Mesa/Boogie DC-5 Combo

This amp has been discontinued from Mesa since 1999, but is one of the most underrated Mesa's out there. It does it all from bell like cleans to the most bone shattering metal. It has two footswitchable channels with separate controls, reverb, and volumes along with a master volume. The Rhythm also has a pull boost also for some added crunch. Where the amp shines is in its GEQ (Graphical EQ) with sliders for 60, 240, 750, 2200, and 6600hz, which allows you to tackle everything. It also has Direct Recording out and a Headphone out with a speaker mute switch for those late night recording and practice sessions. It has an effects loop with a switch to set it for which channel you want it on, or both, or fully off. Also the effects loop has a Dry/Wet mix dial to set it to your liking.

The amp has 6 preamp tubes with 2 power tubes (6L6's) running at 50 Watts. Now don't let 50 watts fool you, its plenty to do any of the loudest gigs. The combo comes with a Mesa C90 Black Shadow speaker.

It gets a 10 for features because it's got everything you'd ever need. For around 500-600 on ebay its a killer of an amp that really shouldn't get passed up.

I'm playing this amp through two Ibanez prestiges with DiMarzio's (one with Evo2 Bridge and Evo Neck, the other with PAF Pro's.) I play mostly rock and metal (from Metallica to Dream Theater to Racer-X), but also play a lot of other stuff variating from Dixie Dregs to Paul Gilbert. This amp covers it all. For the metal stuff it nails it all. With the GEQ you can get chunk, or tight thrash, or those singing Petrucci leads. The cleans on this amp are simply amazing, not sure how else to put it. Some people even choose it over Fenders believe it or not.

One also notable thing with this amp is its amazing ability to get great tone at even bedroom levels. I will never sell this amp for that reason, even if I do replace it for gigs it is a great practice amp if need be.

This amp is 10 years old, and has yet to have a problem. The guy I purchased it from said he gigged with it regularly for two years and it never had a single problem. I have owned it since, and couldn't be happier.

Would I gig without a backup? No, but I wouldn't do that with any amp on the planet. But if I had no choice, I'd be confident that it will be a beast each and every night.

I've only dealt with Mesa Boogie for different amps, but each and every time they have been amazing. Seriously one of the best companies I've dealt with. They also have authorized service center's everywhere, which is great.

I've been playing for almost twelve years now, and it has lasted through every one of my buying and selling phases. I've had Carvin Legacy's and V3, and other Mesa's, and the DC-5 stomps them all on every level.

The only thing I could gripe about is it only being a two channel amp, and my needs are starting to outgrow it, so I'm picking up a Mark IV. I can't give it a less rating for this because when buying the amp you already know how many channels and that this could be limiting. However for the price these go for today ($500-$600), it cannot be passed up.

I have no idea what year the amp was made in, probably mid to late 90's since it has the older foot switching configuration of eq/rev and a lone channel switch.
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The DC-5 is supposed to be the clean and lead channel from the fabled Mark IV amp. While you don't have all of the switching options of a Mark IV, like Pentode/diode and class switch, I absolutely LOVE this amp. I owned a Mark IV head for two years and I sold it cause the cab weighed damn near 70lbs. So I opted for this combo which I have had for 4 months now, and I feel like I now know the amp well enough to write a review.
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You have two channels, with independent Gain, mid/tre/bass/pres, reverb, master volume, a 5-band assignable graphic EQ, an effects loop and a Global Master Output knob. Mine has the 90watt Black Shadow 12".
The Reverb/EQ and Channel is foot switchable, though the FX Loop is not Switchable, nor is it Assignable. If it's on, its on, and I find that limiting for such a fine amp.
It runs on two 6L6 power tubes and 5 12ax7's and it is the LOUDEST 50 WATT combo I've ever heard.
I'm giving this amp a "7" for features because the effects loop isn't channel assignable or foot switchable, nor is the "boost" knob on the clean channel, though you can have it modded to be footswitchable, though I have no Idea how much that would cost.

