Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Rackmount

I have a dual rectifier rackmount, I think it was made mid 90's. I play in a punk rock 'n' roll band and this head has two set of balls! It has two switchable channels, orange and red and you can set each channel from vintage to red, modern to vintage or clean to org or red. it has a knob on the back that you can toggle between effects loop or solo were you set up both channels and the silver knob controls the volume for both. I'm still learning how to use this monster but it has been working great. All in all I do wish the head had reverb I just need a little bit. Basic features.

I use an Epiphone sheraton 2 and I recently installed an 500T super ceramic humbucker and it is monstrous. My guitar playing is influenced by motorhead and chuck berry which is a unique blend. I'm always trying to improve my sound and always find something new with this head. The clean channel is very clean and the distortion is awesome especially now that I replaced the pre amp tubes I don't need to raise the distortion passed 3, it's like a new head the eq is very responsive. It has a bold and spongy switch which I use Bold, spongy gives it a warmer sound if that is what you want. It also has a switch on the back that you can go from using vaccum tubes to silocone diodes. I use silicone diodes.

This head is way dependable it is my tank and it prays on the weak and breaks down the strong willed. Haha! It is my main head I use it all the time at show and on tour. The only problem I had with the head was I blew my fuse and it scared the s**t out of me, I thought it was the tubes. Don't ever try to switch over the vaccum tubes and silicone diodes switch while you have the head on!

Never dealt with the company but I hear they are very helpful. I've never had to get my head repaired. I've only had to change the tubes and fuse. I actually have to change my tubes every 6 to 8 months because I play shows all the time. Always take care of your stuff.

I've been playing for 8 years now. I played bass for 10 years before and back then I used a mesa boogie 400+ bass amp. If this head was stolen I would cry for a long time. I don't think it is an easy head to replace. not to many people have this head rackmountable.
I love the strength and power this head has I don't think I need anything else except maybe a better guitar that feels fast. If I have to compare this head I would only have to compare it to other heads made by Mesa other than that, no comparing, it is a Mesa.

1993 Rackmount dual rectifier head
2 channels orange/red
I don't use this for clean, just distortion and lead sounds

I am playing a modified PRS Santana SE upgraded to planet waves locking tuners, all new electronics and PRS Tremonti pickups. through this head. I play rock - hard rock music. Before the modifications it sounded ok however it had very poor low end response and the tone didn't really sing out. I was trying to put some tracks down with my band and we could not get a tone that sounded good on tape. I sent this in to Trace and had the standard mesa mod done as well as the push/pull bass mod. They also re-tubed the amp for me. Let me tell you the results were nothing short of amazing. The amp sounded perfect. Within 20 minutes I had the tone I wanted. I have gotten compliments every time I take this amp out, no one can beleive the tone.

I have had no problems since I got this back from Voodoo. I have been playing on it regularly since July 2005

I have dealt with Trace and Anthony several time throughout the process and I am amazed that no matter how dumb the question they answer it patiently. I recently sent them an email with a question about moding my effects loop and they responded within 24 hrs. When they called me to consult on the mods I wanted done I spend about 35-40 minutes on the phone just discussing my music and the tonal issues I had wanted fixed as well as hearing what they had discovered before we made any decisions on mods.

I have nothing but good things to say about voodoo. I promote them on my bands web site and tell everyone that asks how great they were. The amp tone speaks for itself.

this amp has 3 channels that all work well with the heavy metal genre which i play. we use a lot of contrasting transitions between haevy distortion to clean channel and the switch is nearly perfect. i use this with a behringer tube composer, and the behringer v amp pro all rackmounted. it is easy to add effects to and is very user friendly.

i use an ibanez custom built scallop neck with dual 59 humbuckers by seymour duncan. a crown xs900 power amp for boost, a behringer tube composer t1952, behringer v-amp pro, korg rack tuner dtr100, behringer feedback destroyer fbq2496. also the midi footcontrol fcb1010. all this in a shock mount road ready rack. i also run through a shure ut14 wireless guitar setup. with all this, the me boog (thats what i call it) works well enough to where i dont want to get something else. mostly all is played on a gain channel with custom settings through my v amp. i use digital effects on the v amp and tube composer to give the dual rec even more grain that can pick up an attacks and not stay muddy like some amps do.

everything in my setup it awesome, i love to have it on before gigs to warm up about an hour, without muting the tuner i run through, there is a lot of white noise that comes through so make sure to mute the channel when not playing. other than that, after the tubes get goin theres no turning back. the only thing that messes up once in awhile is the wireless but thats technology for you.

my friend gave me this amp because he used to play guitar but gave it up, long story short, hes spoiled and lazy and can afford to give out free mesa boogie dual rectifiers. it is getting hard to find these and it sucks if you dont have one becuase for rack mounting, its a hell of a lot cheaper to have one that fits into a standard rack.

its a cool amp i would go mesa and for effects behringer no line 6.

