Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Vs. Dual Rectifier

With the recent launch of the Mesa/Boogie Mini Rectifier, people are looking long and hard at lower wattage, more affordable Rectifier choices. Over the past few weeks, I've received numerous emails asking us to compare the Single Vs Dual Rectifier. And here it is!
We do a side-by-side comparison of the Clean, Pushed, Vintage and Modern preamp modes. Both amps are run through the same Rectifier 4x12 with no changes to the mic placement.
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[@sleepwalker2112]

Why adding reverb... Why adding anything not coming from the amp?

[@theonegoose]

Ain't much to add unless you have a rectoverb.

[@astro2069]

Hey Don, I think a lot of us can really benefit from a comparison of the mini rec vs the single rec. Thanks!

[@tjlongarms]

I love my single rec! I've had mine for 10 years now and still get excited when I play through it.

[@TheToneLounge]

The single rec is a few dBs louder than the dual rec, this can give the impression that the louder audio sounds better. From experience though, the single rec is awesome.

[@manifestgtr]

I've been a single rec and rectoverb fan/user for 15 years now...best rectos ever made, imo...I like them even more than the early blackface duals

[@FluffyMuffina]

I really love the single, it's got enough gain to get dirty, and it gets dirtier when you dig in, but it doesn't get muddy. Perfect amp for me!

[@CarcPazu]

This video is a good attempt at comparing them but not necessarily spot on. Personally I prefer the Single Rectifier. When I bought mine I tried them both and clearly the Single sounded much better. And like someone else mentioned 50 watts is plenty loud. You can drown an entire band with it. Also, the fact that you can play pretty quiet with it while maintaining a very great tone is a bonus.

[@jimmyppunk]

Hey Don, just putting this here to let you know I still have and use the Single Rectifier you sold me. Is it the one used in this video? But wanted to tell you that it's been 5 years since I called the shop and the amp is still in great working order and alot of musicians have complimented on live shows of how well I sound.

[@seancehollow]

I currently own the single rectifier, and I love it. It's a freaking BEAST, especially with a boost! The dual here sounds a bit darker, but the overall tone is practically the exact same. I think I like the brightness of the single a lot more. Not to mention that it's better for bedroom levels. Single all the way!

[@MarquisEstelle]

Single rec is more transparent sounding. Dual rectifier is a more saturated with "forced" harmonic response. The single sounds more natural, but has just as much punch.

[@donaldporter4532]

Oh me oh my, it sounds like I need to get a hold of a Single recto. It sounds like I imagined the Revision F Dual Rectos would.

[@glytch5]

Dual has more balls... it kinda sounds like the same amp, but the treble turned up a bit more on the single, the dual has the treble down a bit with the bass slightly higher. Single rectifier sounded like it had more "presence" but... I bet you in person, with those amps cranked up to a decent volume, those dual recto tubes roar like crazy in modern distortion. Both sound awesome though. love that mesa sound!

[@larryalexander900]

Single all the way.

[@LordKelgon]

It also explains why old amps will sound different from one another. You can have a tech check your caps and resistors to see if they are in spec. You can also tailor your sound to suite your needs/taste by changing these components.

[@Tantark]

A dream theater fan I hear

[@ihatepop13]

I'd like to know whether the Dual Rec was using diode or rectifier tubes in this video. That would change the tone a lot, and I believe the Single Rec only uses diode, which as far as I know, would give it a tighter tone, as it seems to sound in this video when compared to the Dual Rec. I feel like they should have included the Dual Rec on both settings as well as the Single Rec for a true A/B.

[@romanguitarify]

Don's reviews are the best. Side to side and little talking. Thank you for doing this!

[@surasakwongchai1]

single won in my ears

[@AlejandroFloresmotorsport]

Too much distorded, you dont want to mix that kind of sound

[@iangarza990]

@@AlejandroFloresmotorsport cap, i can mix that easy. i do mix it easy... on a daily basis actually

[@rippingrudy]

This guy is awesome. Best demos on the web.

[@utooberblooper]

the single rec seems to sound more open and natural especially at the point when your getting into the more driven gain sounds.the dual seems to be compressed and darker sounding but both are definitely useable and sound sweet.

[@Slicknick.]

A way to tell for the people watching is look away from the screen or open up a new tab and see if you can tell which is the single and which is the dual. Its not easy. Especially on modern

[@kcochr01]

I love my single rec. I'm getting a bit old to be lugging around a 1/2 stack but I can't find anything smaller that even comes close to that sweet single rec tone!

[@tjscuroko2701]

Why are people arguing, the rectifiers are all badass and I wouldn't hit the stage without one. I prefer the single because it is a tad puncher and the tubes saturate at a lower volume and that's the ONLY reason it sounds better here. They mic you up at most gigs not letting you saturate the tubes in the dual or the tripple. If I were at a big venue not mic'd, tripple all the way.

