Should I trade for my DC5 4 a Maverick, Blue Angel or 22+

[Allmostawake]

Over the last nearly 40 years I've owned a bunch of Boogies (Mk I & II, SOB, Maverick, Tremoverb, and Studio 22+). I grew up in Marin and worked for the Dead, Santana and a whole bunch of other Bay Area bands using Boogies. And have known Randall since 1972. I no longer live in Marin but up in Seattle now and can't just drop by the shop and pick their brains as I've done in the past. So I'm at a crossroads with my current MB amp, the DC5. It does a lot of things well but it does not do the most important thing to me well enough... which is large headroom really warm clean like the Tremoverb. Something akin to mid 60's Black Face. Even though most all of those amps are class AB I've always been drawn to class A for that just pushed and going into compression sound of class A amps. So.... being a Rock & Roll, R & B & Blues player ( no really high gain stuff) should I try to trade my current DC5 for the Maverick, Blue Angel or 22+. It's been ten years since I owned the other amps I mentioned so I need a little input from people who are coming from the same place in regards to musical styles. And have used these amps recently. Which will serve me best. I don't much anymore but I do Blues Jams and and pl;ay out a few times a year. Oh, I will be looking to trade with maybe a little cash. Otherwise I would just buy a new Lonestar and be done with it. But right now I can't, maybe next year.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

I was about to say Lonestar, but....


I have had the 22+ w/GEQ, really nice amp, but I would not say that it had headroom.

I just sold my Blue Angel. These sound incredible, but there is a huge amount of hiss associated with them, or at least the one I had. They are made to breakup though and will not get any louder, only sweeter after about 9:00 on the volume.

I've never owned a Maverick.


I have had a DC-5 and it sounded really nice to my ears, but I chose the DC-10 over it because the 2x12 sounded way bigger.

Have you tried new tubes in your DC? These amps really respond well to tube changes. I also installed a Cathode/Fixed Bias switch in mine. The Cathode Bias switch cut down on the headroom, but really warmed the amp up.


I am thinking that new tubes, maybe from Bob at Eurotubes will make your amp sound brand new again and you will find the headroom you are looking for. The other amps you mentioned won't have as much headroom as the DC.

I usually run my Gain at about 4 or 5 and the Master at about 7 or 8 on the lead channel and it sounds like Gary Moore and Godzilla in a battle to the death.

 

[212Mavguy]

Think that you will find the Maverick to be perfect for your uses, if a bit heavy on the weightlifting side of things. Guess that is what a dolly is for, huh? I love mine. The bright side of the clean channel is designed for headroom. The fat side of the clean channel is blues tone to die for. The lead channel responds well to preamp tube rolling, which improves the tone over the stock setup. That amp is designed especially to cover your described musical tastes. Does a nice fender style clean too. You might also enjoy looking at the Mav's owners manual online, that is a great way to get reaccquainted with any Mesa amp's features and strengths. The Maverick is known for providing some of Mesa's nicest sounding reverb and clean tones within the entire amp lineup past and present...

 

[Monsta-Tone]

What is the Lead channel like, compared to the LSS?

I love the LSS, but hate the delay in Reverb when changing channels.

 

[RR]

... do you like your Trem-o-Verb? I get the impression you do.

Read the manual of a Maverick the way it is configured (channels, mode switch, rectifier switch etc ...) Although both amps are different in tone, its structure / configured is pretty much the same principle except the ToV has cloning and tremolo. ToV has the higher gain but that is not your intent with the Maverick.

Seems like the Maverick is gear for mild to moderate gain which I assume is what you are looking for. Actually I'm a waiting list from a local seller on craiglist. He too owns a ToV and his practice amp is his Maverick but he saids he does not need the Maverick since his band rehearses and he uses the ToV.

 

[lyman]

+1 on 212mavguy's post. you can get nice headroom for sure, even with the tube rectifier (which I only use). for cleans i use the bright switch setting with humbuckers, and the fat setting with single coils. but with my strat or 335, if you set it to fat and turn up the gain and mids it gets a nice smooth crunch.

and like monsta-tone says, the 22+ isn't going to give you a ton of headroom. especially at a band volume. i used to have one too. it's a cool amp, though.

the other amps you mentioned i'm not too familiar with. i know you said you're not in a position to get a lone star, but if that changes you could sell the dc-5 (rather than trading it in) and not take too bad of a hit. they aint cheap, that's for sure.

i bet you've got some interesting stories about working for the dead and santana...

 

[Murphy Slaw]

My Blue Angel is as quiet as a church mouse. Zero hiss. I have no idea what that's about.

Headroom is perfect for me. I play clubs, medium I guess 150/300, sometimes larger. I rarely or never mic unless outside, and the breakup is right where I want it w/4;EL84's.

I drop it to 6V6's a few times a night and dime it for a saturated lead that is not annoying, and I can control with the guitar volume.

Huge fan of a non master amp. And I love EL84's.

Best to ya.

Murph.

 

[Allmostawake]

The DC5 is a great amp, but I think that you guys are right, if I want the clean sound and a killer blues tone I should go for the Maverick and maybe the Blue Angel. The ToV was the best of all worlds except it was 100 lbs. I miss all the amps I've owned over the years each had something it really did well.

So next question is how much should I value my amp in an attempt to get either the Mav. or B.A. ? In the early 90's I paid a $975 for the DC5 which is just about the same price as the amps I want now. Is my DC5 desirable enough to the people on this board that I might expect a straight trade? What should I reasonably expect?

You all have been a big help and I appreciate it. And yes the stories I could tell "would burn off both your ears" But I paid a very high price and almost died from an overdose while "hangin with the BIG BOYS" Some very talented and truly gifted musicians for sure, but many were world class delinquents, flakes and junkies. And DEAD long before their time!!

Take my advice and stay away from the insanity that is rampant in the music scene. Take lots of lessons and actually learn how to play your instrument. Unless of course all you want to do is downstroke a 4/4 beat. And develop a sense of discipline for your craft. And you will go far and have a greater appreciation of what music has to offer. Just my two-cents from decades of experience. You can ignore this last paragraph if you like.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

I bet that you could find someone to trade for a BA or a Mav. Post it in the Boogie Classified's and see what happens. I've done some really great trades and gotten some really good deals here.

I think (not certain) that the Mavericks and the DC-5's are about the same value. Between $600 & $750 depending on condition. Could be wrong though.