Guitar Head Help

[tellmycaster]

Hey guys whats up?
I am planning on getting a new guitar head soon, and I need help deciding.
I have 3 major choices and they are
Mesa Single Rectifier
Mesa Dual Rectifier
Orange AD50 Head
I play in a pop punk band, but i do play hardcore on the side.
Ive heard all of them played and they all sound amazing, price is no issue, i just cant decide on which to buy, i was wondering if anyone had any advice or was selling any of these heads for that matter
thanks
john

[theguy77]

the AD is perfect for pop-punk but i doubt it could handle hardcore. i think the best option to do both is the dual rectifier.

[patrickhowell]

Mesa Single Rectifier
Mesa Dual Rectifier
Orange AD50 Head


I don't think there is an AD50, but I could be wrong? If you're talking about the Rockerverb or Thunderverb, then that would be great for both styles.

the AD is perfect for pop-punk but i doubt it could handle hardcore. i think the best option to do both is the dual rectifier.

I'd recommend the Single Rec and over the Dual. There's no reason you will want a tube rectifier for Pop-Punk or Metal, and a 50w head will allow you to push the output tubes a little harder and get better sounds.

[mylastflight]

orange rocker30 should do it. you really dont need 50 watts
or jcm 800 by marshall

[theguy77]

AD > rocker

besides i think the AD head they have out now IS 30 watts.

[theguy77]

I don't think there is an AD50, but I could be wrong? If you're talking about the Rockerverb or Thunderverb, then that would be great for both styles.

this. rockerverb is the only orange series that would provide the gain you'd need for something heavy.

I'd recommend the Single Rec and over the Dual. There's no reason you will want a tube rectifier for Pop-Punk or Metal, and a 50w head will allow you to push the output tubes a little harder and get better sounds.

what does a rectifier do for your tone?

[Blueskyburning]

orange rocker30 should do it. you really dont need 50 watts
or jcm 800 by marshall

where do you guys play shows!?

i use a 120w crate head and when i play a show it's usually around 7-8 on the volume

[theguy77]

where do you guys play shows!?

i use a 120w crate head and when i play a show it's usually around 7-8 on the volume

dont they put a mic to it?

plus tube amps are louder than solid state amps by wattage, though a 120 watt solid state will clearly be louder than a 30 watt tube.

[Blueskyburning]

depends where you play i suppose, alot of places we play dont bother mic-ing stuff up, played some ridiculous gigs though where the drums were mic'd up in the smallest of rooms, no need for it really!

i know what you mean though, i just cant imagine 30w ever being big enough for me

[theguy77]

depends where you play i suppose, alot of places we play dont bother mic-ing stuff up, played some ridiculous gigs though where the drums were mic'd up in the smallest of rooms, no need for it really!

i know what you mean though, i just cant imagine 30w ever being big enough for me

dude honestly those venues should be micing you, like thats how live sound is supposed to sound cohesive.

[tellmycaster]

they do make a custom ad 50 ive seen them

[patrickhowell]

what does a rectifier do for your tone?

That's kind of a complicated question, but the short answer is not much... The rectifier is the part of your amp that converts AC current from the wall to DC current to run the components of your amp. Every amp has a rectifier, it is impossible to have an amp without one.

Before diodes were invented the only way to rectify AC signal was with a tube. This process is very inefficient, and if there is a jump in voltage, then your amp's volume will sag slightly as the rectifier tries to catch up. You only get this effect in class A/B amps (or Class A amps that are pushed really hard - to the point that they're no longer technically operating in Class A) and only with a tube rectifier. Also, at this point, the rectifier isn't able to deliver the full rail voltage (~350v for EL84/6V6 tubes or ~450V for 6L6/EL34). When your tubes aren't running at full voltage, they start to break up earlier... so a tube rectifier also makes your power tubes distort earlier.

When people started complaining about these effects caused by tube rectifiers, Fender started using two rectifier tubes. The second rectifier tube gave the amp an ability to produce the high voltage more readily so it minimized the issue. Once diodes were invented, this problem was completely solved.

Over the years, most amps have replaced the tube rectifier with a solid state silicon diode rectifier because it is much more efficient and gives you better attack on your notes. The Dual Rectifier was invented so that you could have both of these options in a single amplifier. The term "Rectifier" has nothing to do with wattage or gain or anything that has a large effect on your tone. Again, it is a necessary part of any amp. The Triple Rectifier also only has two different Rectifier choices - tube or silicon diode... but instead of having two rectifier tubes it has three to deliver the voltage to six 6L6 power tubes at once.

The Single Rectifier only has the silicon diode rectifier. This is the best rectifier for anyone who is seeking the "heavy" sound that these amps are known for. Also, since it is 50w, you can run your output tubes at a hotter setting where they will sound much better. Plus, when you retube your amp, you're only buying 2 power tubes and 5 preamp tubes instead of 2 rectifier, 4 power, and 5 pre with a Dual Rec or 3 rectifier, 6 power, and 5 pre that you need for a Triple Rec. To put it simply, it costs about $60 to retube a Single, $120 for a Dual, and $160 for a Triple.

[mylastflight]

they should be mic-ing ya, if 30watt isnt loud enough than i think thats a problem with a band not finding the right tone, level and rest of equalization...if the PA is shitty quality id rather not mic it but most of the time they have good system so i really prefer mic ing it...