Mesa/Boogie 2x12 Recto Cabinet

I believe it was made around 2003-2004, same as everyone else's reviews. 2 celestion 30's. 140 watts, 8ohm, mono.

This sounds amazing, my setup is an epiphone les paul elite standard or my epiphone SG301, to a boss dd20, peavey xxx with mesa tubes, then to my mesa cab. the high gain channels from the xxx sounds amazing through the mesa.

i would sooooooo use this at a gig with no backup whatso ever, its built like fort knox wearing a bulletproof vest... tough.
it gets an 8 for the tolex though, its not very tough.

i havent had to deal with them, but i have called them about catalog and ordering information. they are very helpful.

if it were stolen or broke. or randomly caught on fire, id buy another, its very nice and compact. i have played a 4x12 recto cab, it sounds the same as my 2x12

Don't know exactly the year of production.
I've played with this nice cabinet at various gigs.
The Cab has a good power, but I must admit that the other guitar player in my band told me to try the Blackshark cabinets 1x12 and 2x12and I would not be disappointed.
Two days later, after a couple of sessions, I sold my Mesa and ordered the same cab of my friend at BLACKSHARKCABINETS.COM at the half of the price of a Mesa or Bogner!
Sorry...non comparison in price and full sound!!!

Bill Lawrence XL 500.Evolution pickups.
The Blackshark 2x12 "Rattlesnake" blew away the Mesa on clean and distorted sounds, completely.

I sold it and bought a pair of new handcrafted cabinets.

Never needed : after only 6 months of use!
But it seems well built.

I 've been playing for 18 years more or less every kind of style.
If it was stolen I will defenetly buy another Blackshark cabinets.Also their customer support seems to be ok.

Not sure of the year on mine since I got it used locally from another guitarist who likes Marshall cabs better (he's crazy!). I play many different styles from metal to blues to jazz. This cab can suit them all, just depends on what you are running into it. Nice tight low-end, and the highs are still clear! I wish it wasn't so heavy, but I guess the thickness of the wood affects the tone you get, so whatever Mesa does, it's worth it! I know it doesn't MAKE the actual tone, but it amplifies it better than most cabs I have played through!

I haven't had a chance to REALLY crank it, but I played it once at VERY loud volume and it was GREAT! Chest pounding lows were abound, as promised by others that have played Mesa! This cabinet works pretty well with my cheap setup (Guitar ---> POD XT Live ---> Tube Works MosValve ---> Mesa Recto 212 cab), but man pair it up with a tube head and this thing ROCKS! I am planning on buying a Mesa Boogie Nomad 100 watt head from a friend, and that will make my perfect setup! Cleans are super-clean (not quite fender, but they are more versatile than a fender anyways!) but the distortion is AWESOME!!! The lows are tight and the highs and mids are perfect!

I would totally gig without a backup. I never understood all the hype behind Mesa cabinets before I tried one, it seems like it will last for a very long time! The only complaint I have is that the tolex, although smooth and nice to the touch, is quite prone to scratches. I have a used cab and it has scars from the last owner not being careful with it. It seems realiable but the tolex being thin is my only complaint here.

I just got off the phone with them! Mesa has THE best customer support! I got through right away and talked to a very friendly customer service rep! He answered every question I could think of, and even some I didn't! Very friendly, very helpful, very nice experience overall! Thanks Chris! (that was the guy I spoke to at Mesa, very nice individual... hope they are all that friendly!)

If this ever gets stolen, I'm going to save up for another one! Chances of this getting stolen are slim though, as the person carrying this thing would have to be waddling away with it (65 lbs for a 2x12!)! I love the tight lows, I've never had a cabinet capable of producing lows as nice as this, I really can't stress that enough! I just sold my Peavey Triple XXX 4x12 cabinet for this... I think the Celestion Vintage 30s in it are my favorite speaker now! Only thing I wish for now is maybe another one with the 3/4 back convertible option (if they make one with the vintage 30s that is), but I'm not sure if that would kill the lows I love! Overall the best cabinet I've played through! Wish I lived out in California, I would try to get a job with Mesa! Discount would be nice!

