Mesa/Boogie 20/20

This amp is about 8 months old now. It only has two presence knobs, two volume knobs, and two toggle switches. One for power, one for standby. On the back you've got the two inputs, and various outputs. lol... I can't remember. Several speaker outs. These work great for what it was designed for!

I am using this thing with a POD 2.0 in front of it and a Marshall 1960VB w/Vintage 30's in it. HOLY COW!!! I LOVE this setup!!! I can get the most awesome sounds. I've been playing about 6 years and this amp definitely adds a new dimension to the sound compared to the Marshall Valvestate VS102R I was using with it earlier. That sounded like crap now that I've heard this Mesa with this Marshall 4x12! One thing I did that made a HUGE difference. Ok, to when I first got them amp, I was actually quite disappointed. We had a gig the first day, so I took it along with my VS for backup. Well, we got there and turned it on, and it just sounded like crap. I was upset. It was very muddy and muffled and not clear. Well, I tweaked my POD to it (Mesa stuff is rumored to be voiced dark, anyways, so SOME of this was expected, but not the amount I got) and that helped a lot and it sounded pretty good, but it still left some to be desired. Well, that was when I decided to change tubes. DING! That's a winner!! After putting some JJ/Tesla EL84's in it, this thing came to life! It sounds much more open, clear, and robust now. THIS is what I was looking for now that I've changed the tubes. It had the stock Mesa tubes in it. The stock tubes also had a thing for having a REALLY heavy bottom end. Not with the JJs!! So if you buy this amp and it still has the stock Mesa tubes, PUT SOME NEW TUBES IN IT!!! JJ's are rumored to be the "best" EL84, but that's obviously up to you to decide. :) I know I'm VERY happy with them. This amp has helped me out A LOT in my sound. I can't really describe it, other than saying it has added a new dimension to my sound. OH! One thing... this thing is LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!! And I mean LOUD!!!! I thought about going with a 50/50 instead of the 20/20, but went ahead and got the 20/20 based on price and weight concerns. I was really concerned about the 40 watts... HA!! Never will I be again. This thing is RIDICULOUSLY loud! I have honestly drowned out the other guitarist in my band at about 60% volume and he was cranked all the way with his 100 watt crate blue voodoo half-stack. I don't know if I'll still be able to drown him out when he gets his T100 or not, lol, but it'll be close, I'm sure. You definitely do NOT have to be concerned about volume.

The amp itself I think is more than fine and dependable, it's the tubes and fuses I worry about. :) I went to Radio Shack and bought some extra fuses... I think it was like $3 for 4 of them or something... and I kept the stock Mesa tubes for backup in case I'm at a gig and one or more of the JJ's die... heh. I've not had any problems yet, but they're there for when I need them. No blown fuses or anything yet.

I've called them once about a VERY loose and "springy" presence knob, but I didn't get a reply. I also set ridiculous times that he could contact me and, to be honest, I wouldn't have called me back either... lol... so I'm just going to leave this be.

I've been playing about 6 years. I've got a little bit of gear. An Ibanez AE18, Marshall 1960BV (that I traded a valvestate 4x12 for... STRAIGHT UP!! That was a GREAT day... hehe), a Jackson/Charvel CSM1-G, 12 space rack, etc., etc. If this thing were stolen, I would definitely buy another one. And, no, I wouldn't kill the ________(insert choice word here)who did it, because I probably couldn't find him. ;) I really cannot think of anything to change on this amp. For me, it works perfect. OH!!! One thing... many people are griping about not being able to use 16 ohm cabinets with this thing... YOU CAN!!! READ YOUR MANUAL!!! In the manual it states that you can, it will just run your tubes down a little bit more.

Stereo two-channel. Volume and presence controls for each channel. All the output configurations that you would probably need. Of course it has a power and standby switch. It is a very basic tube amp, which is a good thing. It does have "slave" outputs which allow you to run from this amp to a larger amp if needed and still get that "cranked" Mesa sound.

I use a Paul Reed Smith CE24 Maple Top with the stock pickups. I also use a Marshall JMP-1 preamp and a TC Electronic G-Major effects unit. We play all types of music from country to metal and the amp adapts well to the changes in pickups and preamp/effect settings. It is never noisey and never overheats.

I relaced the stock tubes in it with JJ's and it made a HUGE difference in the tone. The amp has a harmonic-rich tone that just seems to screem with character. The bottom is very tight, the mids are rich, and the highs are very smooth and do not have that "scratchy" sound that some amps have.

