Was all set to spend some saved dollars on solidifying my pedal board and this falls into my lap on the dirt, I've wanted one for a long time, I've heard these are even fantastic at lower volumes, It would be paired with my Hovercraft Dwarve, what do you guys think? Should I do it or go with my original plan???
Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
- Thread starter LatsMcGee
- Start date
El Supremo
New member
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
I absolutely love the sound of those old Mesa, both clean and dirty. Especially through the EV cabs they had back then. No way I'd pass that up (if it's a good deal that is). This is assuming any pedals you plan on getting will probably still be there in the foreseeable future.
I absolutely love the sound of those old Mesa, both clean and dirty. Especially through the EV cabs they had back then. No way I'd pass that up (if it's a good deal that is). This is assuming any pedals you plan on getting will probably still be there in the foreseeable future.
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
The amp is more important than the pedals.
The amp is more important than the pedals.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
Buy my amp.
Buy my amp.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
I had a dual caliber 50 combo. Excellent, solid and reliable amp. Pro piece of kit.
I had a dual caliber 50 combo. Excellent, solid and reliable amp. Pro piece of kit.
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
Lol I don't have enough cash in my fun money to make you a fair offer, I don't want to insult you, we're better than that!
Lol I don't have enough cash in my fun money to make you a fair offer, I don't want to insult you, we're better than that!
Snoogles
Cranky-dologist
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
i have a 50 cal+ combo amp (6L6 power tubes, graphic eq) that's in the shop right now getting some bugs worked on.
the reverb doesn't work, but i think i might want to sell the amp.
don't know how i would ship such an item, but if you want to pm me, we can talk.
i have a 50 cal+ combo amp (6L6 power tubes, graphic eq) that's in the shop right now getting some bugs worked on.
the reverb doesn't work, but i think i might want to sell the amp.
don't know how i would ship such an item, but if you want to pm me, we can talk.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
The .50 Cal (and the .22 Cal) was Mesa's "low" cost version of the Mark Series amp. They don't have all of the tone switching features of the Mark, but they are not cheap, or a practice amp. They are built for professionals; rugged and durable, with a lot of good features. The biggest fault is that the Rhythm Channel Gain and Tone controls interact with the Lead Channel. This is still an issue for the Mark III amps, but they do have more control than the .50 Cal. The Dual Caliber amps (DC-3, -5, -10) have two completely independent channels. (Even the Mark IV shares R1 and R2 tone controls; you won't find completely independent channels until the Mark V.) Fortunately, the Graphic EQ can be auto-switched with the Lead Channel, and gives you a range of tonal options not found in other amps in this price range.
If you're doing classic rock and blues covers in a weekend warrior tavern band, the .50 Cal head on one of the Mesa 212 C90/EVM Half-Back cabs is darn near a holy grail amp, IMO. The clean tones are above average, the Lead Channel sings like a Boogie should, and the amp takes pedals well. It's just a good straight-ahead rock amp. They do sound good at low volume, but you won't be coming out on the short-end of the stick if you get into volume wars, either...even up against 100-watt half-stacks.
To be honest though, my preference is for the Dual Caliber amps (I have a 4xEL84 DC-3), or the Mark III, IV and V because of the extra control. I have all of these, and love my tones on any one of them. With the Mark IIIs, I have the fully loaded combos, with the EV, Reverb, EQ and Simul-Class. I also have a 200-watt 6x6L6 Coliseum head and Half-Back cab, which is just a glorious sounding amp if I can get the Master Volume above about 2.75. Above 3.75--you'd better be running for cover. On the Full Power setting, notes just explode out of the amp; it so dynamic. The Mark IV has not only more control over the tones in the different channels, but there are a bunch of power amp switching options that can really change the feel of the amp. The V--well, it's just an amazing piece of gear--like having 27 different amps in one box, very organic.
You can go to Mesa's website and download any of their Owner's Manuals for their amps. It's a good thing to have in hand when you are trying out a Mesa amp, as guide for all the various controls and functions.
So considering the limitations of the 25-year old design, the Caliber Series amps have a lot to offer. I certainly would not feel deprived if one were provided on the backline for me.
I hope this helps.
