50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

D

dr0

New member
I'm slowly coming around to focus on a 50 watt channel switching head as my next amp. I play basic roots rock on the Chuck to Iggy continuum. Something with a nice clean channel (like the Bassman RI) and a nice lead channel (like the JCM-800 combo), in a more handy separate head configuration.

The JVM 205H seems like a really obvious choice, given my love of the JCM 800. From what I've heard I like both of the "clean channels". The "High Gain" side sounds OK, I'm not really looking for the super black-metal-burnt-crispy-death level of gain, it might be too much of a good thing. I'm a bit worried that the two sounds I like are both on Channel 1. $1600. new.

The Mesa Triple Crown TC-50 has one more channel, and that means I would probably get at least two useful ones, with the super-gain channel again possibly being more than I'm looking for. I went to demo one of these and unfortunately the place I went the sales guy just showed me all the sounds he could get out of it without letting me so much as touch a string. $1900.

Another one I've looked at is the EVH 5150 III w/ EL-34s. This is another three channel, and seems to be an improved version of the original with more channel control separation (which seems really good). It's the cheapest of the three at only $1100, which is nice. How is the "made in Vietnam" build quality?

What do you think of these three amps? What else should I be looking at in this genre?
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

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Mesa TC-50, from this generally favorable review at Guitar Player
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EVH:
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Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

I haven't played the Triple Crowns, can't comment there.

I really *want* to like 5150s but they always fall short for me... something in the way the amp response and it always falls into extremes, tonally, for me. Too much gain, not enough on the edge of breakup, too strident in the treble response, etc.

The JVM is what I'd go for. They're controllable and incredibly versatile with a simple control setup.
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

B2D said:
I haven't played the Triple Crowns, can't comment there.

I really *want* to like 5150s but they always fall short for me... something in the way the amp response and it always falls into extremes, tonally, for me. Too much gain, not enough on the edge of breakup, too strident in the treble response, etc.

The JVM is what I'd go for. They're controllable and incredibly versatile with a simple control setup.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I appreciate your feedback. I think I can find a JVM to play here in town, I'm not sure about the EVH amps, I haven't seen them anywhere.
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

There's a ton of Bugera amps that do that too

Many are clones of the ones you mentioned
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

I have the Mesa TC-50 and really like it. The clean channel is on a par with the Lonestar in terms of quality, though voiced a bit more British. Takes pedals well. The channel 2 gets great vintage & contemporary Marshall style tones, and Channel 3 can range from Texas blues to Metal. It's the best amp I've played for my styles. The quality of the tones are great and you don't need to crank it to deafening volumes to bring the rock tones out. Comes with a great foot switch that accesses each channel, FXloop, solo boost and reverb. Also has the cab sim thing for direct recording etc. Wish this had come out years ago, would have saved me from buying other amps.
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

dr0 said:
Thanks I will look into that. The Splawn does seem to have a lot of fans on this board.
Click to expand...

The 100w am have a half power switch and he also makes a 50w.
If you do decide to look at a used QR you’ll want a more recent build. The newer ones have an improved clean channel and a loop volume in the back. That allows you to get bedroom volume levels.
He also has a few circuit add-on that I think are worth looking into.
The first is “Drop B+” which lowers plate voltage to get the amp more sag. I love that feature on mine. The 50w versions are Droo B+ by default.
Second is a “new/old” voicing switch. It’s subtle but the old setting is a bit more aggressive. And lastly, there is a mid cut option which is voiced more like his Nitro amp. A more “metal” flavor, if you will. I just about never use it but it’s there should I want it.
Brand new they start at $1950 and used you might be looking at $1K-$1200.
Here’s a short clip with my LP tuned 1/2 step down.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4qq7gh705gvzkmi/IMG_0158.MOV?dl=0
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

As a longtime Rectifier fan I say a Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier Version 2 would be my pick.
 
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Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

Don’t know what the budget is but the Friedman BE-50 Deluxe rules them all
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

I like the TC50, but for what you're describing, ie Bassman & JCM800, maybe look at the Mesa Fillmore 50. It also is $300 less than the Triple Crown
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

allbutromeo said:
I like the TC50, but for what you're describing, ie Bassman & JCM800, maybe look at the Mesa Fillmore 50. It also is $300 less than the Triple Crown
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will look into that. I have never heard of that amp before, Mesa has a bewildering number of models, both past and present.
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

I haven't played any of the amps you mentioned.....I own a Friedman Runt 50 that is fantastic. Used they are quite affordable.
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

The Fillmore 50s gain channel is not really all that impressive. I don't think it will do what you're looking for without using a pedal.

