mikevirok said:
Ok everyone; I arrived home this evening with my new Express 5:50 in tote only to find the DC-5 at my doorstep!!! So, I was happy to plug the pair in and dial in some tones over a few hours and give them a good A/B'ing.
So, here's my review as promised... I'll post audio/video samples when possible.
DC-5 (1x12 combo)
Weighed in at approximately 59lbs.
My first impressions of the DC-5 were of simple amazement. I started the dials at 5 across the board (excluding volume) and started the graphic EQ at a gentle boost of the highs & upper mids and a slight boost in the bass to match. The clean channel on this amp left me with much to be desired. I just couldn't get the clean sound that I wanted (although I know I spent very little time with it in comparison to many of the veterans on this board). The EQ knobs were VERY sensitive to adjustments. It was nice to see an EQ that actually did some major tone shaping. But, this isn't quite my thing. I like the idea of a pre-gain EQ, and this amp was deviating too much from my normal approach to amps. The gain was incredible though. I was really taken aback by the fluid gain when I neared about 7 on the dial. It was really neat.
Express 5:50 (1x12 combo)
Weighed in at approximately 55lbs.
I have spent more time with this amp at GC over the past few days than the DC-5, so I'd have to admit that my notions of this amp may be a bit jaded due to the time put into tweaking in the store. But, I started it out the same way. Dials all set to five and I went for it. Although the DC-5 impressed me out of the box, the Express seemed to offer a more organic tone that I have become accustomed to. The clean channel on this amp is wonderful, and the blues setting offer just enough organic grit that wasn't as harsh as the DC-5's clean. The contour switches remained engaged an offered an extra amount of upper/lower "push" that I like in my final EQ'ing of my tone. I know that the knobs are all post-gain (at least I assume so) but they react more like they would if they were pre-gain. I like that a lot. This amp just seemed more comfortable to me & my playing style.
So the winner is: the Express 5:50
Don't get me wrong, the DC-5 is a great amp and if I could I would keep it in tow for recording or as a backup. But the Express has some qualities that I cannot pass on. The only thing it lacks is a master output control like the DC-5 has, but I can manage without one. That's what a sound-check is for, right?
You're a fortunate guy to be able to have both to A/B!
FWIW, having never played an 5:50 but having owned a DC5 for nearly a decade, you have to approach its tonestack (and that of older boogs, for that matter) with a diff mindset from, say, a Fender or like amp.
Clean channel:
May I suggest taking the GEQ out (assign it to the Lead channel), and start with the gain at 7 if you like a bit of hair around the edges, or lower if you want more spanky clean; treb 5, mid 2, bass 6-7. As you found out, the knobs actually shape very well, so subtle turns one at a time pays dividends. The mid knob is also a quasi-gain stage, so beyond 4 or so you're not adding more mids as much as you're introducing more mids+gain to the preamp section.
Lead channel:
Depending on your pups, start with gain around 3-4 for a more "classic rock" flavor; up to 7 or so for tighter/more saturated modern OD. Try treb at 5-6. mid 4-5, bass <5. Watch the bass control on this channel! Lower is better since this introduces bass at the preamp stage and it can get flubby (ugly) fast. This is where the GEQ kicks serious butt all over many of the newer boogs, IMHO. The GEQ is post-preamp, so tight bottom in spades is at your disposal here. Go easy on the middle fader as small movements up from center can get you into ZZTop midrange bliss, and below center can drop you into tight metal mayhem ...and everything in between, of course. As is the general "rule" with their controls, little movements go a long way.
As I said, I haven't yet tried the express line so you have that advantage there. But suffice it to say, my DC5 has earned "keeper" status long ago (along with some key tube swaps) because of its incredible tonal versatility as seems to be able to cover sooo much tonal ground. As many other pieces of gear has made their way out of my door over the years, this one has earned its keep
That said, I'd still be very interested in your impressions again if you're up to it
Edward
