kidsmoke Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Merry Christmas to me. This addresses my need for a smallish combo that I can play live and be heard. I love love love my custom 5F1 110, but it just can't compete in a live setting when other amps and a kit are involved. I considered pursuing a 5E3, thinking I'd be staying in a similar sonic realm, but recent exposure to a Mesa 5:25 Express, and all the press Boogie has been getting on this board had me reviewing their lineup of small combos. Several appealed to me, and this one turned up within a couple hours of home. This is a Studio Caliber DC-2. It's a 20 watt 112, with two completely separate channels, each with their own set of preamp tubes (3 per) and two EL84 power tubes, for a total of 8. It's got a tube driven accutronics reverb tank on board (must have for me, wanted that pedal off the board), and the original Boogie foot switch, for switching between the rhythm/contour channels. Has an effects loop, and a headphone jack with a speaker mute switch(!!) a feature which makes this a much more practical beast in my view. Many of you may recall this is the same amp rockabilly69 gigs with. His enthusiasm and council played no small role in my final decision, so it's basically his fault. Lots to learn, and sadly, very little play time right now, but early impressions: built like a tank, not light @ a robust 47 lbs, loud as hell, and very very versatile. The previous owner (since '03) had taken excellent care of this, and included the spiral bound owners manual, which goes into great detail, knob by knob, channel by channel, as to the impact of each knob, and then suggested set ups for ea channel for a desired sound. Provides a great starting point. Each knob is remarkably impactful, something I've not experienced. I didn't expect much from the contour channel, based on the comments I've read hear about the high gain tones, but I did find some sounds I like. Oh, and the bugger is LOUD. Did I mention that? I'm hoping to get this amp and Gio over to the tavern on a Saturday afternoon before it opens and find out what it can really do, but so far I'm really pleased.
Yooper Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 There's whole "mess'a" Mesa tone in that box! The manual gives a great starting point for the endless tweaking you'll find. Boogies and Fenders are the mainstays of the spectrum of amp sounds. I'd suppose the big stacks are the other, but not for most of us. Welcome to the "Boogie Branch" of the HOC.
davesultra Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Those are nice amps, I had one about 10 years ago.
kidsmoke Posted December 27, 2013 Author Posted December 27, 2013 thanks all. Congrats! It looks to be in great shape. One very minor tolex scuff on a bottom edge, and a scratchy "output level" (master volume) knob. Really clean, and a good price.
big bob Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 I bet you are really going to enjoy that amp!
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Nice amp! But do you really think 20 watts is gonna cut it? I would have gone for at least 60......
tulk1 Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Nice!! Welcome to the Mesa owners club, Kip. Lets see, Larrivee acoustic, Larrivee RS2, Heritage guitars and now Mesa Amps. I'd have to say great minds and all that!!
Vanschoyck Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Really nice, congrats! I've had 2 boogies, still have my 50 caliber, and they work great for gigs. Other non-boogie guitarists will envy your sound! Also, as you said, their documentation is really great for getting you dialed in easily.
kidsmoke Posted December 27, 2013 Author Posted December 27, 2013 Nice amp! But do you really think 20 watts is gonna cut it? Yes. Yes I do.
davesultra Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Yeah those lil' Boogies can get Hella-Loud!
tbonesullivan Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Nice! i've got a DC-5, and love it. I still need to call up MB and get one of those tube guards, as the one for mine was lost by one of the most likely MANY previous owners. They are just great amps.
schundog Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Fantastic! Congratulations, Kip! I'd love to hear it.
Billgelder Posted December 28, 2013 Posted December 28, 2013 Very Nice Kip. I have two small Mesas, a studio 22, and a Subway rocket. Both are small but very loud. Try running your Studio Caliber DC-2 into a 2x12 or 4x12 cabinet. You won't believe how loud it can get.
fxdx99 Posted December 28, 2013 Posted December 28, 2013 You're gonna cut thru the mix now. Nice amp, great condition. Congrats!
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