Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Dirtyking

Dirtyking

New member
There is a Mesa 50 cal+ on Ebay right now. Sorry I can't link it, I'm still an idiot surfer.

Anywho, I've been GASing for a bitchin combo amp that can pull off practice, studio and gigs. My current half stack is a little much and have recently found that alot of awesome players play Combos.

I play Stoner/Sludge/Goth/Classic and need a combo to pull this off. I'm a simpleton as far as gear goes playing straight in more often than not.

What I'm asking is will the Mesa 50 cal+ do me justice? I've never played one, Just a bunch of Rectos and such. I need a little more input on this amp and need to know if its worth its $599 buy it now price tag?

Thanks forum bros in advance.
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

I've heard that those amps are primarily good for metal/hard rock...

$600 seems a bit much for me.

If you look harder, you can find some reallly nice Mesa combos for cheaper.

Got my Mark III with Graphic EQ and reverb for only $500. Hell, a Fender HRD costs more than that and my Mesa owns amps up in the $1,500-$2,000 range. My Mark III can also truely cover everything you mentioned, look into one.

If you got enough cash, then go for it. I'm sure you can atleast resell it for $500.
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Yeah, $600 bones seems a bit steep. Thats the Buy it now price. Starting now bid is $459. And it looks like its in real good shape. I've been holding out for Boogie in the $500 dollar range. Mark III, IV's and 50 cal's seem to go for about that price. I've just read alot of good things about the 50 cal, but I need a push from my forum bros.
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Well, I have five Mesa amps, and to be honest with you, I think I would pass on the .50+ for the kind of metal you are doing. Honestly, this amp will cover a wide range of styles--blues, classic rock, jazz and even country; but I just don't think it has the grind that you are going to want from an amp.

A DC-5, F-50 or a Rect-O-Verb combo would be a better choice. A Trem-O-Verb 212 combo, along with a 212 horizontal Recto cab will give you enough power and versatiliy to handle any gig.

Marshall makes some good combos, from the 40-watt DSL401 to the TSL601, -602, and TSL122.

And I'd look very closely at some of the Peavey stuff, too. I like their XXX, JSX, and the 5150 combo. The 5150 combo is one heavy MF BRICK of an amp, but...it has insane gain. If I didn't already have my Mesas, the JSX is one amp I would really be looking at.

Even though I'm a big fan of Mesas, the .50 Caliber is a bit limited in it's channel switching and tonal versatility. If you haven't played one FIRST, I would advise you to pass.

Bill
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

OMG, say what? A Mark III for only $500????

I have never played the 50 cal+, but used to play the DC-5. That was a nice amp!
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Dirtyking said:
Yeah, $600 bones seems a bit steep. Thats the Buy it now price. Starting now bid is $459. And it looks like its in real good shape. I've been holding out for Boogie in the $500 dollar range. Mark III, IV's and 50 cal's seem to go for about that price. I've just read alot of good things about the 50 cal, but I need a push from my forum bros.
Click to expand...


I recommend the mark IV - that is my fav...I have never seen one for that price you mentioned; if you can find one that is in decent shape jump on it - I like it because of the versatility - goes from grind to a decent useable clean and does marshallesque tones, and has an awesome effects loop. My favorite music is stoner metal, grunge (AIC) and folk music and darn it all the bases are covered there. I would get either the 2x12 combo if you could find one, or the head and a 2x12 mesa cab...if you get something it is best to get what you will be happy with. I think having a closed back cab is best for heavy tones, but it is pretty cool to show up to a gig with your guitar in one hand and amp in the other. Don't get the 1x12 combo - it won't be loud enough to give the tone you want when considering the rest of the band and drummer imo...another thing to consider is wear and tear - age of amp, does it need new tubes etc...things that can eat up alot of extra $ for someone on a budget
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Happy Dude said:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mesa-Boogie-50-...ryZ43374QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

definitely a cool amp though ^^link you were talking about
Click to expand...
Yep, thats one of them. There's 2 up for auction right now.

I'm in no hurry so I can wait for a deal when it comes. I comb the local guitar shops on a weekly basis trying to find one I can plug into. But they usually have only Recto's. I also have a Mesa V twin pedal to put in front of it if I need more channels.

I too play alot of Stoner rock ala COC, Down with some Danzig, Cult and Type O in there.
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Boogie Bill said:
Well, I have five Mesa amps, and to be honest with you, I think I would pass on the .50+ for the kind of metal you are doing. Honestly, this amp will cover a wide range of styles--blues, classic rock, jazz and even country; but I just don't think it has the grind that you are going to want from an amp.

A DC-5, F-50 or a Rect-O-Verb combo would be a better choice. A Trem-O-Verb 212 combo, along with a 212 horizontal Recto cab will give you enough power and versatiliy to handle any gig.

Marshall makes some good combos, from the 40-watt DSL401 to the TSL601, -602, and TSL122.

And I'd look very closely at some of the Peavey stuff, too. I like their XXX, JSX, and the 5150 combo. The 5150 combo is one heavy MF BRICK of an amp, but...it has insane gain. If I didn't already have my Mesas, the JSX is one amp I would really be looking at.

Even though I'm a big fan of Mesas, the .50 Caliber is a bit limited in it's channel switching and tonal versatility. If you haven't played one FIRST, I would advise you to pass.

Bill
Click to expand...
Hey Bill, what do you think of the Mesa Nomad 55? Looks like a Rectoverb with 2x12's. Whats the dif?
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Dirtyking said:
Hey Bill, what do you think of the Mesa Nomad 55? Looks like a Rectoverb with 2x12's. Whats the dif?
Click to expand...