Our stage volume is pretty loud and I have yet to get the thing past half-volume. Even though it is only putting out 22 watts per channel I have been able to crank up clean sounds and actually stay clean. At first I was not sure about the tonal range of the amp. It was designed to work with the darker sounding preamps that Mesa produces, so when I teamed it up with my Marshall JMP-1 it didn't have quite the balls that I hoped it would. So I performed the "deep mod" that evening and ordered the tubes the next day. Now it is the perfect partner to my JMP-1 and I would not trade it for anything.

It has not let me down yet. We play twice a week and practice once. It never gets hot and always retains the exact same tone every time I use it.

I have emailed and talked on the phone with a couple of the Mesa techs and I couldn't ask for better help. They took the time to answer all of my questions, even before I bought the amp.

Probably the last rack amp I will ever need, unless I need some crazy stadium volumes or something. Even then I will use "slave" outputs to run to a bigger amp. If you want an amp with a personality, this one is it. If it were stolen I would have to hunt the bastard down and beat him with a mic stand!

This is a "chrome-face" `95 model, and as stated an EL-84 loaded tube stereo 2X20Watt power-amplifier. It has individual controls for volume and presence per channel, and a ground lift-switch in the rear. One 8 ohms output per channel and two 4 ohms/ch.
This is enough for me, but I`d like to see an 16ohm output per channel as well, to suit different speakers.

I use two Carvins, a Bolt-t loaded with AP-11 single coils and a DiMarzio FRED humbucker in bridge pos. It also have a Wilkinson trem.
I olso use a DC200 with M-22N and M-22T humbuckers and a Flyd rose trem. Pre-amp is a Marshall JMP-1 with a G-major effects-processor in the loop, into the Mesa/Boogie 20/20, into an Marshall 1936 cab. loaded with celestion greenbacks.
My playingstyle differs from countryrock to gospel, pop, big-band rock and prog-rock. I Play in several different bands and projects which demands a flexible setup and sound.
I owned a Marshall 9100 poweramp which was too heavy to carry around, and I once tried the Marshall EL84 that I imediate liked very much! I came over this Mesa unit, and I loved this at once!
It`s a much "darker" sounding amplifier than the Marshall, I must confess that I would have liked to switch the tubes on the Marshall from Sovtek to Svetlana before comparing the differences in sounds..but the 9100 sounded "thin" and "harsh" in comparison to this Mesa 20/20. And I swear, this is just as loud...!!! :) Amazing! I have not yet tried it on "10" o`clock. The sound compared to The 9100 and a Rocktron Velocity 150 is: Full and lively, Fat, very dynamic, loud, harmonic and very likable! It fits my setup as a glove! It was a bit too "dark" with the original "old" Mesa powertubes, but a installed a quad of JJ`s Tesla EL84, and after about 10 hours of playing, It waked up!! Shimmering harmonic content and deep nice dynamic lows on clean sounds! Forget about mods, change the tubes! On crunch and "hi-gainy" sounds it remains detailed and not harsh or "narrow" at any time. Very "open" and "wide" in its soundscape. The low-mid is accentuated rather than the "Marshally" upper mid. This makes it easy to tune in to many usable sounds without ever getting "harsh" or "nasal". The effects thru the G-major remains clear and "airy" (re:after the tubechange)
The best poweramp for this setup IMHO! I am so satisfied now..and I sleep very good at night these nights.....:)
And also, important! It is very quiet! Just small "shh" from the fan.

Nothing to mention, the fan makes a small "screech" as I switch the unit on, but is gone by 15 sec.

Answered my e-mail after one day, about the fixed-bias setting on their amps, and where to get tubes...Very good!

I`ve been playing for 20 years, and I`m very specific about my equipment, I strive to get the sound I hear, and I think this is IT.
I use quality cables, .010-.046 strings, Crybaby wha, Ernie Ball volume pedal, Marshall ED-1 compr.pedal. I can really adwise anyone playing any style to check this one out!
Price taking in consideration..A BARGAIN!!!:)

Nothing to be mentioned. It?s a power amp.

First of all I?d like to tell what gear I use around this pre-amp because I think this is really important. My guitar is a Ernie Ball Music Man ? Axis (which is the one that Eddie van Halen used to play before he switched to Peavey if I?m right). My pre-amp is a Marshall JMP-1(unlike any other Marshall this one really good). For effects I use an Alesis Quadra Verb 2. I use a cab with a Classic Lead Celestion speaker in it (I will buy either a Mesa Boogie 2x12 horizontal rectifier cab or a Bag End S12-B).

