Mesa DC-5 or .50 Cal?

[fritzreiser]

I would like to purchase a 20-50 watt tube combo that gets excellent 80s metal crunch, i.e. Scorpions/Maiden/Priest. I am torn between the DC-3/5 and the .50 cal/Studio .22 Any thoughts on the tones of each?

[Venomboy]

Re: Mesa DC-5 or .50 Cal?

I have a DC5 head (it's for sale too!). It has a great tone, especially thru a 4x12. With the 5 band eq it's very versatile. It's great for classic metal tones. The clean channel is also very nice. I have not played a 50 or 22 caliber though.

[eaeolian]

Re: Mesa DC-5 or .50 Cal?

I think the DC-5 - especially w/the EQ - sounds better than the 50 cal. However, I'm a Recto guy. If you're a Mark guy, the 50's probably a better bet.

Mike

[Dreamland_Rebel]

Re: Mesa DC-5 or .50 Cal?

here's the deal. there are 2 .50 cal amps. the .50 cal (4, el84's ver) and the .50 cal + (2, 6L6's ver) the DC-5 is the newer ver of the .50 cal +.

what you want is the the 50. cal EL84 ver. these little amps smoke!!! the el84's give you that warm 80's metal sound much more so than the 6L6's colder, bassier tone. the easiest way to tell the + from the older ver is the older ver has silver toggle switches and the newer + ver has black plastic rocker switches.

don't get me wrong they are all great amps, but the original .50 cal is the one.

[fritzreiser]

Re: Mesa DC-5 or .50 Cal?

Originally posted by Dreamland_Rebel:
here's the deal. there are 2 .50 cal amps. the .50 cal (4, el84's ver) and the .50 cal + (2, 6L6's ver) the DC-5 is the newer ver of the .50 cal +.

what you want is the the 50. cal EL84 ver. these little amps smoke!!! the el84's give you that warm 80's metal sound much more so than the 6L6's colder, bassier tone. the easiest way to tell the + from the older ver is the older ver has silver toggle switches and the newer + ver has black plastic rocker switches.

don't get me wrong they are all great amps, but the original .50 cal is the one.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks for taking the time to explain that to me, bro. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] That is exactly how I needed to hear it.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

Re: Mesa DC-5 or .50 Cal?

no problem

[data187]

Re: Mesa DC-5 or .50 Cal?

i have a mesa nomad 45 for sale that fits the bill. 45 watts, 3 channels, plus solo boost. great sounding amp, very versatile.