What a beauty of a lunchbox amp. This looks like the best out of all of them. There goes $900...When the lady gets pissed all I'm gonna say is....BUT, THE TONE!
I got mine for $600 brand new on Craig's List, some dude just didn't like it because he said it was "too heavy". This amp kicks a lot of butt, and I love it.
To all US people complaining about the price of US$999 - in Europe this damn thing costs twice as much (as of today, thomann sell them for 1348 Euro (which is a bit over US$1800). This must be a goddamn joke.
True but this is what happens when the Chinese spoil the economy so bad. Not to mention stupid high taxes in EU, now those are a joke not the prices in the US. If every country manufactured their own stuff (like it was in the old days) it would even out quickly, but people will always go for cheaper stuff - that's where China came in. Noone cares the amp will not work for 15-20 years because they're gonna throw it away and buy another cheapo. Longevity of products these days is extremely low in most cases (take a look at electronics, cars etc.) and only some companies put in the effort to make a long lasting, quality product.
cubixthe Not only people, also the companies care about the money, and money only. Therefore I could not name one single company that cares about logevity of their products. Sometimes I even tend to believe in the planned obscolence of products...
SomethinWild Of course it's planned, for cars and home electronics that's totally true and I know several companies that have departments on planning the longevity of products. Mesa however is a pretty small business compared to let's say Samsung or Sony :) And I believe they still try to make the best product.
since i last posted, i purchased an Orange Th100 for $1,275 and it is a beast, and also MADE IN CHINA. After talking to the folks at Orange, they told me that they are not like othe manufacturers that outsource. Orange actually has its own Factory in China (owned by Orange) and the parts and wiring are identical. For ex. my Th100's transformers are the same as those inside of the Made In England. Sor far, so good, I keep you guys posted if any problem should arise.
I've had one for a week. Wasn't gonna carry a dual rec around. The tone IMO is nearly identical to the dual rec. But you do lose the big boomy bottom end provided by the 6L6 tubes. Playing in a band though, those frequencies just get swallowed up by the bass. Plus if you're recording, you cut those frequencies anyway. So perfect for me as a band member and recording guy. I like the tightness of the mini rec. It cuts through at practice and it is WAY LOUD. I mean, super loud. I may have to get a brake. I have it set on 10-15% master with 90% gain (metal). The 10W / 25W switch doesn't cut much volume, it's more of a tone altering switch (as I believe it alters the configuration of the power tubes). I play through an Engl E212V (which is too heavy haha). Only downside is the price, mine was £900 from Thomann. But then, I'm a gear slut :) recently upgraded from the H&K tubemeister 36 (not enough gain but LOADS of cool features). Anyway, if you've got the cash and you are a serious musician who plays and records the mini rec is the choice :) if you like to sit in front of you amp at home drooling over huge low end get the dual rec. \m/
Thinking about this with a 1x12 Mesa closed-back. I have a ROV combo but it's 80lbs, need something lighter to lug around since I'm on a 2nd floor apartment.
Louder and bigger isn't always better for your back or playing in small venues. Also you can get some nice point of break up sounds out of this thing. I prefer a DR with EL34s over 6L6 so this box has grabbed my ears.
These sounds great loud and at bed room levels, I always retube for more clearer tones. EL 84's give it nice top and has good low end so no need to mex the gain and master when playing loud! I had many amps and this one is on top,kind of a ballzy Vox amp
@StratsRgreat Good call, I play a Bel-air which is the 2x12 50 watt version of that amp and it's awesome, every time I see how much certain amps are I think about what kind of Carvin(s) you could get for the same bread.
If we are talking about a Dual Rec, then I'm in, BUT, the Min Rec ha tiny transformers. I just will not get you that "punch in the chest feeling that you get with good amplifiers that do have large tranformers and cost about the same. This mini just does not push air. For the price get a dual rec used.