Mesa Recto 2x12 UPRIGHT cab.

Made in 2003. I purchased a yearish ago new.

Not too versatile, 8 Ohm in and thru (to another 2x12 I assume). Stereo might have been nice. 140 watt capability (2 70 watt Celestion 30's)

It gets a five, because it's a cab.

Used it with two amps: Hughes and Kettner Triamp (EL-34), and a Zinky Superfly (5881). Played a Les Paul DC, and an American Strat through this.

Contrary to most of the reviewers, I DO NOT play exclusively metal, death metal, etc. Maybe I should if I use this cab and that's all I played. Otherwise, I play anything from country to metal (or harder Rock if you like ala Kidney Thieves, Nickelback, etc).

Here's my beef(s): The cabinet always sounded boomy to me. Sometimes I felt like great tone was trying to come out of the speakers, but could not. I like versatility, and this thing just plain doesn't have it. Honestly didn't know until another purchase (see below). The highs sounded shrill, okay mids, the lows were pretty tight, but again those BOOMY sounds. Also irritating is the overly directional aspect of this cab. It was peeling my face off standing anywhere in front of it, but the drummer who was about 45 degrees to the side couldn't hear me at all. Fah.

Great speakers, but the cab construction, or DESIGN rather, fails this thing significantly.

Not horrible, but it still gets a 4. (My rating system means that a 8 is a very good score...almost nothing is a 10)

The cabinet seems to be well made. Very tough, very heavy duty.

One complaint: The tolex seems to scuff and rip if I sneeze in it's direction. Pretty common though on tolex in general. Gets a 7 here.

In research for other amps, I have found them to be very responsive in every aspect of question. They get a 9.

Been playing for 30 years. Here's where I found out the problem with this cab, or rather how others are just plain better:

I first tried another cab with Celestion Greenbacks, but both amps indicated above pretty much overpowered it. In some desperation, I found on Ebay a Bogner 4x12 cab here in Denver.

Now THAT is a cabinet. Full sound across the spectrum. Very focused and tight bass, but still good projection around the room...fills the cracks (almost like it's an open back'd cab, but it's not.)

I might have given this a higher rating had I not found out about this cab vs other cabs. But after being sort of vaguely disappointed in my tone, to incredibly satisfied, I have to dock points accordingly.

Anyone want a Mesa 2x12 upright cab? Cheap(ish)?

Again, I do not dislike this cab, it is just not very versatile. Metal yes, Beatles no.

I USE IT TO NPLAY OUT AND OUT HEAVY ROCK.MY FAVOROTE BAND IS Y&T AND THEY USE MESA GEAR.IT SOUNDS AWESOME AT ANY VOLUME,AND HANDLES CLEAN AS WELL AS HIGH GAIN DISTIRTION,AND ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN.THE MASSIVE BASS IS ONLY ACHEIVED WITH A MESA RECTO CAB WITH ITS CLOSED BACK.I HAVE TRIED OTHER CABS MAINLY 4X12 AND THIS BABY KNOCKS EM ALL DEAD.!!!!!!!!!.

HARD TO RATE THE RELIABILITY AS I HAVE NOT HAD IT LONG ENOUGH TO COMMENT FAIRLY.BUT,,,,SO FAR IT HAS TAKEN EVERYTHING I CAN THROW AT IT FROM MY MESA DUAL RECTO HEAD.I WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A BACK UP HEAD BUT THE CAB IS BULLET PROOF AND WOULD RELY ON IT 100%

N/A

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOR 25 YEARS.I ALSO OWN MESA DUAL RECTO HEAD,AVT 150 MARSHALL COMBO,PEAVEY EVH CUSTOM WOLFGANGS X 2,GIBSON LES PAUL.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE THE 4X12 FOR A 6X12 STACK BUT I DONT HAVE THE ROOM,AND I'M NO ARNI SO MOVING IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM.IT COULD DO WITH CASTORS AS ITS VERY HEAVY.....