this amp is very easy to use. It can get very complicated depending on how your setup is and how you want your amp to work with effects and midi swithching. The manual is very straight forward and easy to understand. The actuall controls are very hard to tell what settings they are on. They are Chrome and the dots are indented and painted goldish. this makes it a little hard to see what setting you have it on. I was a little dissapointed when i read the manual and there was a caution not to turn the gain all the way up while you have the treble up past 2 oclock and modern switch selected. This is a high gain amp and thats what i bought it for. This is just to maximise tube life though(i hope).

this amp sounds great in all settings. It does make some freaky low grumbling noise when i am not playing but its not that bad. I have several fender twins and the boogie clean green channel is quite good. the gain channels get the amount of bit that im after as well as all the way up to monster gain. I use a mesa dual recto 2x12 box that was a little bottom endie and very directional. So i made another back for it using similar timber that covered about 1/3 of the back. this released the sound better for me as i was having trouble hearing it from the side. it is also has a softer bottom end now meaning i can turn the bass up more without getting that deep rumbling sound. My set up differs. Guitar/wah/mesa -- Guitar/Wah/mesa with either tc elec g force or Eventide DSP 7000 through the loop and a midi solutions R8 switching the amp channels via midi - all controled by a roctron all access unit.

You may need to play with your loop settings when using effects through the loop. this can be tricky but you will still get a good sound. this is because there diffents controls you have in the loop. this is good though as some amps dont have any or minimal control over the loop, making effects sound like shit which passes the shit sound into your great tone which also turns to shit-and thats just shit

Guitars make a big difference to tone - no really they do - i use a gibson les paul supreme/fender strat plus U.S/fender tele U.S/Ibanez S series/Ibanez RG 570/Gibson Howard Roberts

Its a high gain tube amp so your tubes will wear our or die a little faster. i have had the amp for allmost 12 months and i will change the tubes soon - i have had one of my fender twins for almost 7 years without "needing" to re valve it. I never go to a gig without backups. A twin is always in my car. The mesa is very solid and heavy for its size. it does take a little while to cool down, but i think its very reliable

Pro Audio in Australia is who i brought it from and they are great for service as they are the importers. I have sent some emails to mesa and they get back to me in a couple of days or so. thats pretty good i think

i play rock/jazz/funk/metal/blues/country - no classical. i have been playing for 16 years and had shit loads of rack units and other all in one units. I love the fact that the amp is dedicated to tone only - there is no reverb in the head. my DSPs take care of the effects. also my effects are just effects - with no preamp (although they do produce overdrive and fuzz effects these are designed not to be preamp sound but effect enhancing sounds). I owned a Digitech 2101 which was lame. Being in Australia things are a little expensive but there arent to many options and its very hard to find a second hand unit out here.

this amp has very subtle, but useful features. I think my amp was made in the mid to late 90's. It is indespendsible live, louder than anything you would ever need, but yet sounds good. Also, it's simple to use, and has less things that break. IT is designed really well: it's loud, simple, fits nicely in a road case, has good tone, and always works.

the old rackmounts have a tone that wipes out any other rectifier. I first owned a trem-o-verb and the overdrive was a little too open for me, and lacked the tight, compressed boogie sound. Now i wish i still had it, because the temolo and reverb were kind of cool. I sold that and bought the 2 channel head that was made around 2001. It sounded horrible, like a metal zone pedal. Sold that and bought a the rackmount, and I still love it, and wouldn't even think about selling it after having it for about six years. I have a mark iv (which i use frequently) too, but the rack rectifier still has its place.

always works.

i have never dealt with boogie customer support.

i've played for about 15yrs, and if it was stolen, i'd be unhappy. i'd want to buy another, but they are getting harder to find, and really expensive. I wish the amp had an extra loud wanking channel, so i could drown out all my bandmates. sometimes less is more, and on this amp, that is the case.

This amp is not big on bells & whistles, like a lot of the amps that are coming out now, which is fine. Its got two channels (with cloning), FX loop, bias select (6L6 or EL34), and you can choose the 5U4 or silicone diode rectifier. If you're looking for an "all in one" package, like a Line6, don't look here. I go for simplicity-K-I-S-S, so I enjoy the fact that there are not a thousand knobs and buttons and lights.

I play hardcore (think Madball, Terror, Cro-Mags, etc) and this amp has been a Holy Grail!! I use a Les Paul DC Studio with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge, thru a Celestion loaded 4x12 (70 watters) and the Mesa. I could not be more pleased with the amp's sound, its a monster. Its no more noisy than any other high-gain tube amp, at least in my experience. I found it to pretty versatile while fooling around with it. I pretty much need one sound, so that's not high on my priority list. I wouldn't buy this for a jazz amp, though. The distortion on this thing could destroy a small country. You HAVE TO read the manual before you go messing with EQ, though. Don't go just turning the knobs, the EQ doesn't work the same as most amps, and you'll drive yourself nuts if you don't know how to work it.

