Near term delay on my project

[kevster]

Well, I still haven't got my stuff ordered. The money I was expecting didn't arrive in time. It is "enroute". I hope that is true!!! Either way, I've had a delay.

I'm still thinking about options that might be good in this amp. I'll have the Dumbleator, but I wondered about connecting a stand-alone tube reverb unit to it down the road and thought it might be a good idea to plan ahead for making this thing versatile ahead of time. Also, I was wondering if there were any OD mods that might be a good idea with this amp. I don't want to change what the amp inherently is, but just to make it more versatile and for adding things later on. Anybody got any comments suggestions?

Down the road I plan to build a hybrid amp. I love the sound of the ODS, but I also like some of the rectifier OD sounds and specifically the Mesa sound (when done right). Not on everything, but as an option. I was thinking about an ODS Clean + Overdrive, and a Mesa-sounding tube rectifer OD as a "3rd" channel. Anything I don't get in this amp, will be included in that one. Possibly a switchable Serial/Parallel effects loop, built-in three tube reverb ala Dumble, etc... That amp is a couple of years away though.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions, expletives?

[Colossal]

Kev,

Which Boogie Rectifier are you looking at, the 50 or 100 watter? I'm building a 50W version of the 90's Dual Rectifier for a fellow and it will be the "orange" channel (clean and overdrive) only. It appears that the 50W model shared the name only with its bigger brother as it has full wave diode rectification, not the dual 5U4Gs tube rectifiers in the 100W. The 90's DRs had some great tone and upon inspection, the output section is almost verbatim Marshall Plexi but with a Boogie preamp.

[Structo]

If you haven't many builds under your belt you might want to re-think all the options.
It's best to get a basic amp working properly first then try some mods.

ODS amps are a fairly complex build and tweaking them to perfection can really test your abilities.

Is it possible to create three or more "channels"?
Sure but it multiplies the chances of something not working quite right.
Including the "Rectifier" lead channel may not fit in with the topology of a Dumble style amp.
Perhaps a ODS type amp is simply not what you want?

Personally, I like using outboard effects in the Dumbleator.
TC Electronics have been the best I've tried.
But I like not being nailed down to a certain feature so using effects or pedals creates the most versatility for me.

But, if you are a master amp builder, disregard any or all of what I said.

[kevster]

If you haven't many builds under your belt you might want to re-think all the options.
It's best to get a basic amp working properly first then try some mods.

ODS amps are a fairly complex build and tweaking them to perfection can really test your abilities.

Is it possible to create three or more "channels"?
Sure but it multiplies the chances of something not working quite right.
Including the "Rectifier" lead channel may not fit in with the topology of a Dumble style amp.
Perhaps a ODS type amp is simply not what you want?

Personally, I like using outboard effects in the Dumbleator.
TC Electronics have been the best I've tried.
But I like not being nailed down to a certain feature so using effects or pedals creates the most versatility for me.

But, if you are a master amp builder, disregard any or all of what I said.

I'm definitely not a master amp builder, but I've built some complicated electronic equipment for aircraft. I'm perfectly humble where guitar amps are concerned as they have noise and tonal characteristics that are unique from most any other kind of electronics. I'm not saying I know it all, I just know where I want to go.

Simple is always best. I'd love to just go with a guitar>cord>amp, but that won't fly. Unfortuneately, the music I play requires effects. If I must use them, then I want those effects to sound good and not trash the tone. I plan on running everything I'm already using through the loop in the amp, so I should be ok. I currently have three OD pedals (light fur, dark thick fur, and cutting lead) plus compression, delay, an outboard reverb, and I plan keep those in the loop (literally and figuratively) even with the new amp. I just want to make sure I'm not using effects in a way that hurts the tone. I still need the versatility... It's a catch 22 in a way. How to get "your tone" at the quality you want, have the versatility to cover all the bases, but still use effects that often rob tone. I'm just trying to prevent tone/quality loss ahead of time. I know the Dumbleator is supposed to prevent that, but I'm careful...

I'm partial to the Dual Rectifier. I've had an opportunity to put two Mesa amps through their paces: A Lonestar Special and an F50. I liked the F50 better. I've never driven a 100W Mesa. I've driven a few "Frankenstein" rectifier amps of 100w, and I like to have a quasi rectifer/vintage sound with a mid-cut "ballsy" tone for some things I play... (think Mark Tremonti with a vintage warmth. I know he uses 15" speakers in his cabs to fill out the bottom end, but you get the idea of the sound). The Mesa f50 did that pretty well through a 12" stock speaker, but everything else was a little weak compared to a D-style.

Thanks guys!!!