
Compact size and convenience do little to diminish the potency of this Boogie, which also delivers a few Vox-y surprises.
A fun new twist on the legendary Rectifier template that offers impressive clean and lead tones— all in a size that fits into the front seat of your Mini Cooper.
I found the crunch voicing a bit congested at some control settings, and at lower volumes in particular.
$1,849
Mesa/Boogie Badlander 25 Combo
mesaboogie.com
Mesa/Boogie made its name with the Mark Series amps, which made classic rock players of many stripes stand up and take notice. But the company’s next comprehensive range, the Rectifier Series amps, became favorites for a very different set of players. With big, powerful heads coupled with stacks pumping efficient 4x12" and 2x12" speaker arrays, the Single, Dual, and Triple Rectifier models appealed to a host of big-stage rock, grunge and metal players, and the sizzling high-gain and thumping lows became a second, defining sonic template for the company.
It's hard to believe the Rectifier Series has been with us for more than 30 years. In that time, the line constantly evolved and grew. Later Rectifier Series amps like the Trem-O-Verb, Maverick, and Blue Angel even broke the arena-stack mold that defined the first Rectifier amps. That trend continues in the form of the new Badlander 25. Though the Badlander 25 features ready-to-rock Rectifier Series preamp stages in both of its two channels, it’s a compact 25-watt 1x12" combo fired by a pair of EL84s—a formula that produces tones reminiscent of its siblings, while yielding a personality unique to the Badlander.
Head-On Collision
The Badlander 25’s control complement is familiar and relatively simple. Each channel features an identical set of independent controls: a 3-way gain/voicing switch offering clean, crunch, and crush modes, followed by knobs for gain, treble, mid, bass, presence, and master volume. There’s a global 10-watt/25-watt output switch at the end of the line, as well as power and standby switches. The single input and footswitch jack are also on the front. Around back are connections for one 8-ohm speaker and two 4-ohm speakers, send and return for the effects loop, and controls for the built-in CabClone impulse response feature, which include a XLR DI output with ground lift switch, headphone out with level control, individual eight-position cabinet IR selectors for each channel, and a USB port to store and load alternative IRs, including third-party ones.
Those in the know will be pleased to hear that the throaty grind from the crunch mode and searing high gain in crush mode that you’d expect to hear is here in abundance. But there’s also a nifty pinch of something a little different.
In addition to the two EL84s in the output stage, the amp is driven by five 12AX7 tubes in the preamp and phase inverter. Keen-eyed observers might note one tube that isn’t there: the rectifier that gave the series its name in the first place. That’s because the Badlander 25, as with some other later Rectifier models, uses silicon diodes (aka solid-state rectification) in the place of a tube. But I didn’t feel like the absence of a tube rectifier made a ton of difference in terms of feel or what I heard from the amp. The amp is housed in a chunky, compact cabinet measuring 19" x 17.875" x 11.25" and weighs 40 pounds. And a 12" Celestion G12M 65 Creamback broadcasts the Badlander’s boisterous voice.
Lights Out Tonight
The Badlander 25’s personality is an enjoyable blend of classic Mesa/Boogie voice and some enticing new character traits. For some readers, neither the Mesa sonic signature nor the Rectifier Series preamp voicings need much in the way of introduction. And those in the know will be pleased to hear that the throaty grind from the crunch mode and searing high gain in crush mode you’d expect to hear is here in abundance. But there’s also a nifty pinch of something a little different. Maybe it’s the signature sound of an EL84 output stage being pushed to the point of a raw, edgy response. Whatever it is, it makes this combo something very much its own and more than a cookie-cutter Rectifier done small.
Even though the 10-watt/25-watt power switching is very handy and the master volumes work well together to deliver usable sounds at lower sound-pressure levels, I found the Badlander 25 really sounded best at higher volumes. And at that point, man, it’s very much the beast that Mesa intended. Few of us associate the Mesa/Boogie brand with clean tones, but they are surprisingly good here—crisp, clear, and punchy, with chime and shimmer that lean to the Vox-y side of the spectrum. Set to 25 watts with the master volume cranked, there’s even enough headroom to keep a Les Paul impressively clean—all at volumes that should keep up with most drummers in the average club-sized venue. In the 10-watt mode, clean tones tend to sound a little rounder with a little more natural compression, while overdrive settings are slightly softer around the edges and segue into break-up a little quicker. In general, though, the lower-power setting still sounds and feels much like the amp at full-power.
