Mesa RECTIFIER Comparison! (They Sound WILDLY Different!)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thomann Affiliate: www.thomann.de/intl/index.html?offid=1&affid=3210 My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68 My webstore for Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@CraigCrider]

What's most impressive is, to my ears, how well the Mini holds up.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It's a little beast!

[@williekenk]

I honestly feel like the mini jumps out of the mix the most, which surprised me.

[@flprmn9448]

Yep - Bought a Mini after this video and I'm VERY VERY happy with it. Ballsy and cuts through. Much better than Badlander, for instance

[@thedanchannel5528]

I dig the single on its own. But what surprised me was how monsterous the mini sounds in a mix. It cuts through wonderfully.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Hell yeah

[@progpogs]

Had the best cleans too, gorgeous.

[@misterringer]

Single Rectifier had the best sound to me. I do prefer the tightness. Great comparison!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yeah that one is so killer!

[@machine-madedog5059]

Was waiting for this one! I will die on the Single Rec hill. It's a crime that they're no longer made! The Mini actually shares a few sonic qualities with it which is interesting. The Dual Rec is.. a Dual Rec.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Pretty interesting right? Which one is your favorite and what are your overall thoughts? Let me know! Note: I gave the video a rewatch and I noticed an error in the edit. During the vintage voicing segment I think I put the wrong video under the mini Rectifier segments, so the images with the modern voicing instead of the vintage one. Oh well, can't change it now but it's not intentional. I guess I need a vacation! :)

[@TVoltG]

They all have a great sound but that Series One Single Rectifier shows why I love mine and why they make a great recording Rectifier.

[@Fanafranky]

Huh interesting indeed, I wasn't expecting the Single to win over the Dual but I do like how slightly more controlled it sounds! The Mini is cool, but I have yet to hear any EL-84 amp that feels like it's moving enough air...

[@alteroccatv]

I always end up just listening to the music, too good to concern myself with which amp or guitar you're using. Am I the only one who comes here for the music (mostly?) 😄

[@dear_ndugu]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@SociopatheAssume]

Would you honestly say that you could have recognize the "recto DNA" when listening to the mini rec in a blindest ?

[@Turbo-D]

the single recti is not just blowing my mind, its also blowing my speakers with its low end mayhem 😂👍

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha yeah

[@Turbo-D]

@@SonicDriveStudio mini still my favourite 👑

[@timelapseparanormal5097]

I have the rectoverb 50, series 2, and I love the distortion on channel 2. This amp is made to be cranked. Channel 1 is super clean. What celestion speakers work well (2x12) mesa cab?

[@Turbo-D]

@@timelapseparanormal5097 that is also olas favourite recto amp, he has several video about the rectoverb! cheers

[@blizzbee]

Does it sound better if you turn bass to zero ??? 😐

[@slmcmorris7902]

The single rec is probably my favorite amp of all-time. The clean channel in the "Pushed" is perfect for me

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

I liked the Mesa one

[@geomusicmove]

I prefer the Dual Rec by some distance, it's got more clarity and definition, it's a more 'mature' amp. The single is cool but a little outdated in its sonds. I actually had a Mini Rec for a white but didn't enjoy playing it, that lack of low end from those EL84s didn't do it for me. Great comparisson as usual!

[@nj1255]

As long as you tame the low-end of the Single Rectifier, I like the overall tone of that one the most. It sounds absolutely killer!

[@doggo7405]

While I think the most fun and "sonically full" amp is the dual recto, I really dig the mini. I always like to push the mids (even if the pedal/amp is designed to be more scooped sounding), so I enjoy an amp as mid focused as the mini, while still having that cool fuzzy spirit of the recto.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

The mini is awesome!

[@dear_ndugu]

I have owned all of these. The dual has the most thump obviously, but the single is a bit tighter. The single can get harsher, but can also be dialed in and to my ears does sound better for lower volumes. Still loud af and enough for bar band gigs. The mini was awesome for the form factor. Even from the same speaker, it gets less of the thump that makes a mesa what it is, but it is a great recording or small gig amp. I actually picked up my single while looking for another mini and got it for less than the old price i paid for the mini. At the $625 i paid for it, it's a keeper.

[@GearBoxTy]

Excellent comparison! The Single Rectifier won for me. It might be mostly because I had one for the past 10 years or so but I recently sold it. Great amp!

[@HaydenMcCarry]

I love the single rectifier! But I think the dual rectifier might be a better choice due to the potential with a boost!