As for guitars I use with this amp, I have an old Jackson Dinky with EMG 81's, a PRS Custom 24 20th Anniversary model with the HFS pickup in the bridge and the Vintage humber in the neck, and I have an old '77 or '78 Fender Mustang in DArk see-through burgundy/oxblood finish (This is the only Mustang I've seen with this finish) and a pair of high Duncan Hotrails. I keep this guitar tuned to a "C" tuning for Killswitch, DT's "TRAIN OF THOUGHT" album and just plain old fun low-tuned riffage. With each guitar this amp shines, or lets the guitar shine, but out of all, the PRS Custom 24 has the most defined low-end, and proves to betrue through any amp I play through.

The Clean channel on this combo is ASTOUnDING!!!!! I've read on here where people knock the clean channel on the DC-5, I'm not sure if I lucked out or what, but to hell with Fender "BLACKFACE" purists. The clean on the combo is warm, articulate, full-bodied and the reverb is awesome on the clean channel to. Kudos to Mesa/Boogie, while most amp makers leave their spring reverb tank out in the open to get dirty, and corroded, Mesa/Boogie wraps theirs in a custom vinyl bag and uses button straps to secure it to the inside of the combo floor. I digress....
The Clean channel can break up nicely and when you pull out the Gain knob it's a great, overly saturated Marshall-esque kinda crunch. I havn't used this amp with any pedals, so I can't comment on how it reacts to a Boss DS-1 or Tubescreamer.
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The Gain channel on this amp is a MONSTER!!! It has such a liquid drive factor to it for leads. And a great rhythm sound, a good "CHUG" is the only way to describe it. I achieve all of these sounds without the 5-band Graphic EQ.
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Initially I used the EQ all the time. I started with Mesa's guidelines in the manual and even set it up with some of their suggested settings in the manual. This sound was great, but lacked something I was looking for. In the manual, all of Mesa's setting had the Global Output on 2 or 3, with the Channel Master Volume on 5, 6 or 7, somewhere around there. These were OK. But I've been fiddling with this thing for 4 months now and about a month ago I made a discovery that completely changed the tonality of the entire amp and made my jaw drop to the floor. I haven't changed a thing in a month and still get chills when i crank the DC-5 up. I went in the opposite direction of Mesa's suggested settings. Now maybe I'm just a dumb-ass and maybe everyone would've figured this out on day one, so maybe I'm just going to state the obvious for everyone here, but instead of getting my sounds on each channel and using the Global Output on, say, 2 or 3, I turned both Master Voulumes to "0", cranked the Global Output to around 7 or 8, and then "Slowly" upped the Channel Master Volume, and "OH MY GOD", the pure liquid tone, well defined lows, and harmonic rich overtones I was looking for came to life. Like I said, maybe everyone else did this on day one, And I'm just a little slow discovering this,( and Mesa does basically say the opposite in their manual) but I rarely use the 5-band Graphic EQ now, it sounds that good. I'm going to experiment with a slight boost with the EQ, for but right now, I'm loving this amp and the pure inspiration it gives each time I turn it on. i never tried this with my Mark IV I had for two years, and now I feel like maybe I missed something....but I sold that amp/cab for size issues, not for tone, but stil...

I have never gigged with it, but I would defenitely go in w/o a backup as Mesa/Boogies, especially this one, its built like a tank, i could even picture tank treads instead of casters on it, maybe an option Mesa/Boogie will offer in the future.

I haven't dealt with Mesa so I'm not sure. But MMI music in Mobile, AL is a certified dealer/customer support center and those guys in their are top notch, well qualified professionals.

I've been playing guitar for 15 years now. I've owned quite a few guitars over the years, though in all relevance I've only owned a Mesa/Boogie Mark IV before i got the DC-5 combo. i loved the Mark IV, and it broke my heart to sell it, but I had the Mark IV head and a Genz benz George Lynch sig. 2x12 cab, and that thing was a back breaker at nearly 70lbs.
If it were lost or stolen, I'd get another one in a heartbeat, it's that good. And right before i got this I was going to get a Fender Twin Custom 15" combo, but now I have this and the clean is good enough if not better if you can believe that, hear this amp and you will.

i love the tone of this amp, and I feel like Mesa packed it with good features and top notch quality craftsmanship. What I don't like is how the Effects Loop is not assignable or footswithable, how the boost is not footswitchable on the clean channel. Although the EQ is assignable via a back panel knob, or you can put it in and out via a foostwitch. Another thing is that Mesa actually did well was giving each channel its own reverb, most other amp makers wouldn't have.

