Help, I've bought a Mesa

[Uk Ant]

Ok, so I've been lusting after assorted british made amps recently (it's nice to be patriotic) and when I finally get to hear them I'm disappointed. Marshall VM really is not great at all and the cornford just isn't my thing.
So I take the Cornford back to whence it came (Electromusic in Doncaster) and they're all very helpful, give me a room and a cup of tea and pretty much free access to any amp I want to try or they'll just do a refund.
Top little shop in an school style and heartily recommend it, but don't expect second hand bargins, but there is plenty of second hand stuff around.
Anyway, after trying a bunch of amps and comparing them to both the cornford and my Ashdown I was running out of options (and time if I wanted to get somewhere else) when the chap suggested a second hand Mesa Express 5:25. Bit over budget mind, and possibly under powered, but I thought I'd give it a go.
Holy mother of home made ice cream this thing is loud... did you say it was 25w?

Actually on the switch on the back it says it goes from 5w to 30w, but anyway...

Of all the amps I tried this was only one that made the ashdown sound cheap. Actually it was the only one that sounded all round better.
I now I won a Mesa Boogie, now I never thought I'd say that.
Came in at £750, which for a second hand 30w head is not cheap. The list price is about £1200, which I can't even consider on my budget.
But my lord this amp has the tone. I think smoothly agressive is the best way to describe it. Nice full sound with loads of options.
Monday is band practice and then we'll really find out

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

So what's the problem? You found an amp that you like, that is built with great care, and that will continue to sound great over time. You should be happy.

Mesa amps are great. Especially if you like to tweak. And if she ain't loud enough, run an extension cabinet.

For my graduation (from college, mind you) my parents bought me a Mesa DC-5. Aside from the sentimental value, it's an amp that just sounds better with time.

Enjoy your Mesa and quit worrying about everything else.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Cool ... I'm glad you found something you like. The 5:25 uses EL84s, right?

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Cool ... I'm glad you found something you like. The 5:25 uses EL84s, right?

Yup. And there's the OP's British patriotism right there: EL-84s.

http://mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Express/Express.htm

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Glad to hear you're finding something that works for you!

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Great stuff, glad you are finally sorted. The nice thing is you've gone with your ears and not just with a name. Hope it all works out now.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

I have used Mesa products for almost 2 decades (except for a brief stint with Crate when money was tight)....my best advice is to adjust the tone knobs in very small increments. The tone controls are interactive and very sensitive....even the volume control will affect the tone. Once you learn the EQ things become pretty easy.

One more thing..They are very LOUD for their wattage rating and love to be cranked.

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

So what's the problem?

I think I'm just a little surprised really.
first you just don't see that many.
Second I can't think of many famous ace wielders who use em and have a tone I like (Santana's tone really does my nut in).
Finally of the few mesa's I've actually heard in the raw they always sounded over fizzy.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

I think I'm just a little surprised really.
first you just don't see that many.
Second I can't think of many famous ace wielders who use em and have a tone I like (Santana's tone really does my nut in).
Finally of the few mesa's I've actually heard in the raw they always sounded over fizzy.

Trust me, you bought a good amp. And, in the event that you ever want to sell it, when the time comes, it'll still be worth something.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

I had a 5:25, and loved the amp with a passion. I played a 500 seat venue with that amp plugged into a 2x12, and it was LOUD. It does everything ; one of the more versatile amps out there. It is simply fantastic.

Congrats on the new amp!

 

[Sporky McGuffin]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Good work.

In my (limited) experience, Mesa tend to be conservative in their power ratings where a lot of manufacturers are rather optimistic.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

The 5:25 is a good option. I don't understand the problem if you like it. I love the 5:25. I like it more then the 5:50. It has a wonderful clean channel. I hope you got the 12" speaker. The 10" sounds boxier and smaller. I'm shocked that you didn't like the Roadhouse. Cornfords sound very warm and thick but I cannot afford one. At least you have a channel switching amp now. If you have second thought about the 5:25 then go try a Mark v. Congratulations.

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

The 5:25 is a good option. I don't understand the problem if you like it. I love the 5:25. I like it more then the 5:50. It has a wonderful clean channel. I hope you got the 12" speaker. The 10" sounds boxier and smaller. I'm shocked that you didn't like the Roadhouse. Cornfords sound very warm and thick but I cannot afford one. At least you have a channel switching amp now. If you have second thought about the 5:25 then go try a Mark v. Congratulations.

I'm quite surprised I like it so much.
So far it seems a top amp.
Only got the head so it's powering my trusty old marshall 2x12, although new speakers may be in order at some point.

 

[Brow]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Glad to hear you've got an amp you're happy with mate!

It's been about 10 years or so since I've been in ElectroMusic, still sounds like it's a great shop.

In my own amp search I'm hoping to try out an Orange Rocker 30, then a Cornford Roadhouse 30 (I have it on good authority that it's not what I want from someone that knows me and gear in general very well) so I'll have to see how it goes.

I had been offered that MESA Nomad 55 but think it'd suffer the same thing that you mentioned in another post; it just may be too powerful for most of the stuff I'll be doing.

Sorry I couldn't make your gig btw How'd it go?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

If all someone knows about MESA is rectumfrier scooped mids in drop Z tuning doing the brootalz, I guess I can understand your surprise. And even then, Rectifiers are much more versatile than most people give them credit for.

However, MESA got to the "top of the heap" with alot of REALLY great amps. They are built like tanks, and very versatile. Randall usually has a very unique sonic take on whatever amp "style" he's doing instead of just trying to make clones, or "hot rods" of existing amps. He's always got a "twist".

At any rate, glad you found something that suits your style!

 

[richard parker]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

So let's get this straight - you play 'classic' rock and blues and you prefer a Boogie to a Cornford ? Kind of confirms the opinion that I was starting to form that you are a total f**kwit. Two weeks from now you'll be whinging again.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Kind of confirms the opinion that I was starting to form that you are a total f**kwit.

That's awesome. Sigged

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

If all someone knows about MESA is rectumfrier scooped mids in drop Z tuning doing the brootalz, I guess I can understand your surprise. And even then, Rectifiers are much more versatile than most people give them credit for.

However, MESA got to the "top of the heap" with alot of REALLY great amps. They are built like tanks, and very versatile. Randall usually has a very unique sonic take on whatever amp "style" he's doing instead of just trying to make clones, or "hot rods" of existing amps. He's always got a "twist".

At any rate, glad you found something that suits your style!

I guess not everybody read JeffB's post.

 

[Warheart]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

Welcome to America, population: you.

Sometimes you find what like you the most in the places you'd least expect!

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Help, I've bought a Mesa

So let's get this straight - you play 'classic' rock and blues and you prefer a Boogie to a Cornford ? Kind of confirms the opinion that I was starting to form that you are a total f**kwit. Two weeks from now you'll be whinging again.

bit harsh innit?