I haven't had anything close to a problem yet. I replaced all the tubes, preamp and power, shortly after getting it. No problems. I'd bring to Iraq and play it.

I've only had to deal with customer service once, and just to get a manual (bought the amp used and the guy had lost the manual). They were curtious and quick, which I like, and I had the manaul a few days later. Like the amp itself, simple and professional, and it works!!

I love this thing. If it were stolen, I'd would absolutely try and get another. I think its simplicity is key to its near perfection. Like I said, it doesn't have a bunch of other on-board stuff to get in the way, but it is capable of being put in a more complicated system.
If you like the Mesa sound and and aggressive tone, this thing is the way to go. I can't really think of anything I don't like, but I can see how people who want something more versatile may not be as excited with this model.

100 watts of pure tube. Not many features but enough to get by.

My main guitar is a Fernandes Monterey Elite with an EMG-81 in the bridge. I play mainly punk/hardcore and I heard this is the best amp to get. Boy were they right! I put some EL34 tubes in it and it came alive! I wasnt super impressed but it will beat any Marshall any day of the week for what I'm playing. I play mostly with scooped mids but it doesnt have enough bass, thats about the only problem.

Don't need a back up!

Never needed it.

Im very happy with it. I might look into some other Boogies, but for now this will do

the features this thing does have suck the hell out of your tone. much like the overpriced tag does on your savings account. the effects loops is a tone sucker if i ever did see one, it just messes with it and takes some bass away.
the channel switching is another pain. the only channel i can seem to sound really good is the orange channel, either it be the modern or vintage sound they both sound better on the orange side. maybe it has something to do with the different gain stages? i dunno.

the features are great in theory and would rock if they didnt mess with the tone.

i play a gibson sg and my sound is metal but basicly alt rock in nature. this amp CAN and DOES get a serious clean tone! im tired of reading that you cant get a good clean sound with this amp, i mean c'mon all ya gotta do is switch it to orange channel clean and a lil green light goes on. (duh) the problem here is that i like the vintage sound better and since the channel cloning feature is useless to me i have to settle with a clean sound from the red side which is possible by just turning the gain way down. its actually rather decent just not as good as the true clean channel because on that one you can turn up the gain some and not get distortion.

in my opinion the red channel distortion stinks, its an ok sound just really broken up and fuzzy.

i really like the vintage channel the best, its tight and warm. the DR has a rather plain tone to my ears... maybe its cause that sound is so widly used or something. all things aside its good. the rectifier tubes are an important tool in getting warm and easy playabillity and easy tones without having to struggle with dry choppy tone.

over all its above average but still nothing to cream your pants over. plus if you want the best out of this amp get a real bias job done by putting n adjustable bias pot in (cause the bias settings are set too low) and put higher grade tubes in...eurotubes.com

seems pretty sturdy. i am a bit worried about the little cooling fan inside though.

ive talked with a few people there and basicly they are pretty much just like most guitar and amp companies in that they dont act very professional and and kiss your ass a whole lot which is what i want!!

for such a damn expensive amp im really disappointed with a lot of the features they pimp off about this amp. i heard good things about the rackmount versions but im having seconds thoughts and thinking maybe i should have gotten the Trem-O-verb that was about 200 bucks cheaper.

i cant even begin to tell you how pist i am that i cant use my pedal in the effects loop. the distortion is really good that it almost makes it worth it. ive played a tone of amps and next to the new 300 watt Crate id have to say this is the best amp around.

I believe my rack rectifier was made in 1998. This amp has all the features I would ever ask of a head. I have previously owned a Mesa Boogie dual rectifier solo head(three channel head) and a Mesa Mark IV rack head as well. In my opinion, the recto rackhead is more compressed sounding than the solo heads(which is a good thing). Compared to the Mark IV, it's close because the Mark IV is also a very versatile amp. I must say that the Recto wins in the hardcore/metal sound against the mark IV though. I play punkrock and hardcore so it fits perfectly. Mesa only made the racktifiers 2 channel which I like better because then I don't have to deal with those huge footswitches. I use it for many gigs around town and even out of town sometimes, it definetly has enough power. The thing is a beast. I play show volume around 8:00 o'clock so it's plenty loud for me. I love how the rectifiers have a bias switch to switch between 6l6 (factory standards) or El34. It's little things like that that make me a Mesa fan for life.

This beastly thing really lacks in the clean but I really don't use the clean anyway so it's all ok. The red channel really makes up for the lack of clean. I use a Gibson Les Paul Studio with a 498t humbucker and it's sounds awesome. I think this is the ideal amp for punk/hardcore because it's gain is so thick and brutal(also a good thing) This thing has balls, enough said

I would say that this thing is pretty dependable but with my old rectifier solo head, I learned the hard way that tubes can be a huge pain. I had a gig an hour after band practice when I hit the head against a doorknob (I know, I wasn't all there) and I broke a 5U4G rectifier tube so I had to speed to a local music store to pick up another. Luckly they had one more. I do go to gigs without a backup but I say, if you have it, bring it. I think that as long as you really take care of your equipment and don't neglect it, it will pay off and give you what you bought it for, GREAT TONE.

