New Boogie day...

[ThePitbullofLove]

Did a little horse trading in a local Facebook group and came home with my first Mesa Boogie, today.


It's a Mesa Boogie Studio Caliber 1x12 combo. 20 watts, EL 84 powered, two discrete channels, reverb, (6) 12ax7's!


It's in really good shape. Has nice cleans that are almost Fender-ish, but can be dirtied up too. Lead channel goes from slightly hairy to a whole bunch of gain. Surprisingly loud and full sounding for 20 watts.






So any suggestions on tubes and settings? If I'm correct, aren't these the same amp as the DC2?


Got this one for a MIM strat. I like her so far...

[mantis]

WAY IN!! Congrats man. I'm on a quest to dig WAY DEEP into Mesa Boogie as I think is the next one for me.

[Number Of The Priest]

Hah. I have a Studio Caliber DC-2 and it says so right on the front panel where yours only says "Studio Caliber". Not sure why yours is missing the DC-2 label. Looks identical otherwise though. Google also reaffirms this.

Honestly I hate the dirty channel. I've never been able to dial in a good 80s sound and I think I've had the amp for 10-11 years. But, I have a Boss GT-6 that I plug into the effects return (bypassing the amp's preamp) for all my preamp needs. The DC-2 is basically just serving as a power amp and speaker.

Hope you enjoy yours though!

[lefty]

Great score! I've got a Studio .22 that's been played more than any amp I've ever owned.
These amps rule!

[Catharpin]

I had the exact same one and like NOTP said it had DC-2 after the "studio caliber" otherwise it is identical.
Loved that amp, sorry I sold it.
Responds really well to an OD/Dist pedal up front and a bit of delay in the loop.
I rewired mine to a serial loop.

[ThePitbullofLove]

Iirc, the DC2 is the Studio Caliber with the addition of a contour switch. From what I gather the 22 Caliber led to the Studio Caliber, which evolved to the DC2.

Anyway, gave the amp a workout last night at rehearsal. Kept up with a hard hitting drummer and a 5150 half stack. Didn't feel outgunned until we played a song in drop-b to end the night...could have used a few more speakers, lol.

She's pretty loud for a wee thing. Liking her so far...

[Catharpin]

Ah yes on DC2 the left switch is 3 way for rhythm, lead, contour

[Number Of The Priest]

I took for granted they all had the Contour mode. Still, it sucks (though not quite as bad as the regular lead channel) so I don't use mine for my dirty sounds.

[ThePitbullofLove]

It takes a bit more to dial in than a Marshall, but there are plenty of workable sounds on both channels. It's not a Marshall sound, but you can get some nice dirt tones.

[VitaminG]

congrats. I still regret not grabbing a .22+ at a great price way back when

[ThePitbullofLove]

congrats. I still regret not grabbing a .22+ at a great price way back when

This thing is sounding really good. Chose it over the 5150 II and JCM 800 tonight. Was crushing it...haven't even put it through a 4x12 yet. Can't wait to try it!

[toejam]

Very nice! Never had one of those, but I did own an F30 1x12 combo about 10 or so years ago that was based on the old Dual Caliber and Studio models. I love EL84 amps.

[ThePitbullofLove]

This is my first EL84. I'm kind of impressed.

[toejam]

I use a Carvin V3M now that's also EL84s.

[ThePitbullofLove]

I use a Carvin V3M now that's also EL84s.

Those are are sweet Amps! Carvin is underrated, imho