Hi Jordan im currently trying to figure out which head to get between a mesa transatlantic ta-15 or a mesa mini rectifier, I love clean tones and i don't play metal, im looking for clean tones along with some nice blues and overdrive but a versatile amp as well. Which of these two amps do you think suits my needs the best? thanks.
Yeah i agree you cant understand the value of an amp like this until youve OWNED and PLAYED one, i weighed my choices carefully. This amp is a great value take it from someone thats been around the block a few times as far as amps and tones go and for me anyways this amp has about anything anybody could want. Perfect for gigging believe it or not.
So I couldn't in good conscience not leave my opinion. I purchased this head used. I paired it with a Mesa 2x12 and the slant mini recto 1x12. Honest opinion...it is terrible! I'm not sure of the tubes need changed or What? There are a lot of good reviews which is why I was puzzled. No matter what I did I could not get a decent tone. It sounded very thin to me and didn't have any punch or percussiveness. I eventually paired it with a 1x12 greenback and it sounded better. But for the price...it will be returned within a few days. Hope this helps.
Hey, is there any output in this amp where I can plug to an audio interface, headphone or recorder? I want to play at night...(I know that the sound wouldn't be that good and using the speakers output may damage everything)
@themodernguitarist you forgot the randall rm 20, Krank (rev jr, krankenstein jr, 1980 jr), blackstar, engl gigmaster, diamond assassin, komet 19, carvin v3 micro and probably many more.
The size: it really is a perfectly scaled down Recto. Seeing it on the web it it looks kinda small. I saw one at the local music store and I was like Holy Shit! That thing is TINY!!
@JBL8863 sorry, I do have to disagree.. your sound is coming more so from your circut/ preamp. why do you think a mesa with 6L6's sounds different from an Engl "or any other amp'' with 6L6's. And the whole idea behind amps like this is that they are less powerfull. I do have this amp run through a mesa rec 2X12 and I don't feel its under powered at all. If i'm honest, I havn't played it along side a drum kit yet, but I have no doubt it will keep up just fine.
If you thought the Euro was high try buying this amp in Australia for under $2800 then you will see how much difference we pay for the same amp. No wonder they don't sell many…Drop your price Mesa Distributor we are all doing it tough too!
Yes I could spend two weeks in NZ for the same price as 2 days on the Snow fields of Australia. Love NZ because i can't afford to snow ski in Australia how stupid is our Government. We need every dollar from tourists to come here but the price kills us.
Hey,I was checkin w/ya to see if it has a. headphone output?I'm not able to find it&it will save my life w/my lovely wife?please dear lord help me,I pray it does!I've been waiting so long for a mesa!!?🎸🤗thanx!
Totally. A 25 watt tube amp will potentially blow the doors off your basement depending on what cab you use with it. Now if it was a solid state amp then it wouldnt be loud enough. I have a 5 watt tube amp and i can barely turn it up at home its so loud. Trust me itll be fine for the basement.
Mesa, Soldano, DrZ...all great stuff....no doubt. But if u want a great no frills dual 6BQ5 aka EL84 amp for $349 then check out the Carvin VT16. I am stoked that they now offer just a head...because I bought the combo several years ago as a 'cheap' living room knock around amp that the dog could bite and I wouldnt care. Well...the sound blew me away and I use it alot more than my more expensive stuff. And for less than $400...
It is a very small, subtle difference. If you recorded them both using high quality gear, I'd say the difference would be like a small change in the post eq. Most people agree that EL84's have a slightly tighter bottom end than 6L6's. Check out a great video from Haggerty's Music works on TH-cam: th-cam.com/video/DXY53F03-lk/w-d-xo.html&feature=g-user-c
@pakiw2 And Marshall (Haze/Class 5) And Hughes and Kettner (Tubemeister) And Vox (Night train, AC4TV) And Blackstar (HT-5R) And EVH (5153 Mini) And Egnater (Tweaker, Rebel) And VHT China (Special) And Traynor (Dark Horse) And themselves (Atlantic) Did I miss anyone?
