Express 5:50 review

[jamme61]

Wow, this is what it's all about, I love the clean channel too, and agree not a good amp for metal. Still I love the Blues setting on chn 2 and burn is good for my lead stuff(but I stay in the blues setting), reverb killer too (don't use reverb).If I were you I'd take it back before the 30 days, it dosen't sound like it's a good amp for you.

 

[CudBucket]

I own an RKII and was floored by the Express 5:50 2x12 combo I played. I didn't expect it to be a high-gain amp though. I just loved all the channels and the tone I got from it. I want one real bad.

 

[wilerty]

This is why they make vanilla and chocolate. I have the 2X12 version and love the clean, crunch, and blues, but rarely use the burn mode. The 5:50 replaced my Twin, so I'm coming from the opposite direction as you ... definately not high gain. The guitar can make a significant difference also. I primarily use a PRS Johnny Hiland and an American Deluxe Strat thru it.

Sounds like you need a more typical Boogie high gain amp with more power.

 

[NuSkoolTone]

Yup the 5:50 doesn't "Do" metal and is why I took it back.

Great alternative to the LSC though IMO.

Now if Only they could make them lighter and still be rugged/toneful.....

 

[jamme61]

I really love the express and am blown away by what you get for the money, it is my poor man lone star. one thing that i just added to my 5:50 1x12 is a celestion Vintage neo speaker. to me it sounds almost identical to the stk speaker and it saves over 10LBs in weight. Two of these in the 2x12 5:50 would be a great weight savings. I p/u these speakers when I had a DC30 and hurt my back.

 

[PC Biz]

Rabies, here's an idea:

Rectoverb head, 3/4 back Mesa 2x12 cab, V-Twin pedal.

I'm really thinking about this setup for the exact same reasons you mentioned above. I love the cleans on the 5:50, but a Recto it aint. The clean volume on the Rectoverb is excellent, too.

 

[Finnster]

I too want/need a small amp to tote around. I wish the 5:50 had the metal capability that the F-50 had. But the F-50 lacks the great clean/reverb that the 5:50 has. As always....you gotta rob Peter to pay Paul. I guess that's why they make MKIV's!

I played a 2X12 LSC this weekend and absolutely loved it unti I picked it up. That is one heavy amp :shock: Pricey too.

 

[Sling Blade]

What is your definition of metal? I play Metallica on my 550 all day and it sounds great. I even bought a Fulltone over drive for it, but find that I seldom need it or use it. I play along to some of Metallica's live stuff and to my ear it's right in the pocket. I know that live they are playing duel and triple recs. Do I need a Rec? Am I missing out on something?

 

[Steve P]

My 5:25 will do Iron Maiden & Judas Priest tones, although it probably wouldn't be ideal for the metal music created today.

I preferred the 5:25 over the 5:50 for the EL84 sound -- I think the clean gets close to Vox, and the crunch & burn gets close to Marshall (although both have that sweet Mesa twist!).

 

[Finnster]

What is your definition of metal? I play Metallica on my 550 all day and it sounds great. I even bought a Fulltone over drive for it, but find that I seldom need it or use it. I play along to some of Metallica's live stuff and to my ear it's right in the pocket. I know that live they are playing duel and triple recs. Do I need a Rec? Am I missing out on something?

Do you mind posting your settings? I would like to try them next time I head to the music store.

Thanks

 

[Sling Blade]

What is your definition of metal? I play Metallica on my 550 all day and it sounds great. I even bought a Fulltone over drive for it, but find that I seldom need it or use it. I play along to some of Metallica's live stuff and to my ear it's right in the pocket. I know that live they are playing duel and triple recs. Do I need a Rec? Am I missing out on something?

Do you mind posting your settings? I would like to try them next time I head to the music store.

Thanks

Yes sir not a problem. I ran down to the basement and checked it out. I fiddle with my setting a lot for some reason but here is where its set at as for now.

50 watts
8 ohms
Burn channel of course.
Gain=2 o'clock
Treble,Mid and base=12 o'clock
Reverb=7 o'clock
Contour=12 o'clock

Easy to remember hugh?
With the volume low you will get a thick creamy distortion.
After buying the Express I went back to the Mesa dealer. While I was there I tried a Roadster. I asked the sales person to set it up for the Metallica Black album tone for me. After reading this forum so much I was expecting the Roadster to sound so much heavier then my Express. IMO they sounded the same.

The louder you turn up the Express the tighter it will get. (As is with most amps I have come to find out.) That's is why I bought the overdrive. But now I have to admit the tighter distortion has grown on me. If I kick on the overdrive it just sounds muddy to me. If you listen to Metallica (live) they have a real tight distortion. It is not real fuzzy like say Black Label Society.

Typically I keep my volume at around 9 o'clock or lower. Any higher and the family starts to complain.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sling Blade]

the kind of metal I like includes (but not limited to) the metal bands in my signature.

Guess I am just an old man (32) I have not heard of any of those bands. Not saying their bad or unknown, guess I am just out of the loop.

But technically Metallica is not a Heavy metal band. Thier earlier stuff (which is what I like) is considered Thrash.

