would have bankrupted them.

[@OscarBenben]

Very nice shoutout mate 🤟🏼 thank’s for your time doing that for us all 👍🏼

[@cromag31]

prs!

[@leofederer]

Very similar, but Prs is a lot cheaper..

[@rockerstreet8743]

Prs all the way better

[@MarkLoweLowebrau]

Mesa sounds thin compared to the PRS.

[@ZI3L.]

Mesa

[@kraken8159]

PRS MT-15!! All the way. Really good sound. And it’s $700. The mini goes for $2000+

[@DKprojects9]

To be fair I see the mesa mini rectifiers are $1250 brand new and the prs is $750. Mesa still more expensive but the gap isn’t as exaggerated as stated.

[@kraken8159]

Well the only place I have seen the mini was at a shop. Here in Ca and it was priced very close to $2000. $1899. After taxes. It will be around $2000 out the door

[@kenromine]

Prs wins

[@liamphillips2339]

Eyyy Dorje in clip 4.

[@TheCrisis1]

Wait how are we comapring a 600 dollar lunchbox amp to the mini mesa it's 2,451.58 AUD what the fuck lmao, also prs sounded much crisper

[@ModestMike963]

Mesaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@kkarx]

Out of these two I'd pick PRS. Rectifier is one of MB amps I don't like. Too fuzzy and it sounds almost like a solid state.

[@mikedenkinger9570]

Really? I've never ever heard anyone characterize Mesas as "sounding like a solid state amp". If the fizziness is a problem, then you need to spend more time learning how to EQ the amp. This is something that is common with Mesa/Boogie amps and why some people struggle to use them is to full effectiveness. (Frequently evident out here on KZbin land) Their tone controls interact with each other in different ways than in other amplifiers, Is probably due to higher value pots than other amps use and how they are sequentially laid out in the circuit ( I might be wrong on this last part). Mesa notes this in many of their manuals. They are not an amp that you simply just plug in, dial back the midrange and go (Ala Fender or Marshall). The bass control really is something you have to surgically adjust, especially with Rectos....you can't hamfistedly sweep th knobs like you can with other amps. I say this as a long-time vintage Fender(Deluxe Reverb, VibroChamp) and Mesa owner (VTwin, Rectoverb, Transatlantic).

[@kkarx]

​@@mikedenkinger9570 I have MB Caliber 50+ and it is by far my favorite amp even at low volumes. Yes the EQ is crucial. Ironically Caliber 50+ is called fuzzy but it is really not if you use EQ. I've just never heard Rectifier distortion sound any good to my ear. Even this guy could not dial it to sound good. Cleans might be different story, it might have amazing cleans, I don't know, but distortion is just ugly and flat.

[@Grahm1993]

TOBY PLEASE PLAY TOOL COLD AND UGLY ON THE METAL AMPS PLEASE MY REQUEST I WILL PAY U TO MAKE THAT VIDEO!

[@TobysGuitarGearDemos]

Good riffs in that song, will look into it 👍

[@Grahm1993]

@@TobysGuitarGearDemos u are the man! Please don’t let me down bud..

[@elfieborimera3178]

The mesa eat it for breakfast .well one a real valve amp the other half valve half transistor

[@killnoni5032]

Sorry but mesa all the way.

[@mrs.vasquezz]

The prs is just a solo 50 rec

[@mikedenkinger9570]

Truth. But the MT15 is no joke. I have a ROV25 and have played the MT15... and it has more gain but less "shape" to the sound. I'm sure that with a week to play with both side by side and to monkey around with a slew of boost pedals, you might change your mind....but my money would go to the Mini Rec first based on its versatility.

[@nihiabstracto]

Mesa is the best, but very expensive so...

[@elfieborimera3178]

You have to remember one made USA the other china .that why the mesa has a way way way better sound .not to mention how long the Chinese one will last

[@workdays8280]

Well I buy one .and the distortion is unavailable total rubbish.had to put a mulity effects board threw the clean Chanel and super loud hum .and sound nothing like a real valve amp.so lesson was never listen to these KZbin scammers

[@JohnWiku]

I'd be pissed if I also bought the Mesa mini rectum fryer, spent a whole lot more money for it than for the PRS, then to be disappointed like you are 😂😂

[@milkandmeat]

the prs cleans are really impressive when you consider it's a high gain amp

[@dariodurso7388]

sound better Mesa...1000 times better...