Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber Plus .50

  • Thread starter Thread starter thedude400
  • Start date Start date
T

thedude400

New member
I am bidding on a Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber Plus .50 head right now and they run about 500 used on ebay. The dual speaker mesa cabinets run about the same used. My problem is I don't really wanna shell out another 5-600 bucks on a mesa cabinet if It's not necesary. If I bought say a new behrenger 4X12 guitar cab (which are less than half the price) would there be a huge difference in sound between the 2 cabinets with the mesa head goin in? Also is there a much of a difference in sound playing through a head and cabinet opposed to just an amp with the same power? (for example the mesa boogie DC-5 opposed to the mesa boogie 50 caliber plus which are both 50 watt)Mybe I should ditch the head and cab idea and just get one amp. I plan on using the amp for mostly recording with occasional gigging possibly down the road. What's the smartest thing I should do in this situation? Any help would be appreciated.
 
thedude400 said:
I am bidding on a Mesa Boogie 50 Caliber Plus .50 head right now and they run about 500 used on ebay. The dual speaker mesa cabinets run about the same used. My problem is I don't really wanna shell out another 5-600 bucks on a mesa cabinet if It's not necesary. If I bought say a new behrenger 4X12 guitar cab (which are less than half the price) would there be a huge difference in sound between the 2 cabinets with the mesa head goin in? Also is there a much of a difference in sound playing through a head and cabinet opposed to just an amp with the same power? (for example the mesa boogie DC-5 opposed to the mesa boogie 50 caliber plus which are both 50 watt)Mybe I should ditch the head and cab idea and just get one amp. I plan on using the amp for mostly recording with occasional gigging possibly down the road. What's the smartest thing I should do in this situation? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

There is a lot of difference between the sound of a closed back cab and a combo. As to which you prefer, that's up to you. As to what is smartest, all I can advise is to get what you really want and what will most effectively do the job for you rather than settling for something that you won't be happy with in the long run. Temporary solutions have their ways of becoming permanent, and life is short.
 
I am not a Mesa expert, but unless the DC5 and the .50 Caliber are the same circuits inside, they won't sound anything like each other even with the same speakers.


Now as for everything else, it sounds like you haven't even ever played this thing so I only hope you are not getting this because you think since it says Mesa on the outside that it will sound like the Triple Recs that all the hip bands use....except this thing only costs $500.
 
I've got a 50 caliper + and it sounds great. Its definately one of the most overlooked mesas. Its basically a dc5's older brother. Like someone says its not a rectifer but its got a great fenderish clean and a very nice crunch channel. As good as the mesa is I've also heard a behringer 4x12 and it sounds really bad. In comparison I've got a Crate 4x12 that doesn't sound good either, but it sounds loads better than a Behringer. The studio I work at has a 2x12 rectifier cab that sounds great but lately I've been thinking about a custom cab from avatar. There is also a 50 caliper combo.
 
mesa 50 caliber head

Thanks for the advice guys. I knew it was a good amp and I know it's not gonna have the same qualities the single double and triple rectifiers have but it's mesa and they know what they're doing. Thanks to your advice I think I am gonna be picky about what cabinet I play this thing into. I'm sure a little patience now can avoid alot of regret later. If anyone has one of these heads please post what you think of it, what cabinet you're using, what kind of set-up you have, and what effects pedals sound killer through it. I'm all ears. Thanks again.
 
thedude400 said:
I know it's not gonna have the same qualities the single double and triple rectifiers have but it's mesa and they know what they're doing.
Click to expand...


Yes they do, and Fender also knows what they are doing...as does Marshall and a few others.

But you realize it might not be anywhere near the same right? Liek it might be 180 degrees in the other direction?

Mesa once upon a time was known for their quality blues amps. That lasted until they released the Recifier line.

Are you loooking for that 'modern' rock sound?
 
the modern rock sound is pretty easily obtainable from a 50 caliber with a little tweaking.
 
I guess you could say I'm looking for a modern rock sound. I mean I just want a distinct, bigger guitar sound. I'm a fan of Wilco, Ryan Adams, The Cure, The Shins type guitar sound. Something on the border line of nice rock-guitar and also with big, ambient capabilities. Outlaws, it seems you know you're amps well. What do you play/recomend for the type of sound I'm looking for? I mean I guess I'm not totally set on the 50 caliper it just seemed in my price range, and I've played mesa's before and was pretty happy with the sound. I'm actually headed to guitar center now to try all the amps I can get my hands on. I know that's the best way to find what you're looking for, I was just looking for some inside advice.
 
The rockers on Wilco's Summerteeth are a good example of the sound I would love to be able to produce. But at the same time I really dig the guitars on for example The Cure's "Pictures of You" and "just like heaven". Something that is versatile enough to get a bigger rock sound and then also a more subtle and clean ambient lead type sound would be perfect.
 
thedude400 said:
I guess you could say I'm looking for a modern rock sound. I mean I just want a distinct, bigger guitar sound. I'm a fan of Wilco, Ryan Adams, The Cure, The Shins type guitar sound. Something on the border line of nice rock-guitar and also with big, ambient capabilities. Outlaws, it seems you know you're amps well. What do you play/recomend for the type of sound I'm looking for? I mean I guess I'm not totally set on the 50 caliper it just seemed in my price range, and I've played mesa's before and was pretty happy with the sound. I'm actually headed to guitar center now to try all the amps I can get my hands on. I know that's the best way to find what you're looking for, I was just looking for some inside advice.
Click to expand...


Without having played that mesa, I would think it could do it fine since even most good blues amps could nail that stuff with the right playing technique.

Most people though that talk about Mesa's 'sound' are refering to a scooped mid sound ala modern metal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top