About the Mesa Boogie 20/20: When I used to look into music store folders I always thought that the 20/20 was not worth the attention. Boy was I wrong or what! I was ones testing a guitar and by coincidence discovered this little amp. Everything changed. All the time that I was playing I have been playing through filter-compressor-amps or so it seemed. The 20/20 really offers a wide spectrum of sound it?s like your entering a new world (really I?m not lying).
And wen you?re talking of wattage the people of Mesa Boogie really did their homework. This amp is louder then most of the amps of other companies. Although they have the data-sheets saying that the amps are suppose to have the same power output.
And this amp is incredibly dynamic and that?s something that is very important to me.
When this amp is cranked all the way up, it starts to get real teeth. The tubes create this nice little distortion. Superb!

It still works and I hope it will in the future.

I never talked to them.

This is a really cool amp.

I?m kind of late with this review because I bought the amp at the second day of March of two thousand and one. But this means I really know the amp by now. I also tried a Mesa Boogie 50/50 but that a whole different ball game (sorry Mesa but that thing suck when you compare it with the KING 20/20)
I?m really looking forward to when I can Hook this baby up to the cabs I mentioned earlier.

Well done Mesa Boogie!

I believe the amp is a 96 model. I agree with others that it can drown out anyone else you play with -- young, brash and in your face, but also sweet and quiet. True stereo is amazing feature -- I run a V-Twin (rack) through one side and a Pod v1.0 thru the other -- the layered sound is a beaut. I also build my own cabs and this gives me unlimited options. No need to use those presence knobs on the front though.

Whisper quiet, loud as hell, but still sounds greatest with both pres knobs set at around 7 o'clock -- I use it through a 15 and through my own custom open back 212, and both are impressive.

Not a problem ---ever!!! had it 5 years, and I wouldn't trade it unless offered, oh, about 6 times what I paid for it.

The Mesa guys are the best. Period. They call back, they help, they help because they love, and don't let anyone tell you otjherwise.

I'd buy another no prob, especially if it were stolen. That is after I was paroled for greivous bodily harm committed on the thief. Own a JCM 900 series Marshall, which I haven't been able to fix or ply through for about a year (one "pop" and no more sound.), and a Pod v1.

1999 model, 20w per channel stereo tube power amp, el84, volume & presence for each channel. Handles any load impedance. No need for the presence controls.

Very sweet sounding amplifier. Cleans, and all other tones are very warm. Excellent sounding at extremely low volume, excellent at high volume, but I rarely acheived output tube saturation because the lead player always made me turn it down. Obviously I'm the rhythym. This amplifier can drown out the drummer, and a 100w Marshall TSL full stack. On the other hand, this amp can drive a 1x or 2x12 or a pair of 1x12's in your living room while your wife watches TV. One of the nicest output sections I've ever heard.

These guys actually call you back, and they do it when they said they would! They bent over backward to send me information I requested. Unbelievable! If you could get 'em on the phone right away they'd get a 10.

A great power amp which proves 100w is ridiculous. I wish it would overdrive at lower volumes, but nonetheless the sound is just sweet and warm. I used various pre-amps, and even the digital ones were warmed up enough by this amp. For el84s, the amp ran fairly cool, even after 4-5 hours of playing. Absolutely worth every penny of what I paid, no doubt. This amp has none of the problems associated with the marshall el84 20/20, so if you're in the market for one of these two amps, the Mesa's the one.

Gig 8-10 times per month with this amp. You already know the features. Prescence control is kinda standard now on power amps and it does help. I'd like to see a power amp made with eq and a comp/limiter built in. That would be very versatile.

Use various guitars. Fenders, Gibsons, Charvel. The amp likes them all. Use it with a Triaxis and a Rocktron MultiValve. Mushes out if turned up too high but has plenty of power nonetheless to suit my needs.

Very reliable. No problems.

Mesa is a good company but I do not like the fact that I cannot get a response to an email question. If I call, which is a toll call for me by the way, I am never able to reach anyone and by the time I get a callback, I am no longer available. Very frustrating. Their hearts are in the right place but they need to rethink their customer service approach.

Playing over 35 years. Own a SimulClass 2:90 power amp also. Used to own the 50/50 too. I also own a Rocktron Velocity 120 which is a nice SS power amp, but there is not comparison to tubes. I'm sorry. I keep trying and trying to get away from tubes but it just plain aint gonna happen. I like this power amp the best. For the size, it is excellent.

It's as basic as any power amp should be. Just volume and presence for each channel. It's a power amp, it just has to amplify what the preamp does..... Uh, yeah, it has to sound good too!

Rate: 8 because it has too many knobs for my tastes... Volume is enough on a power amp! If u need some tone tweakings go ahead and buy a good EQ instead!

