"After reading these posts I went to my amp (5:25) and started messing with the EQ. I still don't get the folks saying the EQ is not very active."
I don't think anyone said anything about the 5:25 series not having an active EQ, quite the contrary, I think most folks who have a 5:25 find the EQ section to be very responsive.
Those of us who have tone issues have 5:50s. Contrary to popular opinion, they are not the same amp. The 5:25s are EL84 amps while the 5:50s are 6L6 amps, and unless the folks at Mesa are wrong, even the circuitry is different.
Interesting side note, found a guy playing a 5:25 at the local guitar bar on open mic night. Had a good visit and got to take his rig around the block a few times. His 5:25 was quite different than my 5:50, and the EQ section was indeed very responsive, and it was a bone stock amp.
Talk to another 5:50 owner in GC Saturday, and he added +1 to the EQ in the effects loop cure. GC didn't have the EQ I was looking for, so I ordered one on-line. Will report back once we run it around the barn a few times.
Regards
Larry