PRS MT15 vs Mesa Rectifier

[Deleted member 27494]

I've talked about the PRS MT15 amp here before, it's the signature amp from Mark Tremonti. I'm sure most of you here are familiar with this little amp because it's quite popular. It's 15 watts and it's affordable but it sounds like a 50 watt amp and it can absolutely compete with amps that cost 6 times as much!

Mark Tremonti is known for using a bunch of amps on stage but the Mesa Rectifier (triples mostly) has been a constant in his rigs throughout the years. I have a Dual Rectifier and an MT15 so I thought it would be fun to compare the 2 for these reasons:

-Mark Tremonti uses both
-The MT15 is 'only' 15 watts and the Recto 100 watts
-The Rectifier costs much more

Here is the comparison:

I personally think both amps are really cool. The Rectifier is really huge but scooped sounding in comparison. That's why I think the MT15 is a little bit more versatile. The mid control has much more power on that amp so you can really make it 'cut' well by boosting the mids. You can't really make the Recto 'cut' more with the basic controls but it does 'sit' very nicely in the mix with that huge sound. I will say that I actually prefer my mini Rectifier over the Dual because it has more mids. Perhaps I'll make that comparison one day as well. Anyway, I'm curious about what you guys think!

 

[Racerxrated]

Cool vid! But I think the Triples are very different than the Duals; and Tremonti only uses 2 channel Rev Fs and Gs from what I've heard. Which are more open/organic sounding than the 3 channel versions; although I've heard good stuff about the Multi Watts.

I've almost pulled the trigger on the MT 15 a few times. Might have to consider it again!

 

[Deleted member 27494]

Cool vid! But I think the Triples are very different than the Duals; and Tremonti only uses 2 channel Rev Fs and Gs from what I've heard. Which are more open/organic sounding than the 3 channel versions; although I've heard good stuff about the Multi Watts.

I've almost pulled the trigger on the MT 15 a few times. Might have to consider it again!

Yes, they are all a bit different but this was the only Rectifier (aside from my Mini Recto) that I had at my disposal. The MT15 is great though

 

[ClintN667]

One of my friends in Germany just got one for what equals about $350 U.S. Bastard keeps gushing about it making me want one. He says the same thing. I kinda want one now... ok I totally want one now

 

[Deleted member 27494]

One of my friends in Germany just got one for what equals about $350 U.S. Bastard keeps gushing about it making me want one. He says the same thing. I kinda want one now

Haha! Yeah they are affordable here (Netherlands) but Mesa's on the other hand...

 

[JTyson]

Nice!
To me the MT sounds a tad tighter than the dual rec for rhythm work, its surprising how good that little 15 watt monster is. I like the dual recs lead tone better, it sounds a bit more fluid than the MT for leads. For 650 that MT is a beast

 

[Beyond Black]

Sounds good. The MT is a great little amp, and it’s a big sounding 15 watt, but no way does it hang with a 50 or 100 watt. It sounds great quiet to moderately loud, but when you really open it up, it loses low end and gets this bid mid bump. My 5150III 50 watt destroyed it at high volumes. It sounded way bigger and badder. When the 50 really started to roar, the MT was falling apart. The EVH has such a good a master that it also sounded just as good as the MT at low volumes.

 

[Deleted member 27494]

Sounds good. The MT is a great little amp, and it’s a big sounding 15 watt, but no way does it hang with a 50 or 100 watt. It sounds great quiet to moderately loud, but when you really open it up, it loses low end and gets this bid mid bump. My 5150III 50 watt destroyed it at high volumes. It sounded way bigger and badder. When the 50 really started to roar, the MT was falling apart. The EVH has such a good a master that it also sounded just as good as the MT at low volumes.

Well to be fair, it wasn't really made to compete with 50 or 100 watt amps when it comes to headroom. That's why there is a 100 watt version coming out. On stage, that matters but in a studio not so much imho. It all depends on what you want to use it for. Having said that, it's still very loud for a 15 watt amp.