While all three gain modes sound awesome, the crush mode offers the most fun of the three. It yields a crispy crackle in the highs and a sizeable serving of bass thump, especially relative to the cabinet size and power. It’s the sound that launched a thousand hits—at least in grunge and hair-metal realms. And it put a huge smile on my face every time I dialed it up. Crunch mode sounds were less immediate. Sometimes, they sounded a touch congested compared to clean and crush. Sometimes, they sounded a touch congested and choked. And dialing up perfect, organic volume shifts when moving between clean and crunch could be tricky. When pushed, the crunch mode still delivers great rock ‘n’ roll sounds. But it is, perhaps, the least intuitive mode of the three. But it is, perhaps, the least intuitive mode to use.
The Verdict
I’m impressed with the new Badlander 25. It offers plenty of classic Mesa/Boogie character with a Vox-like twist. The construction is rugged and robust. And the controls are generally easy and intuitive to navigate and put into practice. Because the cabinet is relatively small, it can contribute a little boxiness to some sounds. Still, the cabinet’s depth helps to compensate, and keeps the low end full for an amp of this size, which should please long-time Mesa/Boogie players used to fat sounds. Add in the bonus of the built-in CabClone IR, which delivers robust big-cab tones for front-of-house or recording needs, and you have an impressive combination of versatility, convenience, and power. And for big Boogie Rectifier fans that have less use for a full-size stack these days, it’s a very practical alternative.
Mesa Boogie Badlander 25 Demo | FIrst Look
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Lutefish, the real-time music collaboration device and platform, is excited to announce a suite of new features designed to simplify setup, streamline collaboration, and offer more flexible subscription options for Lutefish Stream users. These latest updates, Audio Presets, Automatic Session Recall, Improved Scheduling with Contact Visibility, and a new Yearly Subscription Plan, are all about making it easier than ever for musicians to jam together, no matter where they’re based.
Save Time and Stay in the Flow with Audio Presets & Session Recall
Musicians can now save and reuse their exact audio settings, reducing setup time and ensuring every session sounds exactly as they want.
- Automatic Session Recall: When users leave a session, their current audio levels are automatically saved and restored when they rejoin.
- User-Defined Audio Presets: Each user can create and name up to five custom presets, like “Band Practice,” “Studio Mic Setup,” or “Quick Jam,” making it effortless to jump back in with the perfect sound.
“These tools are all about saving time and hassle,” said Patrick Finn, Business Manager at Lutefish. “Musicians want to make music, not spend time rebalancing levels every session. With presets and recall, we’re giving them time back and helping them sound their best, every time.”
Smarter Scheduling and Contact Visibility
The latest update to Lutefish also made it easier to find collaborators and book sessions. Users can now:- View all their contacts at a glance when scheduling a session.
- Instantly identify which contacts own a Lutefish Stream device—so they will always know who’s ready to jam.
Go Yearly and Save 20%
Lutefish now offers a Yearly Subscription Plan, providing users with the same great access as the monthly plan at a 20% discount.
This option is now available within the Lutefish app and web platform, and current monthly users are eligible for a discount with an upgrade to a yearly subscription.
Lutefish’s mission has always been to empower musicians to connect and collaborate without boundaries. With these new updates, Lutefish Stream continues to break down barriers—whether you’re jamming with a friend across town or collaborating with a bandmate 500 miles away.
For more information and to start jamming today, visitlutefish.com.
The veteran Florida-born metalcore outfit proves that you don’t need humbuckers to pull off high gain.
Last August, metalcore giants Poison the Well gave the world a gift: They announced they were working on their first studio album in 15 years. They unleashed the first taste, single “Trembling Level,” back in January, and set off on a spring North American tour during which they played their debut record, The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation, in full every night.
PG’s Perry Bean caught up with guitarists Ryan Primack and Vadim Taver, and bassist Noah Harmon, ahead of the band’s show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl for this new Rig Rundown.
Brought to you by D’Addario.Not-So-Quiet As a Mouse
Primack started his playing career on Telecasters, then switched to Les Pauls, but when his prized LPs were stolen, he jumped back to Teles, and now owns nine of them.
His No. 1 is this white one (left). Seymour Duncan made him a JB Model pickup in a single-coil size for the bridge position, while the neck is a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered. He ripped out all the electronics, added a Gibson-style toggle switch, flipped the control plate orientation thanks to an obsession with Danny Gatton, and included just one steel knob to control tone. Primack also installed string trees with foam to control extra noise.
This one has Ernie Ball Papa Het’s Hardwired strings, .011–.050.
Here, Kitty, Kitty
Primack runs both a PRS Archon and a Bad Cat Lynx at the same time, covering both 6L6 and EL34 territories. The Lynx goes into a Friedman 4x12 cab that’s been rebadged in honor of its nickname, “Donkey,” while the Archon, which is like a “refined 5150,” runs through an Orange 4x12.
