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Average Price: $1,050

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$300

$801+

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Description

The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb is a powerhouse guitar amplifier head that combines the beloved tones of the Rectifier series with the flexibility and warmth of a built-in reverb. Tailored for guitarists who crave versatility, this amp delivers a dynamic range of tones that can effortlessly transition from pristine cleans to aggressive high-gain distortion. With its dual-channel design, the Rect-o-verb offers a multitude of sound-shaping options to suit any musical style or setup.

Engineered with precision, the Rect-o-verb features Mesa/Boogie's renowned craftsmanship, ensuring durability and superior performance. Guitarists can enjoy the responsive feel and rich harmonics that make Mesa/Boogie amps a staple in professional studios and live performances alike. Equipped with a comprehensive control layout, including independent gain and EQ settings for each channel, this amp head provides intricate control over your sound. The addition of a high-quality reverb circuit adds another layer of depth and ambiance, making it ideal for both stage and studio environments.

Key Features:

  • Two independent channels for versatile tonal options
  • Built-in high-quality reverb for added depth
  • Custom-crafted by Mesa/Boogie for superior performance and durability
  • Comprehensive control layout with gain, EQ, and reverb settings
  • Ideal for a wide range of musical styles, from clean to high-gain tones

Product specs

Brand Mesa Boogie
Model Single Rectifier Rect-o-Verb 2-Channel 50-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Various
Year 1998 - 2001
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects 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 Spring Reverb

FAQs

What are the core tonal characteristics of the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb?

The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb is known for its versatile tonal range, offering both sparkling cleans and aggressive high-gain tones. It's particularly favored for rock and metal genres due to its punchy, articulate sound with a strong midrange presence.

Is the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb suitable for gigging with a drummer?

Yes, with 50 watts of power, the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb is loud enough for gigging, even with a drummer. Its robust output ensures it can hold its own in live performance settings.

Does the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb take pedals well?

Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb is known for handling pedals effectively, making it a flexible choice for guitarists who rely on external effects to shape their sound.

What type of reverb does the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb feature?

The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb features a built-in spring reverb, providing a classic, lush reverb sound that enhances both clean and overdriven tones.

Can the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb be used with both 6L6 and EL34 power tubes?

Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb is compatible with both 6L6 and EL34 power tubes, allowing players to customize their amplifier's tonal characteristics to their preference.

Dmitry Andrianov

Dmitry Andrianov

Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-O-Verb 50

Video thumbnail for Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-O-Verb 50 by Dmitry Andrianov

Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-O-Verb 50

Dmitry Andrianov

Dmitry Andrianov

Video thumbnail for Episode 1: Mesa Boogie's most underrated amplifier - Rectoverb 50 by Jon Bingham

Episode 1: Mesa Boogie's most underrated amplifier - Rectoverb 50

Jon Bingham

Jon Bingham

Video thumbnail for Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rectoverb 50 Series 2 Combo Amp Demo & Review - Berscak Custom Guitars by Berscak Custom Guitars

Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rectoverb 50 Series 2 Combo Amp Demo & Review - Berscak Custom Guitars

Berscak Custom Guitars

Berscak Custom Guitars

Video thumbnail for Mesa Single Rectifier: Rect-o-verb 50 (Sound Check) by That Sounds Terrible

Mesa Single Rectifier: Rect-o-verb 50 (Sound Check)

That Sounds Terrible

That Sounds Terrible

Video thumbnail for Mesa single rectifier recto-verb 50 by Martin Clayton

Mesa single rectifier recto-verb 50

Martin Clayton

Martin Clayton

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional clarity and tone, surpassing many competitors

  • Highly sensitive EQ controls for precise tone shaping

  • Impressive clean channel with shimmery, full sounds

  • Versatile 3-stage overdrive channel catering to various genres

  • Modern gain stage offers classic rock to metal tones

  • Reliable and durable for gigging musicians

  • Relatively inexpensive to retube compared to other models

  • Tight and punchy sound due to solid-state rectification

CONS

  • Reverb feature is underwhelming, adding minimal effect

  • "Vintage" gain stage can sound buzzy and struggle to cut through mixes

  • Clean channel may sound stiff and indistinct at lower volumes

  • Lacks the extraneous features of more expensive Mesa models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb.

