New Mesa Boogie Express amps [Archive] - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

pbognar

02-09-2007, 08:55 AM

I just discovered them on Boogie's web site.

I happened to go to my local Boogie dealer and I asked about them - they said that at NAMM, if the store put in an order at the show, they'd have them by late January... Still nothing though.

So the other point is that they must have had a presence at NAMM, but I haven't heard anything from anyone at NAMM about these amps.

Check the Mesa Boogie web site, but apparently, these amps are replacing the "F" series. They have a 25 watt version going into a 10 and a 50 watt version into a 12 or 2x12. More flexibility than the "F" series :D , but I won't give everything away - check out

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Express/ExpressMAIN.htm

The prices are about the same as the "F" series. I know it would add to the cost, but would it kill them to put a MIDI in jack in there, rather than having to buy a MIDI to 1/4" relay system to make changes. :mad:

Pete

Gus Lozada

02-09-2007, 10:27 AM

See this:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1530975

I was at MESA's booth and took some pics.
You'll also find pricing -it is in spanish, but you can ask me-

Gus

Norton666

02-09-2007, 10:48 AM

The prices on the Express stuff is quite a bit higher than the F series stuff. We got our first shipment in a couple weeks ago and IMO they dont sound anything like the F series. The 10" combo goes for $1049 whereas the F-30 was $939 with a 12" speaker.

pbognar

02-09-2007, 11:30 AM

See this:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1530975

I was at MESA's booth and took some pics.
You'll also find pricing -it is in spanish, but you can ask me-

Gus

Thanks Gus.

I should have looked in the HC Guitar Amp forum before I posted...

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1507690&highlight=boogie+express

It sounds like a lot of people are really excited about these replacements of the "F" series - especially the 5/50 watt model. A couple of improvements over the "F" series - separate contour knobs (not switches) which are basically set to a V graphic eq setting, but you can set the intensity of the V with the knob. Also each channel has a couple of modes, there is a 5 watt class A switch. Sounds like this is going to be a hit.

Although, I wouldn't mind if everyone started selling there F-30/F-50's :D

Pete

mandoman

02-09-2007, 01:57 PM

Nice to see they have all tube reverb, that was a lacking
feature on the f-series (it had reverb, just not tube reverb).

Paroxysm

02-11-2007, 02:59 PM

All the posts I read on here and the Mesa forum about the Express gain aren't looking too good :(

Strat N My Stuff

02-11-2007, 03:20 PM

Paroxysm

02-11-2007, 05:10 PM

^ not metal type gain is a little bummer still. I don't need "brutal" gain though.

Maybe I should just head down to the GC in Denver and hear for myself what it can do.

Celik

02-13-2007, 09:05 AM

any videos off these amps would like to see them in action to get some idea ?

HKSblade1

02-13-2007, 09:43 AM

You would think they would since Marshall has started adding videos. :freak:

pbognar

02-13-2007, 10:08 AM

I wouldn't say that. I've been reading on it for about a month. I think it depends what your looking for. I was considering the LSS but comments seem to state that the express has a better gain, more versatility towards solos, where the LSS is more blues oriented. Not metal type gain, but strong enough for rock.

I hope to be able to try one this week... As stated, the Express is a successor to the "F" series and designed to be more versatile. From what I've read, I think it will be a great "weekend warrior" type of amp. It sounds like Mesa Boogie is really trying to listen to users comments on the "F" series, and address some issues.

The switchable contour knobs will hopefully create even more sparkly cleans and the option of scooped mids on the dirty channel. The resounding response from users was that they missed the graphic eq, and not being able to do a V setting (not something I'd want, but...) - how much more can you expect from a combo amp.

If it were up to me, I'd love to see an amp like the Express with an ultra clean with switchable blues setting channel, and then a dirty channel with a classic crunch, with switchable smooth sustaining overdrive setting. Volume boosts all around. And make it MIDI switchable!!!