Mesa really knows what they are talking. They are also very helpful. When I have a question I email them and they respond with an answer either that same day or by the next day. I have never had to get a repair by them because almost every repair that you need you can do it yourself as long as you have the materials. Honestly, if you don't know how to change tubes or fuses and you own a Mesa rectifier, I don't know if you deserve one. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone.

Overall, I think that this head is a great investment. They don't make them anymore so that makes them even more of a find. I think I would die if it was stolen because not only do they not make them anymore but they are expensive! I really love the sound this beast creates. Now that I think of it, I can't really think of anything about the amp that I don't like(good sign). I told how they compared to the other amps in the features so you know all about how I feel in comparison. I have some advice for anyone that is thinking about getting one if you can find it, BUY IT.

I actually waited 5 Whole Years to review this amplifier since I first bought it New in 1996.Curiosity and necessity prompted me to start using it again after I had grown "bored" with My current 3 channel Rectifiers as of the last 2 live shows last week.
I am the original owner and it has recently gotten quite a bit of use in Live and Studio situations since opening the shockmount rack it's been sitting in since I purchased it.
This is the 2 channel Rackmount Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier~or "Racktifier" if you like that name better.
This particular amplifier bares little resemblence to the "long" Head Version of the same name(I'll explain in GREAT Detail later).
I consider this Amplifier very versatile for an experienced amp "tweaker" like myself.It's NOT a "sit down and twist away on the knobs with abandon" type amplifier.....theres a whole LOT going on in this that will escape the casual knob twister(with no patience).

It has 2 channels(like mentioned above)Channel Switching between either the "ORANGE"(vintage) & "RED"(modern),"Channel Cloning"(you can make the "Vintage Orange channel" mimic the "Modern Red channel" or vice versa)-which is a neat feature if you want TWO Identical Gain structures with differing EQ curves and frequencies,An FX Loop with adjustable Mix(0 to 100%)and Send Levels via the potentiometers on the rear panel.Five Speaker outs:one 16 ohm,two 8 ohm,and two 4 ohm,Rectifier tube(Regular output) or silicone diode switch(High Power)Bias adjustment switch for either 6L6s or EL-34s,a Slave out with level trim pot,two 1/4" input jacks for the channel switching and FX Loop(rear) and a 1/4" input on the front for the channel footswitch,a Orange channel "Gain" switch to configure the Vintage channel for low gain Clean tones,a Variable High Gain(normal) or Clean rythym switch for the Orange(vintage) channel,a 6 position knob to assign the FX Loop to either Bypass Loop,FX On Orange & Red,Orange Auto(FX always on)Red Auto(FX always on)and a setting for "Footswitch" so you can toggle between the channels and step on the FX Footswitch(included) to engage the FX Loop.There are Gain,Bass,Middle,Treble,Presence and Master Pots for each channel.
It has a "Bold" (Modern sound)and "Spongy"(Squishy type feel to the gain structure )switch on the rear panel,and a Loop Active Master Volume on the front panel that acts as a Master Volume for Both the Orange & Red Channels when the loop is engaged or the "auto" function for the channels on the rear selector is chosen.
It's place in the signalpath is Post EQ volume and quite useful.

This Head is SMALL! 19" wide and only 9 1/2 " deep.It weighs in at about 39 lbs.Amazing build Quality and NO Room to spare inside the hand wired chassis.Tight fit all around,but I doubt most people will ever need to have it serviced or put thier hands inside the guts.
It has pretty much what I need as far as features in a High Gain Amp~
INDEPENDANT EQ for two Gain Channels and a Footswitchable loop and channels.Also has a Fan inside it facing rearward toward the Power Tubes.
I have recently "revived" this amp from obscurity in a 20 Space Mesa Shock Rack that it's been in since I bought it new.I used it for the last few gigs and will be using it for the next few dozen.It Definitely has Enough Power for me.

OK..here it goes.I compared this to an older Rectifier 2 channel Full sized Head I used to own(A close friend of minenow owns it)...this Rack Mount Rectifier sounds more "Open",compressed,Agressive,and Complex in BOTH Channels,Either mode or Clean.