The Nomad Series has been discontinued, but is still a fine amp. The Nomads kind of grew out of the Dual Caliber Series, but also have some features incorporated from the Mark IV.

The Nomad 55 was available as a 112, 212, 410, and head configuration. The power section is 2X6L6s, while the Nomad 45 had 4XEL84s, and the Nomad 100 4X6L6s. The Nomad 100 also featured an assignable Graphic EQ, that makes it my favorite of the Nomad Series for its' added tone shaping ability.

While Mark IVs are SO loaded with bells and whistles, and enough switches to satisfy a 747 pilot; the Nomad is much more intuitive--the very first time I used a Nomad 100, I was able to dial in good tones on all three channels in less than five minutes.

The other advantage the Nomads have over previous designs is the three channels all have complete control sets. Channel 1 can do everything from pristine cleans to pushed blues; Channel 2 has more than enough gain for an old guy like me, used to overdriven Plexi tones; and Channel 3 has the INSANE gain of the Rectifier Series. The SOLO function is another really nice feature.

Though I don't own one, I do have a couple of nits with the Nomad. There is SO much power in these small-chassis amps, they can be hard on tubes. You MUST use good tubes. Most of the time when there is a problem, it is tube related.

Tonally, the lead channel has way more gain than I need, and it can sound fizzy on some of the amps I've played, which could be tube related. I did not notice this with the Nomad 100 and its EQ.

And, I HATE the knobs. Can't see where they are on a dark stage. Must change.

All in all, if I found a good deal on a Nomad, you bet I'd buy it!

Bill
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Thanks Bill, There's a Nomad 55 combo w/2x12's posted at $475 for the moment. I'm gonna watch this one the next couple days and see where it ends up.

Most of the .50 cal's I see are going for $500-600 depending on condition. And the Mark's I see are like $600 plus.

I played a Rectoverb combo that I liked except for the price tag. And I'm getting curious about the Peavey 5150 combo.

I just really like that fat Boogie tone.:bowdown:
 
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Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

if i were you i would go for a dc5.....independent channel controls and you can find used ones for 500$.............
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Boogie Bill said:
Well, I have five Mesa amps, and to be honest with you, I think I would pass on the .50+ for the kind of metal you are doing. Honestly, this amp will cover a wide range of styles--blues, classic rock, jazz and even country; but I just don't think it has the grind that you are going to want from an amp.

A DC-5, F-50 or a Rect-O-Verb combo would be a better choice. A Trem-O-Verb 212 combo, along with a 212 horizontal Recto cab will give you enough power and versatiliy to handle any gig.

Marshall makes some good combos, from the 40-watt DSL401 to the TSL601, -602, and TSL122.

And I'd look very closely at some of the Peavey stuff, too. I like their XXX, JSX, and the 5150 combo. The 5150 combo is one heavy MF BRICK of an amp, but...it has insane gain. If I didn't already have my Mesas, the JSX is one amp I would really be looking at.

Even though I'm a big fan of Mesas, the .50 Caliber is a bit limited in it's channel switching and tonal versatility. If you haven't played one FIRST, I would advise you to pass.

Bill
Click to expand...

Yeah i own a 50cal+ combo and i totally agree with this...blues, jazz, classic rock stuff it will do very nicely but contrary to a lot of things i've heard others say about the 50cal, i really don't think its much good for grinding metal stuff...at least not compared to what else you could get. I've heard people say that they thought it could do MOP tone and i think it would sooner launch itself to the moon than sound like anything off MOP!

Having said that i think its one of the best jazz amps EVER! That's what i've pretty much got it for...my jazzy bluesy combo. I would never use it for metal...however having said that if you put the right pedal into it you could probably manipuate it to being grindy enough...its definitely loud enough!
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

I don't know man, I have a .50 cal head and it definitely nails the metal tone for me, perahps now and again an overdrive pedal could push it further but it handles it all on its own. If you're playing COC or Down tunes bare in mind this is Pep's amp of choice/always has been, he just throws a tubescreamer in front of it. I'm thinking of picking up a .50 cal combo eventually too. . . . lugging around a halfstack everywhere can be a pain (figuratively AND litterally!!)
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

Actually, with a 412 I agree that the .50 can do metal--as the 412 is an integral part of that sound. I do think you'd need to pump up the gain a little more with a Boss Metal Zone, etc.

Boogies are voiced as LEAD GUITAR amps, for use in a group. They don't make for good solo guitar amps--they don't have enough bottom end--Boogie figures the Bassman and Keys live in that space, so the lows are deliberately cut back. The combo amp versions are great for jazz, blues, rock and country gigs. When I think Metal, though--I'd want that big 412 delivering that low end punch.

I have a Mark III head and Mesa Half-Back 412, so yeah, I know what a pain they are to carry around. I know that they are just overkill for a lot of clubs, and some people will start covering their ears, even before the amp ever gets turned on! My main gigging amp these days is either my Mark III or Mark IV 112 EVM combos, and I always like to pair them up with one of the Mesa 112 EVM Theile cabs. This makes for a nice little 1/4 stack that is very potent if I need it, punchy as heck, and still very portable.

So, I'm not surprised at all to hear of people doing Metal with a .50, but it's pretty evident that the head and 412 version is a better choice for this than a 112 combo alone.

Bill
 
Re: Mesa owners/players. 50 cal+ questions?

^^ whoa those are some awesome amp setups...I like the 1/4 stack look - probably 1 semi open cab and one closed cab? DirtyKing - you gotta update us on what direction you go
 
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