Mesa 20/20 or 50/50

[Jeff5]

Okay! Continuing on my tube kick hehe, I want to upgrade my power amp from the Crest LA901 that I currently use to a tube power amp. Really considering either the Mesa 20/20 or the 50/50.

I've heard good things about both, my only concern with the 20/20 would be..surpise!....head room. From what I've read its a VERY load 20 watts of power per channel. Like more than I'll probably ever need. But I'm still just not sure. I'm sure it will be enough power to play in my basement. :laugh2: I don't really gig, but I may be jamming with my friend (bass player) and another guitar player and drummer some day soon, and I'm afraid this won't be enough. Does anyone have any experience with either? Any thoughts?

 

[mrid]

Re: Mesa 20/20 or 50/50

bump. I'd go with the 50/50 myself.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Mesa 20/20 or 50/50

I've no experience with a 20/20, but I to have heard they are quite loud.

I used to own a 50/50 (wish I never sold it), it was a great sounding power amp. The bonus part was the 15w low power mode (the newer 2:50s don't have that).

The used 50/50's go for not much more than a used 20/20, and their more vercitile (sp?).

 

[OUTLAW1969]

Re: Mesa 20/20 or 50/50

Mesa 50 /50 , I just bought another one, after selling my first one 3 years ago. Versatility , Tone and Power!!!!!!!

 

[wonsup]

Re: Mesa 20/20 or 50/50

It depends on what you like. I have experience with 20:20, 50:50 and 2:50.

I personally like 20:20. They are EL84 based and they sound very warm, gritty and has nice smooth breakup sound to it. They are REALLY loud. I never cranked it more than half way at home. Even at gig, you won't go too much louder than that, because you want to go through PA system to balance the band. If you like blues and classic rock, I would go for 20:20.

If you like more of rock and metal type of music, then I would go with 50:50 or 2:50. They sound tigher and have more defined bass. It gives that good power chord crunch.

If I am not mistaken 50:50 and 2:50 uses different tubes. I prefered the old 50:50 sound over the new 2:50.

I personally think cranked smaller amp sounds much better than turned down loud amps. Hence my prefrence for 20:20.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Mesa 20/20 or 50/50

Thanks for the replies gang. Yeah I'm going to go with the 50/50. The one I'm going for also has that low switch if I want to put it down to 15W and crank it. Its an older model I believe, but it was overstock somewhere so its not even out of the box. If I want to experiment (which I'm sure I will) I can also set the bias to EL34s instead of the 6L6s that come stock with it. I'll probably try both. I do play mostly rock/metal and even harder stuff, so I do think I'd need the power/headroom. If I can get around to figuring out how to post sound clips I'll put some up when I get it up and running and tweaked. Thanks again!

 

[ishmun]

Re: Mesa 20/20 or 50/50

hey man
the 5050 sounds great
huge bottom
and real nice
but i found it to be too sharp/glassy (with svetlanas in it)
im more inclinded to el34s now
but still, its a good poweramp, jsut too glassy and bright for my liking