Mesa Express 5:50 opinions/headroom ?

[SongsForTheDeaf]

decided to trade my prized Traynor YGL2 for a used Mesa Express 5:50 due to the Traynor not having a lot of clean headroom.... Curious what opinions users on here have of the Express 5:50. Also wondering about the loud clean headroom of the 5:50 at 50 watts 6L6 versus the traynor 30 watts EL84

I've been thinking about buying some winged C SED 6L6 tubes for my HR deluxe but misewell throw them in this amp, Mesa's don't need biasing if I'm correct right ?

Thanks for the time as always guys

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Express 5:50 opinions/headroom ?

I like these amps a lot. The Express should have more headroom and I would expect the "feel" of these amps to be very different.

The Winged Cs are good tubes. You should buy from a reputable vendor who KNOWS Mesa amps and can provide you tubes that will meet Mesa's bias requirements. The Mesas do not need biasing, but you must use tubes that bias within a certain range. I would recommend simply buying Mesa tubes. It's what your amp is designed for, and they have the best warranty in the biz.

Download a copy of the Express' Owners Manual from the Mesa website. It will help you get the best from your amp. And do not hesitate to call Mesa Tech Support. The guys are great and very helpful.

Bill

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Mesa Express 5:50 opinions/headroom ?

thanks Bill... I have no issues getting Mesa tubes as long as they are reliable and last long.

I'm very excited for this amp because I love big loud clean combos!

I like 6L6 amps a lot aswell and just want more headroom so when I kick on a distortion or fuzz there is a punch and volume boost aswell instead of it just getting muddy and sloppy because the amp is already broken up into almost full distortion

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Express 5:50 opinions/headroom ?

It should be fine for what you describe.

And you might think about getting an extension cab for bigger gigs. I use my Mesa Mark Series amp with a 112 Theile cab. I like the open back of the combo combined with the ported closed back adding low end push. And...it puts the controls at a readable level...a good thing for my aging back. LOL!

Enjoy!

Bill

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: Mesa Express 5:50 opinions/headroom ?

Thanks Bill... I'm very excited to get this amp and start tweaking it with my pedals.... Gotta wait until next weekend