Pete

Strat N My Stuff

02-14-2007, 03:42 PM

pbognar

02-14-2007, 04:38 PM

Pete, I agree. I found out that my closest GC (1 hr.) wont be getting the Expresses for a while. They have a wood trimmed LSS in stock......My GAS has led me to set up an a/b of the LSS and F-30 for Friday am. While I believe the Express would meet my needs, it is going to be hard to wait! Unless the LSS is less impressive than I have heard. Jeff

My very short and unscientific experience with the LSS left me a little underwhelmed. I recall the clean being nice, but the gain channel wasn't what I was looking for - as I said in a previous post - If I'm going to buy an amp, and rely on it for my tones, I want a clear Fender-like clean channel, a nice Marshall type crunch channel, and a smooth Boogie (classic) Lead channel - otherwise I'm better off with a clean amp and some pedals or mult-effects unit. But I'm an old fart - others are looking for a Recto scooped sound - this isn't important to me.

Bring your own guitar when you a/b the amps. When I played the F-30 with my Carvin Holdsworth guitar, I fell in love. For an instant, I wanted to sell all my stuff and just buy that.

I'm actually quite happy with my Yamaha DG-80, except for the clean models. It maybe that I have to look at swapping out the speaker, but that's a story for another day...

Pete

Paroxysm

02-16-2007, 03:29 PM

pbognar

02-16-2007, 11:02 PM

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=662903

Someone from the Mesa forum recorded some heavy clips he made :thu:

The 3rd one (top) is tight; me likey :thu:

Can't wait for the leads and cleans though.

I wouldn't have a need for that type of sound, but it sounds like you need some post eq to make it sound like a Recto. It was good of the guy to detail how he recorded each version.

I'm also looking forward to clean and solo sounds :D

Pete

pbognar

02-24-2007, 09:03 PM

I wouldn't have a need for that type of sound, but it sounds like you need some post eq to make it sound like a Recto. It was good of the guy to detail how he recorded each version.

I'm also looking forward to clean and solo sounds :D

Pete

I finally tried out the two Express combos today.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21078293#post21078293

To recap, the 5:25 gets my nod from the bunch, and I would say sounds better than the F-30 and with it's 10 inch speaker, small size and incredible volume is going to be a popular amp in my opinion - if you can afford $1050 - but it's a fire-cracker.

Pete

TimmyP

02-25-2007, 11:49 AM

I think I'm the only person who's ever mentioned the Stiletto Ace combos. My favorite Mesa amp so far.

Baddass

02-25-2007, 05:02 PM

My very short and unscientific experience with the LSS left me a little underwhelmed. I recall the clean being nice, but the gain channel wasn't what I was looking for - as I said in a previous post - If I'm going to buy an amp, and rely on it for my tones, I want a clear Fender-like clean channel, a nice Marshall type crunch channel, and a smooth Boogie (classic) Lead channel - otherwise I'm better off with a clean amp and some pedals or mult-effects unit. But I'm an old fart - others are looking for a Recto scooped sound - this isn't important to me.

Bring your own guitar when you a/b the amps. When I played the F-30 with my Carvin Holdsworth guitar, I fell in love. For an instant, I wanted to sell all my stuff and just buy that.

I'm actually quite happy with my Yamaha DG-80, except for the clean models. It maybe that I have to look at swapping out the speaker, but that's a story for another day...

Pete
Try the Lonestar special.:thu:

pbognar

03-02-2007, 01:56 PM

Try the Lonestar special.:thu:

Curses!!! I tried a Lonestar Special yesterday - it was so organic sounding, it made the Express sound absolutely stiff!!! I couldn't get the exact sound I was looking for on the Drive channel, but then I only played with it for about 20 minutes - but boy that amp had a real organic / 3d quality to it.

AND - I think every multi-channel amp should have the multi-wattage option on each channel - that is one of the best ideas I've seen in years!

Pete

tremendo

03-06-2007, 07:49 AM

Curses!!! I tried a Lonestar Special yesterday - it was so organic sounding, it made the Express sound absolutely stiff!!! I couldn't get the exact sound I was looking for on the Drive channel, but then I only played with it for about 20 minutes - but boy that amp had a real organic / 3d quality to it.

AND - I think every multi-channel amp should have the multi-wattage option on each channel - that is one of the best ideas I've seen in years!