[@1997CB750]

I own the mini with a 12" theile for nearly a decade now, and still find new tones with it. This is an excellent video you have presented. I doubt 99.9% of the average non-guitarist will never be able to tell the differnce amoung these three, and in a mix almost impossible. Just listen without watching the video to get a taste.

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

This cements my recent comments about the single being the best in general for modern metal. It's just a cleaner chug with less bloat and tweaking.

[@nachom1971]

No one ever talks about the beautiful cleans these amps have.

[@francescobaraldi8220]

Love Single Rectifier ❤

[@gentlewolf1279]

Been using a dual for a long time... recently picked up a single. Both are killer live, but Im leaning to my single for recording. Great vid.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! You can't go wrong with any Recto imho

[@AlexandreMarque13]

Great vid! I have a Single Recto and yes, it is definitly tight and needs no boost to chug properly . Underrated amp IMO, should have been a classic for metal players 🤘

[@stevierickmoyersr.8681]

Dual all the way baby.

[@mulus1]

I enjoyed this whole video with smile on my face, and also made me proud cause of owning 2 (Single and Mini) of these amazing amps, I love them so so much!!! Thank you again for your amazing work, loved it!!!

[@javiereu]

The Mini is the real winner here, sounds awesome in the mix.

[@ashleyjackson8538]

It’s good to hear the clean sounds in these amps . My foundation is metal and Rock . These days I love clean sounds .

[@sevendblackjem]

I think all three amps sound great, but I like the single better. And great playing too! 💯

[@Jonyringo]

I have all three and this was a great video to watch with your particular EQ set. Especially with the mix that you have in the background. Very well done thank you! In my opinion, any rectifier will do lol My personal favorite is the single rectifier solo head 50 🔥💪🏼

[@Jonyringo]

Reasons, why.. I am more of a metal player. I love a good scooped mid with tight and fizzy tone. Thanks again for this incredible video!

[@drumthrone10]

I love rectifiers, everytime you put out videos of it, I automatically watch and click like. You never fail to amaze me with your recto tones... Btw, I hear their tonal differences even on just phone speakers..Only suggests that they really have their own voices... Cool!

[@HaloMusicorn]

As a Recto-verb owner, I think I actually prefer the Dual rec in this video. It's got a lot more going on in the high mids to my ear.

[@DadRockAndGuitars]

Love the Rectifier sound and the Dual here is what I hear in my head (and the one I liked best), but no way I can afford one. I do have the Recto-Verb 25 and love it!

[@dustinscott5628]

Dude that single sounds so tight!

[@-jk-2580]

Intresting! I’ve owned all but single Recto. Maybe I’ll get one in future…

[@SimonMeunier]

Funny how they all have the signature Rectifier sound but all have different tone. Single rectifier won for my taste, fatter tone I like. The Mini sounded thin compared to the others but still works in a mix ! Kinda felt a similar thing with the Rockerverb MKIII VS the OR15. There is a difference but still has the signature sound. Went for the OR15 for price and portability

[@pjmtry7]

All are awesome, wish the Triple Rec was in this!

[@mark7166]

I had a Recto-verb 25 combo for a few years, and I LOVED the vintage mode on Ch. 2. It was so good. I could never get the modern mode to work for me though... I'll have to try to get my hands on a big boy rectifier one day.

[@thedonrizzguitar]

Killer video! Been using my mini rec on tour and have been really digging it! For recording and the studio l always break out the rev G triple.. thanks for another great vid as always

[@briansubsist]

1. Dual 2. Mini 3. Single Just my humble opinion! Great video.

[@spencerarnold3810]

Agreed.

[@FabianHorn]

3 Channel is so amazing, love it!

[@gab.lab.martins]

If you know the history, you know why they sound like they do. The Boogie Mark 1 was released as a modded Fender, and was incredibly bassy. Then Soldano released the SLO100, which was a streamlined version of the Mark, with added gain and better EQ. Randall Smith (founder and engineer of Mesa) responded by releasing the original Rectifier series. There were multiple revisions, but the basic design remained the same. Many, many years later, companies like ENGL, Diezel, and others started making amps specifically for modern metal, which took obvious inspiration from the Recto, but with much tighter low end, more brightness, more features, and more gain. Also, remember that Pantera became huge in the meantime, and Dime’s use of solid state amps made his tone ABSURDLY tight and chuggy. The 3-channel Rectifier series was an obvious (if not explicitly admitted) response to those amps, by adding a 3rd channel with independent EQ, less low end (which had been a holdover from the Mark I up until that point), more brightness, more gain, more tightness, but still within the Recto blueprint. The issue with dual channel Rectos is that, because of all that low end, it sounds extremely powerful by itself, but when combined with very high gain and low tunings (which started to become more popular in the early 2000s), would flub with the bass and sound muddy. If you have no plans to record or specially play live, and you enjoy the tone of the old 2-channel rectos, go for it. They’re not very expensive in the used market. But I personally would NEVER get one of those. What I do plan on doing (money allowing) is buying a bunch of different “lunchbox” 20 to 25W amps, a separate power amp, and just use the preamps of the lunchboxes to record. The Mini Rec has the exact same preamp as the 3C Dual or Triple Recs, but with EL84s in the power section to make it quieter. To me, it makes more sense to have one 100W amp for live applications, and smaller - cheaper! - 20W amps for the studio.

