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View Full Version : Mesa Guys - I have a question for one of my students


Mark Wein
11-05-2009, 12:15 AM
He has a Mesa Dual Rectifier Roadster with a 2x12 Mesa cab and brought his whole rig in today for us to dial in.

The main problem that we are having is that the first channel (which I figure is supposed to be the cleanest channel) never really cleans up all that well no matter what switch or knob we tweak. Is this typical for this amp? I am thinking possibly that there is a tube issue...

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/markwein/utf-8BSU1HMDAxOTMuanBn.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/markwein/utf-8BSU1HMDAxOTQuanBn.jpg
Chihlidog
11-05-2009, 12:36 AM
The green channel on mine had very, very nice cleans. I dont remember the settings exactly, it has been a while and I didnt have it very long, but I was extremely impressed with them, moreso than almost anything else this amp did. Camera mic sucks, as does my playing, but you can hear in this vid it was extremely clean. The breakup on the first bit was purely the camera mic overloading, not the amp.

Mesademoresized.flv video by chihlidog - Photobucket
Mark Wein
11-05-2009, 12:37 AM
I'm thinking that there is a bad tube in that section. He hasn't been happy with the amp since he got it a few years ago though so maybe its time to move on for him....
Chihlidog
11-05-2009, 12:44 AM
I'm thinking that there is a bad tube in that section. He hasn't been happy with the amp since he got it a few years ago though so maybe its time to move on for him....

FWIW, I loved the recto, but it wasnt quite what I thought it was. I am not sure what sort of sound he is looking for, but if its a more classic Marshall type sound, the recto isnt gonna do it. A recto sounds like a recto pretty much no matter what. IMO what they do best is a big, modern metal sound that moves tons of air and sounds huge but with fairly low gain for metal. It will do medium-gain rock stuff very well but it still sounds like a Mesa, it will never cop a classic Marshall tone, nor will it cop a Mark type tone.

Also, in my experience with one, it must be turned up and allowed to really push the speakers and move some air fr it to sound really good. That's a LOT of amp to do that with, even in a gig setting.

I love 'em, and I want another one someday, but they really arent the right amp for most people IMO.
Chihlidog
11-05-2009, 12:46 AM
YouTube - Mesa 2 channel Dual Rectifier clean

YouTube - Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Demo (clean channel part 1)
Chihlidog
11-05-2009, 12:48 AM
YouTube - Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier warm clean setting..
Mark Wein
11-05-2009, 04:00 AM
His doesn't sound anything like that all. I think there's something wrong with it.
Help!I'maRock!
11-05-2009, 02:37 PM
the best thing for him to do is bring it to a tech. yeah, there's a bench charge. but its better than spending the $200 in tubes and still having the same problem. though, just to eliminate one possibility, have him plug into a different cab. at least then you know its not a speaker issue and can bring the head in for service.
Mark Wein
11-05-2009, 03:40 PM
the best thing for him to do is bring it to a tech. yeah, there's a bench charge. but its better than spending the $200 in tubes and still having the same problem. though, just to eliminate one possibility, have him plug into a different cab. at least then you know its not a speaker issue and can bring the head in for service.


The trick is finding a good tech around here. There actually used to be a Mesa Boogie store here in the 1990's but that closed a while ago. Looks like he'll have to schlep it up to the Mesa store in Hollywood to have it done right.
Help!I'maRock!
11-05-2009, 03:57 PM
you need to find a good guy to contract to. one of the major complaints you have about the area is how crappy the service guys are and how they charge insane rates. there's gotta be something you can do to partner up with good guitar and amp techs.
Mark Wein
11-05-2009, 05:08 PM
you need to find a good guy to contract to. one of the major complaints you have about the area is how crappy the service guys are and how they charge insane rates. there's gotta be something you can do to partner up with good guitar and amp techs.


1. I have to find one first

2. I have to have a driver or take time out of my day to deliver amps since no one around here does pickup unless they are servicing GC or Sam Ash