NAD: Mesa Rev C/D/F

[GJgo]

Just sold my Badlander 100. Definitely a cool amp, but it lacked a resonance/depth knob, which may have helped loosen the bottom-end.

I found myself always running a 5-band or PEQ in the loop to compensate for this.

The clips you posted of the C sound like that bottom end is there, but not as drastic as the later vintage 2 channel rectifiers.

It’d be cool if Mesa did a Mark Series type theme with the next iteration of the Rectifier. A way to switch between Rev C & F voicings per channel would be sweet, or perhaps throw a Shred Mode on it.

Oh well enough day dreaming and sidetracking the thread.

That's absolutely true- the Rev C does have adequate bottom end where the Badlander has a giant sucking sound from the direction of where the bottom end went. In my mind I was more comparing the spirit of the amp, and also the mid growl & the liquidy leads they both have that are different from your average Recto.

 

[braintheory]

Just to clarify about the Rev C and Rev E in that video.
That Rev C in particular is very tight and aggressive, even for a Rev C. Was serviced by Mesa Hollywood and put to 100% stock, and runs Mesa STR 440 as for power (6L6) and Mesa Preamp tubes, might be either Chinese or Soviet ones. The exact same tubes were in that Rev E, also serviced at Mesa Hollywood at the same time as the Rev C.
The main differences between them, while in the room, is that the C does have a more extended low end, going lower on frequencies than the E. Plus, it had a little flatter mid and bumped upper mid, and a hair more gain. So, you'd have the impression of more saturation than the Rev E.
Rev E tho, not as extended on lower frequencies, but with more pronounced lower mid and a bit scooped midrange, gives you an instant impression of a bit cleaner, but fatter, bigger, on every note, at the same time.
So, the Rev E is a bit more polite than the C, and even knowing the E is a bit fatter all the time, when chugging with the C, All the extended lows pop up and rumbles the whole place.
That Rev E in the video is my second favorite Rectifier. I also went on the same rabbit hole and bought over 15 of them already(not all at the same time! lol), and decided to only keep the C I have to this day. And while I regret letting the Rev E go, that is something I would never let happen with the Rev C. Most pissed off Mesa amp I've ever heard.

Rev E is the one version Recto I've not tried, but that sounds sorta similar to what I remember of comparing my Rev C and D I had before. It's my favorite Boogie amp as well

 

[GJgo]

And while I regret letting the Rev E go, that is something I would never let happen with the Rev C. Most pissed off Mesa amp I've ever heard.

I'd say the Rev C is the second most pissed off Mesa I've ever heard, behind a loop modded IIB Coliseum. That amp is unfuckwithable.

There is a guy in FL with a factory modded Rev C triple. I would pay to give that amp a go..

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Hey All,

The C has a reputation for being the tightest of the 3 amps. I also expected the D to sound basically identical to the C but maybe slightly more loose and darker. Not the case. At least with these 2 examples. The C is tight, but not as tight as the D. The C also is more saturated, has more hair, and more apparent gain. As a consequence, the C actually feels more forgiving and easier to play than the D. The C is the brightest and also has the least low end. It also feels the most raw to me and really does remind me of my SLO in more ways than I expected. When I hit it with a TC integrated preamp, it reminded me of my original 5150 with a super high output boost on it. The saturation level, harmonic data, even the feel to an extent. It just sounds like a better version of that for what I like. If you bring the gain down it sounds drier, less saturated, etc etc, but it still does not feel nearly as tight as the D.

Congrats on have all those 3 Rev’s!!! One thing I’d recommend when AB’ing (which I did) is to literally use the exact same powertubes when comparing. I believe my C is pretty close to your in serial #. With my C I’d agree with a lot of what you said, but with that exact D I found my C to be tighter, faster tracking and actually have a more extended low end, but less low mids vs the D. I haven’t liked as much so far 6L6’s in my Recto’s, but really like 5881’s surprisingly, but EL34’s ftw to me and some US 6CA7’s are cool too

@itsgoodnow:

Something is wrong with your Rev C. I have 3 Rev Cs, right now all sitting next to each other, and have played them next to both a Rev D, and Rev E... the Rev Cs are definitely tighter, faster playing with more gain... and it wasn't close.

Your Rev D might need new tubes, caps, or something else. I actually had 4 Rev Cs at one point and the other was very similar to my current 3 Rev Cs.

@braintheory: Agreed.


****And before I get a flood of PMs, offers etc.... NO! None of my Rev C Rectos are for sale. Don't even ask. TY****

 

[peterc52]

I have a rev D on hand. I might have to go for it.

