ripoffriffs
Silver Supporting Member
- Messages
- 3,182
I recently purchased a 5:25 head from a TGP member. Deal went great! I am really impressed with the amp. The versatility of both channels, tone, etc. It even has that "touch sensitivity and bloom". 
But.... and it's a but as big as Jessica Simpson's. I am basing my rave review on house alone levels. Meaning I'm jamming at home theater loud levels as well as "everyone is asleep" levels. I jam using backing tracks and while I can turn it up loud it is still not matching a live band gig situation.
I don't have a band right now. ($10,000 Reward: a decent bass player & drummer that will commit time and effort to a band. Must be very good players and professional attitude and reside in my area.... I won't hold my breath.) So I can't judge this amp on how good it will cut through a live band setting.
I've been burned by Mesas before. Years ago, I had a Nomad 45. Sounded great when playing by yourself. Couldn't cut through in a live band situation. And compensating with more volume is not the solution. For me, it took a Dr Z Route 66 (with an attenuator no less) to cut through the mix and do a man's job. Too bad a 66 does not have enough gain for me. I've seen other players struggle with cutting through the mix using the popular Dual Rectos. And they compensate by turning up and it just doesn't work!
For home jamming, the 5:25 is a keeper. More versatile than everyone's current darling: Egnater Rebel. But deep in my gut I'm afraid to take her out of the house and throw her in with the bass, drummer, and god-forbid another guitar player to compete with.
For those that gig or rehearse with the Express Series (5:25 or 5:50) can you please provide a review in that context? I don't want to have to spend extra dollars on a Dr. Z Galaxie (+ attenuator) if an Express can do the job.
Don't be afraid to say it can't do the job.
Thanks very much.
But.... and it's a but as big as Jessica Simpson's. I am basing my rave review on house alone levels. Meaning I'm jamming at home theater loud levels as well as "everyone is asleep" levels. I jam using backing tracks and while I can turn it up loud it is still not matching a live band gig situation.
I don't have a band right now. ($10,000 Reward: a decent bass player & drummer that will commit time and effort to a band. Must be very good players and professional attitude and reside in my area.... I won't hold my breath.) So I can't judge this amp on how good it will cut through a live band setting.
I've been burned by Mesas before. Years ago, I had a Nomad 45. Sounded great when playing by yourself. Couldn't cut through in a live band situation. And compensating with more volume is not the solution. For me, it took a Dr Z Route 66 (with an attenuator no less) to cut through the mix and do a man's job. Too bad a 66 does not have enough gain for me. I've seen other players struggle with cutting through the mix using the popular Dual Rectos. And they compensate by turning up and it just doesn't work!
For home jamming, the 5:25 is a keeper. More versatile than everyone's current darling: Egnater Rebel. But deep in my gut I'm afraid to take her out of the house and throw her in with the bass, drummer, and god-forbid another guitar player to compete with.
For those that gig or rehearse with the Express Series (5:25 or 5:50) can you please provide a review in that context? I don't want to have to spend extra dollars on a Dr. Z Galaxie (+ attenuator) if an Express can do the job.
Don't be afraid to say it can't do the job.
Thanks very much.