OVERALL...ONE OF THE BEST PURCHASES YOU WILL EVER MAKE,YOU WILL NEVER NEED ANOTHER CAB,YOU WILL NEVER GET THE MESA SOUND FROM ANYTHING ELSE,BELIEVE ME IVE TRIED.GO ON BUY ONE.YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2x12" Celestion Vintage 30 speakers (each 16 ohms)
i think they're wiring in "Parellel" (use Resistance Law to calculate it)

one 8 ohms input-jack and parallel output-jack

closed-back and over-sized design cabinet

i'd tried Diezel 1x12", Marshall jcm900, Orange and Soldano 2x12"
close-back cabinets in the shop.

Finally, i choose the Mesa/Boogie 2x12" Rectifier cabinet
for Single Rectifier Solo-50 and old DC-5 heads

it's denifitely awesome sound for modern rock/metal guys

" very tight and agressive voicing ! "

goddamn heavy and built-like a jumbo jet

great customer service both for international and domestic clients

thanks to Mr.Kevin Robertson (mesa/boogie LTD)

nothing to say anymore,

just believe in your ears and judge by your personally tone-favour.

I love this cab. I have played out of the 4x12 for a previous band and its easy to say i love the 2x12 as well.

I have a bunch of guitars and I've I played out of many cabs. I've played a 73 fender musicmaster, a custom 89 soloist with a emg 81 and sa w/chandler neck, and scalloped fretboard, and a ovation tangent. I love how it sounds. The bass is definately there and the highs and mids are not overpowering. In most cabs its a struggle to get a deep bass sound. Luckily, thats how this cab is built to perform. You can also get fender type cleans out of it, just roll off the bass knob on your amp. Any kind of sound you have, this cab's ready to take it and make it better.

so far incredibly good!!!

I love it. You would too. Unless you're tone deaf.

Brand new from guitar center. Very powerful. Wish it had castors thoguh so wheels could be used as it is very heavy.

Im using a jackson dr3 with emg-81 pickups. I'm running this cab through a tremoverb 2x12 combo as the combo alone lacked the "Low end" i was looking for. This cabinet Done just that. It gave me the low end & power i was looking for i absolutly love it!!! Sounds huge.

Build like a tank. Weighs like 75lbs so its solidly build. Im sure nothing will go wrong with it its a beast.

Never had to deal with them.

I'v been playin for around 6 years. It is a great cabinet. I look forward to playing through it for many more years.

2002- basic black , vintage 30's- 2-12- 75 lbs. - heavy metal man - cool for small cars - not subways - 75 lbs + recto head -40 lbs or so + 2 guitars + cables = wheaties