This I was trying out a Genz-Benz Diablo 60 head and matching Tribal Cabinet. It was nice, but the Mesa DC-5 blew that amp away in every category. I also was trying out the Mesa single rectifier, but that amp was crap in my opinion.

People these days are forkiing over insane amounts of money for Mark II C+ amps and what not. The DC-5 has since been discontinued as of the mid or late 90's. And wouldn't be suprised it became a collectible one day. By the way, ALOT of top recording studios in New York keep DC-5's as regular standbys. I checked with one big studio when I was there and they had two Dumble amps, countless boutique amps, and two Mesa/Boogie DC-5's that they kept setup in a sound room and all they had was praise for the amp. Enough said.

I'n not sure if anyone will read this but I'm throwing my 2 cents worth in.
I picked up my DC 5 new from a local store for about $1000 in 1992. I was downgrading from a a hugh rack/stereo system that used a Mesa Boogie 50/50 power amp as the basis. I've used Mesa products exclusively since 1978 when I got my first Mark 2 other than a short period in the 80's when I used a Marshall because I wanted a tighter bottom than the Boogie delivered at the time. All in all this is my fifth Boogie amp. All have been fantastic.
The DC 5 is still the main amp. Since I freelance I need to cover all sounds and styles. While my tone and style seems to gravitate towrds the Ford/Carlton camp, the DC 5 covers everything amazingly well.
Features are everything you would need. All tube, 2 channel. master volume, EQ. effects loop. The other stuff I've never used.

My setup starts with various guitars. The main guitar is either a PRS CE24 or a McCarty. I use a Strat alot as well as a Gibson 335. I recently picked up a Samick Avion AV4 which believe it or not is smoking (see my review there)
I have an effects rack with nothing but a Rocktron Xpression unit a Korg tuner and a FX effect switching unit to change channels in the amp as well engage my stomp boxes (also mounted in my rack) via a Rocktron Midimate controller. For the pedals I use a Barber Tonepress, an Xotic AC Boost and a Barber Direct Drive.
From smooth jazz to Ford, Carlton, or Santana it's all here and the tone, quitness...is all here

In 15 years the amp went down on me once when after 11 years of road work and 5, 6 and 7 nights a week gigging the power transformer broke loose. This was my fault. I actually got too complacent and confident in the amp that I nver checked that componant to see if it was loose. I change power tubes every six months. Pre amp tubes maybe once a year or so (if that). I few thread taps and I was back up and running.
I did send the amp to Boogie in '94/'95 to have the gain stage backed down a little, This amp ROCKED to yhe point it had too much gain for me and my styles. So, a week at Boogie and it came ack singing. I don't know what they did besides places the 1st 12ax7 with a 12AT7 but now I run the gain on 7 or 8 wher before I got the same saturation at 5.
So reliabilty as with all Boogies is definately a 10. Call them somtimes. They answer all questions and take all the calls.

As mentioned above, this as with all Boogies are built to take use. I even had one (in a case of course) roll off the back of the truck while the crew was loading in. It fell a good 5 feet onto concrete. Not even a loose tube. If and when I had a question I call them and I get a tech on the phone immediately...and they're nice to talk to.
when I asked about a mod they told me to ship the amp to them. 10 days later it was back on stage with me.

As with all usicians I get the bug to aquire new gear. Every time I set out to check out a new amp I find myself trying to make it sound like my DC 5. It has become such a part of me that I find it hard to play through anything else. If something happened to it I would try to replace it with the same thing.

My DC-5 is a 1993, I purchased it from an aquintance in 2003. I have used this amp with a 4x12 recto cab for nearly 3 years and countless gigs. I play mainly metal and I am a very raw player. I have had no problem with the features. It is very bare bones with two channels, EQ and FX loop. I say a 10 because the features are what I like and thats simplicity.