Street price $999?! Crikey - they are $1800 here in Australia. We don't half get ripped off. And the Aussie dollar is stronger than the US at the moment!
I might wait to find one used in a year or so. $999.00? I can get a (like new) used triple rectifier for the same price. Still, the mini rec.does sound ballsy!
I had an Orange Dark Terror that sounded awesome and I never had one problem, it was built like a tank. BTW, it was made in China. Also I have friends that have the Orange Tiny Terror (15W) and the Dual Terror (30W) and they also have never had any problems, also they both sound awesom. They are made in China. So, so much for the so called Made In China is crap.
its not about the actual value of your dollar, its about cost to import from americas (close to 20 hour flight, dont want to even think of time by boat lol) thats why i can get a box of kraft dinner for less than a buck, and itd cost you 5 lol
What a beauty of a lunchbox amp. This looks like the best out of all of them. There goes $900...When the lady gets pissed all I'm gonna say is....BUT, THE TONE!
yup this is my next amp purchase as well! Tired of heavy ass massive amps.
DC 33879 with a boost and some 6l6's
You wish! Its $1300 not $900
I got mine for $600 brand new on Craig's List, some dude just didn't like it because he said it was "too heavy". This amp kicks a lot of butt, and I love it.
Damn dude, I'm super jealous what a great deal
that guy p mugged it off someone.
To all US people complaining about the price of US$999 - in Europe this damn thing costs twice as much (as of today, thomann sell them for 1348 Euro (which is a bit over US$1800). This must be a goddamn joke.
True but this is what happens when the Chinese spoil the economy so bad. Not to mention stupid high taxes in EU, now those are a joke not the prices in the US. If every country manufactured their own stuff (like it was in the old days) it would even out quickly, but people will always go for cheaper stuff - that's where China came in. Noone cares the amp will not work for 15-20 years because they're gonna throw it away and buy another cheapo. Longevity of products these days is extremely low in most cases (take a look at electronics, cars etc.) and only some companies put in the effort to make a long lasting, quality product.
cubixthe
Not only people, also the companies care about the money, and money only. Therefore I could not name one single company that cares about logevity of their products. Sometimes I even tend to believe in the planned obscolence of products...
SomethinWild Of course it's planned, for cars and home electronics that's totally true and I know several companies that have departments on planning the longevity of products. Mesa however is a pretty small business compared to let's say Samsung or Sony :) And I believe they still try to make the best product.
Dont you also get engl and diezel for cheap though? I'd take both of those over a mesa.
ENGL is cheap but Diezel is expensive AF..
since i last posted, i purchased an Orange Th100 for $1,275 and it is a beast, and also MADE IN CHINA. After talking to the folks at Orange, they told me that they are not like othe manufacturers that outsource. Orange actually has its own Factory in China (owned by Orange) and the parts and wiring are identical. For ex. my Th100's transformers are the same as those inside of the Made In England. Sor far, so good, I keep you guys posted if any problem should arise.
Sold it, regret , then buy back. Expensive but worth to the money.
I've had one for a week. Wasn't gonna carry a dual rec around. The tone IMO is nearly identical to the dual rec. But you do lose the big boomy bottom end provided by the 6L6 tubes. Playing in a band though, those frequencies just get swallowed up by the bass. Plus if you're recording, you cut those frequencies anyway. So perfect for me as a band member and recording guy. I like the tightness of the mini rec. It cuts through at practice and it is WAY LOUD. I mean, super loud. I may have to get a brake. I have it set on 10-15% master with 90% gain (metal). The 10W / 25W switch doesn't cut much volume, it's more of a tone altering switch (as I believe it alters the configuration of the power tubes). I play through an Engl E212V (which is too heavy haha). Only downside is the price, mine was £900 from Thomann. But then, I'm a gear slut :) recently upgraded from the H&K tubemeister 36 (not enough gain but LOADS of cool features). Anyway, if you've got the cash and you are a serious musician who plays and records the mini rec is the choice :) if you like to sit in front of you amp at home drooling over huge low end get the dual rec. \m/
+James McCue How would you compare the recs clean tone against the H&K's? what one would be better for blues?