Correction- I have hed of Pantera. Didn't thay use the Boss Metal Zone? Or am I thinking of some other band? I know I was a big name though. Like Slayer maybe?

 

[Newysurfer]

So much whining about lack of metal high gain on the 5:50. Like Mesa have some responsibility to make another "one trick pony" metal amp. This amp is not for those you only ever play/use super high gain metal tones. Go for an F-50 if you only want that. Versatility is 5:50's biggest assett IMHO.

I fully agree the 5:50 is not a metalheads amp. That's why I use an Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff with it if I want those tones (sounds killer with it). So what - which one of you guys doesn't use a stomp or MFX ?? Check this site out

http://guitargeek.com/toprigs.php

it shows the rigs of many of our guitar heroes. These guys have the best rigs money can buy. See anyone there who just relies on their amp for tone ?? An amp has never made that nails every single tone. Get real & stop whinging :lol:

 

[NuSkoolTone]

So much whining about lack of metal high gain on the 5:50. Like Mesa have some responsibility to make another "one trick pony" metal amp. This amp is not for those you only ever play/use super high gain metal tones. Go for an F-50 if you only want that. Versatility is 5:50's biggest assett IMHO.

No one is "Whining", what they ARE is disappointed! The F-50 was a KILLER amp for it's price range though the tones were somewhat limited (IMO). Most were expecting boogie to take it to the "next level" which (TO ME and obviously others) meant EVERYTHING the F-50 could do and MORE, and to be frank the express simply doesn't measure up (no matter WHAT pedal you put in front of it, I tried!) compared to the chunkiness attainable on the F. What we got were Fantastic cleans/reverb, and the rest is "jack of all trades master of NONE!" For what I believe is the Express's intended market, there are simply OTHER amp companies most people would go to FIRST and would probably get a better product. I'm sorry, but I truly think they could have done better AND kept the heavier sound as an option. This is exactly why I took mine back and got an F-50 yet still wasn't satisfied until I got a MARK IV.

With the Exception of the LSC/LSS, Mark I, Blue Angel, Maverick, and Heartbreaker(?); if it's a BOOGIE most EXPECT it to have the chunk.

You don't have a use for the heavier sound and you like your Express. Good for you, we get it. But don't berate others because they had higher aspirations/hopes for this amp.

 

[Reg]

quote]


feature presentation: "metal is eat sh!t music, example #1":

Pig Destroyer - Piss Angel
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YP3Xmc8JMGE

badassssss

Wow. That was different and original! I had a sore throat like that once.
Got subtitles for that little ditty?

 

[Ad Nauseam]

Hey guys, I used to post under Regret but I forgot my password and have a new e-mail address so I had to register again. Guess I'm trying to say this isn't my actual first post even though I'm a bottle rocket again.

Ok back to the topic

I can play metal/heavy on express, f-series, nomad and dual calibers even though some of you think it's impossible.

I swear some of you must need metal zone tone to be satisfied.

I'm sick of ppl misleading others into thinking these amps can't do heavy.

I know I could use an express in my band no problem from the experience I had with it at the store and we play heavy music.

Heavy does not require ridiculous amounts of gain. Every mesa I've played has more than enough gain for me to sound brutal with passive pickups. Unless I pick way more aggressively than most, there should be enough gain and chunk for everybody that wants to play heavy and still have good tone.

The only mesas in production now that I would say aren't meant for playing metal/hardcore are the lonestars and mark 1, but I'm sure I could get through a gig with them and be happy.

Test these amps yourself before you write them off.

Sorry for the mini rant.

Robert

 

[NuSkoolTone]

I can play metal/heavy on express, f-series, nomad and dual calibers even though some of you think it's impossible.

I swear some of you must need metal zone tone to be satisfied.

I'm sick of ppl misleading others into thinking these amps can't do heavy.

I know I could use an express in my band no problem from the experience I had with it at the store and we play heavy music.

Heavy does not require ridiculous amounts of gain. Every mesa I've played has more than enough gain for me to sound brutal with passive pickups. Unless I pick way more aggressively than most, there should be enough gain and chunk for everybody that wants to play heavy and still have good tone.

I don't think anyone is going for a "Metal Zone" tone.

What are you playing as "Heavy Music"? Sure you can play it through an Express, but is it the best (or even close) amp for the Job? Most of us were expecting it to do that as well as the F and it simply doesn't. That's where the gripes are.

The issue is NOT a matter of Gain IMO, it's a matter of attack and chunk which is where the express IME failed miserably. There's plenty of gain. Perhaps mine was defective, but no matter HOW I Dialed it in all I got was Mush, no matter what volume. It sounded like a clean amp with an OD pedal on top of it.

Please post some clips of the "Heavy" Express. I'd love to become a believer! I'm in the camp that those that tell others "Sure, the Express can do metal" are misleading people to SERIOUS disappointment. Hence my post. And to be clear, I'm talking Metal starting at like Metallica etc...not the super brootal metal stuff.

As always YMMV, and the Express is a good amp (Except for Metal :lol