paul w1

Hi guys i'm still after changing my TH30 head and cab for something smaller and easier to move about. I've been looking at the Mesa 5.50, i know these amps are well rated but can they match the crunch of my TH30 and more? thanks Paul.

Darkflame

I played a 5:50 (head cab version) and it just sounded cold to me. I tried every possible knob combination and couldn't get a sound I really liked. It was very frustrating, it was good sounding, but I always felt like I wanted more, it was always "Yes, I almost like this, it's just lacking some punch, some clarity, some warmth..."

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ragingkitty

What will your expected applications be like?

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paul w1

Thanks guys the amp will mainly used for home/band practice and the tones i'm after incl zz top G & R rhcp etc.

Blktiger0

I'm with Darkflame. I've tried many Mesas, and each one had things I liked about it and applications I could see it in, but the 5:50 and 5:25 were both quite meh. Easily my least favorite Mesa. There just wasn't anything about it that I really liked. The other guitarist of my band was considering one for a while, but he ended up getting a Rectoverb because he just didn't like the 5:50, and it was all he talked about before he tried it.

If it were me, I would keep the TH30 over the 5:50. If I were going Mesa and wanted nice, classic crunch and outstanding cleans, I would get a Lonestar. The 5:50 has a little more gain and a tighter bottom end, but I just wasn't impressed by it. It just sounds like Mesa tried to make a cheap amp that can do a little of everything but a lot of nothing.

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paul w1

Thanks very much that's a great answer.

Darkflame

Please give more details about what you want exactly though, such as a budget, and more accurate informations... Your last thread ended up with people from all around the world screaming in pain and telling you to keep the TH30 (and I was one of them). What do you want to change about it, besides the fact you feel like a head and a 2x12 are too big?

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MatrixClaw

Stick with the TH30, the Express series is the worst sounding Mesa I've used


If your 2x12 is too big to move, just buy a nice 1x12 (Bogner Cube, Mesa Thiele, Orange 1x12, Emperor 1x12, etc.).

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paul w1

You hit the nail on the head about about the head and cab being to big. I'm after and amp with some on board effects that i can pick up and put in the car without all the wires and pedals. That's why i was looking at the Mesa thinking maybe that would do it all. I was outbid on a 5.50 this morning on ebay it went for £670 so i suppose my budget would be about 1k and i'm happy to buy used.

Darkflame

How about getting a cheaper modeler with built-in effects and keeping your amp as well? You could get something like a 60 watt tube vypyr and be able to travel with that, then you wouldn't have to get rid of your TH30

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ihartfood

What you need is a Peavey Vypyr Tube 60, your post screams that

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paul w1

Thanks i will give it some thought.

ihartfood

you wouldn't necessarily need to sell your TH30 either.

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Cathbard

For ZZ-Top and GnR? What you need is a real Marshall. ie. NOT an MG or AVT/VS, something real like a JMP, JCM (not a TSL), etc.
Some form of tube Laney would do the deed too.

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