Voodoo Amps Single Rectifier Head Mod

Single Rec. S/N 04666. I got the head on eBay for $800. It was practically unused, which really didn't matter because I sent it to Trace at Voodoo to do his thing. I had him do the Deluxe Mod, which adds a HUGE output transformer to the amp. None of the amps layout changed; still has 2 channels, 5 modes and puts out 50 watts through 5 12AX7's and 2 EL34's. I plan to send it back to Trace to complete the Platinum mod in the future, which will add a new power transformer and convert the parallel effects loop to a serial loop. The only thing I miss is having reverb and maybe not having both a serial and a parallel loop. Other than that, I cannot say that I would ever need another amp, although pairing this with a Splawn Nitro might be pretty sick!

I play straight in to the amp with either a homemade Strat (black korina body, flamed maple neck) or an LTD EC-1000 Vintage Honey Burst (SD JB/59). No effects at all, just pure tube goodness.

With the LTD in the bridge position, the Modern mode on channel 2 is very nice. You can go through a wide variety of vintage and modern sounds by varying the gain, master, and output controls. The EQ is much more useable than with any other amp that I have used. I have read that this distortion seems lifeless, but I have to disagree. I play this amp at just above bedroom volumes through a single 12" speaker and it is killer. Feel is all in the fingers, and this amp lets you express that. Palm mutes are huge and it has a very organic feel, if you can use that word to describe the tone. At loud volumes it really gets a mean sizzle. The power amp stays pretty clean so I back off the gain and master for each channel when I crank the output control and the dynamics really pick up. It is really nice to hear all of the little nuances of my playing.

With the Strat on the clean channel and the neck pickup (Kinman Woodstock +) I can get very warm clean tones and very sweet driven blues sounds. The Chili Peppers are there, which is great for me. I do not have a pedals at the moment, so I do not know how this clean channel will take to boosts and overdrives. I don't plan on using any distortion boxes because I paid the money for this amp's distortion, not some recreation stuffed into a stompbox. I can say that the Pushed mode gets a really sweet break up, especially when used with the middle pickup on the Strat.

Let me say that this is a very limited review at the moment. I have only had the amp for two months, so this review is my say after very limited use of this amps potential.

I cannot comment on this section as of yet. However, I checked the amp inside and out when I got it and everything seems very well constructed and appears will be able to stand some abuse.

Trace and his crew were very helpful along the way. I spoke with him on the phone for 15 or 20 minutes discussing what I was looking for tone wise and so far I can say that he gave me exactly what I was asking for. I have emailed back and forth with him a few times about the amp and he has always been very prompt with a response and extremely helpful with everything.

THANKS TRACE!!!

I have been playing for 9 years, mostly by myself for the enjoyment of creating music. This is the amp that I have always wanted and the tone is what I used to hear in my head. Now I can hear it out loud and feel it, too. I would most certainly purchase this amp again, or maybe try one of Trace's own creations.

I have one of the earlier Single Rectifiers with the 2 channels. It has only the vintage and modern mode on the dirty channel and the clean and pushed on the clean channel. I use a Paul Reed Smith Custom with the Dragon II pickups just about all of the time. The music I play has been classified as pop rock alternative and I need flexability in my tone all the way from heavy, and chunky to milder tones for ballets. I loved this head before the mod but I still could not get my dream tones which is why I had te mod done. It also lacked low end and needed a touch more power.

I have had the amp back now for over a month and the difference is like night and day. Before getting the mod this head was not powerful enough at 50 watts and my biggest problem is that it did not have tight thumping low end. I always found to be a litle trebily as well. I just could never get a perfect tone that I totally loved. I did try other heads such as the newer 3 channel Dual and Triple Rectifier heads, a Marshall DSL100, and a Bogner Ecstasy. None of them compard to the old single rec thatI had though. I then decided to send it out to Trace and have him work his magic to make this head my dream head. I had the standard mod done and also upgraded the 6L6 tubes to Svetlana 454's and the Mesa 12AX7's to Ruby Tubes. I wanted to see if I could up the wattage but it could not be done due to lack of room in the head. After playing on it after the mod though, I don't really think that it needed it. It is now louder than before and handles the higher volumes so much better. This amp now just shreds. The bottom end is so tight and just thumps. The buzz in the distortion was eliminated and the highs blend in so much better now. It sounds like the mids stand out a bit more to. I do not really use the clean channel at all because I can get the sounds I want by ajusting the volume on my guitar so I can't really comment on that. The sounds that come out of this head now are like nothing I have ever heard and beats out several boutique amps for twice the money. Everyone that has heard this amp is just amazed by my tone. I find it so hard now to stay away from this head , I get chills everytime that I play it. I would never consider selling it and I do not know what I would do if it got stolen.

As stated so many times Mesa'a are built like a truck and they so are. I have never had a problem besided changing the tubes which again I will recommend switching to STR 454's for a much deeper, darker and fatter sound. The Ruby Tubes also made a huge difference. I know that Trace also stands by his work and guarantees it.

Trace was so awesome to work with an always had the time to answer any questions. What ever you want your amp to sound like he can probably do it. He will actually work right along with you to try and get the tones that you are looking for. He gave me a lot of helpful hints on cabinet selection as well.

I have been playing for about 10 years now and this is the best amp head that I have ever come in contact with (afetr the mod). If it was lost or stolen I would probably have Trace make me one of his custom amps. Trust me after Trace mods your amp you will be in tone heaven and others will be in awe of your tone. Even if you are totally satisfied with your amp head now, I guarantee he can make it better. I still wish that I could have gotten up to 100 watts for the bigger venues but the sacrifice is far worth it for the tones that I am getting.

This is a series II Mesa Single Rectifier. Check there for features/ controls. No controls were added in the mod.

This is the important part. I play heavy rock. The head sounded great to begin with. I mainly use the 'vintage' mode to preserve the mids and focus.

The Voodoo mod has added clarity and punch in spades to this rig. The gain is reduced slightly, but the usable gain is increased overall. It no longer mushes out at gain settings above 1 o'clock.

Getting into the mix is easier, and the amp is just a lot more fun to play. Harmonic feedback is much easier to attain and control. The 'bees in a can' fuzz in the top is gone. The lows are tightened up, and the mids are more present.

I got the mod done because I was outgrowing the Single, I had put it through its paces, and just getting bored. It still was a great amp, I was just wanting something a with little more grind. This mod cured my GAS for a new amp.

Note: I changed to Mesa EL34s after the mod, and this was also a great improvement. I prefer a 'Marshall' type voicing.

Boogies are Tanks. I have no reason to believe that the mod changes this.

Trace has a reputation as a great guy who treats his customers like gold. He certainly lived up to this with me. He was in constant contact, and goes out of his way to make sure you are happy.

Couldn't be better.

This is the best amp I've ever played through. I am thrilled. What more can I say?