"dual rectifier"

[stingray_65]

I've been putzin around the WWW again.

I'm seeing a few references to "dual rectifier mods" and I see Mesa Boogie has a dual rectifier amp.

What's that about?

How does 2 recto's influence the tone or voicing of an amp?

Is it just to compensate for high losses when using a 5U4?

Ray

[John]

"Dual Rectifier" sounds cool, and you know us geetar players ain't too smart. 

[kagliostro]

There are two different implementation of the rectifier circuit in the Dual Rectifier

As far as I can know, don't use the first schematic, it is prone to tube failure

About tone change

changing from Tube rectifier to SS rectifier is something like the opposite side on using a VVR

VVR gives early distortion when you turn to low voltage the opposite the SS rectifier respect Tube, also if you don't use a SAG resistor you can imagine the effect

Kagliostro

[stingray_65]

OH!

LOL I see now, either solid state or hollow state!

nothing to with 2 recto tubes!

got it!

[kagliostro]

There is one Mesa schematic that is prone to give confusion

The Blue Angel, SS and Tube at the same time, but different circuits are connected to it


Kagliostro

[sluckey]

"The term Dual Rectifier originally referred to the two options available to rectify the high voltage current being supplied to the amplifier. However, lesser-informed players assumed it referred to the dual 5U4 tubes in the amplifier"

Yes, it refers to tube and ss rectifiers. However, many of Mesa's dual rectifier amps used 4 big output tubes and one 5U4 can't deliver enough juice for 4 big output tubes. So, you have to run parallel rectifier tubes, or flip a switch and run ss diodes.

I had an old Wurlitzer jukebox amp that ran four 6L6s and it had parallel 5U4s too. I converted it to a Twin Reverb/Bassman amp. You might say it was the original "dual rectifier" guitar amp!    

http://home.comcast.net/~seluckey/amps/misc/76_Amp_Project.pdf

[jjackson7]

"The term Dual Rectifier originally referred to the two options available to rectify the high voltage current being supplied to the amplifier. However, lesser-informed players assumed it referred to the dual 5U4 tubes in the amplifier"

Triple Rec?

[Dave]

Triple Rec?

Who's up for a little hair splitting?

Dave

[PRR]

Dual rectifier is obviously twice as good.

I had a projector arc-lamp power supply with SIX rectifiers. Imagine how good that would sound !! !! !! If it only had audio input/output.....

[chuggy]

Fender narrow panel tweed Twin (5E8A?) had dual 5U4 rectos.

[Willabe]

The Blue Angel, SS and Tube at the same time, but different circuits are connected to it.

SS to pre amp tubes, Tube rec. to power amp. I think it would be worth checking out. Might sound good to some players?


                            Brad     

[sluckey]

Marketing gimmick???

[Willabe]

Marketing gimmick???

Sure but you might be able to keep the plate voltage higher on the pre amp tubes and let the power tubes still sag and/or at a lower plate voltage on the power tubes than it would take to have the same (higher) plate voltage on the pre tubes down the PSU line?

 
                        Brad     

[John]

Marketing gimmick???

Never!!!

[RicharD]

I have a friend with a Fender something that is switchable between tube and ss rectification.  He says it eats tubes when using the ss recto.  I haven't been inside of it but I'm assuming there's roughly 50 more volts when rectifying using SS.  My guess is the amp is biased bleeding edge when running SS and prolly a little cold with the 5U4GB.  I'm sorry but I'm really believing more and more in fewer knobs and switches = better amp.

[kagliostro]

He says it eats tubes when using the ss recto.

I would like to see the adopted schematic

this schematic is prone to eat tubes



this should not do it



Kagliostro

[Jack1962]

I have worked on a few Mesa Dual Recto's , myself I prefer them over a Marshall any day , and sorry guys but they just blow a Fender out of the water lol . The Solid State/ Tube recto switch just check it out you"ll see what it does , tone is tighter with the solid state recto , more sag with the tube.

NO GIMMICK , THE REAL DEAL