Mesa/Boogie .50 Caliber Plus 112 Combo

Not sure what year mine was made. The features are well documented.

The amp has a really nice clean sound but can also do really heavy distortion. It suprised me to get that kind of distortion out of an amp of that vintage (mid to late 80's). I also was able to get some decent blues tones out of it but nothing that felt exactly right - either to heavy or to thin. That pretty much summed up my experience with this amp. I love big distortion but I could never really dial in exactly what I was looking for. But, if you like Mesa I you'll love this amp.

Mine had and issue with the sound dropping out after it had been on a while. A tech cleaned the FX loop with contact cleaner and the problem was solved. Didn't cost much to fix. For an amp that was likely 20+ years old that's pretty good. All the internals were fine - Mesa builds great amp.

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I have been playing for 20 years as a hobby. My main guitar is and epi Explorer. This amp never really did it for me but that does not mean that it's not a great amp. It is. As Mesa amps go it is very affordable but still very high quality. The controls are a bit touchy and you really have to spend some time with it to get it dialed in. Once you get it dialed in you can get some great clean sounds or massive distortion. For a little amp it puts out insane volume!

I am not really sure what year it was made in. It has two channels, lead and rythmn. I leave mine on the clean rythmn channel because the gain knob controls both channels. What a shame, it really limits the stand-alone possibilities of the amp. I use a 4X12 Avatar Vintage 30's Cab with mine to add to the ridiculous amount of output that it already has. WOW, I think my drummer sums it up best, "Turn it down before I throw up".

It has crystal cleans and almost puts out the Mesa Boogie Rectifier chug. I run a Mesa Boogie Bottle Rocket tube overdrive pedal to achieve that uber Mesa chug that we all love. Very impressive little toy might I add. Then for effects I use a Line 6 POD XT Live for effects, I run it in the bypass setting and use the Bottle Rocket for overdrive.

For guitars I use a Gibson Les Paul Custom with Bill Lawrence 500XL Pickups for hard rock music. For my lighter rock I use my Fender Stratocaster Custom with Guitar Fetish rail humbuckers. Very cool setup. Then I also sometimes use my Gibson SG Custom when I need another perspective when it comes to finding that tone I am looking for.

Very reliable, no problems yet other than changing out the tubes.

Mesa Boogie is very helpful when it comes to customer service.

I have been playing 16 years and have owned several amps and guitars and I think I will keep this one for a while.

This is an updated review from below, since a few modifications to my rig:

Fisrt of all, i had the lead master knob set up to be independant from the master volume (opened up SOOO much tone with my distortion sound and I could actually have my lead channel louder than my cleans!)

Second, I bought a closed back 4 X 12" Vintage 30 Cab. Oh boy does this amp REALLY come into it's own on both channels through one of these!

The cleans are warmer AND sparklier through the v30s (my cab is custom built, std 19ply, slightly smaller in all dimensions than a marshall 4 X 12)

The distortion can still sound a bit 80's, but more of the mark IV/Rectifier sounds can be approximated through the 4 X 12. There is so much more deep bass, and it's a lot tighter than the single custom 90 in the combo. The 4 X 12 is a "must" addition for those who think this combo lacks true rhythym distortion.

Does Early Metallica and new Dream Theatre sounds pretty darn well.

Same as before.

Same as Before.

Much better sounding to my ears with a 4 X 12 cab, I believe I have unlocked the untapped potential of the caliber 50+, at least for modern high gain stuff anyway. Beware to those wanting to follow suit. Vitage 30s are REALLY LOUD, I can't stress this enough, they have 100dB sensitivity, which means at 1 Watt they are 100dB just 1 metre away!! So at 32 Watts (which is less than this amp's clean headroom, before distortion), you'll be pushing out 115 dB, which is gonna cause permanent hearing damage REAL QUICK!!! But oh boy is it awesome.