H&K definitely. They're utterly unbelieveable for cleans.
James McCue
See I a/b the H&K and mini rec and the H&K blew it out of the water! I'm actually returning the mini this week.
put a mesa eq in the fx loop better again
What are the riffs on the les paul? Remind me of Soundgarden
Nice demo with some very smooth playing. It seems to really love the les paul!
Thinking about this with a 1x12 Mesa closed-back. I have a ROV combo but it's 80lbs, need something lighter to lug around since I'm on a 2nd floor apartment.
same! sold my 120w 6505 and bought a 5150iii lbx2 15w!!
killer tones! plenty loud enough! And Waaaaaay lighter
I bought one of these. Really great, versatile amp.
Is this amp loud enough to play decent sized gigs on 25 watt setting?
yes
this dude got crazy eyes
Crazy Eye Killah?
Louder and bigger isn't always better for your back or playing in small venues. Also you can get some nice point of break up sounds out of this thing. I prefer a DR with EL34s over 6L6 so this box has grabbed my ears.
These sounds great loud and at bed room levels, I always retube for more clearer tones. EL 84's give it nice top and has good low end so no need to mex the gain and master when playing loud! I had many amps and this one is on top,kind of a ballzy Vox amp
@StratsRgreat Good call, I play a Bel-air which is the 2x12 50 watt version of that amp and it's awesome, every time I see how much certain amps are I think about what kind of Carvin(s) you could get for the same bread.
Why does all these damn reviews leave out how the cab is mic'd??
It is a real Rectifier. It is the exact same, it just has an EL84 power section, instead of the 6L6's that the big rectos have.
If we are talking about a Dual Rec, then I'm in, BUT, the Min Rec ha tiny transformers. I just will not get you that "punch in the chest feeling that you get with good amplifiers that do have large tranformers and cost about the same. This mini just does not push air. For the price get a dual rec used.
most gigs mic the amps and run em into their board anyway so yeah, a lot of clubs won't even let you bring in some 100 watt stack anymore.
How does it differ from the dual and triple rectifier in terms of clean and distortion sounds?
You, sir, are a Faith No More fan. And I approve!
Does it come with the footswitch?
Hi Jordan im currently trying to figure out which head to get between a mesa transatlantic ta-15 or a mesa mini rectifier, I love clean tones and i don't play metal, im looking for clean tones along with some nice blues and overdrive but a versatile amp as well. Which of these two amps do you think suits my needs the best? thanks.
Yeah i agree you cant understand the value of an amp like this until youve OWNED and PLAYED one, i weighed my choices carefully. This amp is a great value take it from someone thats been around the block a few times as far as amps and tones go and for me anyways this amp has about anything anybody could want. Perfect for gigging believe it or not.
Is this thing good for travelers with a loadbox instead of a cabinet?
perfect
So I couldn't in good conscience not leave my opinion. I purchased this head used. I paired it with a Mesa 2x12 and the slant mini recto 1x12. Honest opinion...it is terrible! I'm not sure of the tubes need changed or What? There are a lot of good reviews which is why I was puzzled. No matter what I did I could not get a decent tone. It sounded very thin to me and didn't have any punch or percussiveness. I eventually paired it with a 1x12 greenback and it sounded better. But for the price...it will be returned within a few days. Hope this helps.
V30's needs LOTS of break-in time.... New they are very trebly sounding. You should have gave it some time.
what kind of pickups are you using is it loud . does it cut thru mix in a band could you use it for a gig
I want to know why these costs just as much as the full size ones
Because they’re made the same way, this one is just smaller
Boa análise. Gostei.
Nice review. Congratulations!
Hey, is there any output in this amp where I can plug to an audio interface, headphone or recorder? I want to play at night...(I know that the sound wouldn't be that good and using the speakers output may damage everything)
Can you gig with this amp?
