Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $3,000
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
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Description
The MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King Head is the ultimate powerhouse for guitarists seeking unparalleled tonal versatility and sonic depth. This amplifier head is not just a tool; it's a creative partner for the road and the studio. With an impressive four-channel architecture, the Road King Head brings you a plethora of tube-amp configurations, ensuring every note you play is rich, dynamic, and perfectly tailored to your style.
Thanks to its Progressive Linkage technology, this amp head allows you to mix and match EL34 and 6L6 power tubes across its channels, offering a customizable sound palette that suits everything from pristine cleans to roaring leads. Each channel is equipped with selectable reverb and rectifier settings, giving you control over your sound's texture and presence. Plus, the bold/spongy voltage switch, dual effects loops, and a robust 9-button footswitch provide added layers of functionality and convenience.
Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Road King Head's cabinet switching feature lets you assign specific cabinets for different tonal outputs, further enhancing your control over the sonic landscape. This amplifier doesn't just amplify your sound; it amplifies your creative potential.
Key Features:
- 120 watts of tube power with Progressive Linkage
- Four fully independent channels with 12 modes
- Combination of EL34 and 6L6 power tubes
- Selectable reverb and rectifier settings per channel
- Bold/spongy voltage switch for dynamic response
- Dual series effects loops with hard-bypass option
- Tuner output with footswitchable mute
- Includes 9-button footswitch and slipcover
- Built for reliability with fan cooling and fixed bias
Videos
Vince LuPone
Mesa/Boogie Mark VII vs Rectifier - heavy tones in the room
Mesa/Boogie Mark VII vs Rectifier - heavy tones in the room
Vince LuPone
Mesa Boogie Road King Dual Rectifier II Test
Ozz Guitar
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King Series 1
chatreeo
Reviews
PROS
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Unmatched versatility across genres from clean to metal
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Exceptional clean tones, especially in Tweed mode
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Unique Brit mode adds distinct flavor
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Allows for tube combination modeling for tailored sound
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Supports multiple speaker configurations for varied tone
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High compatibility with pedals enhances sound options
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Reliable performance with consistent quality over years
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Offers both high gain and classic sounds effectively
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Simplified tone dialing for Mesa users; manageable for new users with manual
CONS
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Expensive, making it a significant investment
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Learning curve for new users unfamiliar with Mesa products
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Some users prefer different cabinets for optimal mid-range control
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King Head.
User experience
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Owners highlight the Road King's versatility, with one using it for diverse projects due to its broad range of sounds.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Concerns about the Road King's potential servicing costs are countered by long-term owners who have not faced such issues, emphasizing its reliability.
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Despite concerns, long-term owners report minimal repair needs, often attributing issues to user error rather than inherent flaws.
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Mesa's service may require shipping the amp back to the factory, potentially costing around $1000 for repairs, including shipping and parts.
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Replacement LED lenses are available from Mesa for $0.75, showing the availability of affordable parts for minor repairs.
Source
Comparisons
Use cases and applications
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Despite its weight, the Road King combo is frequently chosen for projects requiring a variety of tones, suggesting it as a go-to for versatile sound needs.
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Owners frequently use the FX return to integrate rack or pedal preamps, expanding tonal possibilities significantly.
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The amplifier is recommended for sludge/doom, post-hardcore, and death sludge genres, showcasing its versatility across heavy music styles.
Source
Value and pricing
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There is a sentiment that the Road King offers great value as its current pricing is seen as a bargain considering its capabilities.
Source
Features and functionality
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The Road King offers six power tube configurations, including a unique "simulink" 6L6/EL34 combo, allowing extensive tonal customization.
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Users appreciate the option to choose between tube and diode rectifier types, offering further control over the amp's response and tone.
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The Road King offers the ability to blend EL34 and 6L6 power tubes and assign each channel to two separate cabinet outputs, enhancing tonal customization.
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The Road King includes two series FX loops, which differ from Mesa's parallel loops in other designs, offering more flexibility in signal routing.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
The rig that Grohl and, of course, Beebe now swears by on stage is much simpler than the one Beebe inherited: a four-channel Mesa Boogie Road King head with a 4 x 12 Mesa Boogie cab, three pedals — a Boss DD-3 delay, an MXR Phase 90 and Boss TU-2 tuner — and a Shure UHF-R wireless system with “auto-assigning belt packs.” “I got rid of the extra amps,” says Beebe. “Before, when he [Grohl] wanted a cleaner sound, the A/B box would get a signal from the Vox AC30, which sounded great. When he wanted a dirty sound, he would go to the Mesa Boogie, and there was a Marshall that was in the mix every once in a while. I got rid of that and I bought a three-channel amp at the time, and now we use four-channel amps, so I can get a wide range of tones and sounds. I like the Mesa Boogie Road Kings because 1) they sound good, and 2) they’re bullet-proof. We’ve dropped our racks off the loading docks, and when you fire them up to see if they work, they actually sound better! And they’re a big company that have a lot of gear in every country and you get a lot of support. If I need anything, they really take care of us!” - Joe Beebe (Grohl's Guitar tech)
John Petrucci recorded Train of Thought only with Road King , Octavarium (Road King & Mark IV) and Suspended Animation (Road King & IIC+) This image shows the equipment that John used for the 2004 Train of Thought tour. The rig includes three Mesa Boogie Road King heads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNhkNepkilc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ovdzUj8h6o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ENgZJAWCuc
In this video Ola demos his mesa road king head. he matches this with a mesa cab
This Mesa Dual Rectifier is owned by Deryck Whibley Of Sum 41
Touring Amp for All Killer No Filler and was also used in the music video for Fat Lip" - Deryck
It states it was the Fat Lip amp but in the video it is not. The correct submission for that is already on here.
0:26 I use this a bunch on the record
The "Equipment" section of this article sourced by the World Heritage Encyclopedia™ states that Charlie has "used many different amplifiers for both recording and live work, including a Mesa Boogie Road King, as well as both Dual, and Triple Rectifiers."
In a live TV show, Machiya is using the MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King Head.
Frank Aresti using Mesa Boogie Road King on stage
Album Usage
The MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King Head has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier Road King Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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