[@sexyguitarboy69]

Good portrait, but you skipped the entire Line of Mark I follow-up models up to the Mark IV that were made in the same period of time (later incarnations omitted). Apart from this, Engl had already been making metal amps with insane gain even before the first Rectifier hit the market.

[@gab.lab.martins]

@@sexyguitarboy69 I skipped the other Marks because they’re somewhat irrelevant to these three amps, and there were SO MANY revisions to them that it would make my comment even more bloated than it already is. Remember, the classic Mark IIC+ was a Mark II, third edition (C), with extra features (+), specifically the graphic EQ if I’m not mistaken. Also, European high gain amps only became widespread much later. The VH4 was released in 92 (a year *after* the first Recto), but Diezel was a very small boutique company in a different continent. It took a while for those amps to become popular enough for Mesa - which was founded in 1969 and had A+ list players in their roster - to pay attention. The ENGL Savage - which arguably is what truly began the trend of bright high gain amps - was only released in 1993!

[@jjk8417]

I am doing the same, but I am using the Fryette Power Station PS100 to boost my Mini Rec and Mark V25. It works like a charm. Planning on getting more mini amps to play around with.

[@caseyjones3522]

the Krank Krankenstein original was a Dime amp, and its totally underrated. wont ever sell mine since they are discontinued. they have this weird sweeep knob that makes them super versatile.

[@buxongs]

Agreed. They have their individual tonalities as demonstrated with your video but there's also a lot to be said about the moderate grind you can get from the dirty version of the clean channel. I used that with my old Recto for years and loved it. Sadly there wasn't time on this video to demonstrate the differences. It makes for a blisteringly good classic rock rhythm channel. Please consider doing a video with the differences between the three in that mode. Otherwise, a killer video and nice work!

[@Saurion1]

Grew up listening to grunge, alt metal and nu metal so the dual recto sounds like home to me, but I'm blown away by the other two, especially the mini. That thing sounds fucking amazing. If forced to choose one, it would always be the dual recto tho.

[@augustoiuna309]

just what I needed a good dose of sweet rectifier nectar. A comparison like this between the ENGLs would be so awesome aswell.

[@Trevoire520]

I really like the Single here. Less fizzy and buzzy than the Dual. The Mini has that boxy EL84 thing that plagues most of the mini heads.

[@JasonMcGuffin]

Love my Single Rec

[@LeoM-zt3pl]

The Mesa Mini rec absolutely punches above it's weight. I absolutely love mine, especially through a Marshall 4x12 boosted with a Maxon ST9 Pro + Super Tube in front! Evil little thing

[@guitarnerd_luke]

I use my Mini in the studio with IRs and live with full band my Rev F/G Dual Rec on a Mesa 412. Good to own both.

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

That modern distorted riff is sooo nice. They all sound good. I think I prefer the DR over all

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Gotta love that Recto MOJO!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

@@SonicDriveStudio I've never eben played a real one, sadly

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@TheOtherJohnBrowne there's still time!

[@MRxr400]

cool comparison. I've only every had single rec's, recto-verb combo, now a single rec head. i was wondering if i was missing out on anything not having a dual rec. can't say that now. but, series 1 single sounds different to my series 2, which i feel is less scooped, great mids, but exactly what i prefer anyway.

[@SoMyungJung]

If the mix is very bass-driven, I'll take the mini rectifier. Leaves more room for the bass frequencies and it's very tight sounding. Awesome video as always!

[@ikigai47]

That's what EQ is for

[@SoMyungJung]

@@ikigai47 a useful mindset is that the EQ is for fixing a problem. Not for improving a sound. Within the context of a mix will vary though. Cheers.

