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Overview
Like its original two channel forefathers, this Recto keeps things straight ahead and easy to navigate. This generation
features two footswitchable Channels that each contain two Modes and while it looks basic and drives easy, a world of stylistic
versatility lives within these two simple rows of controls.
CHANNEL 1 (Green Indicator / Top Channel) focuses on rhythm sounds, both clean and overdriven. The CLEAN Mode delivers
sparkling, big-headroom rhythm sounds that breathe with rich, warm air on the bottom end. When driven to clip and combined
with the 10 Watt Power setting, this Mode misbehaves with real attitude and shines for urgent, yet soulful, Blues solo sounds
and furry Rock rhythm. PUSHED aptly describes what to do with the second Mode in Channel 1 and here you’ll find the next
region of gain. With a more stripped EQ and just enough added drive, PUSHED invites aggressive Rock rhythm and Crunch
styles to the party and even taunts your mid-gain solo work, especially in the 10 Watt Power setting.
CHANNEL 2 (Red Indicator / Bottom Channel) features the iconic Recto high gain sounds – the iconic liquid wall of VINTAGE
and the aggressive fury of MODERN.
VINTAGE excels at thick, high gain chording and single note soloing with an elastic feel and a broad harmonic spread. It has
a looser, more organic sound and the overdrive drapes itself around the notes creating a huge, three-dimensional image. VIN-
TAGE solo work is further enhanced by the 10 Watt Power position. Here, the attack envelope changes and becomes rounder
and more voice-like, while upper harmonics recede slightly to create single note sounds of true beauty. VINTAGE and 10 Watt
compliment each other in ways that will open new doors for the Recto that were previously open only to more “well behaved”
or “cultured” amps. It may also open wide the eyes of current big-power Recto owners who experience for the first time, what
this power range/wiring style does for a sound they had typecast. This is a new and exciting face of Recto and it will surely
expand its stylistic footprint.
MODERN is the opposite in every way. This aggressive Mode comes right at you – maybe even for you – with stunning attack
and a hi-mid bump that keeps things percussive and tracking with hyper-accuracy. It is almost hard to believe that this amount
of gain can be infused and yet still deliver a response – especially in bass frequencies – with this much speed and definition.
But this is pure Recto and MODERN contributes an equal part to achieving its status as the other most recorded sound in Rock.
Needless to say, MODERN is all about all things Heavy and Metal. And while this sound is best demonstrated using the 25 Watt
Power setting, be sure not to typecast MODERN too quickly. Using the 10 Watt Power setting to sweeten the mids and soften
the attack here, shows another side to MODERN that’s more forgiving and vocal, creating a great alternate solo voice with a
little more punch and dynamic content.
We keep saying it, but it’s hard to overstate the value, effectiveness and stylistic “power” of the Multi-Watt™ Channel Assignable
Power switches. These dedicated wattage range choices unveil different power characteristics and colors – so they are really
power “voicing” switches as well. In this Recto, the choice of T power tubes with their amazing clip characteristics, prompted
us to explore the different wiring schemes possible. This experimentation led to the 10 Watt Power Mode being wired for Triode
operation. This “more vintage” wiring scheme sweetens and rounds out the sound, turning what might otherwise be a lower
volume version of the same voice, into more “soulful” Recto experience. Use the 25 Watt setting for its bold attack, tight tracking
low end, increased definition and all out headroom. This setting works great with all the sounds and certainly showcases the
mightiness in this little Rectifier, shocking unsuspecting players and bystanders alike with power and sonic size. But any time
you need to tame this little beast and put a vintage patina of warmth and silkiness around things… kick down to 10 Watts and
enjoy a whole new and different world of Recto expression.
Jumping around to the Rear Panel, you are met with a lesson in elegant simplicity. Nothing here but the essentials... AC Power
Socket, Main Fuse, the FX Loop, External Reverb Switch jack, REVERB Controls and the Speaker Outputs. While this stands in
stark contrast to many other MESA models, including the Recto-Verb 25’s big power Recto brothers, it was a decision based
on stylistic, genre-appropriate traditions and not a cost cutting road to a price point. In fact, many fans have requested simpler
feature sets from us over the years and this format is the perfect arena for this conceptual downscaling.
The FX Loop on the Recto-Verb 25 is wired in Series. We are pleased by the added juice these tube stages impart on the signal
as, after all, it’s no easy feat to add a Loop that enhances – rather than robs – Tone.
Well that wraps up the fly-by overview of the Recto-Verb 25. Now it’s time to get into the Modes and Controls of this little
powerhouse.
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