Boogie Express 525 & 550 side by side test: Bottom End ?

[elkabong]

I just went & tried a Boogie Express 525 & 550 side by side.
Both were '1x' (10" & 12" )combos.
Is it just me, or does the 550 have WAY MORE Bottom end?
If so, is this all due to the 12" speaker ?
The difference is actually QUITE noticeable; it's not subtle at all...

Anyone else experience this with these two amps ?
Thx !

 

[JAZZGEAR]

You need to look again.....the 5:25 is a 1x10 Combo, while the 5:50 is a 1x12 :shock:

 

[elkabong]

Oops ! Yes, I realize the 525 is a 1x10 combo.
My typo error.. I've corrected it.
Thanks !

 

[edward]

I have tried neither of these, but I have owned EL84 amps, currently own a boogie with 6L6s, and also a Simul Mark with EL34 outers ...and I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night

One of the core tonal characteristics of 6L6s are large, round bottoms. By contrast, EL34s (and their little brother the EL84s as in the 525) have a decidedly more mid-to-uppermids voice to them. Some say "shimmery," others sa "british" ...whatever. Now compound these basic differences with the 10" vs 12", then add to that diff cab size, plus the extra punch of a 50watt output transformer, and you've accumulated quite a few differences than "just" the speaker. Does that help?

Edward

 

[elkabong]

It does ! Thanks for the input Edward.
now, to compliacte matters even worse, a friend of mine ha offered me his Lonesatr Special for 'dirt cheap'..but I think I actually prefer the Express 550. I think it has higher gain than the Lonestar Special?...

BTW... What's the Holiday Inn got do with anything ??? (LOL)

 

[edward]

LOL ...sorry. The holiday inn reference was to a TV commercial some time ago ...if you stayed in one, you, too, could be an "expert" in your field since you were sooo well rested

The LSS is a very cool amp, but like any boogie, it has a voice of its own. You either love it, kinda like it, or it just isn't for you. I'll give you an example ...some time ago, I recall lots raving about the cool tones and small package of the Subway amps. I tried it. Eh! Didn't do anything for me. Even through my Thiele, it just wasn't "my" tone. Sold her. If the 5:50 is "you" then get it. If the LSS isn't "you" then what's the point of getting a good deal on it. ...IMHO anyway
Try them if you can with your axe, then go with your heart, and ears

Edward

 

[Newysurfer]

It does ! Thanks for the input Edward.
now, to compliacte matters even worse, a friend of mine ha offered me his Lonesatr Special for 'dirt cheap'..but I think I actually prefer the Express 550. I think it has higher gain than the Lonestar Special?...

BTW... What's the Holiday Inn got do with anything ??? (LOL)

I've used a few Lonestars several times including the Special. Great amps for clean players. The 5:50 delivers more gain. Not good or bad - just different

 

[Heavyzandt]

Hey, My 5:50 2 x 12 was the one for me. I too tried the LSS and the LSC and the....... none of them sucked and were all very nice. The 5:50 made the show for me. The 2 x 12 was another bonus for more girth on the low end. The weight is a bear but the casters help. Very nice and versatile amp. If I need even more gain I've really had some good sounds with the Fulltone OCD. This has been a rockin' s/u. Later. 8)