 

[JSutter]

Cool vid! But I think the Triples are very different than the Duals; and Tremonti only uses 2 channel Rev Fs and Gs from what I've heard. Which are more open/organic sounding than the 3 channel versions; although I've heard good stuff about the Multi Watts.

I've almost pulled the trigger on the MT 15 a few times. Might have to consider it again!

He has done plenty of rig rundowns showing regular 3 channel triples.

 

[John4021]

One of my friends in Germany just got one for what equals about $350 U.S. Bastard keeps gushing about it making me want one. He says the same thing. I kinda want one now... ok I totally want one now

 

[Racerxrated]

Cool vid! But I think the Triples are very different than the Duals; and Tremonti only uses 2 channel Rev Fs and Gs from what I've heard. Which are more open/organic sounding than the 3 channel versions; although I've heard good stuff about the Multi Watts.

I've almost pulled the trigger on the MT 15 a few times. Might have to consider it again!

He has done plenty of rig rundowns showing regular 3 channel triples.

Yep I’ve seen those. But I also know guys that have sold him early Rev Triples. Maybe he just records with the older ones or collects them..like some of us here. Lol

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I had one, super noisy but tone was good - will in no way keep up with a 100w amp. If you think 15w will hang with 100w amps you're crazy or high, or both.

 

[John4021]

you're crazy or high, or both.

LOL

 

[LPMojoGL]

There was a MT15 at the amp gathering we had a while back. It sounded all right, but really wasn't a patch on the other amps, including the Mark 5 25, much less Wizard, Fryette, Friedman...
Still, decent bang for buck, but I'd probably go with an Orange if I wanted another hard rocking small amp.

 

[Speeddemon]

There was a MT15 at the amp gathering we had a while back. It sounded all right, but really wasn't a patch on the other amps, including the Mark 5 25, ...

Could you elaborate on that?
Given the Mark V:25 being an EL84 amp and the MT15 still a big glass 6L6 amp.

Somewhat related, I sold my DC-5 (2x 6L6 too) in favor of my V25.
The DC-5 needed real volume for the goods to show and it was way easier to dial in a good base tone on little Mark.
Cleans were very close, with the added headroom on the DC-5 being helpful for more instant response, but drive-wise, the DC-5 borrowed too much from the Rectifier and I prefer the Mark's tighter response overall.

 

[JSutter]

Cool vid! But I think the Triples are very different than the Duals; and Tremonti only uses 2 channel Rev Fs and Gs from what I've heard. Which are more open/organic sounding than the 3 channel versions; although I've heard good stuff about the Multi Watts.

I've almost pulled the trigger on the MT 15 a few times. Might have to consider it again!

He has done plenty of rig rundowns showing regular 3 channel triples.

Yep I’ve seen those. But I also know guys that have sold him early Rev Triples. Maybe he just records with the older ones or collects them..like some of us here. Lol

He has a serious pile of them.

 

[Deleted member 27494]

Cool vid! But I think the Triples are very different than the Duals; and Tremonti only uses 2 channel Rev Fs and Gs from what I've heard. Which are more open/organic sounding than the 3 channel versions; although I've heard good stuff about the Multi Watts.

I've almost pulled the trigger on the MT 15 a few times. Might have to consider it again!

He has done plenty of rig rundowns showing regular 3 channel triples.

Yep I’ve seen those. But I also know guys that have sold him early Rev Triples. Maybe he just records with the older ones or collects them..like some of us here. Lol

He has a serious pile of them.

I wonder how many amps he has....

 

[Vorlon]

Ive got a 100 watt PRS Archon and my god am I happy. smoothest crunch, powerful as all hell and nice to the ears, no grating, piercing trebly-ness when cranked, i get complimented on my sound all the time. Ive got an old boogie triple rec with sovtek tubes in that also has a pretty extraordinary sound but these days im all about my archon.

im a metal player who also dabbles with Rush songs and some progressive stuff, the metalheads are all baffled by my paul reed smith setup melting their faces. (i also play a modified roasted maple neck PRS SE)

i cant say enough about my archon. it may not be the tone for everyone but ive found a home with it.