What power amp to with a studio pre?

[FastRedPonyCar]

I'm waiting for "themailmanpsycho" to get back to me about buying his studio pre but I'll also need a power amp to go with it.

'm shooting for an authentic mark tone so I want to get a mesa amp to match up with the preamp.

I know the 2:90 is the bad mamma jamma and all that but through searches here, I've read that it's just retarded loud and I don't play gigs where I need stupid quantities of volume at my disposal. I DO plan on running it stereo with my gmajor's stereo effects and a pair of 2X12's so I'd be using both channels of the amp.

I've heard that the old 50/50 has a more desirable sound than the 2:50 and that some people even prefer the 2:20 with the EL84's over the higher wattage versions but I'm not sure if that would give me the tightness and the power I need for the chunky metal stuff (but I'm sure I could be wrong).

So anyways, some of you mesa power amp owners, speak up. What are the pros/cons of the different mesa amps?

I'm shooting for a ballpark petrucci "score" tone and I know he used 2:90's but I'm also not planning on filling stadiums any time soon.

How reliable are the 50/50's? Any specific problems that they're known to have?

 

[Bobby Marshall]

I have been using a Peavey 50/50 power amp (has eight EL84 power tubes). It sounds awesome, when it works. I am having issues with the volume going up and down. Need to get her fixed. But like I said, when it works it is great. I have seen many other Studio Pre owners that use this power amp.

I recently picked up a Mesa Boogie 295 Simul Class Stereo Power Amp and run with all 6L6 power tubes. This amp sounds great with the Studio Pre as well. I like it just as much as the Peavey. A little fuller sounding.

Just remember, your cabinet is going to have a big effect on your sound. I have a Mesa 4x12 halfback and a Mesa 1x12 3/4 back and my rig sounds different depending on which one I am using.

The other differences are the Peavey can run mono or stereo and when running stereo it can also run any combination of 16, 8 and 4 ohm cabinets. I usually run the Peavey mono (100 watts) into the 4x12.

Do a search on here for the words studio and power and you can find many other opinions on the studio pre with different power amps.

Happy Holidays.

Bobby

 

[reo73]

I use a Mesa 50/50. Sounds great, no complaints here.

 

[FastRedPonyCar]

I've got 2 cabs I'm wanting to use with it. One is an earcandy buzz bomb 2X12 and the other is an avatar 2X12.

 

[M_anstrom]

Right now I run my studio pre into the power amp in on my Peavey VT Classic 4x10 50watt. It sounds great, my only complant is its an open back and not as tight sounding as I want but still great.

 

[mxr2000]

I'm waiting for "themailmanpsycho" to get back to me about buying his studio pre but I'll also need a power amp to go with it.

'm shooting for an authentic mark tone so I want to get a mesa amp to match up with the preamp.

I know the 2:90 is the bad mamma jamma and all that but through searches here, I've read that it's just retarded loud and I don't play gigs where I need stupid quantities of volume at my disposal. I DO plan on running it stereo with my gmajor's stereo effects and a pair of 2X12's so I'd be using both channels of the amp.

I've heard that the old 50/50 has a more desirable sound than the 2:50 and that some people even prefer the 2:20 with the EL84's over the higher wattage versions but I'm not sure if that would give me the tightness and the power I need for the chunky metal stuff (but I'm sure I could be wrong).

So anyways, some of you mesa power amp owners, speak up. What are the pros/cons of the different mesa amps?

I'm shooting for a ballpark petrucci "score" tone and I know he used 2:90's but I'm also not planning on filling stadiums any time soon.

How reliable are the 50/50's? Any specific problems that they're known to have?

why is the mesa 50/50 is a better unit than a mesa 2:50?

 

[CudBucket]

I've got a 50/50 for mine and pump them through a Mesa 4x12 traditional.

Me likey. I dig the Petrucci tones so this setup and my Road King II get me in the ball park.

Drew, I just realized it was you asking about the PA. The 50/50 is built like a tank. True stereo with output and presence on each side. I got mine for $465 in stupid clean condition.

The dude who sold it to me did a shitty job packing it so I got it with one bent rack-ear corner. It worked perfectly so I kept it and fixed the corner by straightening it out, sanding the area and re-shooting flat black Krylon. You can even tell it was fixed except for a hint of a tape line where I masked when I sprayed the paint.

The 20/20 is a good option too but for some reason, cost more used than the 50/50. For the Score tone, you've got a great start with the Studio. John ran that through a Recto power section so you need 6L6s. If you can find one, you can get a 2:50 as well.

Dave

 

[M_anstrom]

Right now I run my studio pre into the power amp in on my Peavey VT Classic 4x10 50watt. It sounds great, my only complant is its an open back and not as tight sounding as I want but still great.

Now I run my preamp through a Rivera S-120 half stack with EL34's and EV pro speakers. very bassy but nice and tight...

 

[killbyphone]

I use my Studio Preamp with a Mesa 2:100 Stereo Rectifier Poweramp in Modern Mode. Combines Mark Sweetness/Vintageness with a perfect blend of agro Recto attitude.

From dirty clean to Perfect-palmuting till over-the-top take-no-prisoners fuzz.

:twisted:

Greetz,
Chris

 

[PC Biz]

I use my Studio Preamp with a Mesa 2:100 Stereo Rectifier Poweramp in Modern Mode. Combines Mark Sweetness/Vintageness with a perfect blend of agro Recto attitude.

From dirty clean to Perfect-palmuting till over-the-top take-no-prisoners fuzz.

:twisted:

Greetz,
Chris

I second the 2:100. You can pull two tubes from each side to power it down to 50 watts per channel, essentially giving you a 2:50. However, the 2:100 has the Modern mode, which is THE Recto sound. The sound just wraps around you and swallows you whole.

 

[killbyphone]

The sound just wraps around you and swallows you whole.

You nailed it!

 

[Boogafunk]

while i don't own one, i play bass opposite a quad/siml-290 rig 2-3 times a week. i will say it is definately retarded loud, and it is also retarded heavy. however it is super tight and sounds absolutely fab. my guitarist used a 2-20 for a month or two. it was easier to get the volume down but it just didn't have the punch of the 290. it had a sweet sound but if you're into super chunk or ice clean it's not for you.

bottom line the 290 is the best i've heard with the quad, and it is possible to get lower volumes that sound good. however it's just a tiny amount of knob turning that will get you from, i can't hear it, to, i can't hear.