Pete

I was considering the Espress as an extra amp, but after looking and listening around, I decided on the Lone Star Special. Bought a new one last week. Great amp for the sounds I need.

pbognar

03-07-2007, 10:22 AM

I was considering the Espress as an extra amp, but after looking and listening around, I decided on the Lone Star Special. Bought a new one last week. Great amp for the sounds I need.

Good for you :thu: Definitely a sweet sounding amp!

(If you can afford the extra $500 over the Express 5:50 - I can't even afford the 5:50. :cry: )

The Express line would benefit from a separate 5 watt switch on each channel AND 2 REAL variation sounds on channel 2 (like crunch versus smooth solo). Oh yeah - and make it MIDI channel switchable. Then I would consider selling a bunch of stuff to get one :idea: (we'll never see it - marketing...)

Can you imagine carrying around the 5:25 combo with the above features - it would be impressive. Combo for practice and for the loud giggers who need to feel there pant legs move at gigs, stick the combo on top of anything from an extension cab or a 4x12!

Pete

tremendo

03-07-2007, 10:50 AM

streuth

03-11-2007, 02:55 PM

Has anyone tried the 5:25 on a gig, I have a mavericks 30 watt which has plenty of power for the type of gigs I do (small blues clubs), do you think the 5:25 is up to that? Thanks

pbognar

03-17-2007, 02:49 PM

I like the 15 watt on the distorted channel, 5 isn't enough headroom for me, 15 is perfect. 30 watts on the clean channel, rockin' smooth.

I use my new Lonestar Express via the 35 watt output into my 4x12 Marshall 1960AHW (Hand wired, re-issue G30 speakers) and it sound killer. The amps internal speaker actually sounds great as is, I have a Vintage 30 and others lying around, but I am very happy with it as a combo as well.

I played a 5:25 again today, while waiting for my son was taking drum lessons at the music store - I'm liking it again. I like the size, and I like the 10" speaker - it's got a nice tight bottom end. One experiment I tried was using channel 1 as a crunch channel, and setting channel 2 to blues and making it a clean channel, with the help of the contour control. Pretty nice if classic crunch is your bag. You could then goose the front end with a boost of some sort for solos.

Then I went back to the normal way of doing thing, and I found that I really liked the solo sound of channel 2 - very Boogie in character, with less fizz - but then what to do for a crunch sound. Well, if I end up with $1000 to spend on a new amp, it would be this one, and I'd get a Tonebone or something in conjunction with the clean channel for when I needed a crunch sound.

I love the idea of showing up at practice with that little amp, and then blowing minds with the sounds which come out of it...

tremendo

03-17-2007, 03:30 PM

Then I went back to the normal way of doing thing, and I found that I really liked the solo sound of channel 2 - very Boogie in character, with less fizz - but then what to do for a crunch sound....
That was my concern with the Lonestar Special. 2 channels. Yes, each has a boost switch, but I'm used to my Simulclass Mark III with 3, a clean, crunch and lead channel.

However, the volume control works great on the lead channel, easing it up for a crunch, or pretty much all the way to clean. Pretty neat the way the pre is voiced and you can do this, I couldn't do that on my Mark III. So my clean is pretty clean but full. My lead channel can be any thing from rough clean to rippin' lead, and the way it's set, the overall volume doesn't drop dramatically when I clean up the lead channel with the guitar volume. Awesome!

Clarify: I have the Lonestar Special, not the Express.

heycodie

03-19-2007, 01:28 PM

Hey guys im brand new to this page but just wanted to let you know where you can score some brand new gibson guitars for a lot cheaper that anywhere else. Here is the story, I work for a store called Springfield Music in Springfield Missouri. We became a Gibson dealer about a week and a half ago. If any of you don't know what that means i'll tell you..... It is Suicide for your business. We had to make a 150K order. So needless to say we need to get rid of this stuff to pay off the order. So what we are doing is selling guitars way cheap. i Just sold a Brand new Gibson Les Paul Custom for $2600. That was like $800 off our sale price. We have all kinds of guitars in stock, every one of them is brand new 2007. If you have any questions or wanna see pictures send me an e mail to cory@springfield-music.com.