Bill
The .50 Cal (and the .22 Cal) was Mesa's "low" cost version of the Mark Series amp. They don't have all of the tone switching features of the Mark, but they are not cheap, or a practice amp. They are built for professionals; rugged and durable, with a lot of good features. The biggest fault is that the Rhythm Channel Gain and Tone controls interact with the Lead Channel. This is still an issue for the Mark III amps, but they do have more control than the .50 Cal. The Dual Caliber amps (DC-3, -5, -10) have two completely independent channels. (Even the Mark IV shares R1 and R2 tone controls; you won't find completely independent channels until the Mark V.) Fortunately, the Graphic EQ can be auto-switched with the Lead Channel, and gives you a range of tonal options not found in other amps in this price range.
If you're doing classic rock and blues covers in a weekend warrior tavern band, the .50 Cal head on one of the Mesa 212 C90/EVM Half-Back cabs is darn near a holy grail amp, IMO. The clean tones are above average, the Lead Channel sings like a Boogie should, and the amp takes pedals well. It's just a good straight-ahead rock amp. They do sound good at low volume, but you won't be coming out on the short-end of the stick if you get into volume wars, either...even up against 100-watt half-stacks.
To be honest though, my preference is for the Dual Caliber amps (I have a 4xEL84 DC-3), or the Mark III, IV and V because of the extra control. I have all of these, and love my tones on any one of them. With the Mark IIIs, I have the fully loaded combos, with the EV, Reverb, EQ and Simul-Class. I also have a 200-watt 6x6L6 Coliseum head and Half-Back cab, which is just a glorious sounding amp if I can get the Master Volume above about 2.75. Above 3.75--you'd better be running for cover. On the Full Power setting, notes just explode out of the amp; it so dynamic. The Mark IV has not only more control over the tones in the different channels, but there are a bunch of power amp switching options that can really change the feel of the amp. The V--well, it's just an amazing piece of gear--like having 27 different amps in one box, very organic.
You can go to Mesa's website and download any of their Owner's Manuals for their amps. It's a good thing to have in hand when you are trying out a Mesa amp, as guide for all the various controls and functions.
So considering the limitations of the 25-year old design, the Caliber Series amps have a lot to offer. I certainly would not feel deprived if one were provided on the backline for me.
I hope this helps.
Bill
everdrone
New member
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
its a cool amp! why do you want another? hovercraft not cutting it? If it is, I would stick with the hovercraft. I am not big into pedals, but I would rather have my pedals than a second amp.
I mean if you are playing sludge metal and dont have a noisegate, then you get uncontrollable feedback when palm muting. without a tuner pedal you sound bad. and you need dirt pedals like a FUZZ. and a wah
its a cool amp! why do you want another? hovercraft not cutting it? If it is, I would stick with the hovercraft. I am not big into pedals, but I would rather have my pedals than a second amp.
I mean if you are playing sludge metal and dont have a noisegate, then you get uncontrollable feedback when palm muting. without a tuner pedal you sound bad. and you need dirt pedals like a FUZZ. and a wah
speakerjones
New member
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
Great amps. My best friend has been gigging his for over 10 years now. He gets some killer tones from it. He's really rough on gear, and that amp has been bulletproof. We were on our way to a gig one time, when the back hatch of his Jeep popped open suddenly. The 50 cal took a dive out of the back of the jeep at around 30 mph, landing right on one of the ball corners. A couple of new power tubes later and it was right as rain.
Great amps. My best friend has been gigging his for over 10 years now. He gets some killer tones from it. He's really rough on gear, and that amp has been bulletproof. We were on our way to a gig one time, when the back hatch of his Jeep popped open suddenly. The 50 cal took a dive out of the back of the jeep at around 30 mph, landing right on one of the ball corners. A couple of new power tubes later and it was right as rain.
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
I have a mid-'80s 50 Caliber and I've used it tons. It's a great amp and very reasonably priced.
This was my biggest gripe with the amp. I wanted to set the two channels at independent gain levels. But I had a Lead Master installed at the old Valley Arts Guitar Shop in Studio City, CA and that pretty much solved my problem. It seemed like a pretty straight-forward mod.
I say get the amp.
I have a mid-'80s 50 Caliber and I've used it tons. It's a great amp and very reasonably priced.
This was my biggest gripe with the amp. I wanted to set the two channels at independent gain levels. But I had a Lead Master installed at the old Valley Arts Guitar Shop in Studio City, CA and that pretty much solved my problem. It seemed like a pretty straight-forward mod.
I say get the amp.
whatshisname
New member
Re: Thinking of buying a mesa 50 cal, care to talk me out of it?
I still kick myself for selling mine. The half-back cab was great too. Celestion in the open top, and EV in the closed bottom.
I still kick myself for selling mine. The half-back cab was great too. Celestion in the open top, and EV in the closed bottom.