Recto Multi Watt is Gone :(

[GreatGreen]

Now that they are going to get scarce, I want one! I've always thought I aspired to get a Mark, but in this demo, the DR sounds more true and open. And it can get some thick and present solo tones.

The Mark has that mid aunch this is in everything. I'm not sure if I would love or hate the 5band eq. And while the Mark is usually quoted as being the most versatile, I still hear that mid aunch in every sound this guy makes.

I might actually prefer the DR.

As somebody who loves both Rectos and Mark amps, Rectos are absolutely bigger and more open sounding than Marks, except maybe some of the very rare 180 watt Coliseum Marks built in the 80's with zero negative feedback mods done by Mike B at Mesa.

For the most part though, Marks sound more controlled and focused, while Rectos sound more wide open, with higher highs and lower lows.

 

[Orvillain]

I might've said this before, but I shot out an old Rev F (Gower modified) Recto against my MW, and the MW killed it IMHO. The old one was kinda naff and unusable without a boost. The MW is usable without a boost.

The actual MW settings, I use rarely to be honest, but the amp as a whole is utterly killer. Definitely a lifer, along with my Mark V.

 

[megametal7]

If they bring new amps I hope they make it simple to use….

You need a masters degree to operate all them knobs front and back.


Im still mad at my amp fx foot switch….

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I shot out an old Rev F (Gower modified) Recto against my MW, and the MW killed it IMHO

Stock Recto’s >>> modded ones

 

[EOengineer]

Stock Recto’s >>> modded ones

We agree on stock Rectos but I do think there’s an instant gratification factor with the MW that isn’t necessarily there with a stock revision F or G.

 

[0XI0]

We agree on stock Rectos but I do think there’s an instant gratification factor with the MW that isn’t necessarily there with a stock revision F or G.

preamp bias is hotter on MW, you don't need power amp compression to smooth it. og recto (modern) preamp is a fucking chainsaw on its own, frozen cold and violent and naked and unforgiving, the omg tone comes right on the edge of (wet noodle) power amp compression, the window for that wow factor tone is ridiculously small

 

[0XI0]

Word on the street is that the Multi Watt Rectifiers are discontinued.

thank fuck

What are they being replaced with?

the new mesa rack mount modular preamp power amp rectifier recording triaxis

 

[TubeStack]

This could be simply numbers-based. Like, how many people are even buying brand new Rectos anymore? Aren’t there a gazillion out there in the used market?

Also, they’re pretty associated with music of a bygone era (now uncool?), rightly or wrongly.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Was the multi-watt feature actually useful? I've only ever owned a non-multiwatt.

 

[HomespunEffects]

This could be simply numbers-based. Like, how many people are even buying brand new Rectos anymore? Aren’t there a gazillion out there in the used market?

Also, they’re pretty associated with music of a bygone era (now uncool?), rightly or wrongly.

Yeah, the newer Mark series really outclasses them. (my opinion, of course)

 

[GreatGreen]

Was the multi-watt feature actually useful? I've only ever owned a non-multiwatt.

I mean… the switches work if that’s what you’re asking.

I don’t use them on mine. I didn’t buy it to have variable wattage, I bought the amp because it sounds great. The fact that it has variable wattage switches and happens to be called the “Multi Watt” is incidental. It’s just a great sounding Recto.

 

[Orvillain]

Every song that could possibly be written with/for a recto has already been written.

 

[TubeStack]

Every song that could possibly be written with/for a recto has already been written.

I actually think they’re super cool and very versatile, much more than people think. But definitely an amp that is very associated with certain types of music and/or sounds.

Also, the look is pretty definitive, maybe not everyone’s taste these days.

 

[0XI0]

if only they would put rectifier preamp behind boogie badging. but boogies are all derivative

 

[dk_ace]

I think the Multi Watt is a really good amp, but yeah adding multiple wattage settings was... ill advised as far as features go in an amp like that. I don't know of anybody who used those switches.

As far as the poweramp comment goes. I mean, that's how all Rectos are. The Recto wasn't designed for the poweramp to be pushed. It's a preamp-centric amplifier and always has been. The poweramp is intended to operate clean, like the amp in a hi-fi stereo system. The reason the 150 watt Triple Recto was built in the first place was specifically because the Recto's no-negative-feedback poweramp design made the amp break up earlier than it would otherwise have, just the nature of tube power sections with no negative feedback, so adding an extra 50% output power meant they could get back to pushing as much air as standard 100 watt amps (read: 100 watt amps with more standardized amounts of negative feedback) without breaking up.

