Mesa Rectifier 2x12

[EOengineer]

I think one of these is next on my list. I’ve wanted to add a 2x12 cab and have always considered the recto horizontal 2x12 amongst the best out there.

A couple questions:
1. Are the current models comparable quality to the old 90s cabs?
2. Do they come with casters/wheels? The sales copy says yes but the pictures rarely show them with wheels.

 

[2dor]

I think one of these is next on my list. I’ve wanted to add a 2x12 cab and have always considered the recto horizontal 2x12 amongst the best out there.

A couple questions:
1. Are the current models comparable quality to the old 90s cabs?
2. Do they come with casters/wheels? The sales copy says yes but the pictures rarely show them with wheels.

I think with anything Mesa, the cabs should not disappoint but you'll need to break them in. Justin York suggested he had a habit of looping a DI track through an amp + the cab he'd try to break in for a few days so that the speakers wear in.

As for the casters, it's always best to ask beforehand - you never know how this changes from shop to shop.

I have a 2x12 Rectifier cab and it sounds / feels as big as my 4x12 OS straight but with a bit more focus to it, for lack of a better word. My speakers date back to 2015 and they sound great so I wouldn't worry about that "old 90s" FOMO stuff. If you do want that vintage vibe, try buying a used one - chances are it'll be cheaper & with a little bit of break-in as well (maybe no casters though).

 

[laxu]

I think with anything Mesa, the cabs should not disappoint but you'll need to break them in. Justin York suggested he had a habit of looping a DI track through an amp + the cab he'd try to break in for a few days so that the speakers wear in.

For the record this is what Celestion recommends:

Important Note! Before breaking it in it’s advisable to “warm up” the speaker gently for a few minutes with low-level playing or background hum.

Break in a speaker with a fat, clean tone: turn up the power amp volume to full, and control the level with the preamp gain. Use a level that will be quite loud, but not painful in a normal size room.

Have the bass and mid up full, and the treble at least half. On your guitar, use the middle pick up position (if your guitar has more than one pick up) and play for up to an hour, using lots of open chords, and chunky percussive playing. This will get the cone moving, and should excite all the cone modes and get everything to settle in nicely. The speaker will continue to mature over the years, but this will get it most of the way to tonal perfection in the shortest time.
Source: https://celestion.com/dr-decibel/how-do-i-break-in-my-speakers/

 

[Yeah]

I bought a Mesa recto 2x12 a couple years ago new from SW and it came with casters. I never put them on but I am somewhat curious to hear how the tone will change with them on. The cabinet is amazing! Sounds massive for a 2x12. I’ve stopped using my old Peavey 4x12 from the late 80’s / early 90’s that I loaded with 4 Celestion EVH speakers. I had another 2x12 from a small online builder. Forget the name of the company and that sounds horrible and thin compared to the Mesa.
I use the Mesa with Mesa mark v 25, EVH 5153, synergy syn2 with KSR power amp setup, moded egnater with high gain pedals, Randal Diavlo and they all sounded awesome through the Mesa cab. You won’t be disappointed

 

[2dor]

I bought a Mesa recto 2x12 a couple years ago new from SW and it came with casters. I never put them on but I am somewhat curious to hear how the tone will change with them on. The cabinet is amazing! Sounds massive for a 2x12. I’ve stopped using my old Peavey 4x12 from the late 80’s / early 90’s that I loaded with 4 Celestion EVH speakers. I had another 2x12 from a small online builder. Forget the name of the company and that sounds horrible and thin compared to the Mesa.
I use the Mesa with Mesa mark v 25, EVH 5153, synergy syn2 with KSR power amp setup, moded egnater with high gain pedals, Randal Diavlo and they all sounded awesome through the Mesa cab. You won’t be disappointed

I don't think taking them off changes the tone though with the casters off, you have the benefit of the cab->floor coupling effect.

 

[Iron1]

I have one with casters, as does our rhythm guitarist. And, both cabs are glorious.

 

[TubeStack]

LOVE the Recto 2x12s, have two of them. Only 2x12 I've had that comes close to the fun factor of a 4x12.

 

[Whizzinby]

Mesa 212’s are killer. I swapped out one of the V30’s with an H75 on a whim and it was fantastic. Great cab.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Compact doesn’t come with casters AFAIK, regular horizontal and vertical do come with casters. They definitely change the tone.

 

[Iron1]

LOVE the Recto 2x12s, have two of them. Only 2x12 I've had that comes close to the fun factor of a 4x12.

I also have a Randall Diavlo 212 that gets it done better than a lot of 412s Ive had, but the Recto 212 is a step above.

 

[EOengineer]

Compact doesn’t come with casters AFAIK, regular horizontal and vertical do come with casters. They definitely change the tone.

Yeah but I prefer the lifted look. I was gonna put some truck nuts on mine.

 

[EOengineer]

Zzounds has them on sale for $850 but I’ve sworn to never give them money again.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Yeah but I prefer the lifted look. I was gonna put some truck nuts on mine.

It’s not bad or good. Just different. The casters are also super easy to take on and off too.

 

[EOengineer]

It’s not bad or good. Just different. The castors are also super easy to take on and off too.

Thanks for the extra info, that’s good to know. In reality I just want the wheels so I don’t have to carry it.

 

[TubeStack]

Wheels are a huge plus for sure. I would not gig these without them. Makes for a great dolly, too. Head + pedalboard on top.

 

[TubeStack]

One thing I've noticed - and this might be getting into Eric Johnson-ears territory - but there is a slight difference in sound between having the big MESA badge vs the smaller Boogie one, on my two 2x12s. The former is quite a large logo and covers part of the speakers, whereas the latter is smaller and covers much less. Adds some highs and maybe beaminess. Would I notice in a loud band setting? Maybe, maybe not, but sitting at home, it's pretty noticeable.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Wheels are a huge plus for sure. I would not gig these without them. Makes for a great dolly, too. Head + pedalboard on top.

You girly man. Do you even lift, bro?

(Just kidding, I like casters too)

 

[TubeStack]

You girly man. Do you even lift, bro?

(Just kidding, I like casters too)

 

[paisleywookiee]

One thing I've noticed - and this might be getting into Eric Johnson-ears territory - but there is a slight difference in sound between having the big MESA badge vs the smaller Boogie one, on my two 2x12s. The former is quite a large logo and covers part of the speakers, whereas the latter is smaller and covers much less. Adds some highs and maybe beaminess. Would I notice in a loud band setting? Maybe, maybe not, but sitting at home, it's pretty noticeable.

This is definitely accurate.

 

[bikescene]

Zzounds has them on sale for $850 but I’ve sworn to never give them money again.

I’ve kept tabs on their site for Mesa 2x12s over the past year or so. I always thought there would be a catch with the cheaper cabinet, like it being a Compact model since they also have a separate item for the Horizontal model at $969.

There does seem to be many opinions that it provides a bigger sound over other V30-loaded cabs.