Considering the purchase of a triple rectifier stack - What do I need to check?

MaximusJ

MaximusJ

Member
Hey there,

First off, I dont know much about tubes amp as i've never owned one. I've been playing on solid states for as long as I can remember. But I really loved the sound of a triple rectifier with a Maxon Tubescreamer and i've decided that it's time to upgrade and get one for myself!

I've found a deal on Marketplace. Dual 4x12 cabs as well as a 3 channels triple rectifier. It looks in decent shape, but the seller says it hasnt been played in over 5 years. He sent me a clip and seems to be playing well. But I do have a few questions for this knowledgable community.

I think the price is very reasonnable (if everything checks out), but given that it's about 4 hours away (8 hours back and forth) from home, I want to clear out any question marks to avoid an unnecessary trip or even worse, bringing back a problematic amp with me.

1- How do I know which revision it is without opening it? I dont have access to the serial number but have half a dozen other pictures. It does have a detachable power cord but seems to have the parallel loop jacks in the back.
2- Is there a way to know if the tubes are in good shape without a tester? What would be the signs of worn tubes other than obvious hoomph and weird sounds?
3- Anything else I could look for?

Thanks in advance!

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Okay… the best way is to get the serial number and email mesa. They are very responsive. Lots of super knowledgeable dudes on here will answer you pretty quickly. Mesa recs are always fixed at a colder bias so tubes last forever. I had a ragged out single rec that needed tubes bad and it still lasted forever. As far as tubes working, you fire it up and it works well there you go…if you do have tube issues there are ways to roll them to try and figure out without a tester.
 
JackBootedThug said:
Okay… the best way is to get the serial number and email mesa. They are very responsive. Lots of super knowledgeable dudes on here will answer you pretty quickly. Mesa recs are always fixed at a colder bias so tubes last forever. I had a ragged out single rec that needed tubes bad and it still lasted forever. As far as tubes working, you fire it up and it works well there you go…if you do have tube issues there are ways to roll them to try and figure out without a tester.
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Thank you, that's reassuring! The big logo is a big giveaway for a G revision, but I might be wrong there.
 
Someone will look and automatically know what it is as soon as they see it. I have had a ton of them down through the years but I don’t know enough to pick what revision they are.
 
It’s a non-multiwatt 3 channel, they were made 2000 to 2010. Typically known as the least desirable recto’s (I like my non-multiwatt dual though).

Check the channel switching works, check you get volume from each channel. Bypass the FX loop with the rotary switch on the back and then you just have the channel master per channel on the front to worry about. It should be scary loud.

Modern mode on channels 2 and 3 is significantly louder than the other modes.

With loop on you have channel master, FX send volume on the back and output control (FX return volume) on the front so three volume controls to balance which can be overwhelming if you’re just testing it out quick.

Check the fuse by the power plug is the correct value

The power tubes should glow orange (might be hard to see in bright light) but not red in the middle.

When I got my 2004 (I think?) recto a few years back it had an original pair of STR420 and a pair of JJ’s and it would get a faint rustling leaves kinda sound though the speakers, which went away when I got a new quad of power tubes.
 
mnemonic said:
It’s a non-multiwatt 3 channel, they were made 2000 to 2010. Typically known as the least desirable recto’s (I like my non-multiwatt dual though).

Check the channel switching works, check you get volume from each channel. Bypass the FX loop with the rotary switch on the back and then you just have the channel master per channel on the front to worry about. It should be scary loud.

Modern mode on channels 2 and 3 is significantly louder than the other modes.

With loop on you have channel master, FX send volume on the back and output control (FX return volume) on the front so three volume controls to balance which can be overwhelming if you’re just testing it out quick.

Check the fuse by the power plug is the correct value

The power tubes should glow orange (might be hard to see in bright light) but not red in the middle.

When I got my 2004 (I think?) recto a few years back it had an original pair of STR420 and a pair of JJ’s and it would get a faint rustling leaves kinda sound though the speakers, which went away when I got a new quad of power tubes.
Click to expand...
Very useful cues. But kinda bummed about the least desirable recto part ahah.

Worst case scenario, with the price i'm paying, it's an easy resell for a multi-watt dual / triple down the road. But I thought that it was a good price to get my first bath with Mesa. I am paying 2600 CAD (A bit less than 1900 USD) for both cabs and the head.
 
MaximusJ said:
Very useful cues. But kinda bummed about the least desirable recto part ahah.

Worst case scenario, with the price i'm paying, it's an easy resell for a multi-watt dual / triple down the road. But I thought that it was a good price to get my first bath with Mesa. I am paying 2600 CAD (A bit less than 1900 USD) for both cabs and the head.
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Still a good price. I have been looking for some Recto cabs, and usually don't see them less than $800.
 
I'd be wondering what the serial was for the older 412 with straight shell and slanted baffle. It might be the more desirable early 2000's cab with the slightly darker V30s. If you had the number I could tell you if it was from that era.

Those OG 3-channels can sound glorious too. It looks like it has the 440 tubes but I can't quite see for sure.
 
MaximusJ said:
Very useful cues. But kinda bummed about the least desirable recto part ahah.

Worst case scenario, with the price i'm paying, it's an easy resell for a multi-watt dual / triple down the road. But I thought that it was a good price to get my first bath with Mesa. I am paying 2600 CAD (A bit less than 1900 USD) for both cabs and the head.
Click to expand...
Don’t worry that head kicks ass and works great and gets great tones .
 
dave74 said:
I'd be wondering what the serial was for the older 412 with straight shell and slanted baffle. It might be the more desirable early 2000's cab with the slightly darker V30s. If you had the number I could tell you if it was from that era.

Those OG 3-channels can sound glorious too. It looks like it has the 440 tubes but I can't quite see for sure.
Click to expand...
One is c2-46680 and I dont have the other serial. Both were bought at the same time tho.
 
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