[@ikigai47]

@gJung - I'm not sure I'd agree though I get why you'd say that. The first thing you do when you get a new amp is mess with the onboard EQ. Are you doing that because there's a "problem"? Or because you're shaping the tone to your liking? In the case of your original comment, having an amp tone not sit as well as it could in a mix, is indeed a problem, wouldn't you agree? So what makes more sense? Use an entirely different amp or simply tweak a few knobs / use EQ in your DAW? I notice a lot of people, especially tone chasers (like me), forget about EQ's role in tone. They would rather spend thousands more to alter a sound's frequency, than to manually alter a sound's frequency

[@photronic]

PERFECT TEST. Great riffs. All cool tones, just whatever you want. Go Mesa!

[@cardinalofcrunk]

Fantastic as usual man. You sure do make these sound killer. I can’t get away with the bass knob that high on my mini Recto. Curious where/how much you’re high passing during mixing? Cheers

[@joshbittner]

Isolated, I can hear the differences, especially the mini having a bit more mid-range, but dang, once the full band is in, we're with a couple % points away from each other on all three. Goes to show that when you're recording or getting a live band together, making sure the bass guitar tone matches what you're doing with these amps is paramount. As much as we love to tone-chase as guitar players :)

[@BecomingProductions]

Another awesome video. I think I may actually prefer the Single Rectifier out of them all but no doubt they all sound killer!! I must try to pick up another Rectifier. I had a slightly bad experience with a Roadster, just couldnt get on with that amp at all but I believe its voice WAY differently to most other Rectifiers so I should give them another try.

[@hawg427]

I like the Dual Rec the best. I have a Messi Roadster head and the dual sounds the closest to mine.

[@marxug1]

As a Rectoverb owner I recommend the “modern” mode even for moderate crunch, not just hi-gain metal. There’s something almost engine-like in the distortion structure, compared to the vintage mode, which is more buzzy.

[@brunolarrieu9107]

Super travail, les comparaisons sont très bien faites.

[@jedi666sith]

Wow! I wish Mesa release a new Single rec with that tightness! I would buy it without hesitation! :)

[@RezqRabbitVT]

My single rec has quickly became my favorite amp I've ever plugged into. A mighty anp you can get for a deal if you know where to look

[@Frankentoane]

I love boosting my dual rec (and previously a single rec series 2) with an mxr 6 band eq, cutting the low end, boosting the mids and the highs a bit above the middle. Setting the amp eq with bass at 6, mids at 4, and treble at 7. Kinda eq-ing the amp wildly, then taming it at the front via eq pedal at the same time boosting.

[@ericreyes3801]

been waiting for this exact comparison!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@jamesscott7979]

Great video! Thanks for posting it! 👍

[@GunnarLoeb]

Thanks! I didn't know I needed to see this video 😊

[@DarkSkarStudio]

Outstanding tones Jon!! This dual sounds pretty good, the single has more cut but the dual sounds more open, really great the both of them!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! And the mini? :)

[@DarkSkarStudio]

@@SonicDriveStudio You have make it sound great too, in comparison it doesn't have the same amount of lows as highs and is a little more nasal sounding, but in it doesn't sound bad at all and in the mix it works well.

[@deadinside0586]

I think i like better the Dual. It sounds more "hi-fi" than the Single, and makes the mix more clean to my ears.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I'll never get rid of that amp!

[@deadinside0586]

​@@SonicDriveStudio Which tubes (brand/version) are you using in them (dual and single)?

[@deadinside0586]

@@SonicDriveStudio I sold my Soldano HR50+ few months ago, and now i'm regretted (but i needed some money, 'cause Brazil is in a bad situation after Lula returns). So, i hope you never have to sell any of your amazing amps!

[@marcoadesso3603]

Single ftw!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It's badass!

[@marcoadesso3603]

@@SonicDriveStudio considering it's age is incredible! Your channel is so amazing keep doing this great works John!

[@patriknessboLemoran]

Could you do a video comparing the Diezel , single / dual rec and the mark V and find out which one of them does the metallica tone the best?

[@Mumumumykul]

the Dual Rectifier kicks so much ass. you just cant go wrong with a 100w Dual Rec.

[@PinkertonJM]

They sound all 3 awesome! Maybe the Single Rectifier is the best one for me..... But i own a Engl Powerball 2 instead 🤷😀😉

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Nothing wrong with an ENGL!

[@MangoMeoww]

The riff/song at 9:51 is so sick, do you have a full version of it or something? Another video where you play it with the full mix the whole way through? I think I heard it in another video but I can't find it now. I like the single rectifier a lot, it's so sick.

