Mesa Boogie Express Combo

[JIM'S GoldTOP]

I went to guitar center today, just for something to do. They had a 68 reissue LP Custom which I am a huge fan of, so I took it off the hanger to play. I walked over to the mesa boogie section and plugged the 68 RI into a Mesa Boogie Express 5:25 25W 1x12 Tube Combo. I had never Really played a Mesa Boogie, but have heard that they are great amps, even better than Marshall! So anyways I plugged her in and this beutiful clean tone blasted my face. I was speechless after playing the first chord. The 57 Humbucker and the amp were like meant to be together! I was in aww. The amp had to EQ boards on it for the clean channel and distortion channel. It had these little toggle switches to change the channels and to switch it between 5 watts and 25 watts. And itS damn loud for being a 25 watter. It also had a Celestion Vintage 30 in it, so I was in heaven. I want one so bad, but there a little pricey new, so maybe I can get one used some day. I just wanted to share my experience with this AWESOME little amp.

And if you have one and would like to sell or trade it. Let me know

[FennRx]

i had one for a short while. they are really cool and versatile.

[>Photi G<]

Not my cup of tea, but it has it's own character. You can find these on CL for $700- $900 easily. Usually in like new condition too.

[firesgt911]

Originally Posted by >Photi G<

Not my cup of tea, but it has it's own character. You can find these on CL for $700- $900 easily. Usually in like new condition too.

CL has them around the same price here in Cali too. I played the 5:50 and liked it a lot. I may have to pick it up for giggles.

[R'n'f'R]

It's #1 on my wish list, but the wife needs convincing...I've spent a bit on gear over the last year!

[Big_dawg]

ive got the 5:50, its my dream amp, does everything I throw at it and still sounds as fantastic as the day I first heard it...(with an LP, Tele and strat).

Just retubed mine (c/o dougs tubes 5:50 kit) it now sounds even better. At low (very low - not waking the baby up low) its crystal clear, pub gigs its amazing on its own and through my orange cab for larger venues its immense...

Other than for a Roadking this thing is going nowhere....

[JIM'S GoldTOP]

Originally Posted by Big_dawg

ive got the 5:50, its my dream amp, does everything I throw at it and still sounds as fantastic as the day I first heard it...(with an LP, Tele and strat).

Just retubed mine (c/o dougs tubes 5:50 kit) it now sounds even better. At low (very low - not waking the baby up low) its crystal clear, pub gigs its amazing on its own and through my orange cab for larger venues its immense...

Other than for a Roadking this thing is going nowhere....

Do you think the 25W is big enough for gigs?

[Big_dawg]

easily, (a) it has mesas dyna watt thingy which makes it hugely loud and (b) Ive nver gone above halfway on the master volume on the 50 at any pub/bar gig and have had to turn it down before, the 25(valve)w is not half as loud as the 50w itll be virtually as loud, the only real difference between them is the EL34 and 6L6 voicings, and obviously the price! Id love a 5:25 12'' for british duties (as well), but Ill prob go with the new head once Ive found out if it can cover 'Orange' sounds...

[Grand Pappy]

I have the 5:25 Express w/ one 10".
I have a 1x12" satallite cab w/ an Emi Texas Heat. I can use both, or either. Sounds kick a*s both ways.
I haven't gigged much w/ it yet.
I Got mine used on Flea Bay for $750 shipped. It was only 1 year old when I bought it and I transfered the warranty to my name ASAP.
I got it last summer. In Late Oct, early Nov. I started having a problem with it.
While practicing in a band setting, didn't matter if it was in the 5 watt, or 25 watt mode, it would just cut out. The power would go off and in a few seconds (5-10-15?) it would come back on. Very frustrating!
This happened intermittently. Brought it to one M.B. Warranty shop and they said they couldn't find a problem. I called M.B. directly and was treated very nicely and the tech and warranty people over there showed concern and really went out of their way to help me w/ my dilemma.
They advised I take it to the other M.B. warranty shop in town. The other shop found It was a bad fuse holder that would short out from the vibrations caused by volume.
They replaced it @ no charge. Problem solved.
Our little band plays small to med size venues, so this little combo is all I need, for now. Plus it's light, which saves wear and tear on ole Grandpappy's aching back!

[Big John]

Originally Posted by Grand Pappy in Chandler

I have the 5:25 Express w/ one 10"....this little combo is all I need...

*SPAM*

Pappy, say hello to my little friend....