Geez, it is loud!! I wouldn't expect all that volume from a 1 unit rack space power amp rated @ 22W/channel. It is louder than the Line6 Flextone head of the oher guitarist in my band, which is rated @ 150W! (the amp, not the guitarist :-) ).
My setup consists mainly of:

Mesa/Boogie TriAxis (THE poweramp! JMP1 sucks)

Ibanez RG 7 strings

Quadraverb

20/20 (of course)

2x12 Marshall 1922 cab

I play a lot of stuff, Rock mainly.

To be honest it sounds a bit thin and too mid-rangey/trebly for my tastes, anyway I'll try that "DEEP" mod as soon as the warranty will expire, I'll post another review then if it's worth it.
It's not bad anyway, it's not difficult to find funky sounds a la John Frusciante yet it's good to play Petrucci-like distortions but I think that it depends largely on the preamp. With a REXX 602 preamp I created some good 80's-shred sounds a la Cacophony/Tony Macalpine (which definitely ain't the sound of the TriAxis). I'll give it an 8 beause it lacks some balls (which I hope to improve with the mod), otherwise I'd give it a 10.

Well, it is a tube amp so I wouldn't depend on it. Anyway I owned and currently own several Mesa pieces, I gigged them a few and they never failed on me.
As a just-in-case I own a solid-state backup amp whih consists of a REXX 602 preamp and a Marshall 8008 power amp. Yes, it sounds different, but always better than a blown tube amp!

Rate: 10 so far. I would never expect such a reliability from tube stuff.

Too bad Mesa doesn't reply to emails. I live in Italy and the time difference makes impossible for me to call them.
Italian service center in my area really sucks, it takes a lot to have infos/spares if u wanna do the work yourself (and, because I am an electronic engineer, I DO wanna do it myself)

Rate: 5 you get what ya want but you have to suffer.

I've been playing for more than 10 years, I owned a lot of stuff, only the best stayed,and this piece will definitely stay. I think it's the best compromise between tone/size/weight available on the market, unless you wanna buy a blow-prone Marshall power amp.
If it were stolen I'd buy it again but would look for a used one (Why Mesa pieces have to cost THAT much???)

Rate: 8. It is almost perfect for my needs.

I finally figured out how to do the "Deep" modification a lot of reviewers talk about. If you own this amp and its out of the warranty period, I HIGHLY recommend this modification. If you do it while the warranty is still active, you will void it.
If you don't know already, the 20/20 has a "boost" above 200 hz (high bass and above) that is double the low range of the amp. Sounds good and cuts, but not "ballsy" enough. Doing this modification will give more low end "oomph", add richness, and open the treble a bit more. I find it gives you a more "modern" mix of vintage EL84 chime and new metal sound. This amp is a little too washed in the mid frequencies as stock. Here's how you do it (if you aren't tech / electronically inclined, find somebody who is!! Amps store high voltages even when unplugged and if you poke or prod the wrong thing, you can be electrocuted)

1. Take off the cover
2. Locate the 12ax7 input tube closest to the input jacks, this will be the farthest tube to the left if standing behing the amp with the tubes pointing to you.
3. Look at the circut board the input tube is mounted on. Slightly below the tube on each side of it, you'll see a series of capacitors / resistors. These are miniture "sausage" looking things about a 1/4" long, running up and down. Some are tan/brown with stripes, some aren't.
4. You'll see one in each grouping per side that is different. They are a bit smaller than the rest, NO STRIPES, and are a yellowish/tan color, and have tapered ends. THESE ARE THE ONES YOU WANT TO REMOVE.
5. One is very easy since its by itself to the left of the input tube. The other one on the opposite side is in between the other "sausage" looking devices (resistors).
6. I removed them by heating the back side of the circut board where its soldered in. Using very long, thin needle nose pliers (or a long thin screw driver). I disconnect on side of the capacitor from the circut board. Gently pry out the connection while applying the heat to the connection.
7. Repeat on the other side. Be careful not to damage the resistors next to it.

Enjoy the sound. If you don't like it, re-solder the connection. Thats why its good to only remove one end, its easier to re-connect.

You'll notice the perceived volume drops a bit. Thats because your ears aren't getting "slammed" with all the previous midrange. I like that because now I can open up my amp and preamp a bit more and not blow out my ears. You will have to modify your current bass and treble/presence settings since you've changed the overall sound.

Feel free to email me with questions or your comments on the mod.

I use this amp for home only at the moment. It has all the features you will need for small gigs or an average sized gig. I use this amp mainly for metal, but i also use it for some clean songs and it sounds amazing for both types.

It sounds brilliant, it's a boogie!

Unfortunatly my amp started to go wrong after 3 months, at first i thought it was the tubes at first but after i swaped the tubes in the channels and then it was on both channels. So i sent it back back to be fixed.