[@endtimeguitarist]

@8:05 mini @7:49 dual For anyone who wants the comparison between the two direct.

[@ashleyjackson8538]

The dual has got that monster sound .

[@brrav_]

I could listen to this for hours :D Waiting for a 1 hour Justin-Johnson style video ^^

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Don't know who that is but I hope he's cool:)

[@brrav_]

@@SonicDriveStudio Blues Rocker form Nashville. Sometimes he does hour long playthroughs (like Rob Scallon) and edits together compilations of his tracks. I haven't found something like this for metal. Especially not with a great sound like form the single recot

[@skubadoobie]

Great video, I got a single rectoverb combo love it

[@ratt669]

I definitively was convinced by EL84 tubes working more than well to a Rectifier.

[@therileyobrien]

I'd like the dual for recording but the single for playing live/for fun.

[@guessure]

Single sounds better!? Mini just doesn't have the kick but it does have the tone which is impressive

[@guessure]

Until the super high gain where the dual takes over

[@RobinErhage]

multiwatt is my choice! :) great video!

[@zzzaaannnn]

i just love the rectifier sound

[@rd_rae]

All great of course. Might the mini be most the one most suited to down tuned metal? Was hoping to hear your m80m or sc-607/8 here 😊

[@J_Braz_]

Awesome video! I enjoyed your single rectifier video from a few weeks back. I'm curious what tubes you're using in your single rectifier?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I think JJ 6L6s

[@perrar1na]

Here I can here the difference in mid response of 6L6 vs el84 That’s why the mini es better on the mix: because is the most “in your face” mids. Maybe on isolation or for practice the solo will be my favourite, bass response and incredible sound. In a band context: if the volumes allow, the mini will cut like a knife

[@fretBeastForever]

For home studio or medium venue, the Mini is the best in term of Quality Price!

[@jwlazlowicz]

Awesome riffs again!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@theriffroom]

Love your videos 🔥

[@mikeanaro]

Cool, I have a Single Recto and I dont regret a little. Dual seems too loose to my taste, more focused is better in my case... I play leads.

[@odie5268]

I think in the modern/metal comparison I actually prefer the mini, I think like you say it sits in the mix a little better and sort of gets out of the way of the other instruments..

[@progpogs]

For some reason I like the mini rec more than the new mini badlander, no one could ever call the recs underrated, but none of the other mesa amps hit the mark for me like these do, I'm not a big mesa fan otherwise.

[@Lollerkid]

In mix i prefer the mini not for the cleans but a good tube compressor or boost pedal would solve this too

[@Awrange]

Next shootout with a two channel dual rectifier maybe? :D

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha I don't think so, not that that wouldn't be nice :)

[@KeannuReevezzz03]

the single rectifier sounded the best for me

[@albertorobinson7611]

thats my favorite thanks dude!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Awesome!

[@LeoM-zt3pl]

The Single Rec Solo sounds a little boxy vs the other two. Still sounds great (all three)

[@realguitarstuff]

Great video. Great riffs ❤all of the amps sound great. I like somehow the sizzle dual the most. But all are awesome. Does your single also have a slight delay when switching channels with the footswitch? Did you compare it to the single 50 solo series 2?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I never use the switch tbh and I've never tried the series II

[@realguitarstuff]

@@SonicDriveStudio thanks for your quick reply 👍

[@djabthrash]

10:53 sounds a bit like the band Textures (rip) Nice

[@evanocheret7009]

I noticed you dial back the mids and boost the bass to make your mini match the other amps. Would you ever care to discuss how you make the mini sound like its bigger brothers?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

That's it in a nutshell

[@rw4273]

I Like the mini over all

[@bismarckrobles1987]

The mini sounds the cleanest to my ears

[@yousocrazy1199]

the mini rec can work with Guptech Quebec pedal for added low end and thats gonna sound very very powerful

[@SonicDriveStudio]

As long as the headroom allows it! Sure!

[@CharlySahona]

Great and interesting video. Do you have the Rectifier Badlander? It would be interesting to hear it with his other Recto-brothers too :-)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I don't have one unfortunately

[@Tanax13]

It's not available in Europe and basically never has since Mesa stopped selling in Europe almost 3 years ago. Rumors are they will start again in Sep~ but we'll see.

[@CharlySahona]

@@Tanax13 Oh this is too bad :-/ As a European, I hope they will sell again here. The covid time changed many things :-/ Thanks for the infos

[@satarello]

old mesa DR 100W sounds the best.a little better than black mesa..third palce mini mesa