@themodernguitarist you forgot the randall rm 20, Krank (rev jr, krankenstein jr, 1980 jr), blackstar, engl gigmaster, diamond assassin, komet 19, carvin v3 micro and probably many more.
The size: it really is a perfectly scaled down Recto. Seeing it on the web it it looks kinda small. I saw one at the local music store and I was like Holy Shit! That thing is TINY!!
Is there really a big difference
LP did sound pretty badass. Strat was good distorted but clean not so good. They should have a strat with true singlecoils or at least stacks.
Score one for Mesa. Sweet little amp.
I am wondering how they managed to get 25W from a pair of EL84. This amp must have a built-in perpettum mobile.
i think to demo an amp the pickups shouldn't be some custom ass pups nobody has.
It's got more tonal qualities than the bigger amps and a growl to it love it ;)
Clean channel way better than any Peavey.
@JBL8863 sorry, I do have to disagree.. your sound is coming more so from your circut/ preamp. why do you think a mesa with 6L6's sounds different from an Engl "or any other amp'' with 6L6's. And the whole idea behind amps like this is that they are less powerfull. I do have this amp run through a mesa rec 2X12 and I don't feel its under powered at all. If i'm honest, I havn't played it along side a drum kit yet, but I have no doubt it will keep up just fine.
So there's no Rectifier that has DI yet? Like the Hughes and Ketner with the DI Redbox?
WHY DOESN'T EVERY MODERN AMP HAVE ONE!?!?
Most Mesa amps have the Slave D.I output jack
because they sound like ass anyway ;). it's your dry sound out. a miced amp Always sounds superior to me.
Sounds like ass? Because they are used and respected by most metal musicians worldwide?
If you thought the Euro was high try buying this amp in Australia for under $2800 then you will see how much difference we pay for the same amp. No wonder they don't sell many…Drop your price Mesa Distributor we are all doing it tough too!
OMG.... price in AUS is insane. Lucky for me that the local dealer fly the price not too high.
When the dollar was down in 2012.. I could fly to New York and buy the amp and fly back and have money left compared to the retail price here...
Yes I could spend two weeks in NZ for the same price as 2 days on the Snow fields of Australia. Love NZ because i can't afford to snow ski in Australia how stupid is our Government. We need every dollar from tourists to come here but the price kills us.
Does anyone know what the song is that's played around the six minute mark?
pretty cool. but the price. blackstar or orange
"Zombie Eaters"!!!! FNM FTW!
i love this amp. sooo much.
Hey,I was checkin w/ya to see if it has a. headphone output?I'm not able to find it&it will save my life w/my lovely wife?please dear lord help me,I pray it does!I've been waiting so long for a mesa!!?🎸🤗thanx!
Does a Marshall Class 5 sound like a 100 Watt JMP?
@kt88101b
Well, I did say Blackstar. :P
Theres another one which was a sister company of Ashdown, forgot the name though.
it's curious that it has no rectifier tube at all :)
Want to buy this amp cheap?
I agree also and own one it rocks!
Wouldn't it be cool to make mini full stack and the mini head like the Marshall mg mini
They do.. I have one.
Is this gonna be loud enough to play in my buddies basement over drums into a 2x12 cab?
Totally. A 25 watt tube amp will potentially blow the doors off your basement depending on what cab you use with it. Now if it was a solid state amp then it wouldnt be loud enough. I have a 5 watt tube amp and i can barely turn it up at home its so loud. Trust me itll be fine for the basement.
oh hell ya
You've piqued my interest! Great demo!
How's this for a bedroom/home studio amp?
too loud lol
Stuth ruth, $1800 bucks??? I recon MI audio would be worth checken out. I still love my Boogie though. We're catching up though. Look out yanks
I agree. The Orange sounds great for sure, but for versatility and build quality I'd go with the Mesa.
really good review
I think I would go with the carvin v3m, it's less expensive and has more for your buck!