I believe my .50 Cali + 1x12 was built in the mid to late '80s.
This amp is plenty versatile for the styles of music I play (Hardcore Rock/screamo-ish), but one of two things I wish that it would have is the second-preamp thing, but hey, should've bought the dual caliber...
the second thing I wish it had was a more sensitive gain knob for the lead channel: It works great but when I want a gain setting with not quite overdrive but not scorching hot lead, this just does not work because when you turn down the Volume/gain knob to about 2 or 3 the gain doesn't go down quite to where I would like it. Say I suffice for that setting...switch back to the clean/rhythm channel and... where's my sound? The clean channel doesn't take a gain of 2 or 3 without being nearly inaudible. ( I think that the sound is coming from the tubes themselves and not the speaker... This is true when you turn on the lead channel without the speaker plugged in and play with the master volume on about 1.5... the tubes themselves actually vibrate because they're being so far overdriven)
I had some trouble using the effects loop at first but I got the hang of it (never used one before)
I really like the Direct out Jack, but don't plug it directly into a system without some sort of cabinet simulator or other load on it because THAT THING WILL CRUNCH YOUR EARS on either clean OR lead channel! (Good for metal I guess)

I use a Warmoth Custom Shop Guitar that I put together with Flame Maple top, Solid Mahogany Body, Flame Maple Neck, Ebony Fretboard, Orig. Floyd Rose Tremolo, and cheap-&$$ pickups ( 20 bucks each) They're PAF. The Guitar itsself literally weighs in around 10 pounds! REALLY SOLID THICK Tone. I love the way The clean channel sounds on the .50! And no need for a metal-zone or anything on this amp... The distortion is thick and awesome just the way I like it... yum!
The Volume knob really offers a lot of choice when you're shaping your tone around the clean channel, but when you shape it around the lead channel, you're likely to end up switching back to clean and not being able to hear anything.
I use the EQ-In Setting because it has the most deep-end when used with the common V-setting.
IMO you should get an EQ Pedal so that you can switch between the eq-off and eq-in/auto to get a dramatic recovery during a big part in a song or something... You are playing and your tone is kindof mushy... then you hit the switch and it rages like a flamethrower! But maybe if you don't like the mushy thing then you should get something else...
EQ-In/auto both have the best definition to the sound... In has more deep-end depending on where your eq is set at.

This amp is crazy loud... I'm afraid to turn it past 2!!! LOL That's why I'm getting a 2X12 Cab for it from Avatar speakers. I played it at 2 1/2 once but that's when I was on the other side of the wall it was leaning against!
I'm seriously afraid of shooting the speaker's driver out and through my drummer!!!

I bought this thing used... I had to perform a couple repairs on the tolex to put it in good condition.
I also took it apart and discovered that a reverb-tank grounding cable was disconnected and kindof floating around the amp! I soldered that back with no problem... I've dropped this thing out of the back of an SUV, no joking the tubes didn't even break, but then again it was the way it dropped that didn't break them!
DON'T PUT ANYTHING IN THE BACK OF THE AMP...IT COST ME 40 BUCKS for a new pair of tubes because my foot switch went sliding when a pidgeon decided to take a crash-course on the highway.

Never dealt with the customer support at mesa/boogie but I really like the fact that I was able to find the Manual to this amp online!! 10 for this one

Overall I'd rate this amp a 9 only because of the versatility of tones acquirable from it... other than that... if It was stolen, I'd probably replace it with a dual-recto which I've been aiming at for a while now!
Otherwise, I like my Mesa, and would only replace it with another Mesa. The clean channel is probably what I love most about it because it nails that blackface sound that I was looking for for a while.

This amp has it's ups and downs. The mid knob is quite high (probably 2-3khZ) and the lead channel gain can't be different to the rhythm channel.

I use a Rather simple pure maple bodied (rosewood fingerboard) wasburn with seymour duncan custom humber in bridge, and a quarter pound in the neck, and i play heavier stuff with my band.

I think the gain channel is really weak for chugging and too razor sharp for solos, but the clean channel is really good. ALWAYS in any mesa, marshall or fender, replace the tubes with JJ's, they rock the free world for any type of music. For my distortion, i use a Robert keeley modified metal zone (SOOOOO much better than the standard, you can actually use it live!!! www.keeleyelectronics.com), but yeah if you want a big fat, heavy sound, but a big, fat, heavy amp (like a mark IV or Rectifier) and at least 2 speakers, combos do not cut it for metal

I bought this amp 2nd hand, but apart from some tube troubles, well built.

p.s. if you want the tubes to stay good, resist the temptation to shove stuff in the back of it for carrying, invest some money in a separate carry bag.

No idea - yet

Basically, it does for now, i'm getting a closed back 2*12 cab for it, but next year i'm getting a dual rectifier.

this amp has been my main amp for ages and does everything I ever wanted and then some.

I've used this amp with every electric guitar I own and everything sound glassy and punchy. Les pauls Teles Strats, Danos etc, just a tweak of the eq and I'm all set.

Never had any trouble and I've abused the snots out of this thing (fell out of moving cars, beer spills etc.

