Mesa Boogie Triple RectifierFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 27 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment73%
PROS 73%
CONS 27%

Rank based on 27 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a heavy, tight, non-muddy tone for metal or hard rock
  • You value versatility across raw, vintage and modern channel modes
  • You're willing to boost with an overdrive pedal to tighten and saturate the sound

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You dislike amps that take time and tweaking to dial in
  • You're on a tight budget for future retubing or servicing
  • You prefer a scooped, thinner or brighter Mark-series style tone instead

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Built-in reactive attenuator
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Premium
Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier
Tonal versatilityHeavy, tight metal/rock toneResponds well to overdrive boostFizzy or hard to dial inCan sound scooped or thin depending on setupCostly to service
Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier
Tonal versatility
Heavy, tight metal/rock tone
Responds well to overdrive boost
Fizzy or hard to dial in
Can sound scooped or thin depending on setup
Costly to service

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The Triple Rectifier delivers a heavy, tight, non-muddy tone that many call the best they've owned for metal and rock. Commenters repeatedly describe a crushing yet controlled tone, especially on the Red modern channel, which one gigging player calls king for brutal rhythm guitar. Others say it's simply the best amp they've ever used or owned for rock and metal, with no other amp comparing. The heaviness comes through without turning to mush, even at high gain settings, according to long-time owners.

Versatility across raw, vintage and modern modes lets players cover far more than just metal. Users report dialing in everything from Eric Clapton-style covers to Breaking Benjamin and Stone Temple Pilots on the same amp, plus funk, R&B, jazz, ambient wet tones, punk, and classic rock through a 60s Marshall cab. The abundance of knobs and switches, including per-channel raw/vintage/modern voicings, is cited as enabling this range, though it takes real playing time to appreciate rather than judging from a quick demo.

Getting the best sound typically requires boosting with an overdrive and careful presence/treble tuning, and servicing isn't cheap. Multiple commenters recommend an 808-style overdrive to tighten bass and add mid/treble emphasis, calling it nearly essential for tightening flubby low end on extended-range guitars. Others note the amp can feel fizzy or hard to dial in until you learn it, and that the dense, complex Mesa circuitry makes retubing and repairs costly, though one user praised Mesa's warranty support after a failure.

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