I REVIEWED THE RECTO 2-12 UNFAVORABLY A WHILE BACK. AFTER TWO SHOWS WITH IT SOUNDING LIKE HARSH, SPITTY CRAP, I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.
SINCE IT WAS 500 BUCKS I WASN'T GOING TO BUY ANOTHER CAB IN A FLASH - SO I MODIFIED IT MYSELF.
THIS MOD WAS EASY, COST NOTHING, AND CHANGED EVERYTING !
THIS CAB SOUNDED VERY BOOMY - ALOT OF LOW END, SPITTY RAZOR SHARP HIGHS, AND MUDDY CARDBOARD MIDS. IT SOUNDED LIKE A HOLLOW WOOD BOX.
I OPENED IT UP - AND THAT'S WHAT IT WAS - NO SOUND DAMPING MATERIAL INSIDE AT ALL !
I GRABBED SOME 2 INCH WEDGE- SHAPED AURALUX FOAM REFLEXION KILLING MATERIAL I HAD LEFT OVER FROM MY LIVINGROOM WALLS - DON'T LET YOUR LANDLORD SEE YOU PUT THAT CRAP EVERYWHERE - HE WILL FREAK !
THE STUFF IS CHEAP - GO TO , " YOUR AUDIO" - ON WEST 30TH ACROSS FROM ULTRASOUND - TALK TO BOBBY NEILL- HE'LL TRY TO SELL YOU A 500, 000 DOLLAR MIXING BOARD BUT TELL HIM YOU JUST NEED SOME GOD DAM FOAM !
USE STRONG GLUE - GOOD FOR SNIFFING - AND LINE THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CABINET WITH THE STUFF.
HINT- WHEN YOU TAKE THE BACK OFF- UNSCREW THE JACK PANEL, DROP THE JACK PLATE THROUGH THE HOLE, AND LIFT THE BACK WOOD PANEL FROM THE CENTER HOLE. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY IT'S GOING TO COME OFF - I TRIED PRYING THE PANEL OFF FROM THE CORNERS WITH MY TRUSTY BUTTER KNIFE BUT THAT IS BECAUSE I USED TO SMOKE ALOT OF POT. THE JACK PLATE REVELATION CAME QUICKLY AFTER I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO DESTROY A SWEET LOOKING CAB WITH A BUTTER KNIFE ! I HAVE DONE DUMBER THINGS - DON;T ASK MAN - JUST SAY NO KIDS !
AFTER THE FUMES DISPERSE AND YOU BURY YOUR DEAD PETS, PUT THE THING BACK TOGETHER.
"PESTO - CHANGO" - TIGHT LOW END, NICE MIDS, -NOT VINTAGE 4-12 MIDS, BUT MUCH BETTER THAN LITTERBOX MIDS, AND CHILLED OUT HIGHS.
STILL ONLY A HEAVY METAL CABINET, SO BRING YOUR TWIN TO YOUR GOSPEL GIG. BESIDES, RECTO'S MELT IN THE HOUSE OF GOD - SWEEEEEEEET !
OH YEAH - I PLAY HARD ROCK - MELODIC METAL - G+L'S WITH DIMARZIO SUPER DISTORTIONS - CLASSIC METAL TONE. -

IF YOU HIT IT WITH YOUR CAR AND YOU DON'T HAVE A HUMMER - BUY A NEW CAR. I GIG WITH IT ALL THE TIME -NO PROBLEMS - RAYZHELL.COM

DON'T BOTHER RANDALL SMITH -HE IS DOING BONG HITS AND TRYING TO FIND HIS LEFT SANDAL. BUT HE DOES MAKE DAM GOOD STUFF FOR THE MONEY ! YOU CAN SPEND ALOT MORE AND GET TOTAL GARBAGE. NEVER HAD TO CALL HIM. SO THAT'S COOL.

WITH MOD IT RULES - WITHOUT MOD YOU WILL NEVER GET THE BEST FROM YOUR RECTO HEAD. LIFE IS SHORT - BE HEAVY METAL !

This one is really new ...vertical...even though I got it used, I even got the original warranty card and Mesa/Boogie company card. It has Celestion Vintage 30's which POUND! It is mono 8 ohms, which doesn't bother me, but I wish i could do stereo. Apparently, there is a way to do that, but I am not sure how. But in reality, I'd just get another one to run out of my power amps other channel for stereo. This thing is actually really light for a cabinet (I have dealt with too many in my day). It's a hardwood cabinet and it has really sturdy casters on the bottom, a definite plus!

Incredible. I play black/oddball metal. I use a LIne 6 Pod Pro, Peavey Classic 50/50, and a EMG loaded Ibanez 7 string. This thing is beautiful clean, totally even sound, but distorted, this thing crushes all. It even sounds like I got a bass player behind me (so when my bassist does play, whoa). It is clear, loud, and destructive!

I don't think you can break this thing. Not without seriously trying!

never dealt with them, probably never will have to

The fact I got this thing for 350 is scary, with all the tags and such in place. It's in flawless shape. I am maybe thinking an employee screwed up, cause the one right next to it is brand new, and you coulda switched the tags and no one would know. Just that the new one is 550!!!!!!!They sound the same so who cares. I got such a sick deal, and this cab is perfect for me. I have even heard the 2X12 is better than the 4X12, and I actually agree somewhat, this one did perform better. For metal, rock, blues, or anything really, this would do you good. It's just a solid piece of equipment. Mesa is just so damn expensive, you really gotta find them used not to pay through the roof!