Mesa, Soldano, DrZ...all great stuff....no doubt. But if u want a great no frills dual 6BQ5 aka EL84 amp for $349 then check out the Carvin VT16. I am stoked that they now offer just a head...because I bought the combo several years ago as a 'cheap' living room knock around amp that the dog could bite and I wouldnt care. Well...the sound blew me away and I use it alot more than my more expensive stuff. And for less than $400...
I think I was hypnotised at 2.33 by his stare! Good review though.
It is a very small, subtle difference. If you recorded them both using high quality gear, I'd say the difference would be like a small change in the post eq. Most people agree that EL84's have a slightly tighter bottom end than 6L6's. Check out a great video from Haggerty's Music works on TH-cam:
th-cam.com/video/DXY53F03-lk/w-d-xo.html&feature=g-user-c
@Zhaggysfaction I thought the Strat sounded pretty good clean, myself.
Well it is a Rectifier... gotta get a tube screamer or treble booster
@pakiw2
And Marshall (Haze/Class 5)
And Hughes and Kettner (Tubemeister)
And Vox (Night train, AC4TV)
And Blackstar (HT-5R)
And EVH (5153 Mini)
And Egnater (Tweaker, Rebel)
And VHT China (Special)
And Traynor (Dark Horse)
And themselves (Atlantic)
Did I miss anyone?
I'd love to have a mesa but a real one, like the other guy said, for the price i wolud go for other brands
Those pictures of amp settings are useless, couldn't actually tell where the knobs were. This amp sounds great but man are you paying for it.
That is the one downfall of any rectifier... the stupid knurled knobs with nearly invisible marker.
Street price $999?! Crikey - they are $1800 here in Australia. We don't half get ripped off. And the Aussie dollar is stronger than the US at the moment!
man I love that sound from 5:51
I can't see the knobs but anyway, this amp sounds great.
These are going for $1700 now. That's an INSANE amount of inflation.
if you can find me a used tripple rec for that price message me immediately haha! I have wanted a dual rec forever but used they are over 1000...
@mrwaxwing123 lol I noticed that too! I thought "Holy shit, he's intense about that preamp" Haha, good catch!
jordan is excited
I might wait to find one used in a year or so. $999.00? I can get a (like new) used triple rectifier for the same price. Still, the mini rec.does sound ballsy!
They're $1650 new now 😂
@HearingLossProvider Got a dark terror and dat shits amazing
lol the knobs are so shiny that i can't see the settings
i love the sound of a mesa but for the price, i would go orange
greazy? wtf is that?!
Or just buy the PRS MT15 with way more gain on tap for US$649
sounds like a Zao riff at 6:10
I want!
Who uses guitar with single coil to olay mesa?
a guitar owner (not player)
Benzodiazpine
No single coil was used in the video :)
Someone who likes the sound. A Strat sounds great with high gain.
I had an Orange Dark Terror that sounded awesome and I never had one problem, it was built like a tank. BTW, it was made in China. Also I have friends that have the Orange Tiny Terror (15W) and the Dual Terror (30W) and they also have never had any problems, also they both sound awesom. They are made in China. So, so much for the so called Made In China is crap.
@themodernguitarist Oranges i guess
HAVE I JUST HEARD FAITH NO MORE???
I caught that too.
There are a lot of people out there who are more qualified and would do this job better.
i own both. different amps.
stop hating
when you get excited you look completely crazy. 2:36
its not about the actual value of your dollar, its about cost to import from americas (close to 20 hour flight, dont want to even think of time by boat lol) thats why i can get a box of kraft dinner for less than a buck, and itd cost you 5 lol
It's so cute.
My EVHIII blows this amp away. I've got a mini rec for sale because it sounds like crap IMO.
zombie eaters !! awesome
freeze it at 2:37 ...Jaaaaaaccckk (here comes Johnny) or Deer in the headlights toss-up
@furyblackheaven I just want to hug it.
Carvin V3M.
it's answer for orange amps ))
HA! I can pick up a Dual rec for $900 used
It's bad ass :-)