Mesa Boogie Express 5:50 Review
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General Information
Original Author: Random Victim
Weapon: Mesa Boogie Express 5:50 Amplifier
Make: Mesa Boogie
Model: Express 5:50
Price: $1400
Description
The Express 5:50 from Boogie is an all tube amplifier and is one killer machine! Features include:
2 Independent Channels with 4 Modes (Channel 1 = Clean or Crunch, Channel 2 = Blues or Burn)
Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Reverb, Master and Contour Controls per Channel
Footswitchable Variable Contour Control for creating a fatter tone on each channel provides (5-band graphic EQ all from 1
control)
2x6L6 & 5x12AX7 tubes
All-Tube Spring Reverb
All-Tube FX Loop External Switching Jacks for Channel 1/2, Contour 1, Contour 2, Reverb
3 Button Footswitch (Channel 1/2, Reverb & Contour)
Own Musical Preference
Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz, Lower gained Metal this thing handles them all.
Sound
1 word: HEAVEN (I wish i had my recording gear on me, I will add some clips later in the week when i get my stuff) I walked into guitar center, started playing a Fender Twin Reverb, moved to a Vox AC30 CC, than went to the Express, and all i have to say is the 5:50 blew away the competition. The tone knobs all provide great tools for tonal variety (Especially Contour).
The thing sounds fantastic and because of the 50 to 5 watt switching (Toggle is on Back of amp), the tubes can run hot at bedroom levels!
Say you want a warm clean sound with no breakup while playing live,home,jamming whatever. Switch on the 50 watts.
OR maybe your recording in the studio, or playing at home and want some tube tone at a low volume, Switch to 5 watts to get the break up you want! The thing supplies you with all the tools you need to achieve your dream tone!
Ease Of Use
First thing with any amp..Read the Owner's Manual! Found out what your amp is capable of before going at it and becoming frustrated because you dont know what your doing! all things aside...
The easiest amp to operate i have ever used. The two channel switching is easy to operate, also contour controls run smoothly. Small toggle switches operate: individual modes with the channels (Clean/Crunch, Blues/Burn), Activating footswitch, activating Contour, and of course the coolest feature of this amp switching between 5 watts and 50 watts (Class AB/A Duo Class tech.)
Reliability
You kidding Me! This thing built like a tank. Leather sides ohhh baby ha! Mesa provides a great warranty for their products
Negatives
Not many, no serious ones
Pricey (but worth it)
Fairly Noisy at higher gains
Also it's pretty heavy
Overall Impression
Not many, no serious ones
Pricey (but worth it)
Fairly Noisy at higher gains
Also its pretty heavy