This Amplifier was NOT designed to have a Pristine/3-d Clean tone(even the manual says so)but it DOES have a Very Unique and original type clean tone(to my ears) so It's definitely workable for me.I am NOT a very good Jazz or Clean Picking type of player,so I would think the Jazz crowd and Nashville cats will prefer the Fender type clean pallettes NOT found in this amp.They work for me though.....but thats not where I use this amp(in clean land)
I'm a METAL,Heavy~Hard Rock Player(A-440 or a 1/2 step lower...Thats IT!)and this amp is a Pleasant surprise to my ears after the last 7 months playing thru the 3 Channel Rectifiers I own.
I didn't like my older 2 channel recto.
It was Dull,and Not very tight in the Bottom (Bass) frequencies,and the Low Mids were annoying at best!It had Gain alright,but Not articulate Compressed Gain.
THIS AMP DOES have those qualities to it.In fact it's a very "Brown" type of Overdrive but with WAY More Tight Bass and Top End Presence to it.
Just the right amount of top end Presence to Cut thru.
I am using the Gain on 2:00 on Both the orange & red channels and the Rectifier tubes and "BOLD" setting.Yep......The Rectifier Tubes add an adge and Feel to the High gain tones with "Smoothness' that the Other recto's(even the 3 channel ones) cant get.
The Quality and smoothness of THIS Rackmount Rectifier has THE Boogie Tone I have been trying to get for quite a while from My 3 channel Rectos,Tri-axis/2:90/Colliseum 300,and MKIV amps.
There has been this nagging midrange thing lately thats been bugging me with the 3 channel rectos I gig with and I cant dial it out.This Rackmount Recto Is my solution to that and seems better suited to the Metal tones I need as well as sounding more"Refined" and Clearer.
ANY Mesa is capable of Blistering high Gain Tones but some(like the MKIIc+)seem better suited to "REAL" Mesa type tones than others....I think I found what Mesa works for me best for My Situation.

I'm using Mostly USA Custom Shop Jackson Korina King Vees,a Doubleneck Korina King Vee,a Gibson Historic 58 Korina Vee,an Epiphone Korina Vee(heavily modified w/ALL USA Parts & Electronics)and recently I broke out my 94 Mccarty PRS to use Live.
I DONT own any guitars with single coil pick-ups.Most of My axes have either Duncans or an occasional Dimarzio or Lawrence XL-500s.I realize that these are mostly High Gain pick-ups,but the McCarty also sounds incredible thru this amp.Again...I DONT run the gain higher than 2:00 on either channel at the most!
Really cant say this amp is noisy....as a matter of fact it's very quiet.You can dial in Most any sound on this amp....I'm NOT trying to cop anyones tone except My Own,but I do use this in an Original Metal Band,a Metallica cover band,and for some southern rock covers as well.

Like I mentioned above....this amp was NOT designed to get "sparkly" clean tones,but it does a damn good job of going farther into the "original" and Unique clean arena than most any other Rectifier made(even the 3 channel ones which I still own).
The Distortion on this amp is what made Mesa Famous even before the Recto came out.

I used this amp for several months straight when I first bought it,and then It sat for quite some time.I fired it up and at 12:00 on the Masters(LOUD!!)I played it for a 1/2 a day,and then for several gigs over the last 2 weeks.Seems like a Brick as far as reliability goes.
If I take it to a gig,in the same rack is a VHT 2150 Power amp,a Bradshaw/Custom Audio Electronics 3+ Preamp,and a Bogner Fish Preamp and a Bradshaw RSB-18f Switching System.It's got some serious company for Back-up.
This amp has never broken down on me and it has the original tubes in it(but they have no significant wear or burn in time on em yet)

I DONT neglect my gear.Having your amp go "poof" in front of people will make me look like a weenie.....treat your gear right and practice some preventative maintenance.Take Spare Tubes,Fuses,manual,Tools,Mag-lite,and other essential support with you when playing.IF YOU TREAT THE AMP GOOD IT'LL REWARD YOU WITH TONE AND PERFORMANCE.You tune up yer Car/Motorcycle right? You clean yer Guns right...? Keep your amp running right and take spares with you for maintenance on the road(club,bar gig,Amphitheatre etc....)
I better knock on wood after this review.

Never had it repaired.I have had Customer support from Mesa in the Past.They were Fantastic.
Since then I have learned How to repair and service My own amps so I wouldn't need to send it to the factory(as long as I could get parts if needed).I forget how long the warranty is/was.