...on eBay

[Grand Pappy]

Very nice Big John. I would love to get that, but right now finances are a little tight.
If I find a pot o gold @ the end of the Rainbow, I'll send you a PM.

[Big John]

I can take plastic.

[b-squared]

A buddy of mine just picked up a 5:50 head...and loves it.

It replaced his Bad Cat as his main amp. He said it had a permanently wired footswitch though...that's kinda weird...

But the tone was rockin'...can't wait to hear it!

BB

[Big John]

Originally Posted by b-squared

...it had a permanently wired footswitch though...that's kinda weird...

That's half right. You can unplug the 6-pin cable end from the chassis, but the cable itself is held in place with a retainer that's screwed into the side of the box. Taking the cable out from behind the retainer solves the permanent issue. It takes a little time to get the cable plugged back in because the socket is attached to the PCB, making it tough to see pin alignment.

[Gibsonblues]

I like Mesa amps but have never owned one for myself. Last Saturday I bought a new Express 5:50 1X12 for my son who is moving to LA in a few weeks with his band. It came down to the Mesa and a Dr Z he was looking at. As mentioned above, the cleans are exceptional nice with the 6L6's. Sounds very good cranked up. We had a big jam the other day and I tried my Classic 50 and DRRI against the Mesa. The Mesa just sounded better to me. I'd love to get one sometime but I don't really need another amp at this time. When I do though, I think it will be the Express 5:50 model.... Cheers...

[Justin_Case]

Originally Posted by Big John

That's half right. You can unplug the 6-pin cable end from the chassis, but the cable itself is held in place with a retainer that's screwed into the side of the box. Taking the cable out from behind the retainer solves the permanent issue. It takes a little time to get the cable plugged back in because the socket is attached to the PCB, making it tough to see pin alignment.

I have a 5:50 combo 2x12 and am enjoying it very much.

As far as the foot switch cable goes, Why would you want to remove the plug from the amp ? You won't use it anywhere else, and with the retainer in place you can't lose it., and it is not a standard Midi Cable, Mesa proprietary, the outer metal ring has a conductor wire on it and is part of the switching circuit.

[Grand Pappy]

I keep the connected foot switch controller cord for my 5:25 express secured in a coil using PC velcro wire managers. Works great.

[dogdew]

bear w/ me im trying to figure out the pic thing.

[dogdew]

5 50 2x12 dream machine

[Big John]

Originally Posted by Justin_Case

...Why would you want to remove the plug from the amp ?...

Personally, I don't like to use Mesa's footswitch for how I run mine. I leave the Contour and Reverb on all the time for both channels, so I just need to switch channels. I made myself a single button footswitch for channel changing, and I leave the Mesa cable and footwitch in the closet. It keeps the back of the combo less of a mess during transport....for me anyways.

[Don]

I've had a 5:50 1 x 12 combo for a little over 2 years now. It's a great, versatile amp. The clean tone is great and it's capable of some really nice medium gain sounds as well. I don't use an OD pedal with it as i prefer the amp's driven sounds. I prefer it's reverb over the reverb in my Vibrolux Reverb and Super Reverb!

I have had two problems with it in the time that I've owned it. The Accutronics reverb pan failed (replaced under warranty) and the PI tube went bad (replaced by me).

I really like this amp and highly recommend it.

[dogdew]

please if somebody would explain the pic posting process i'd appreciate it.
thanks man!

[Don]

Host the pics on the web somewhere and then click on the little mountain icon above where you type in your thread. That will bring up a bix where you can type in the URL of your pic. Like so-

[Big John]

Originally Posted by dogdew

please if somebody would explain the pic posting process i'd appreciate it.
thanks man!

Go to Photobucket and register for a free account. Then start loading up pictures. Once they're loaded, check the ones you want to post and go to the bottom of the page and click "Generate HTML". Choose the format that applies, copy the code, then paste the code in a forum thread.

[>Photi G<]

Or, just create a new album in your MLP Profile Page, and dump your pictures there. Then, right click [Open Image in New Window], copy the URL into the aforementioned box, and you're set.

[rockin'rolldad]

I'm in the process of saving for one right now.

[JIM'S GoldTOP]

Originally Posted by rockin'rolldad

I'm in the process of saving for one right now.

Post some pics when you getit

[rockin'rolldad]

Originally Posted by JIM'S GoldTOP

Post some pics when you getit

Sure will, it probably won't be for a couple months since all I can put away for it are my tips from work. But once I get Boo-Yah

[Birdy]

Had a 5:50 1x12 for a few weeks. Great sounding amp, very versatile, tone machine