I'd look at the Blackstar HT Club 50 MkII head. Really nice cleans, and can get seriously ballsy on the gain channel. Each channel has two voicings and they are very usable. I did a review of its little brother on my YouTube channel. Seriously underrated amp line.

This is a vid of the 50W Head.
 
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Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

I'm a JVM and EVH owner. My favorite amps personally.
Never played the EVH EL34, but the concensous is that the channels are voiced more Marshall-like than the 6L6 version. The EVH should be all made in Mexico now too...and they have a great reliability track record.
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

Just the other day I played the jvm410h, it is a fine amp, lots of sounds there. 12 channels really. The jvm 205h has six. I think they are the clean set of off the 410 and the od channel but you would have to confirm it. Meaning you would be left without the in between channel which may be what you need.
I also played the tc 100 and I bought it. The power soak option on it is a nice feature and seemed to work real well it also has a headphone out. Not a big deal for some but I like that option.
I imagine the tc 50 is pretty close sounding to the 100.
Both were great amps in my opinion the t.c just sounded a little better to me and was a little quieter when the gain was turned up.
I know you were asking on the 50's but thought this may help.
 
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Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

Van Noord said:
I'm a JVM and EVH owner. My favorite amps personally.
Never played the EVH EL34, but the concensous is that the channels are voiced more Marshall-like than the 6L6 version. The EVH should be all made in Mexico now too...and they have a great reliability track record.
Click to expand...

Between the two you have, which do you prefer, and why?
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

PS412 said:
Just the other day I played the jvm410h, it is a fine amp, lots of sounds there. 12 channels really. The jvm 205h has six. I think they are the clean set of off the 410 and the od channel but you would have to confirm it. Meaning you would be left without the in between channel which may be what you need.
I also played the tc 100 and I bought it. The power soak option on it is a nice feature and seemed to work real well it also has a headphone out. Not a big deal for some but I like that option.
I imagine the tc 50 is pretty close sounding to the 100.
Both were great amps in my opinion the t.c just sounded a little better to me and was a little quieter when the gain was turned up.
I know you were asking on the 50's but thought this may help.
Click to expand...

Yes, this was quite helpful. Thanks!
 
Re: 50 Watt channel switchers: Mesa? JVM? Others?

Gtrjunior said:
The 100w am have a half power switch and he also makes a 50w.
If you do decide to look at a used QR you’ll want a more recent build. The newer ones have an improved clean channel and a loop volume in the back. That allows you to get bedroom volume levels.
He also has a few circuit add-on that I think are worth looking into.
The first is “Drop B+” which lowers plate voltage to get the amp more sag. I love that feature on mine. The 50w versions are Droo B+ by default.
Second is a “new/old” voicing switch. It’s subtle but the old setting is a bit more aggressive. And lastly, there is a mid cut option which is voiced more like his Nitro amp. A more “metal” flavor, if you will. I just about never use it but it’s there should I want it.
Brand new they start at $1950 and used you might be looking at $1K-$1200.
Here’s a short clip with my LP tuned 1/2 step down.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4qq7gh705gvzkmi/IMG_0158.MOV?dl=0
Click to expand...

Do you think he'd be up to making a 50w QR that can be switched to 25 watts?

Ayrton said:
Don’t know what the budget is but the Friedman BE-50 Deluxe rules them all
Click to expand...

The BE50 is my current dream amp, along with the Dirty Shirley. I can't believe how good that thing is.

metlking said:
I haven't played any of the amps you mentioned.....I own a Friedman Runt 50 that is fantastic. Used they are quite affordable.
Click to expand...

A good friend of mine replaced his Bad Cat with a Runt 50 and he really loves it. It's a killer sounding amp and records very well, and it has more than enough power for any gig.

PS412 said:
Just the other day I played the jvm410h, it is a fine amp, lots of sounds there. 12 channels really. The jvm 205h has six. I think they are the clean set of off the 410 and the od channel but you would have to confirm it.
Click to expand...

The 2-channel JVMs are the clean channel and OD2 of the 4-channel versions. three modes per channel means you get six sounds, the footswitch will allow you to access 4 of those.
 
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