Value and pricing

  • The amp is often priced lower than $1200, with some suggesting $950-$1000 as a fair negotiation.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The 50-watt model usually sells for less than the more sought-after 25-watt models.

    Source
  • An EVH 5150 iii owner reports harsh and brittle clean tones compared to the Rect-O-Verb, suggesting the Rect-O-Verb has superior versatility for those who value clean sounds.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer the Single Rectifier over the Double Rectifier for its "raw" tone, indicating a distinct preference for its sound profile.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Best suited for live play; apartment use may not fully utilize its potential without costly attenuators.

    Source
  • The amp is praised for its versatility, with some owners preferring its cleans over the Mesa Mark series, highlighting its adaptability across styles.

    Source

User experience

  • Direct recording with a Radial direct box and Helix Native can yield comparable playback quality for apartment setups.

    Source
  • The amp excels with a fuzz pedal, particularly noted for a "monstrous" tone in doom genres.

    Source
  • Some users have successfully used a generic two-button footswitch with a TRS jack for channel switching, sacrificing some features like contour on/off.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the amp's strong mids and low end, often using a six-band EQ for additional tonal adjustments.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The amp uses a 5-pin DIN cable for footswitch connectivity, and simple channel switching can be achieved by modifying a 5-pin cable into a 1/4” jack.

    Source
  • It's confirmed that the footswitch for the Rect-O-Verb 50 is not readily available, and sourcing or building a compatible one can be costly and complex.

    Source
  • The amp requires higher volume levels to avoid a "buzzy" sound, suggesting it performs best when pushed with more power.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners have created custom footswitches using schematics available online, though this requires soldering skills or assistance from pedal builders.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jimmarchi1

if you don't have a JCM800 handy or you MUST have channel switching....

Let me open by saying I cannot speak to reliability as I borrowed this amp for a few shows where I was sharing gear with another hot-shot guitarist who wanted to use it thru my awesome old marshall cab. I figured it was a good chance to audition it for myself. While the single rectifier (the thing is solid state rectified only, hence single) series suffers from recto-fier-itis on the clean channel (stiff, sterile, indistinct, hazy cleans until the amp is pushed so hard that your clean gets hairy), the gain channel does really solid American flavored crunch and lead sounds that can hang with an 80s Marshall without demanding that you navigate a bewildering array of mesa-bullshit to unlock the tone. It has more gain than I've ever wanted or needed, but I guess some folks will use channel 2s gain control past 5. I didn't. I also play pretty loud and am not ashamed to turn my loud amps to face off stage and have them miced up so I can work the power amp harder. It has all the typical mesa features, but none of the extraneous pull pots and switches of the more expensive amps. The solid state, diode bridge rectification keeps things tight and punchy in the Marshall vein and the stock 6L6 output tubes lend a nice, complex & glassy grind to the high gain channel when pushed hard. Not my cup of tea, but totally reputable. The reverb sounds okay if you like modern spring reverb circuits. The feature set is not bewildering on this amp like dual or triple rectos. You could use this to play a rock show if you didn't have a JCM800. Given a choice between a single-rectifier and a channel switching JCM900 or any of the JCM2000 range I would take the rectoverb any day of the week.

aaron_mcguire

It's solid

I have played these for the past 10 years. IMO this 50 watt amp get better tone and clarity than others. I have played a bunch of different amps and keep coming back to this guy.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ola Englund uses Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb

Ola Englund

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

Six Feet Under

...
Verified via YouTube
See how Mr. Bill uses Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb

Mr. Bill

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Mr. Bill is shown using a Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb guitar amplifier head in the photo uploaded to Imgur.

Album Usage

The Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mesa/Boogie Single Rectifier Rect-o-verb, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
1

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