I play mainly metal and hard rock. I have had no trouble getting the sounds I want. This baby delivers. I use mainly Gibson Les Pauls. My main guitar is a 1978 Standard. I would take this over a recto because I love how raw and nasty it is. This amp is not pretty and polished like the recto. The tones are great and I have been able to get metal tones, classic rock tones, and grunge tones from this sucker but it may not be for everyone. I like it better than the nomad and F-series amps also

TANK!!!!!!! 3 years of giging and not one bit of trouble

Mesa is awesome, I have called them for configuration advice and they are always so helpful

Great Amp

Don't have anything to ad here anymore, exept that I swapped this amp, didn't buy it.

I use several different guitars for different styles, but al of them sound perfect on this amp.When i hook my 60's reissue strat or '73 Telecaster deluxe up to it I can get amazing clean sounds on the rythm channel and nice overdriven sounds by pulling the gainboost, with my ESP KH-2 I can make it sound like metallica was playing in yer backyard, even my samick hollowbody sound good on this.
It may take a while before you find the perfect sound that fits for you, but find it you will! Just screw around with the EQ and all the other controls on this amp will give you full satisfaction.

I went to south-america for 1/2 year and I lend it to one of my friends. He stored it in a dirty,wet,old shack. When I got it back, it didn't do anything, so I was kinda super pissed at my friend. Apparently the outer fuse was blown so I replaced it, but it still did'nt want to work, so I got the tubes out put them back in to place, disconected some wires and connected them again. THE AMP WAS REBORN AND NOT A SINGLE SPARE PART USED. This is what I call 200 percent reliable.

Never had to deal with them. There products are so damn reliable! :p LOL

I can't say a bad word about this amp. There's nothing that's lacking for me. It's just perfect as it is. I've owned/played some different marshalls/hughes & kettner/boogies/..., but this is the one amp I liked the most.

This is a follow-up review to the one I submitted almost a year ago, so I won't go into the details of features here.

I've had this amp for almost a year now, and it's still my favorite amp of all I've ever owned! I'm running it slightly differently now though, and this will be of interest to all the players out there who really like the classic Boogie lead tone.

About two months ago, I bought a Radial Engineering Tonebone Trimode dual-overdrive pedal on recommendation from various guitar magazine reviews regarding Radial's single-channel "Classic Overdrive". I had been using an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer for medium-gain overdrive, then kicking in the DC5's lead channel for heavy crunch and solos. Trouble was, I ended up doing a lot of tap-dancing to change my tones, and I couldn't get my delays to sound the way I wanted them to when the lead channel was on (I like running delay after distortion and I use a Boss delay pedal before the amp). As much as I like my old TS9 too, it just doesn't have the sparkle and guitar-adjustable tone I was looking for (TS9's just have their own sound...fairly compressed and slightly midrangey).

Anyway, the Trimode offered two tones in one pedal...a middle-gain and a high-gain. The middle-gain side sounded just like what I wanted...somewhat like a Tube Screamer, but WAAAY more adjustable and dynamic (especially at the guitar)...while the high-gain channel is a near-perfect clone of my DC5's lead channel!!! Seriously, all you DC5/classic Boogie lead-tone lovers out there...you owe it to yourself to try this combination!

Here's my setup now: Carvin Bolt axe -> Boss TU2 -> Boss CS3 -> Ibanez TS9 -> Tonebone Trimode -> Boss CE5 -> Boss DD5 -> Mesa/Boogie DC5 set to clean channel with pull boost on. This is by far the best signal chain I have ever put together and I'm tickled with the results! I still use my TS9 for certain songs because I've got it set for mild drive, while the Trimode is set for light crunch and lead tone. They even sound good when they're on at the same time...I just use the TS9 to "push" the Trimode a little harder. And the sound continues to LEAP out of this amp! I've never had this much dynamic range with all my tones, and it's just the stock 1-12" Black Shadow!

No problems at all...

No need...

Best amp I've ever owned! Someday, I might choose to drop $1600 on a Mesa Lone Star 2x12", but until then I'm totally happy with the DC5!