 

[itsgoodnow]

@itsgoodnow:

Something is wrong with your Rev C. I have 3 Rev Cs, right now all sitting next to each other, and have played them next to both a Rev D, and Rev E... the Rev Cs are definitely tighter, faster playing with more gain... and it wasn't close.

Your Rev D might need new tubes, caps, or something else. I actually had 4 Rev Cs at one point and the other was very similar to my current 3 Rev Cs.

@braintheory: Agreed.


****And before I get a flood of PMs, offers etc.... NO! None of my Rev C Rectos are for sale. Don't even ask. TY****

I’ll send it to mesa to be sure. I wonder if it’s a tube difference. The c has a lot more gain for sure. But the D feels almost immediate. There’s more feel on the C. Again the C has 6L6 and the D has EL34. I also wonder if the saturation being higher on the C is making me think it’s looser than it is? Idk I’ll take more time with it

 

[Beyond Black]

I’ll send it to mesa to be sure. I wonder if it’s a tube difference. The c has a lot more gain for sure. But the D feels almost immediate. There’s more feel on the C. Again the C has 6L6 and the D has EL34. I also wonder if the saturation being higher on the C is making me think it’s looser than it is? Idk I’ll take more time with it

I’d try EL34’s In the C, than compare them. IME EL34’s are definitely tighter than 6L6’s in Rectos. My Rev C came with JJ 6L6’s, I put Winged C EL34’s in it and the difference was jaw dropping. The C’s were much tighter, punchier, and more aggressive in the mids. The 6L6’s are slow and bloated in comparison. JJ E34L’s are also killer in Rectos, but not as good as the C’s.

 

[itsgoodnow]

I’d try EL34’s In the C, than compare them. IME EL34’s are definitely tighter than 6L6’s in Rectos. My Rev C came with JJ 6L6’s, I put Winged C EL34’s in it and the difference was jaw dropping. The C’s were much tighter, punchier, and more aggressive in the mids. The 6L6’s are slow and bloated in comparison. JJ E34L’s are also killer in Rectos, but not as good as the C’s.

This is definitely next up for me. Thanks!

 

[cardinal]

My memory of the Rev E was that it was kinda like a really bright Rev G. The Rev C was different from the rest (I've not played a Rev D though). The C was bright but in a different way; angry, tight, aggressive.

 

[Bram576]

My memory of the Rev E was that it was kinda like a really bright Rev G.

The E definitely has a lot of ass. But it gets tight and gainy even without a boost… at least mine does. So much damn variance in early model mesas.

The gain on a G after noon starts flubbing out and makes a real messy low end. My E I don’t have that issue at all and can put it 75-90% up on both the red and orange channels and it sounds glorious.

 

[Racerxrated]

The E definitely has a lot of ass. But it gets tight and gainy even without a boost… at least mine does. So much damn variance in early model mesas.

The gain on a G after noon starts flubbing out and makes a real messy low end. My E I don’t have that issue at all and can put it 75-90% up on both the red and orange channels and it sounds glorious.

The C I had (Beyond Black has it now) I could dime the Bass; no flub…the mids; no honk…and the gain ….it just got tighter and meaner.

 

[Beyond Black]

The C I had (Beyond Black has it now) I could dime the Bass; no flub…the mids; no honk…and the gain ….it just got tighter and meaner.

True story. You can dime the bass without flub, the mids without honk, and damn near dime the treble and presence without fizz. The amp has no out of bounds.

 

[311splawndude]

I’d try EL34’s In the C, than compare them. IME EL34’s are definitely tighter than 6L6’s in Rectos. My Rev C came with JJ 6L6’s, I put Winged C EL34’s in it and the difference was jaw dropping. The C’s were much tighter, punchier, and more aggressive in the mids. The 6L6’s are slow and bloated in comparison. JJ E34L’s are also killer in Rectos, but not as good as the C’s.

This

I actually much prefer the EL34's as mentioned. I've tried standard JJ EL34s, SED =C= EL34s, (new) Mullard EL34s, JJ EL34Ls and now JJ EL34 II's and really prefer these in my Rectoverb. Obviously great in the Splawn too but try yourself some JJ "L" and "II" versions for a little more low end clarity.

 

[Bram576]

Couple solid clips

 

[BesaMoogie]

Even the super affordable Sovtek wafer bottom 5881s are killer and in my old (yours now lol) C+ Coli they darn near matched the Mesa 415s in 3D/clarity. Pretty amazing for a 20$ tube.

So those tubes can be installed in a Recto? I always thought with the small bottom the tube clamps will cut in the glass.

 

[Bossman415]

So those tubes can be installed in a Recto? I always thought with the small bottom the tube clamps will cut in the glass.

Best to leave the bear traps flat. Leaving the traps against the glass can be microphonic.

Shouldn't be a big problem since the chassis isn't top mounted.