Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,305
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
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Standard
High-end
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Description
Unleash your musical prowess with the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Head. This versatile 50 watt tube guitar amp head ensures an immersive playing experience with its two channels and five modes, offering you a wide array of tonal possibilities. Craft your perfect sound with its intuitive controls for Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, and Master for each channel. Plus, the addition of a parallel effects loop with mix control further enhances your ability to create unique sonic landscapes.
Key Features:
- 50 watt tube guitar amp head
- Two channels and five modes for versatile sound shaping
- Individual controls for Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, and Master on each channel
- Parallel effects loop with mix control for added sound dimension
Product specs
| Brand | Mesa Boogie |
| Model | Single Rectifier Solo 2-Channel 50-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Various |
| Year | 1998 - 2001 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Built-In Effects | No Built-In Effects |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 50 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 / EL34 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What are the main tonal characteristics of the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head?
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The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head is known for its high-gain, aggressive tone with a tight low-end, making it ideal for rock and metal genres. It offers a versatile sound with two channels and five modes, allowing for a range of clean to distorted tones.
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Is the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head suitable for gigging?
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Yes, the 50-watt power output of the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Solo Head is sufficient for small to medium-sized gigs, providing ample volume and presence. Its robust build and versatile sound make it a reliable choice for live performances.
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Can the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head be used with different cabinets?
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The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head is compatible with cabinets that have 4 ohms or 8 ohms impedance, offering flexibility in pairing with various speaker configurations.
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Does the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head have built-in effects?
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No, the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head does not have built-in effects. However, it features a parallel effects loop with mix control, allowing you to integrate external effects seamlessly.
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What type of power tubes does the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head use?
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The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head can use either 6L6 or EL34 power tubes, offering tonal flexibility depending on your preference for American or British-style amp sounds.
Videos
Sonic Drive Studio
Best Mesa I've EVER Played?! (Single Rectifier)
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile sound ranges from clean country to heavy metal
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Distinct Mesa sound recognizable in any drive mode
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Solo switch elevates performance volume
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Works well with pedals for expanded tonal options
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Durable and reliable for various playing environments
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Simple, straightforward maintenance and operation
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Offers depth in bass and precision in mids
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Provides more options compared to similar wattage amps
CONS
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Clean channel quality is lacking for some users
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PCB board issues reported, complicating repairs
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High gain sound's bottom end can be flabby without modification
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Effects loop may require extra adjustment compared to other brands
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head.
Features and functionality
Comparisons
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Series II versions of the Single Rectifier and Rectoverb both include a 3-way toggle switch, differentiating them from older models.
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For direct-in recording, alternatives like Radial direct boxes and Helix Native are recommended over using cheaper attenuators, unless investing in high-end options like the Tone King Iron Man II.
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Some owners find the Single Rectifier's gain channel too "out of control" compared to other Mesa models like the Trans Atlantic head, which offers more versatility.
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User experience
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Users note improved signal switching in Series II, making it more reliable for gigging musicians.
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Some users find the amp's full potential is realized only when played at decent volumes through a good cab, highlighting limitations in apartment settings.
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Owners feel the Single Rectifier is challenging to EQ properly without experience, suggesting it may not be ideal for beginners.
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Value and pricing
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The 50W model often sells for less than the more desirable 25W version, with prices seen as low as $800 in some areas.
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The amp is perceived as less powerful or "anemic" compared to expectations; some suggest it's only worth considering at a significantly lower price point, around $500.
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Use cases and applications
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The amp excels in producing a "monstrous" sound when paired with a fuzz pedal, particularly noted for its performance in doom metal genres.
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The amp is noted for being exceptionally loud, making it suitable for high-energy styles like those of a Limp Bizkit cover band but less versatile for other genres.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings
186
Mesa Single Rectifier Solo 50 Head
I am the 2nd owner of this Mesa Single Rectifier Solo 50 Head. I bought it off the other guitarist in a pop punk band I used to play in. Mesa has a very distinct high gain sound, and it's honestly not my favorite. The bottom end is pretty flabby (though i've heard it tightened up when pushed with the right overdrive pedal). The cleans are unremarkable. All in all, this thing is a workhorse, and until I can afford a better head, it definitely does the job.
65
Great rock amp
Great amp with 50 Wattage. Not sure if it is comparable to 100 or the 150 Watt. Straight forward concept makes the maintenance is hassle free. You can use any switch pedal to control the channel and solo.
The most disappointing factor will be the clean channel.
41013
the 50 definitely sounds different and is way less versatile than the bigger rectos but to my ear the single and the tremoverb are the only 2 90s mesas that sound good
Ze Müst
Simple. Efficace. profondeur dans les basses, précison des médiiums truc de ouf. Versatile et chaud cet ampli saura satisfaire tout le monde.
Artist usage
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In this video Rafael plays at Hellfest 2015 and behind him we can see a Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier. In particular at minute 44:33 the camera focuses on him and his amp is clearly recognizable
A Shadowkey has a great huge rhythm sound - can you describe how this is created?
My guitars are Jackson RR's and a Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier amp head spiced with Ibanez Tubecreamer TS9 thru Marshall JCM800 lead series cabs, which I think are the best sounding Marshalls ever. Harri's (OG's another guitarist) set-up is Gibson Flying-V thru Marshall JCM800 model 2203; that's the single channel model, thru Marshall cabs spiced with the mighty yellow Boss SuperOverdrive. The sound is created with just these two rhythm guitars, but there were lots of different microphones in front of and behind the cabs.
Andra used Mesa/Boogie Single Rec Solo head in "Mati aku Mati" music video, with custom black skin.
During the Vive Latino 2000 performance with Molotov, Paco Huidobro is seen using a Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head, as evidenced by the distinct number of knobs on the amplifier visible in this youtube video: https://youtu.be/QV8ORY3Zqco?t=75
Album Usage
The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier 50W Solo 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 Single Rectifier 50W Solo Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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