LSS vs Express 5:50

[A440]

Hey All,

I'm looking at coming back to Mesa B's again. I previously had a MKIII simulclass head with various cabs, and also a 50/50 power amp.

I finally got try out the LSS over the weekend, and was loving it's feel and tones, and SIMPLICITY. My only concern would be not enough clean headroom when running unmic'd.

I definitely don't need anything over 50 watts, and this is why I think the LSC would be overkill for my needs even though I can run it in 50 watt mode.

I was wondering how the express 5:50 might compare as far as clean tones and dirty tones....

 

[woody]

I have been thinking about the same thing, So now I'm thinking the lonestar classic might have more value to me, I know that the Special is a great amp,I might end up getting it anyhow, My only concern is if got enrough power

 

[Don]

I played them together when I bought my Express 5:50.

The Express 5:50 had great reverb and clean tones as well as good dirty tones. It's great for any kind of music, including very hard rock, but falls a tad short for most types of metal. It doesn't sound like a classic Fender or Marshall amp. It had more than enough clean headroom for my band.

The LSS had even better reverb and even better cleans than the 5:50! In fact, I think the cleans might even be as good, if not better than my '66 Vibrolux Reverb. It has less gain overall than the 5:50 but probably has enough for most players. It's a very classic sounding amp. I believe that it would've had enough clean headroom for my band.

It's also heavier and more expensive than the 5:50.

I went with the 5:50 because I wanted more gain than the LSS, a different sound than my classic Fender amps and couldn't handle the added weight of the LSS (I didn't want a head and cab).

If I didn't have the Vibrolux Reverb, I probably would've gone for the LSS because of it's incredible clean tone.

I don't regret my choice at all.

 

[Newysurfer]

I have a slightly different opinion on the Lonestar v 5:50.

On cleans & reverb I can't separate the two amps - very similar and both as great as each other.

Ditto on blues and light OD tones.

On distortion - 5:50 has significantly more gain so that makes it a much more versatile amp IMHO. Most rock players will need less pedals with the 5:50 so that saves you money.

The Lonestar has less background hiss but the 5:50 has no more noise than most tube amps.

The 5:50 is much lighter to transport and costs $500 less.

Test em both out and make your own decision

 

[jamme61]

the 5:50 IS KILLER(DO YOU SEE MANY FOR SALE? ) I had the LSC and sold it for the 5:50. the 5:50 is lighter and cheaper and has a fantastic clean channel and I llike the blues setting too. this is all I'll ever need.

 

[Alivefor5]

Just to balance things out here, I had a 5:50 1x12 and upgraded to an LSS 1x12 which is much better for me. Different strokes ... Blah..Blah..