[@vl292]

Yes, single sounds quite a bit louder. Sounds also brighter which to a degree may be contributor it sounding louder. Other than that, fairly good representation on the differences. What does not come through is the massive lowend dual has compared to single. Not good or bad, but different.

[@RaulMartinezFernandez7]

Youre the only dude that i likes his reviews ... not much talk , nice playing , really awesome ... you should do more videos with any stuff in the market ... Greetings From Mexico... Keep Rockin

[@Turboy65]

The Single has a clearer, more pushy sound to it. Not by a lot, but I think I prefer it.

[@Naregnemyes]

The mids sound louder on the single. It's cutting through a lot better.

[@stevex874]

That first riff is absolutely beautiful dude.

[@powndrone650]

Sounds like Vultures by John Mayer

[@DR440]

The Single seems to have a lot more cut to it. I had a Dual but didn't like it. A Maxon 808 seriously makes a Rectifier come to life though..

[@Surron_Bomber_TX]

I played dual and tripples for years. I picked up a single from a good friend of mine and was blown away. Dont be afraid af 50 watts. It cuts through and is more than enough to play in a band setting even with an insanely beast of a drummer.

[@piotrczernikiewicz]

MESA ROADSTER VS ROAD KING II COMPARISION PLEASE!!!

[@billykos7775]

IDK I think it's a close one but at home I'd use the single rec but if I'm playing a set I would definitely go to the dual rec

[@DS-fi4hf]

I've read a lot comments from people saying that the dual sounds more aggressive than the single. I'm not hearing that from this video.

[@johnclark1925]

Thank God. Finally a proper review and comparison. 🤘

[@jaredgibbs9311]

Love your vids. As soon as I see you in the thumbnail I know I'll see what I need.

[@LordKelgon]

You could also have drifting capacitors. Higher value coupling capacitors or cathode bypass capacitors will give your amp more bass response, smaller will give less. Too much bass will make your amp muddy, or even "Motorboat". Caps drift with age and is what causes amps to have "Vintage Tone" or "Old Amp Tone".

[@magickninja369]

How clever. It's obvious that the Single Rec in this recording is louder than the Dual. Makes the Single sound brighter with more dynamics and the Dual somewhat muffled in comparison. It's a little known fact in the advertisement world that most people will perceive louder as better without hesitation. I find it odd that he didn't mention the most important detail in this comparison. The Single Rec and Dual Rec do have different sounds but it's subtle and most importantly is due to the fact that the Single Rec is a 50w head. 50w tube amps can get insanely loud like the 100w Dual. The real difference is you lose headroom with the 50w and that means your tones will start to break-up and distort at lower volumes than the Dual. Want pristine clean tone on stage? Not gonna happen with the Single. There is a reason semi pro and pro musicians use 100w amps and it's not because the 50w isn't loud enough. Single Rec is best suited for recording and home/practice or someone in a band that uses distortion only.

[@hashdealer8822]

+magickninja369 But in some cases, that powerstage overdrive that you get sooner on lower wattage amps might be wanted. Seeing as you really can't blast a 100w tube head at full volume often, even on big venues. That generalization about 100w amps and pro-musicians is pretty dumb. In metal music that's pretty much the deal, but for example on blues, not the case so much. Many blues musicians use, for example, small fender amps because of the natural power tube overdrive.

[@lcrecel]

But in smaller venues the 50 would do a much better job.

[@mr.bubbalo9720]

Not to mention, you can get a clean tone with ease using your guitar pots and a mild neck pickup

[@MrKnisterable]

I played many 30w and 50w Amps in many rehearsals and gigs, but never had a problem with clean headroom. You must be playing in the Wembley stadium without any PA... 😄

[@vileguile4]

Incredible playing :D Especially the clean, sounds like you have some supertremolo on or something .. and the soft vibrato at the end was amazing ;) I think i preferred the sound of the single rectifier, but it also seemed louder so it's hard to judge. It felt like there was more details for the ears to listen to. I'd settle with any though haha

[@mitchellwilcox7259]

I owned a single recto. Beautiful sound and much easier to push than a dual. I found I was able to get a better sound and tone, and it was playable at lower volumes. For higher volumes it was still fine, but you would just mic it up, as you would with a dual anyway.

[@haggertysmusic]

@5150VanAlien Well, the Dual and Triples are switchable between tube and diode rectifiers. We had this Dual set to Diodes (same as the Single) for the most accurate comparison.

[@timbuk1126]

This is easy because the Single Rectifier is probably my favorite amp.

