muttznmongrelz
New member
Mesa Owners...what is the opinion on the Mesa 5:50 Express 1x12?
VERSUS
VERSUS
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Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
- Thread starter muttznmongrelz
- Start date
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
I have no idea about the Mesa but I love my JMP 2104 and there's no way I'd part with it.
Why are you thinking of selling? Is there any way you could keep the Marshall AND get the Mesa? :naughty:
I'm afraid you might regret parting with such a great amp.....
I have no idea about the Mesa but I love my JMP 2104 and there's no way I'd part with it.
Why are you thinking of selling? Is there any way you could keep the Marshall AND get the Mesa? :naughty:
I'm afraid you might regret parting with such a great amp.....
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
^^^That
^^^That
muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
That's what I have, a 2104. I can pick up the Mesa as well, just a matter of "rationalizatioin".
I've had the Marshall for 14 years now and it's a great amp...I suppose I am seeking a different tone...and you are right...it might be a regret down the road.
That's what I have, a 2104. I can pick up the Mesa as well, just a matter of "rationalizatioin".
I've had the Marshall for 14 years now and it's a great amp...I suppose I am seeking a different tone...and you are right...it might be a regret down the road.
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
I bought my first 2104 new in 1980 and sold it in the late 80s when I thought I needed two channels and reverb. I regretted that sale for years! So I bought another one in 2007 and this one is staying.
Have you tried running pedals through the low sensitivity input? - I've got some great different tones that way, though I always go back to a Les Paul straight into the high input!
I bought my first 2104 new in 1980 and sold it in the late 80s when I thought I needed two channels and reverb. I regretted that sale for years! So I bought another one in 2007 and this one is staying.
Have you tried running pedals through the low sensitivity input? - I've got some great different tones that way, though I always go back to a Les Paul straight into the high input!
muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
Yes Sir, that's what I do, never use the High Input and I get some great sounds out of it.
Yes Sir, that's what I do, never use the High Input and I get some great sounds out of it.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
The Express Plus is my favorite Mesa I've ever played. I had a hard time deciding between the 50 watter and the 25 watter, but I went with the 25 in the end.
That said, a JMP is a JMP. Don't expect to cop its tone with anything else.
With the Mesa, you'll never get your money back if you should ever sell. And if you were to track one down used, you'd actually save money.
With an old Marshall, you will always get your money back. And if you were to sell, and then track one down when you regret it (which you will), you will end up losing money because it will be worth more at that time than when you sold it.
I say get the Express...but don't sell the JMP to do it. Sell something else, or just save up bit by bit.
The Express Plus is my favorite Mesa I've ever played. I had a hard time deciding between the 50 watter and the 25 watter, but I went with the 25 in the end.
That said, a JMP is a JMP. Don't expect to cop its tone with anything else.
With the Mesa, you'll never get your money back if you should ever sell. And if you were to track one down used, you'd actually save money.
With an old Marshall, you will always get your money back. And if you were to sell, and then track one down when you regret it (which you will), you will end up losing money because it will be worth more at that time than when you sold it.
I say get the Express...but don't sell the JMP to do it. Sell something else, or just save up bit by bit.
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muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
Well...you're talking me down off the ledge on selling the JMP fellas!
Well...you're talking me down off the ledge on selling the JMP fellas!
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
Now lemme see here. You wanna trade a beloved JMP for a Messy Booger??
No.
Now lemme see here. You wanna trade a beloved JMP for a Messy Booger??
No.
muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
Well Hell...now that you put it THAT way.
Well Hell...now that you put it THAT way.
schecterplayer
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
Those Mesas are great amps, but put in a lot of thought before you sell an amp like that, you're going to have a hell of a time finding another for a good price if you change your mind.
Those Mesas are great amps, but put in a lot of thought before you sell an amp like that, you're going to have a hell of a time finding another for a good price if you change your mind.
Binnerscot
Well-known member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
A lot of Mesa amps will do damned near anything extremely well.......
....except sound like some of the classic amps like a JMP.
Keep the JMP and get the Express 5:50. You won't regret either of those choices.
A lot of Mesa amps will do damned near anything extremely well.......
....except sound like some of the classic amps like a JMP.
Keep the JMP and get the Express 5:50. You won't regret either of those choices.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
P.S. When you do get that Mesa, get the Plus model. WELL worth the extra 50 bucks.
Differences that I can spot:
- Instead of an adjustable, foot-switchable V-contour EQ preset, you get get a foot-switchable graphic E.Q. However, you can also choose to have the foot switch give you the V-contour setting instead (and it is still adjustable). Or you can set it so you get the EQ on one channel and the V-contour on the other. Waaaaay more useful than before.