Never need 'em

If I lost this piece I'd find another (as they don't make these now). This is my amp, for bigger shows I've driven half closed slant cabs 4x12 and people thought I sounded great (I usually think I am playing sloppily bu that isn't the amp fault).

Late '80s model, very versatile tube combo amp for Greek bouzouki, which requires a Fender glass clean character. I don't use overdrive/distortion, so I can't comment. I use this amp during band practice and as a stage monitor/direct out to PA. It has enough power for me at 50W. I love Boogies because of their compact and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Mine has the EVM-12L, it's a pig.

I use a handmade Greek bouzouki with a Savvas magnetic pickup (specifically made for this instrument). It is slightly noisy, but that's to be expected. This amp stays clean at high volumes, it is very crisp and ballsy, what can I say, it's a Boogie.

Very reliable, I own several Boogies and have never had any problems. I have a great Boogie tech in the Philadelphia area and all of my amps and preamps have a clean bill of health.

I have dealt with Boogie support many times, and they have been extremely helpful and responsive.

This amp has the physical appearance of the Mark series amps, but is not overpowered, it's just right. It has a versatile bouquet of sounds, and it especially does well at clean sounds. I would weep for days if anything happened to this amp.

I don't know when this amp was made or what it's been through before I got it but, it does the job. I have to cover lots of styles (top 40/ wedding band) and this amp is there for me every step of the way. I've used this amp for small gigs (75-100 people) to out-door concerts with more than ten thousand no problem. I have a one x twelve cab and a four x twelve cab if I want but, really I never need them.

This is where it counts. You can't just plug in and go with this amp. Volume effects everything with this baby. The power tubes kick in at about three and that's where you really start to sound great, though, if you where you will need that much sound I don't know!
The clean channel has lots of headroom- it will break up if you dime the volume but I don't really use that. The distortion is where Boogie gets its name and this is no exception. Creamy sustain not crunchy or harsh. Suitable for metal? Depends on your taste I guesse, reminds me of Master of Puppets.
I can get a variety of sounds from the amp alone and if I mess with the p-up switch or the tone/volume knobs on my guitar..... The possibilties are endless.
I mainly run an Ibanez S-Series guitar with Dimarzio p-ups through this amp. With this combination I've been able to get the sounds I need for the gig.

Rock Solid. The amp has been serviced and checks out with a clean bill of health. I gig with out back-up or fear.

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Been playing for 15 years, have tons of gear, if this were stolen or lost I'd be upset. I'd probably check out some other Mesa gear since this is no longer made. All and all, I'm happy to have this amp for as long as it lasts.

I've had two of these amps in the las 10 years, you can play all kind of styles whit this amp, comes with one peadl with a LED on it, effects loop, it's a realy loud amp and if you use an extra speaker you can play in the open with complete confidence. Cost new 895.00 dllrs.

As I said before you can dial every kind of tone you want, from sparkin clean to realy distorted sounds

This model comes with rocket switches and in both models caused the same malfuncion, so I changed all of them for the traditional ones,it means some work, but after that every thing works fine

As long as you can get to someone to answer the phone, they are very helpfull

I've playing since 30 years ago, now I have a Mark II-B, a Subway Blues and a V-Twin Pedal, I have no complains with this

I'm not sure of the year on this amp but I suspect it is late eighties/early nineties. The amp is perfect for what I need. I used to have mark III and quickly dumped it because it was impossible to control the volume. The other thing is I think three channels is ridiculous. Who needs an overdrive channel and a lead- just cut back on the lead and it's in overdrive- it's mostly all in how you play and mute the strings anyway. This amp has a super clean channel that can get very loud and still stay crystal. It's warm and the bass and highs stay very present. Almost like a blackface but not as fresh. The lead channel goes from AC/DC dirt to all out rectifier death metal. It is very versatile and purely mesa- definitely a good, solid channel. The lead master control lets you control the boost which is all you need for any sound your after. The boost soaks the distortion from the gain control and gives it crunch. Very well designed. It runs on two 6l6's and five pre-amp tubes. Has three outputs one 8 ohm and two 4. Effects loop and graphic eq which makes this amp even more potent. Presence and reverb are thrown in for good measure. The reverb, though not as rich as super reverb, is richer than the mark 3 I used to have and it adds character to your overall sound.

Said it all above.

No buzzes or other weird noises. It has the super shock mount system.

Never had to.

Very cool. I like this amp a lot. I don't need another. It's loud enough for any gig and manageable enough for tight studio practice.