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Very interesting, so I just did the same on my amp (also 5:25). I got the following results the the power usage while silent: Push-pull mode: 53W Single-ended mode: 49W Some other time I am going to check the power usage while playing loudly, to see how high it goes.

If you are interested, you could check out a program called The Duncan Tone Stack calculator: http://www.duncanamps.com/tsc/ It allows you to see graphs that describe how the tone controls in different type of amps affect the signal. For example: On the Fender Tone Stack, if the bass and...

I agree with you that it would be better to be able to adjust the MV without having to compensate on the effects in the loop . I will think about the possibility of modding my own Express (move the MV and maybe add a FX send level pot if necessary). But I would like to understand more about...

In addition to the five-pin DIN, the Express has four 1/4'' jack connectors on the back: channel, reverb, ch1 contour and ch2 contour. I am using them with mono-jack plugs, and I'm not sure why they would need to be stereo? So a switching unit should work fine if it can change between open and...

Hi! Good idea to buy the Mesa Boogie cable. On an ordinary 5-pin DIN cable, the metal cylinder around the pins is not connected to anything. In the Mesa Boogie plug is is used as well. I used a 5-pin DIN plug together with an ordinary computer network cable. I had to connect the cable to all...

The 120V version of the amp only uses a 1A slow blow fuse, so it does not draw more than around 120W. I currently use it successfully through a 100W step-down transformer, although I am going to change to a 300W model to make the sure it holds up if I crank the amp for more than a few seconds...

Hi John! If you are sure the amp is receiving the correct voltage, maybe a damaged tube is to blame? I would try to start it up without any tubes. Is this an amp that you have recently received and have not yet gotten to work? New or used? If the amp blows the fuse without any tubes I guess a...

There was a thread by a guy that had modded his Express combo. He had included e.g. a bias pot and changed the power & footswitch cable connecton plugs. Those things could also be done on the head version. He hadn't done anything with the clean/crunch or blues/burn settings, though. If you...

I got the Tonelab ST in the post today, and I've had a few hours with it. Up to now I find it quite promising. I made some quick test recordings like this: PRS Johnny Hiland -> Tonelab ST -> Fostex MR8HD. Other than amp and cabinet modelling, I only activate the reverb on the Tonelab. Improv...

Thanks for pointing me to your recording, you sure do get some fine tones with that setup. I will get myself such a post-amp DI box eventually, maybe the Palmer PDI-09 since they are supposed to be good. For "informal" recording and practicing without the amp, I decided to order a Vox ToneLab...

Thanks gonzo, that is a sensible solution and I am interested in doing the same thing since I am having a bit of trouble getting a good recorded tone when mic'ing my cabinet. Maybe my condenser mic is the culprit. Maybe I should mention that in this case it doesn't have to sound as good as when...

Hi! I would like to ask for some recommendations for small tube-driven (12AX7) guitar preamps that are designed to give a good tone when connected directly into a recorder, and preferably with a built-in reverb and headphone output. It should be able to provide a tube-driven overdrive, and I...

I decided to try it, connecting FX send to a line input on my Fostex HD recorder. To break the amp's internal signal chain I had to connect an unused jack to FX return. Unfortunately, it turned out that there was still a significant signal going through to the power amp on channel two. Around...

Hi! I was considering buying a digital guitar amp modeller for silent practice/direct recording (e.g. pod) until I thought of the idea of using only the preamp section of my Express 5:25. So I would like to try to record the signal from FX send on my Express 5:25, without generating any sound...

Thanks MrMason, but actually the thing was that I was surprised that the active channel was determined by the footswitch not only in the middle switch position, but also in the up position. At least on my amp. I checked inside the amp to see how the switch is actually connected, and it seems to...

I got a reply from Mesa and it seems that this behaviour is by design. Personally I find it somewhat strange, but I'm happy as long as nothing is broken.

Hi! I think something is wrong with the channel switching on my Express 5:25. The footswitch changes between channels while the channel switch on the front of the amp is set to channel 1. If set to channel 2, the footswitch has no effect, as expected. It also works correctly when the switch is...

Hi! I usually run my Express 5:25 in 5W mode, so it only uses one of the power tubes. Will it have any adverse effects on the amp if I take the other tube out? It seems a bit unnecessary to have the other tube there, especially since it is glowing, which presumably reduces its lifetime? But I...

I reversed the order of the preamp tubes, and now the 5W mode is not weak at all... In addition, the sound is OK now. The only thing is that I no longer get much overdrive. I guess this means that it is highly likely that a change of preamp tubes is in order, and everything will probably be...

No important difference after changing to new Mesa output tubes.