I am really pleased with the tones that THIS Mesa "Racktifier" gets.
It surpasses ALL the other 2 channel recto heads I've heard(except the rackmount ones)and is even MORE pleasing in the Modern tones It gets as compared to the newer 3 channel Recto Heads I own and have heard others play thru.
I dont know whether or not My ears are just "used to" the 3 channel recto's ,but I DO Know the Racktifier is more refined and "Compressed" without getting lost in a mix or mushy in the Bass Frequencies like the others I've heard.
This Amp has the Tightest Bass and Growling "Presence" and Overdrive of any Mesa I've owned.Another scenario I wanted to explain was that I am Using the Rectifier Tubes and the "Bold" switch engaged.I tried to get a somewhat similar tone with my 3 channel Recto's and it wasn't happening.....NOT! The Low Mids,Tight Bass and Bright overdrive that this amp produces is most pleasing to me.If I back off of the Guitar Volume knob I can get away with just the red channel for Most stuff.I Love the Orange channel and the vibe of the whole amp.Great unit,Great Tone.This ones a keeper.Seems to me like the Rectifier series is a very versatile amp IF you tweak it and read the Manual.
This amps EQ is "interactive"...all the other Knobs will sound more/less pronounced if you "dime" out the one preceeding it.There is Absolutely NO reason to use the Distortion on 10,No Mids,Treble "Pinned" and Bass all the way up!That'll get you MUSH.
There are better amps for other applications,but I defy anyone to say they cant get a Fantastic tone out of a Rectifier w/out a little patience,and a good ear.
Read my other reviews for the gear I own-I reviewed it all(most of it)
Love the "Vintage type Overdrive" and agressive Modern Tones all in 1 amp.
Honestly....when I bought this amp I didn't compare it to others.I just wanted 1 because I'd heard them live and they were great.I sold the 2 Channel Dual Recto head(didn't like it) for the "Racktifier"
I disagree with the above reviewers who want a 3rd channel...this works fine for me.I have several 3 channel amps.

***This amp is NOT going to get Lost****(silly question)

Stolen..? Attention Thieves:Nothing I own is worth your life.(serious answer)

IF YOU'RE READING THIS , YOU KNOW THE AMP . PROBABLY AROUND 1996 PRODUCTION . MINE IS AN EARLY ONE WITH THE CHROME CHASSIS . 2 CHANNELS . 6L6 POWER SECTION . RATED THIS AN 8 BECAUSE OF IT'S LACKING CLEAN , BUT MESA MAKES NO CLAME TO THE RECTO HAVING A GREAT CLEAN .

HERS'S THE DEAL . FOR ROCK , THIS THING IS JUST AWESOME! SOME PEOPLE THINK I'M NUTS , BUT THE RACK VERSION OF THE RECTO SOUNDS BETTER TO MY EAR . SOMEONE AT BOOGIE TOLD ME THE RACK VERSIONS HAD TO BE MADE A BIT MORE CAREFUL AS THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF THAT HAD TO BE CRAMMED IN THERE , HE TOO SHARED MY OPINION THAT THE RACK ONES SOUNDED BETTER . NICE TO KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE .
I JUST GOT BACK FORM A REHEARSAL COMPARING IT TO A BOGNER ECSTASY , AND THE BOOGIE JUST SOUNDS BETTER TO ME . THE BOGNER IS A BIT DARKER SOUNDING WITH A WEIRD KIND OF "HIGH" TO IT . THE BOOGIE SOUNDS BRIGHTER AND ALIVE . MUCH MORE RESONSIVE , QUIETER , AND EASIER TO CONTROL UNDER HIGH VOLUME SITUATIONS .
BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF "SPARKLE" IN THE CLEAN CHANNEL , I WANTED TO LIKE THE BOGNER , BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN . NOW , WAS THE BOGNERS CLEAN BETTER? WITHOUT QUESTION YES! BUT LIKE I SAID EARLIER , FOR THE ROCK THING THIS IS THE BOMB! IT JUST STARES AT YOU SAYING "IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!!" IT LIKES BEING PUSHED , IT LIKES LOUD VOLUMES . HOW MANY AMPS HAVE A DECENT TONE LOW , BUT AT HIGH VOLUMES JUST FREAK , THIN OUT AND GET WAY TOO HARD TO CONTROL . A LOT THAT I'VE HEARD .
THESE RECTOS SOUND WAY BETTER THAN THE NEW 3 CHANNEL ONES . THE NEW ONES SOUND A BIT MORE PROCESSED AND KIND OF ARTIFICIAL TO ME . MANY PEOPLE I'VE ASKED HAVE AGREED . IF YOU CAN FIND ONE OF THESE , AND YOU'RE A ROCK GUY , YOU'LL DIG IT . IF YOU DON'T , I'LL BUY IT FROM YOU!!!!

I'VE BEEN GIGGING WITH THESE FOR SO LONG , AND NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM , AND I HAVE THREE OF THEM!!!! I TAKE AN EXTRA EVERYWHERE BUT HAVE NEVER NEEDED IT . JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THEM .

THERE IS NONE BETTER .

IF THESE EVER GOT STOLEN , IT WOULD BE THE WORST!!!! YOU CAN'T GET THESE ANYMORE SO I CAN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT .
SIMPLY PUT , TO ME EAR , THERE IS NO GREATER ROCK AMP .

