ZEN Amps
Well-known member
Probably been discussed before, but so has almost everything - so hit me with your experiences. Asking for a friend that is sliding into the Recto rabbit hole.
Funny timing, just got a triple G to try out for a bit. Only had dual F’s but have had 3 of them so pretty familiar with their sound. The F’s all had a somewhat creamy rich sound to them- harmonically rich and really satisfying in the room. They never had enough bite and zing for me to be useful for recording for my tastes. The presence knob gets harsh pretty quickly so it’s this game of trying to get the bite without the harshness. I was never really able to solve the problem. This particular green Uber I got sent them packing for its ability to sound huge but also articulate and defined. It records a lot better because of that and is one of my favorite high gain amps of all time.
The triple G just came in a couple days ago. Loaded it with EL34s and it seems to have noticeably more bite in the highs, but is still fat and full. Maybe not quite as rich sounding as the F’s, but it just sounds a lot more useable for what I go for. I still think the Uber is king lol. But the triple G is a step in the right direction as far as rectos go. Surprisingly tighter than you’d think when boosted.
Going to switch over to 6l6 soon. I’ve preferred 6l6 with every dual I’ve played so won’t be surprised if I stick with them for the triple. Can’t complain about the el34s thoughyeah my triple G is way tighter than i was expecting, mine has 6l6 though, i never tried el34's, i usually like what i hear in 6l6's more with rectos
A healthy C will haunt your dreams.Yeah ok cool, thanks man. I have a G that sounds great, but of course I'm curious. Well I wasn't really, until a Rev F was offered to me. Interstate, so I would be going in blind.
A friend has a Rev C that I tried recently, but the power tubes were too far gone - it sounded terrible. He'll never sell it anyway, but interested to hear that directly against the G once it's retubed.
Totally agree about the EL34’s, and I much prefer those in Rectos. Makes them tighter, more pissed in the mids, and the highs more usable. And being a Recto, you’ll still have a ton of lows if needed.I, personally, never cared for the Gs (even with a boost). They were kind of tubby in the ass end and had a lot of flub. I just don't like them, even to this day. The F sounds really nice and a lot more grunty in the low-mids. The C and D sound tighter and more aggressive. Blake is right that the rectifiers can get really bright and gnarley with the presence knob quickly. Oddly, I found the rectifiers loaded with EL34 tend to have great cut and definition and not get that annoying presence thing going on. I like the F a lot.
Yeah didn’t like as much 6L6’s in my Recto’s, but vintage US 5881’s can be very good. My fav’s are pre-WC 34’s and RFT 34’sTotally agree about the EL34’s, and I much prefer those in Rectos. Makes them tighter, more pissed in the mids, and the highs more usable. And being a Recto, you’ll still have a ton of lows if needed.
I’ve got Winged C 34’s in my C and it’s
Good, you've just saved me some cash. A haunted dream is a nightmare in my book.A healthy C will haunt your dreams.
Something was definitely wrong with the Rev F. It’s not a night and day difference between both. But the F is not supposed to be weaker or flubbier than a G.G's are pretty sweet. I've had a few that sounded great, much better than the regular 3 channel Rectifiers. I've only had experience with one Rev F and I'm not sure if it was a lemon or not, sounded weaker, flubbier and not nearly as tight as my main Rev G at the time. Pretty big bummer, but it has permanently turned me off from the whole Rev C/D/E/F thing. AFAIK Mike B can mod a G to any revision you want, I wonder if he can somehow make it switchable?
What about haunting mids?Good, you've just saved me some cash. A haunted dream is a nightmare in my book.