Mesa Boogie Express 5:25 Head

It is a head lamp with a choice between a power of 30 and 5 watts.
The amp has two channels, each with two modes. Mini channel selector allows you to choose the desired mode. CH1 is thus divided between Clean and Crunch modes and the CH2 between Blues and Burn. Everyone can benefit from the following settings: Gain / Treble / Mid / Bass / Reverb / Master / Contour.
Mini 3-position selector allows you to select the channel or leave this control footswitch. Nevertheless, it is impossible to assign the choice of modes footswitch, only channels that can be controlled as well.
Finally, the last two selectors are used to activate / deactivate the loudness function or command to leave the footswitch.
At the rear a mini switch allows us to choose between a power of 30 or 5 watt.
There are also traditional connectors send / return of the effects loop.
The speaker connection leaves us the choice between an output 8 ohm and dual 4 ohm output. It is also possible to connect external pedal to control the functions outline channel 1/2 edge channel / reverb / channel selection.


UTILIZATION

Well what offers many possibilities, the head is easy to use. It is easy to get a good sound and the receiver is very "plug and play". With 4 modes in total and the ability to switch the power 5 watts (which partially amends the sound), the sound of the amp range is quite wide and versatile. However, these settings interact with each other, which can sometimes make difficult operation for non-regulars.
For those wondering: 30W advertised are largely sufficient for group play and concert. He even got me to use 5W function at concerts made in some bars. For the moaners background thinking to play outdoors in front of thousands of people will be limited: it is not wrong, but under these conditions it is dubbed by the PA.
Those interested in being 5W function to play low volume run the risk of being disappointed. It is certainly usable but far from ideal. If you are flat and thin walls / your neighbors are boring / your kids are asleep, the generated noise can be annoying enough. So I see the switch more power as an option to diversify the sound of the amp as an integrated attenuator volume.
Note that the head is supplied with a clear and comprehensive manual (thirty pages) that presents the features of the head, explains how the different modes provides some examples of its settings, provides opportunities for connection speakers (impedance diagrams), etc..
The pedal is robust and its cable is long enough to be away from the amp for stage use. It did me at least never been a problem. It includes three switch to select the channel, activation of reverb and contour. A cover is provided to the pedals.
Finally, note that the head is not very wide, making it easy to transport, but also offers the possibility to place it on a 1x12 without any overflows. It is supplied with a house more protection.

SOUNDS

The head is versatile and suitable for a wide range of music.
While not being my favorite area, the clean sounds are very nice. The different settings allow well refined. With humbuckers and a low volume, clean, however in my opinion tend to cruncher. The phenomenon is musical and I appreciate very much, but he may bother some. This is particularly true in 5W mode. In which case it is necessary to increase the master and slightly lower gain, or pass on single coil.
Crunch are falling. The crunch mode offers ample opportunities in this regard. And blues mode also go tickle the big crunch in the gain settings lowest, then goes to the big rises have overdrive when the knob.
Burn mode on him to enter the field of good rock distortion. I find it very enjoyable. Pushing the gain, we reached a big sound that task, but that is not suitable for those wishing to metal.
Setting contour enriches a few more sounds. This is a dynamic equalizer reproducing a curve V. Used (in moderation) it can grow distos sculpt sounds clear and give extra momentum to crunch.
Finally, the reverb tube is very musical. It is pleasing to the ear, as long as you do not drown the sound by putting in background.
The amp takes pedals pretty well and the effects loop works well. At least the few times I've used.
The head has mostly been performed with a lag RX200 or Feral home Blackat a 1x12 cab or a 4x12 in OUR home hughes & Kettner.


OVERALL OPINION

With this head for 7 years, I think I had time to go around. I love his versatility, both in the sounds settings. I greatly appreciate his crunch and distortion in the rock record. Similarly 5W function provides new sonic possibilities to the amp, which is nice. The sound will certainly not be drastically changed, but the contribution of 5W on clear and crunch sounds interesting. It is also a way to more easily push the amp and enjoy the lights.
Nevertheless, I remain septic regarding the use of 5W to play flat. Also, it is not for me to see a function as a power attenuator. Or at least it is not enough.
I also find it regrettable that the pedal cable and power are welded to the head. We therefore can not disconnect, which is not always easy for transport / storage. I personally hung two pieces of wire mesh to protect the back of the head to be able to hang and maintain the cables when traveling. This is not the most convenient, or the most aesthetic.
It is also possible to quibble, regretted that the footswitch does not allow to switch modes, but "only" channels, reverb and contour.
Concerning the quality / price ratio, I would say that it's mesa. If the quality is very high, the price is too. However, it has 4 modes available, the possibility to switch to 5W, nice reverb and a good effects loop. If nine Q / P ratio is not folichon, amp discount not evil: Used price becomes really interesting.
With experience, my choice would depend on the expectations of use. To use group / live in a register up to rock task, I do it again this choice without hesitation. For use in the apartment, I rather orienterai to digital (kemper / fx axis). Or I'll add an attenuator or a standard solution torpedo live. This last solution I have adopted and I am delighted. Finally, a big focus her, I would advise to move to another amp. If the series can express the big rock or hard rock, it is not suitable for metal and consort register. Or with a good distortion pedal. And neighbors / wife / husband / children tolerant.

25 watt all-tube head
2 and 5 12AX7 EL84,
2 channels with specific settings and 2 modes each or 4 basic sounds,
connectivity standard input jack, effects loop, speaker output,
switch back to switch to 5 Watts Class A
A contour knob per channel
A reverb per channel
buttons gain, treble middle, bass, volume
A switch to change channels, reverb and contour

UTILIZATION

the config is super simple, we get immediately a good sound if one has a proper guitar, in short, turn the knobs and it sounds.
The manual is very clear
I plug a speaker in Engl 2x12 celestion V30
Something very useful: the 5-watt Class A switch allows you to play at home at low volume while keeping a good sound, can maintain a good relationship with his wife and neighbors

SOUNDS

Ideally suited to my musical direction which tends more and more towards clean and crunch sounds blues-rock, hence the purchase of this amp.
cleans the sounds are in the spirit with a Fender Twin but I do not know what more, warmer, rounder ... I do not know, perfect for little wing or Lenny was a fairly wide range with the equalization is can go from twang surf music to clean round and fat
the crunch will limit visible to large rock, you get almost to the Rythmeen zztop on the album, the volume knob on the guitar becomes a further adjustment. Leads are top to hardrock / heavy
I play it with:
- Start a new edition of 62: magnificent as clean crunch
- A telecaster rise Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates / 59: Perfect for the big rock / Hard Rock
- A Washburn X50 EMG: good but not transcendent, the active pickups sound a little cold in the head
Baffle-2X12 Celestion V30 in Engl, there's bass treble of the body, nickel
- Reacts well with pedals, among other tested with a Boss Metal Zone base and my Washburn with EMG, it filed hell
I put 10 because the sounds obtained stick perfectly to what I am looking for those who want to make the metal is too light

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 months, I set a purely metal (Engl Mesa) before and as I was heading more towards the blues / rock (which I'm getting old ...) and I was tired of ruin me in lights and rack settings, I changed to something simple and effective Hey bin is a small bomb that head, it sounds a hell on my guitars and the sound was Mesa, after we love or one like it. The downside is the price (a score of 9), Mesa's expensive but you get of course found the sound quality. To summarize, it is a very versatile head and very easy to use perfect for clean and crunch sounds, for sounds more saturated, must get on the pedals or the range or go to Mesa in gender specialists Engl, Fryette or Diezel