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My bandmate has a Rectoverb (like me) and is considering switching over to a Mark IV. So, I was just curious, what are the tonal diffferences between these? I figure the Recto will be much more aggressive, and the Mark IV will have a more vintage vibe correct? I do know the Recto definitely has a modern feel that sometimes is a little too much for me.

Just curious since I've never played one. It looks like a sweet amp with tons of options (graphic EQ, three channel, class A or A/B, Triode or Pentode, etc...)

Opinionate away!

I owned a Mk IV for about 3 months and couldn't find my tone. The versatility that amp has was too much for me. I dialed in a really nice clean tone but could never get that nice tight rhythm and liquid lead tones I was looking for and thought that amp could deliver. I traded up for a Tremoverb and have been very happy. The cleans are just as good and I've found that tight rhythm. I'm still searching for a more liquid lead tone though.

I will probably buy a MkIV again in the future when I'm more patient.

I think that between your question and Lee Bob's response, you've pretty much got what they are. The Mark IV is much more versatile (effectively three channels) with much more of a hot-rodded vintage vibe (more of a mid rangey type tone) while the Recto series has that low end chunk and gobs of gain in the lead channel.

I have a Rectoverb and a Mark II, but I actually prefer the Mark IV. Take into account that I'm 40, though. Your tastes are probably a whole lot different than mine.


Originally Posted by SemperRhythmMy bandmate has a Rectoverb (like me) and is considering switching over to a Mark IV. So, I was just curious, what are the tonal diffferences between these? I figure the Recto will be much more aggressive, and the Mark IV will have a more vintage vibe correct? I do know the Recto definitely has a modern feel that sometimes is a little too much for me.

Just curious since I've never played one. It looks like a sweet amp with tons of options (graphic EQ, three channel, class A or A/B, Triode or Pentode, etc...)

Opinionate away!

You do realize there is a vintage switch on the rectoverb right?


Originally Posted by vinterlandYou do realize there is a vintage switch on the rectoverb right?

Yeah, it has a mode in the lead channel that's called vintage that really isn't so much.

The Mark is smoother, and more open feeling to me. It's also the tightest amp I've ever played. It doesn't have the big, ballsy, boomy low end of a Recto, or the high end sizzle of one. It's more of a midrange based amp.

It ****in rocks!

Yes, the Recto has the quot;vintagequot; mode but it's not really vintage at all. To me it just seems to back down on the gain but still retains the same tonal structure. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have that Recto smack, but it's hard to make the Recto back down a bit and smooth up at times. That is my main complaint. It's grind or clean, no in-between.

By the way, our style is anything from blues to harder rock now. It was originally all hard-hard rock, but maturity and better taste has prevailed (IMO). That's why I bought my Recto originally. I think the musical change has the most to do with his want for something more hot-vintage. In fact, now this has me thinking now...

It's tough to lay out a sweet bluesy line on a Recto...

Keep the comments coming please.

Maybe my rectoverbs special but the vintage switch does what its supposed to do on mine. Yes mine backs the gain down but it also changes the tone very noticeably.


Originally Posted by vinterlandMaybe my rectoverbs special but the vintage switch does what its supposed to do on mine. Yes mine backs the gain down but it also changes the tone very noticeably.

Well, mine does also, but it's not quot;vintagequot; by any means.

Disclaimer:I've never played a Mark IV, only heard clips
Niether. I'd take an F-50...oh wait I DID!!!!
But of the two, I'd probably take the RoV.

I've owned all of them, and I would say that the Mark IV is the amp for Boogie tone, a hot-rodded vintage vibe (mucho gain), and great versatility. That being said, it will take you some serious time to get used to the way that all of the controls interact and to find the exact tones for which you are looking. The good news is that if it's a tone that you're looking for, the amp is probably capable of it. The bad news is that it will take you some time to find the way to get three great tones out of the amp and to be able to footswitch to each one.


Originally Posted by Nite_Maresz_25Disclaimer:I've never played a Mark IV, only heard clips
Niether. I'd take an F-50...oh wait I DID!!!!
But of the two, I'd probably take the RoV.

could you compare the higain mode of f50 and rectoverb?
I understand the f50 has a more vintage clean sound. is it true?


Originally Posted by rgusercould you compare the higain mode of f50 and rectoverb?
I understand the f50 has a more vintage clean sound. is it true?

Dude if your wanting one of the best cleans ever, look no further than the rectoverb. The thing is just lush to say the least.

Well, if you guys listen to metallica they mostly used the Mark series on their 80's albums from ride to justice. Haha you are welcome for that..

Its obvious to tell that there is a tonal difference, the mark does seem much tighter than the rectos, and not so modern sounding. It does chug very well though, better than a recto IMO.

I would say off the bat that the Mark IV is most definitely the better option simply because it's not that modern-only tone. It would be much more versatile, and you should be able to get almost any tone you can think of. I have, however heard a lot about the Rectos being at least somewhat versatile.. perhaps I was misinformed?


Originally Posted by Metalman_666I would say off the bat that the Mark IV is most definitely the better option simply because it's not that modern-only tone. It would be much more versatile, and you should be able to get almost any tone you can think of. I have, however heard a lot about the Rectos being at least somewhat versatile.. perhaps I was misinformed?

They are capable of different types of tone in the gain channel, but they all have that low end quot;thudquot; that you either like or you don't. I think that people need to realize that the quot;vintagequot; mode is simply less gain than the quot;modernquot; setting, and that it isn't necessarily vintage in tone.

The clean channel is fine, I have no complaints with it. In fact, it benefits greatly from the accentuated highs and lows, especially with single coils. IMO, of course.


Originally Posted by vinterlandDude if your wanting one of the best cleans ever, look no further than the rectoverb. The thing is just lush to say the least.

I didn't find the cleans on my Rectoverb to be all that special, in fact they were pretty dry sounding IMO. The cleans from my buddy's Hot Rod Deluxe were much better. That and the impossible-to-dial-out buzz of the gain channel led me to trade it for a VHT Pitbull.

Again, this is all just my opinion, I know many people that swear by their Rectoverbs.

I liked the Mark IV I tried it certainly had that midrange I was looking for, yet not the price. A lot of people I know complain that there was too much versatility, but I like the thought of having that at my fingertips. Personally I would go for a 50 caliber plus, it goes cheap on ebay (for a tube) from anywhere from 400 to 600 dollars. Plus for a 50 watt head, it has an ungodly amount of headroom.