Brand new Recto. Apparently one of the last batch of rackmounts Mesa's gonna make. Muchos features. I'm very pleased with all the sounds I can get. There are 2 channels, but both can be programmed as the other, so you can have 2 vintage or 2 modern distortion channels. Also, the vintage has a "clean" switch so there are really 3 choices for sounds. I don't use an effects loop at all, but I know the Dual has quite an extensive loop. Other cool features are the spongy/bold switch (which changes the power from 100 watts to about 75, and makes the amp play more like a vintage. Great with the orange channel.) and of course the selectable rectifiers (silicone diodes or all tube.) The amp is built like a tank, and I bought a pretty hardcore rack case for it, so I think it'll be ok as far as getting beat up. The only reason I don't give it a 10 is because there are amps like Johnson and Line 6 that deserve that rating.

I'm using a Gibson SG Special and an Epiphone Les Paul Standard, so it's all humbuckers all the way. I play in a pop-punk band (think Ataris, Alkaline Trio, New Found Glory) and this suits it more than perfectly. I recently went to Warped Tour and was not suprised to see this amp on EVERY stage for nearly every act. It sounds great at any volume. It gets pretty noisy with the gain cranked on the "red" channel, but it's plenty distorted at 12 o' clock. You can get anywhere from that great deep crunchy distortion to Korn like buzz from this thing, and that's just the modern channel. I play a lot of classic rock and blues as well as punk rock, and I can get all those sounds as well. A great sounding amp, I don't think I'll ever buy a different one again.

I can definately gig without a backup. Mesa has there shit together when it comes to reliability. The outside is (like I said earlier) like a tank, and the wiring and everything inside look solid, too. I'm no tech, but I can see the difference between this and any manufactured amp on the market.

I haven't dealt with them yet, but I've only heard GREAT things about these guys. From what I've been told, they treat everyone like a rock star as far as taking care of any questions or problems they have.

I've been playing for about 5 years. I've been through a few amps of my own, and have played many, many different amps, and this is by far my favorite. It beat out the Marshall JCM-2000 TSL in my search for a new amp, and the TSL is an amazing amp. All in all, the best $1,300 I've ever spent.

This is a great amp! you can switch from modern to vintige and you have the orange and red chanel, red for distortion, and orange for the clean. the nobs are very sturdy.

the sound is just great! i mean after all korn, metallica, blink 182, foo fighters, eve 6, godsmack, and many more people use them! its the sound ive been waiting for, This is the best amp i have ever played.

this amp will never die, the leather looks great, the nobs stay on, nothing more.

i didnt talk to them at all, never needed to- a good sign

This amp has encredable sound, everyone wants one, allthe big guys use em and its just great amp. I thought i wanted a marshall but this is way better.

100 Watts, Class A/B Power / 4x6L6, 5x12AX7, 2x5U4

Bias Select Switch (6L6/EL34)

2 Channels, 3 Modes (Clean, Vintage High Gain & Modern High Gain)

Independent Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence and Master Controls per Channel

Channel Cloning

Rectifier Select Switch (Tube/Silicon Diodes)

Bold/Spongy "Variac" Switch

Parallel FX Loop w/Send & Mix Level Controls

1 Button Footswitch (Channel Select)

My set up consist of a boss dd-3 delay, vox wah, P.R.S. McCarty and a rackmount recto. I don't have any problem getting any sound I need. The amp has allot of punch. I have owned a MK IV(Great amp!!!!!) a MK III( Great amp also!!} a 50 cal. and two recto's. It is all an opinions far as the sound of an amp goes. The recto might not work for some. But, it works for me.

I have never had a problem with boogie stuff. I use it without a backup.

Anytime I have ever had a question they have always been helpful.

I have been playing for 10 years. I have owned Soldano Hot Rod 50's Soldano SLO, Boogie MK IV,MK III, 50cal, and the Recto. Allot of Marshalls. Everything form the old 4 inputs to the JCM 2000. Various Fender amps and the Recto works better for me with my style of playing. A third channel would be nice. But ,if it was that important. I would have kept the MK IV.

Made in 1998, I think. I play mostly hard rock and metal, sometimes a little blues and classic rock. This amp is definitly suited to the hard rock/metal sounds. Not the most versatile amp, but it really shines in the area it was designed for. I use it with the Dual Rect 4X12 cabinet, which is realy a must. The one thing the amp is really missing is a third channel - oh well. And it should come with a foot switch to turn on/off the effects loop - I think there is one available, but I'm not sure. The rackmount is the same as the head - 2 channels with master vol, bass, mid, treb, presence and gain for each channel on the front. In the back, there is the variable high gain switch, rectifier selector, and power selector. These can make for some tonal varations, but the main focus of the amp is heavy in your face sound. Not a lot of feaures, but that's not a bad thing (except a third channel....)

Sound is unbelievable. I play a ESP M-II with Duncan pickups (JB Trembucker, '59) and a Les Paul Classic Premium Plus (stock pickups, for now). This is the heaviest spounding amp I've played, and I can't see wanting it any heavier. It is kinda of noisy... But I don't think you can get this type off distortion without some noise. I suppose uyou could use a gate or something. Again, not a wide variety of sounds, but the amp is great if you play hard rock/metal.