Ryan Primack’s Pedalboard
Primack’s board sports a Saturnworks True Bypass Multi Looper, plus two Saturnworks boost pedals. The rest includes a Boss TU-3w, DOD Bifet Boost 410, Caroline Electronics Hawaiian Pizza, Fortin ZUUL +, MXR Phase 100, JHS Series 3 Tremolo, Boss DM-2w, DOD Rubberneck, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Walrus Slo, and SolidGoldFX Surf Rider III.
Taver’s Teles
Vadim Taver’s go-to is this cherryburst Fender Telecaster, which he scored in the early 2000s and has been upgraded to Seymour Duncan pickups on Primack’s recommendation. His white Balaguer T-style has been treated to the same upgrade. The Balaguer is tuned to drop C, and the Fender stays in D standard. Both have D’Addario strings, with a slightly heavier gauge on the Balaguer.
Dual-Channel Chugger
Taver loves his 2-channel Orange Rockerverb 100s, one of which lives in a case made right in Nashville.
Vadim Taver’s Pedalboard
Taver’s board includes an MXR Joshua, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Empress Tremolo, Walrus ARP-87, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Reflector, MXR Phase 90, Boss CE-2w, and Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200, all powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus.
Big Duff
Harmon’s favorite these days is this Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, which he’s outfitted with a Leo Quan Badass bridge. His backup is a Mexico-made Fender Classic Series ’70s Jazz Bass. This one also sports Primack-picked pickups.
Rental Rockers
Harmon rented this Orange AD200B MK III head, which runs through a 1x15 cab on top and a 4x10 on the bottom.
Noah Harmon’s Pedalboard
Harmon’s board carries a Boss TU-2, Boss ODB-3, MXR Dyna Comp, Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra, and a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus. His signal from the Vintage Ultra runs right to the front-of-house, and Harmon estimates that that signal accounts for about half of what people hear on any given night.
Kiesel Guitars has introduced their newest solid body electric guitar: the Kyber.
With its modern performance specs and competitive pricing, the Kyber is Kiesel's most forward-thinking design yet, engineered for comfort, quick playing, and precision with every note.
Introducing the Kiesel Kyber Guitar
- Engineered with a lightweight body to reduce fatigue during long performances without sacrificing tone. Six-string Kybers, configured with the standard woods and a fixed bridge, weigh in at 6 pounds or under on average
- Unique shape made for ergonomic comfort in any playing position and enhanced classical position
- The Kyber features Kiesel's most extreme arm contour and a uniquely shaped body that enhances classical position support while still excelling in standard position.
- The new minimalist yet aggressive headstock pairs perfectly with the body's sleek lines, giving the Kyber a balanced, modern silhouette.
- Hidden strap buttons mounted on rear for excellent balance while giving a clean, ultra-modern look to the front
- Lower horn cutaway design for maximum access to the upper frets
- Sculpted neck heel for seamless playing
- Available in 6 or 7 strings, fixed or tremolo in both standard and multiscale configurations Choose between fixed bridges, tremolos, or multiscale configurations for your perfect setup.
Pricing for the Kyber starts at $1599 and will vary depending on options and features. Learn more about Kiesel’s new Kyber model at kieselguitars.com
The Sunset is a fully analog, zero latency bass amplifier simulator. It features a ¼” input, XLR and ¼” outputs, gain and volume controls and extensive equalization. It’s intended to replace your bass amp both live and in the studio.
If you need a full sounding amp simulator with a lot of EQ, the Sunset is for you. It features a five band equalizer with Treble, Bass, Parametric Midrange (with frequency and level controls), Resonance (for ultra lows), and Presence (for ultra highs). All are carefully tuned for bass guitar. But don’t let that hold you back if you’re a keyboard player. Pianos and synthesizers sound great with the Sunset!
The Sunset includes Gain and master Volume controls which allow you to add compression and classic tube amp growl. It has both ¼” phone and balanced XLR outputs - which lets you use it as a high quality active direct box. Finally, the Sunset features zero latency all analog circuitry – important for the instrument most responsible for the band’s groove.
Introducing the Sunset Bass Amp Simulator
- Zero Latency bass amp simulator.
- Go direct into the PA or DAW.
- Five Band EQ:
- Treble and Bass controls.
- Parametric midrange with level and frequency controls.
- Presence control for extreme highs.
- Resonance control for extreme lows.
- Gain control to add compression and harmonics.
- Master Volume.
- XLR and 1/4" outputs.
- Full bypass.
- 9VDC, 200mA.
Artwork by Aaron Cheney
MAP price: $210 USD ($299 CAD).