[@calebjay136]

I’m laughing so hard. I don’t Need No Doctor and Regression are two songs I always play when trying out amps and guitars😂

[@dimebagtribute]

The single seems way more open!!? Is it the compression inherent to youtube or is it really what happen when you're facing the 2 amps??! I plan to buy a rectifier and was looking this video to know if there is a real difference between the 2 but I'm kinda lost now...

[@98GuitarTECH]

Winners for me: Clean: Single Pushed: Single Vintage: Dual Modern: Single for more open, Dual for more chugging Overall I'd go with the single, which is handy as my Mini Rec's preamp circuit is based on the single :)

[@mrgibson]

thanks a lot for this video! I'm actually not into buying one of these amps (at the moment), but it's always good to know the differences between amps

[@robinfoot_daikou2767]

I prefer the single rec!!

[@FVampir]

Thanks guys! This was helpful. Now I know for sure that my ears didn't lie... single recto really sounds to have more balls :)

[@rickytrix]

John Mayer. would you do a Review About Effects Loop? since i have a DSL 100 , and i've seen reviews that effects loop on Marshall Sucks, example i have a DL4 and sounds awful on Marshall. Thanks. John Mayer.

[@Kalenorr]

Amazing comparison, I think I may prefer the mid rangy/cutting tone of the Single, which is slightly odd as I've always seemed to prefer headroom. Don, it would be awesome if you did a comparison between the Stiletto Deuce and Royal Atlantic considering they are both British inspired Mesa. I know many people want to know the sonic difference. Just a thought. :)

[@123lowp]

I used to own a 2 channel Triple from late 90s. It was great with an EQ in the effects loop to tame the fizz, cut the mids around 200-350, and cut the extreme low end (80 and below) so the power amp doesn't fart during the palm mutes. I think the Rectifiers don't sound great unless an EQ is used. I've tried the boost, but it is better to just using an EQ in the loop. Preamp tubes change the sound also. Use JJ if you want harder mids with less fizz.

[@bugeyedmudafuka2]

hey thanks for the reply.turns out something was up with the cab.got it sorted anyway.thanks again

[@WePromiseJetpacks]

in my opinion the single rectifier sounds better cause it sounds way more full, its 50 watts so you can push it more then the 100 watt dual. love this demo, greatest setup :)

[@allenblackwell2433]

I’m pretty sure of The Dual Rectifier( heard it before), but The Single Rectifier sounds just as “Good 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟”. But you can’t expect less from Mesa Boogie. They don’t make “crappy 💩”, and I own Bugera. I give credit to where credit is due!!! 👍🏿👍🏿

[@ToxicTrace100]

The dual was noticeably quieter in this comparison. This might have led to the single sounding as though it had more presence.

[@Luketarleton]

I came here to learn more about my single rec and now I'm just trying to learn that lick he plays during the 'pushed' portion.

[@whiskerbiscuit6674]

Was this demo using the Dual on silicon or Tube rectification? I'm guessing it was Tube? It probably would have sounded a lot similar if you used the silicon setting.

[@haggertysmusic]

The Single Rectifier has been discontinued and we have one left in stock!

[@riffsatrandom]

Really enjoy your demos. May have just sold me on the dual.

[@PaulNichollsMusic]

Sorry but when you don't gain match the outputs the louder one (Single Rectifier) will be perceived as better ........ you're also are not showing the tube vs solid state on the duel rectifier. Maybe you can do the comparison again with these recommendations?

[@SeanAttardMetal]

The single is brighter while the dual is a little bit muddy, but nothing a little tube screamer can't fix XD

[@flipidy94]

great guitar playing at the beginning there

[@81giorikas]

The single sounds clearer. But the dual sounds unfortunately less loud in this comparison.

[@brookallgood2510]

Old video and old comments....but my 2 cents. A lot of people debating about why the Single sounds brighter and louder than the Dual. It could be that the mic was slightly farther away, or some other production thing. However, to me it just sounds like the Dual has more native compression in the signal. Could be either or both.

[@jarrettghiz]

My problem is I don't need 100w but I want the features on the dual and triple

[@bugeyedmudafuka2]

Hi,i own a dual rectifier (from 87 i think).It sounds really muddy like there's too much bass on it.Iv rolled off the bass to nearly zero yet its still really muddy.Is this how they sound or is there something wrong with it?Its going through a marshall 1960 cab and has 6L6 tubes.My guitar is an SG but i had the same problem with a strat.

[@martinbandera8195]

Im about to buy my single,Thanks to made this video!!!!

[@haggertysmusic]

@dbenc There are some differences since the 2010 reborn update to the Dual and Triple. The single didn't get any changes... not that one is necessarily better than the other.