- You get three power settings instead of two. The lowest one is 5W single ended class A. The middle setting is 25W push/pull class A. The high one is 50W class AB, of course. The old models only had the 5W and 50W settings. If I had known that the Plus models were coming, I would have got the 50W instead of the 25W, just for that 25W class A power mode. But, I can't complain, because I custom ordered the standard Express 5:25, and received an Express Plus instead. They were building my amp as the changeover occurred. Great addition IMO. It is like having a whole extra amp with its own character wedged in there in between the hi power and low power modes. Having that 15W class A mode there helps me to miss my Ampeg combo that this amp replaced a whole lot less.
- You get a foot-switchable clean boost (though you can't choose a different level of boost for each channel). Gets rid of the clean booster on your pedal board, if you have one.
Between the foot switchable EQ and the built-in clean boost, I have been able to reduce my pedal board to a tuner and a tremolo only. I got rid of the clean boost and treble boost pedals.
P.S. When you do get that Mesa, get the Plus model. WELL worth the extra 50 bucks.
Differences that I can spot:
- Instead of an adjustable, foot-switchable V-contour EQ preset, you get get a foot-switchable graphic E.Q. However, you can also choose to have the foot switch give you the V-contour setting instead (and it is still adjustable). Or you can set it so you get the EQ on one channel and the V-contour on the other. Waaaaay more useful than before.
- You get three power settings instead of two. The lowest one is 5W single ended class A. The middle setting is 25W push/pull class A. The high one is 50W class AB, of course. The old models only had the 5W and 50W settings. If I had known that the Plus models were coming, I would have got the 50W instead of the 25W, just for that 25W class A power mode. But, I can't complain, because I custom ordered the standard Express 5:25, and received an Express Plus instead. They were building my amp as the changeover occurred. Great addition IMO. It is like having a whole extra amp with its own character wedged in there in between the hi power and low power modes. Having that 15W class A mode there helps me to miss my Ampeg combo that this amp replaced a whole lot less.
- You get a foot-switchable clean boost (though you can't choose a different level of boost for each channel). Gets rid of the clean booster on your pedal board, if you have one.
Between the foot switchable EQ and the built-in clean boost, I have been able to reduce my pedal board to a tuner and a tremolo only. I got rid of the clean boost and treble boost pedals.
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muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
Ha! You and me both on the Mesa... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvatf2riOyM
Ha! You and me both on the Mesa... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvatf2riOyM
richard parker
Active member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
Rationalisation ? The rational thing to do is keep the Marshall and buy the Mesa. I've only ever owned two Marshalls that I thought were superb and the model you have was one of them. You will miss it like hell.
That's what I have, a 2104. I can pick up the Mesa as well, just a matter of "rationalizatioin".
Rationalisation ? The rational thing to do is keep the Marshall and buy the Mesa. I've only ever owned two Marshalls that I thought were superb and the model you have was one of them. You will miss it like hell.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
It's one thing that these Marshall amps sound a little one-sided and aren't very versatile. I could see selling, however the prices right now are not very good at all for 1979 JMPs, and with the combo you will probably be double-screwed.
If you give it up right now you don't only make an irreversible step, you don't get enough money to make it attractive.
If you are gassing for Mesa why not get something cheaper like a DC-3 or DC-5?
If volume is a problem, why not get a power soak or similar?
It's one thing that these Marshall amps sound a little one-sided and aren't very versatile. I could see selling, however the prices right now are not very good at all for 1979 JMPs, and with the combo you will probably be double-screwed.
If you give it up right now you don't only make an irreversible step, you don't get enough money to make it attractive.
If you are gassing for Mesa why not get something cheaper like a DC-3 or DC-5?
If volume is a problem, why not get a power soak or similar?
muttznmongrelz
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
I have managed to ride out the Mesa "G.A.A.S" for the 5:50 Express and will be retaining my JMP. I will be patient and look at picking up a Mesa after the end of the first quarter of next year.
Thanks for all the responses and opinions on the JMP. Much appreciated.
I have managed to ride out the Mesa "G.A.A.S" for the 5:50 Express and will be retaining my JMP. I will be patient and look at picking up a Mesa after the end of the first quarter of next year.
Thanks for all the responses and opinions on the JMP. Much appreciated.
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9unslin9er
New member
Re: Thinking of selling my '79 Marshall JMP / Buying a Mesa 5:50 Express
The JMP is probably my favorite Marshall ever. It even tops my AFD.
If I had one, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING, let alone a Mesa.
The JMP is probably my favorite Marshall ever. It even tops my AFD.
If I had one, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING, let alone a Mesa.
