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iamqman « Huge Amp »
Published on 04/07/11 at 10:43This is in my opinion the best most versitile amp that Mesa has ever made. The Road King has a few more features with the biasing and such but I think it is something that keeps me switching modes and bias and ulitmately keeps you from playing the thing.
This amp is a players amp for sure. It has that familiar Rectifier sound that makes Mesa so unique. It is four channels that sound excellent between each other. So many amps will have multiple channels do one thing well and skip on the rest of the amp. This amp sounds amazing from channel one up to channel four. Each channel is very usable and sounds fantastic.
UTILIZATION
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Roadster Head 100-watt Tube Amplifier Head Features:
* Handbuilt in Petaluma, California
* Multi-Watt, channel-assignable power amp
* 50/100 watts
* Independent 50/100-watt power switches
* Class A/B operation
* Tube complement: 4 x 6L6, 6 x 12AX7, 2 x 5U4
* Bias Select switch (6L6/EL34)
* Fixed bias for consistent, maintenance-free performance
* Four fully independent channels with 12 Modes: Channel 1 - Clean, Fat or Tweed; Channel 2 - Clean, Fat or Brit; Channels 3 & 4 - Raw, Vintage High Gain, or Modern High Gain
* Each channel features independent gain, treble, mid, bass, presence, all-tube long-spring reverb, channel-assignable Dual Rectification with Recto Tracking (diode or tube tracking), all-tube effects loop with Send Level control (over all channels when activated)
* Output Level control (over all channels when activated)
* Footswitchable Solo Level Control (over all channels when activated)
* Bold/Spongy "Variac" switch
* True "Hard" Bypass switch that removes effects loops and Output Level and Solo Level controls from signal path
* Slave Out w/Level Control
* External switching jacks for channels 1, 2, 3, 4, Solo, Reverb, FX Loop, and 100-watt functionality
* Eight-button footswitch (Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Channel 4, Reverb, FX Loop, and Solo)
* Slip cover included
SOUNDS
I liked keeping it on the diode tracking. It sounded just as awesome with the tube tracking but I felt it needed that extra umph or sizzle in the amp. The thing live on channel four on the modern mode.
Run a Les Paul or a humbucker style guitar in front of this amp and you can hear and feel the power it delivers. It has a unique sizzle only found in rectos. The sponge and tight feature is cool when you need to use it in drop tunings then switch it over to the tight side. If you are playing hard rock and need only a half tuning or regular then keep in on sponge. On the sponge setting you will find the amp a bit more forgiving.
OVERALL OPINION
This amp is a joy to play. It has a solid big sound to it that makes it uniquely Mesa and a raw modern power than defines the amp company itself. I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a solid workhorse amp that will never fail you.
At new they come in at around $2000, but on the used market you can find them for about $1300. They have a five year warranty that is transferable which is commend Mesa for doing. They are classy company!
This amp is a players amp for sure. It has that familiar Rectifier sound that makes Mesa so unique. It is four channels that sound excellent between each other. So many amps will have multiple channels do one thing well and skip on the rest of the amp. This amp sounds amazing from channel one up to channel four. Each channel is very usable and sounds fantastic.
UTILIZATION
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Roadster Head 100-watt Tube Amplifier Head Features:
* Handbuilt in Petaluma, California
* Multi-Watt, channel-assignable power amp
* 50/100 watts
* Independent 50/100-watt power switches
* Class A/B operation
* Tube complement: 4 x 6L6, 6 x 12AX7, 2 x 5U4
* Bias Select switch (6L6/EL34)
* Fixed bias for consistent, maintenance-free performance
* Four fully independent channels with 12 Modes: Channel 1 - Clean, Fat or Tweed; Channel 2 - Clean, Fat or Brit; Channels 3 & 4 - Raw, Vintage High Gain, or Modern High Gain
* Each channel features independent gain, treble, mid, bass, presence, all-tube long-spring reverb, channel-assignable Dual Rectification with Recto Tracking (diode or tube tracking), all-tube effects loop with Send Level control (over all channels when activated)
* Output Level control (over all channels when activated)
* Footswitchable Solo Level Control (over all channels when activated)
* Bold/Spongy "Variac" switch
* True "Hard" Bypass switch that removes effects loops and Output Level and Solo Level controls from signal path
* Slave Out w/Level Control
* External switching jacks for channels 1, 2, 3, 4, Solo, Reverb, FX Loop, and 100-watt functionality
* Eight-button footswitch (Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Channel 4, Reverb, FX Loop, and Solo)
* Slip cover included
SOUNDS
I liked keeping it on the diode tracking. It sounded just as awesome with the tube tracking but I felt it needed that extra umph or sizzle in the amp. The thing live on channel four on the modern mode.
Run a Les Paul or a humbucker style guitar in front of this amp and you can hear and feel the power it delivers. It has a unique sizzle only found in rectos. The sponge and tight feature is cool when you need to use it in drop tunings then switch it over to the tight side. If you are playing hard rock and need only a half tuning or regular then keep in on sponge. On the sponge setting you will find the amp a bit more forgiving.
OVERALL OPINION
This amp is a joy to play. It has a solid big sound to it that makes it uniquely Mesa and a raw modern power than defines the amp company itself. I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a solid workhorse amp that will never fail you.
At new they come in at around $2000, but on the used market you can find them for about $1300. They have a five year warranty that is transferable which is commend Mesa for doing. They are classy company!