[@Jaykarnage01]

cool demo, but the Dual rec could've been turned up a bit to match the volume level of the Single. Also, was the Dual using the tube or solid-state rectifier? that might help a few curious viewers... I downgraded last year, from a Triple to a Single...best decision EVER for a simple guy like me(who doesn't require a million features/voicings from my amp). I play through a 4x12 and have yet to ever need the master volume past 4(11 o'clock) at shows! cheers

[@dre1kke]

Single rectifier has more high end and more hum, but Dual is sooooo tight! I adore DR!! It's the best!

[@Honeythebeebee]

the difference between them both is due to the 2 rectifier tubes in the dual, while it's a solid state rectifier in the single.

[@feo130]

Haha awesome Dream Theater cover, and great demo as usual, Don! I think I would prefer the Dual on Tube rectification, but if both amps are on diode rectification, the Single definitely has a bit more presence.

[@Turboy65]

The single recto sounds better but I can see how some drop-tuned knotheads might disagree.

[@dimgrav]

@Zhorellski Yes, the dual appears to have more "depth".

[@dellinger08]

Were the eqs set the same for each amp?

[@jimmyppunk]

Hey Don, just wondering if they discontinued the single rectifier and also do you have any in stock at all? Ive tried other websites and not seeing any listed except for ebay. Just curious and thank you for making this video.

[@hawg427]

Cleans are def. better on the Single Rec. And the Single also has a more trebly tone to it on the gain channel.

[@Daviallon]

Hey Don, can you make a video about the Engl Powerball ? like a comparison with some other metal amps ? Thanks if you read it !

[@russrussellson3928]

Are Single and Dual Recs all the same size dimensions wise?

[@ethanbertrand5220]

Hey does mesa still manufacture single rectifiers?

[@tedroneous]

Don... when you A/B the two amps do you set the knobs, i.e. Bass, Treble, Mids, Gain and Presence exactly the same? The Single sounded thin compared to the Dual Rec. Thanks for another awesome A/B video.

[@themadmattster9647]

both good, im on a budget, buying a used single soon. Even on ebay the Recto Recording preamp is more expensive. Single it is!

[@Redskullritual]

IMHO (from real life comparisons )The single rec cuts through way better and sings pure lead tone because at 50 watts the amp has to work and therefore breaks up in the power section the real bonus is the control of the stage volume by getting breakup at lower volumes.Also the feed back and harmonics and sustain .Yeah you can use a power break speaker load simulator still more to go wrong and more cash. *cheaper for tubes also

[@haggertysmusic]

Hi. It was set to 100. Thanks for watching.

[@doctornerve]

Wouldn't they sound almost exactly the same if you simply pushed the highs on the Dual?

[@Skywood91]

What was the setting for the mids on this demo?

[@givemeajackson]

not fair! the blackmore is the best amp in the universe, how could a simple mesa come up to this? love my blackmore, amp of my life!

[@MrJabbawaky]

The volume difference in the two tracks is distracting and potentially fools the ear with the "louder is better" tendency. The older Dual Rec's blow the new 3-channel amps out of the water. I'm interested in the differences there.

[@MichaelCozineSounds]

Overall it seems like the Single has more bite and the dual has more girth. The dual is also more compressed sounding.

[@L0nn13_c0]

Dual sounds like it's using a crappy speaker....but it's not. Single all the way.

[@bryanblaak]

Or simply quieter. Every time it jumps to the single it seems way louder.

[@carterfelderva]

If you turned up the dual rectifier's master slightly, then carefully added more presence and/or highs, both amps would have sounded the exact same.

[@Blackboarder77]

Dual is tighter but single is tonier. I'd take a single any day for my needs.

[@matouscervenka7248]

single = more bite and overal more musical. Great comparison, thanks!

[@Jared2324]

The Mesa Modern mode means it is all out hi-gain... so louder is totally good ;)

[@vondutch12]

You don't ship to Puerto Rico do you?

[@mateinegriu]

Very nice review. Seems that the single has more mids- more like a Marshall.

[@waynesmith747]

single rec sounds cleaner and natural,less muddy and not compressed like the dual rec seems to sound.its very strange that i thought it would be completely the other way around.from what Ive heard im leaning towards the single rec for a decent amp to buy.

[@Mrmetal73]

Hey Don, was the dual running on 50 or 100?

[@JackRefuse]

Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier two channels version, produced in the 90's..better you not do a comparison with the three channels one..that head is a beast!

[@haggertysmusic]

How long since you've re-tubed? I would look at that first and maybe experiment with different speaker cabinets if you can. If you still can't get the sound, then maybe the Rectifier just isn't your thing.

[@khubib14]

I didn't know Jonah Hill playing guitar..