robrocks said:
Newysurfer said:
The Express is a great amp but can't do Recto type distortion unassisted. For 50w combo's test out an F-50 or a Mk IV
Hello,
Newbie here but I was told by Mesa that the Express 5:50 could replicate the Dual Rectifier sound. I called them about 2 weeks ago asking about a good home amp that could still deliver the DR sound and he recommended the Express 5:50. Just throwing that out there.
Rob
Well this issue has been discussed many times on this forum and everyone who has an Express, or played one, agrees it doesn't go into Recto territory unassisted - no matter how you tweak the amp or whatever guitars are used.
We're also aware Mesa Corp are claiming different and that's clearly "total bollocks". Nothing unusual about that. You believe anything any company states at your own risk IMHO.
I've swapped tubes to get higher gain tones. That helped a fair bit. I use a closed cab, plus use guitars with both Humbuckers and SS PUP's and the 5:50 definitely will not do Metallica tones, Nu-metal or any other type of metal tones and doesn't get real close to what most people call Recto territory. Mesa are full of ****.
The Express will do a wide range of heavy distortion rock tones up to the hard rock level. Think Nirvana, Pearl Jam, AC/DCish. It does that just great like any Mesa except the Lonestar series.
If you want to go into Recto or metal territory you got 2 options
1) buy another amp
2) do what almost everyone else does and use a pedal or MFX.
Where the Express really shines is that it's clean channel is soooo great that it takes pedals and MFX's incredibly well. It's got a series loop, it's super versatile, it's very small, light weight, has the 5 or 50w option and is very cheap for a Mesa.
I personally don't see its lack of Recto type tones a drawback. It's superlative from clean, blues thru overdrive to hard rock and if you want metal put a pedal on it. That's a much better option than having a specialist high gain amp and then trying to get some great clean tones out of it. Pedals won't help you for that. Do you know any rock or blues player who never uses a pedal or MFX.
Have you ever heard another amp that has all the advantages of the Express - plus can do metal
Nope !! - that's cause no-one can make one