But still, nobody bought the Multi Watt for it's multiple wattage settings. People bought them because they are an awesome version of the Recto that even if you only count the Red and Orange Modern modes, the amp sounds sound great. And they do. The amp's other six modes just mean the amp has a ton of versatility if you need it.

I’m not complaining about the recto power section, I like it for what it is. I just thought the 50 watt switch was dumb.

I don’t just count the red and orange modern modes. I think the vintage orange and red are cool too. I never really used the raw mode but it had a vibe as well. I also liked the clean channel of mine, but they changed it on the multi watt to the Ls clean which I’ve got kind of mixed feelings on. There are times I like the LS clean, and there are times I don’t…

D

 

[GreatGreen]

I’m not complaining about the recto power section, I like it for what it is. I just thought the 50 watt switch was dumb.

I don’t just count the red and orange modern modes. I think the vintage orange and red are cool too. I never really used the raw mode but it had a vibe as well. I also liked the clean channel of mine, but they changed it on the multi watt to the Ls clean which I’ve got kind of mixed feelings on. There are times I like the LS clean, and there are times I don’t…

D

Cool. Agree about the wattage switches. I like the vintage modes also. They're a lot smoother than Modern mode which can be great. Also, one more thing I'll say is that I have a Lonestar Classic head, and while people say the MW has the Lonestar's clean channel... eh... it's close, but it's not quite the same. It'd definitely a vast improvement over the Recto's previous clean modes, but it's not the exact same as a Lonestar.

I'd encourage you to try a Lonestar Classic if you ever get the chance. They're cool amps!

 

[dk_ace]

Cool. Agree about the wattage switches. I like the vintage modes also. They're a lot smoother than Modern mode which can be great. Also, one more thing I'll say is that I have a Lonestar Classic head, and while people say the MW has the Lonestar's clean channel... eh... it's close, but it's not quite the same. It'd definitely a vast improvement over the Recto's previous clean modes, but it's not quite a Lonestar.

I'd encourage you to try a Lonestar Classic if you ever get the chance. They're special amps.

Maybe my memory is just terrible, but I remember really liking the clean channel on my triple. It would have been an early 2000s model 3 channel, not sure what revision that was. With the tube rectifier and the spongy mode on, I had nothing but good memories of the clean. The combination of the headroom and the squish from those settings was really nice I thought. If I tried it again today I might hate it, who knows…. I wasn’t a gear head back then like now.

The lonestar 212 I played a long time ago was nice, I really liked the clean channel on it. A buddy had it and I got really familiar with it. The later line stars I’ve played sounded and felt a little flat to me. Since that early one the only ones I’ve liked were Andy Timmons, and he’s goosing the front end with a pretty extreme boost. Decided I’ll try that if I play one again, boost the front end aggressively and see if that livens it up for me.

D

 

[Desertdweller]

Maybe my memory is just terrible, but I remember really liking the clean channel on my triple. It would have been an early 2000s model 3 channel, not sure what revision that was. With the tube rectifier and the spongy mode on, I had nothing but good memories of the clean. The combination of the headroom and the squish from those settings was really nice I thought. If I tried it again today I might hate it, who knows…. I wasn’t a gear head back then like now.

The lonestar 212 I played a long time ago was nice, I really liked the clean channel on it. A buddy had it and I got really familiar with it. The later line stars I’ve played sounded and felt a little flat to me. Since that early one the only ones I’ve liked were Andy Timmons, and he’s goosing the front end with a pretty extreme boost. Decided I’ll try that if I play one again, boost the front end aggressively and see if that livens it up for me.

D

The clean on the old 3 channel triple rec was the best of that gen. For some reason the dual sounded boxier but the triple was very good. I had one for 6 years and loved it. But the MW clean is in another class entirely.

 

[MatrixClaw]

Nick from the Axe Palace mentioned them being discontinued a few months ago when they were selling their last one in the store and wouldn't be able to order more. Sucks, cause the MW was killer. I don't really understand the reasoning of them replacing it with the Reissue dual channel, other than just pure greed. The reissue has less features and costs almost $1000 more. Meh.

 

[James Freeman]

I have a sense that it will come back but at a much higher price and Gibson will try to twist it like they are the good guys "You've asked for it, WE delivered".
Put a different piece of cheap aluminum on it, hit it with a rock a few times, BOOM instant 8000$ mark up.