So far so good. SLight problem with the cabinet - when the amp is cranked, the speaker cable tends to pop out of the cabinet, but that's not the amp's fault. Haven't had any problems and I've had it for two years now.

Never deqalt with them.

I think people either love this amp or are kind of whatever about it. If heavy is what you want, look no further. I've been playing for about 10 years and for me, this is the best amp I've played. Mesa rocks. If you need versatility, check out the Mark IV, but if you want heavy sound, this is THE amp to have. Also tried Marshall 2000 and, some Soldanos and the 5150 -- no comparison. If stolen, I'd get another. What do I love about it? The SOUND. The only thing I don't like is that sometimes it;s a pain to lug the whole rig around - I might have to go get one of those 2X12 rectifer cabs......

1998 Model...I love the simplicity, but could stand for a third channel for sure. Test drove this amp against the Marshall JCM 2000 TSL...Mesa kicked the Marshall's ass in both clean and crunch modes, but I was left wishing for that third channel like the TSL. Oh well, it's nearly impossible to dial in a bad tone on this sucker.

I use a bastardized American Standard Strat...Fast Track 2 (super hot HB) in the bridge, tone circuits bypassed (yep, one pickup, one knob, just like you-know-who, even though I don't play anything remotely similar to EVH! The Dual Rec has the most vicious distortion I have ever heard. Gain for miles, but with headroom...feedback is no problem, and noise is minimal compared to Marshall or VHT (the other amps I test drove against this one). There's a definite "scooped-mid" feel to it that you just can't quite dial out no matter what you do. "Pantera" comes to mind. The clean, contrary to popular belief, is very nice...very compressed, but very nice. The bottom-end flabbiness I hear complaints about, I fixed by putting in EL-34's. It gives me a more midrangey-Marhall-ey tone, but still unmistakeably Boogie. I play punk/funk/metal/ska/reggae, and the tones suit me great. Still wishing for that third channel, though...

I would gig with it underwater.

It's nice to get a real live human on the other end of the phone, and they're very willing to spend the time to explain stuff to you. They seemed to go out of their way to try and save me time and money, even when they could have made more $ off of me on unnecessary accessories if they wanted.

This is a dream amp if you're into hard, aggressive music. Not as versatile as I'd like, but now I'm hooked because of that incredible crunch tone. I'd buy another in a heartbeat!

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I would like to point something out to all persons who reference other peoples reviews in there own (i.e. lovetone). If you feel differently about the amps tone than I do, that is fine. If you don't like the tone, tell us why and move on. Don't say, it sucks and whats-his-name is WRONG or 'yo DOUG the bass IS flabby'. As if I hear flab in my own amp and decided not to share that little tid-bit with my fellow guitarist. Or even worse, I don't recognize flab, and lovetones ears are much more acute at detecting it than mine.

I don't care if you like the amp or don't, but I do care when someone wants to tell me Im not hearing correctly. We have all tried a Mesa Dual Rectifier, but have we all tried with the same Guitar, pick, cabinet, room ambiance, string gauge, instrument cable, speaker cable, power supply, and playing technique. All of these things effect tone. Playing technique alone has a huge effect on tone. I have experienced this first hand in my own band, where me and the other guitarist have swapped rigs.

Once again, I am not doubting that you heard flab and too much bass, but don't doubt that I hear focus and definition in my setup. Each person has his/her own set of ears and own personal sonic preferences. Please, lets give our reviews and move on, instead of disagreeing with each other. Cause you know what, we are BOTH right. Thats the great thing about tone and music, i like it, you dont...we are still BOTH right :)

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No idea when it was made. Two channels crunch, and more crunch. All tube preamp and poweramp. Very good studio/live amp. This thing is definitely not for beginners (not a practice amp). Really could have gone for three channels. What if I sent it back to Boogie to get motorized knobs with MIDI switchable settings...

I'm running either a Custom ibanez seven string, or an ESP custom M-II both loaded with EMG pickups. I play everything from Led Zepplin to Metallica to Korn. I really do wish it had MIDI switchable programs like the Triaxis but the rectifier's tone is just better then that of the Triaxis'. The sounds you can get out of this thing are unbelievable. The distortion on this thing is inhuman. It feels like it never stops adding gain yet every note is defined. The clean channel is excellent. I read through some of the reviews about the Dual Rectifier and everyone said that the clean channel sux. Keep fiddling there are unbelievable clean sounds in this amp. I'm using the effects loops send as a preamp output and sending that signal into a Roland GP-100 multi effects, Roland SDE-330 digital delay, and Mesa/Boogie Colliseum 300 poweramp. If the sounds the amp makes on its own are awesome you have to try this setup out some time.

Not only is it in a SKB shockmount rack case but its a boogie. I would feel safe kicking this thing with a steel toe boot.

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Been playing for...5 years...I think. Would definitely get another one. Love the crunch, hate two channels.