Made in the Good Ol' U.S.A. Thank God.
Amp kicks Butt! waited more than 2 mos. to write this review. It changed my whole new attitude on amps. During the good old days, I don't care about amps. I gig on them on clubs that provided them, my guitar was cheap imitation as well so, I have to make the best of what I have. I used to have a Washburn solid state that I crank out with my unknown distortion at home to practice. I retired playing back in 89, only to find myself haunted over and over. I got back playing as a hobby. Now that I can afford it, Bought myself a Peavey Classic 30 just to look for that tube sound. I was very happy cranking my Fender lonestar, Wolfgang, Greco lawsuit LP and JS1000, until I bought my Musicman JPM Piezo . That would not give out the sound I want. Heard the reviews with the Musicman JPM, almost believed the guitar sucks until I told myself JP uses Mesa. Maybe I should give it a shot. It worked! The guitar was by far superior when played with this Boogie and as well as all my guitars including the cheapy models!

Amp has 2 channels. Rhythm and Lead, but the Rhythm has a pull volume that gives out a 3rd channel for bluesy stuff. It came with the foot pedal for Rhythm and Lead. Equalizer was a bonus. It will change tone at a slight change of the knobs. Thinking about investing on the newer version of the foot pedal that lets you use the equalizer in the rhythm channel. It has a recording out that haven't tried yet but surely will. Effects loop. Headphone jack? who cares? this amp can give you sweet tones even at lower volumes, you just have to experiment on the knobs. No gigs. Just in the bedroom at 1 in the master volume. Can you imagine cranking it at 2 the wife does a chorus with the amp, what more at higher volumes?
I think you got it!
It came with a Celestion vintage 30, was wondering how will it sound with an EVM 12. Just can't win those and find them easily.

I have several in my bedroom that I use with it. Greco 1978 LP Japanese Lawsuit model, 1999 Peavey wolgang archtop red flame, Fender 1999 Lonestar sienna burst strat, Ibanes JS1000BP, Music Man JPM Mystic Dream w/ Piezo, Washburn g-v10 and my own version of Frankenstrat. All of them kicks butt with this amp! I played almost everything, Top 40, 60's, 70's 80's but my current listening hobby right now are proggressive Rock and guitar instrumentals. All of these sounds, The DC-5 can give you all your money's worth.
This was one funny observatio though, while all the amps give you a distorted sound at the clean channel at higher volumes, my DC-5 is the opposite. It gives me better cleaner sound at higher volumes(unless you pull the knob, which gives you the blues OD sound). How brutal is the distortion? good enough for me to get the dream theater "train of thought" sound.

This was the early model version(square lining on the rhythm/lead swich not present yet). When I recieved the amp(UPS) the 5 of the 6 preamps were smashed(Although they have a protector bar). You can tell it has been tossed around. I was really worried that something else might be wrong, but after going to GC and bought replacement tubes, it worked fine. You can't really blame mesa if ups tossed it around. It lasted this long from the early 90's til now, it should last forever!
I called Mesa for something else and they were very helpful. I' give them a 10.

As I mentined, I called them for something else and they were very helpful. Otherwise I'd travel 1 hour from my home and give them a piece of my mind(just kidding). No bias need for this amp. Bought replacement and put them in, Tone was excellent.
No breakdowns yet so far. Mesa's home is an hour from where I'm at so it's very easy for me to go there, although they have a couple of dealers and authorized centers in my area.
Bought it used at e-bay so there's no warranty. Don't have to worry about it because I think I have the best amp brand that you can buy out there.

Too bad it's discontinued but I guess this was where the Nomads and F series were built upon.
Other than this amp, I own a Peavey classic 30(still keeping it for the vintage sound but might get rid of it soon), Marshall mg15fx solid state(keeping it for wife's sanity).
If it is stolen or lost I would buy one again If I could find one, If not I'll buy another Boogie Model with similar features. Love everything on it except the people who delivered it.
Was looking also at another boogie(lonestar,33 caliber, JCM800 and Peavey 5150). I chose this one because I was intrigued by the separate control knobs for the two channels and the equalizer as well. Having a peavey classic 30 with el84's also convinced me to give 6l6's a shot.
Wish I could hoose to use el34's as alternative power tube.
something to share? Shut up and play yer Boogie!!!

TUBE BABY!!! 2 x 6l6 and 6 x 12ax7

I use a Fender Big Apple strat w/ Duncan humbuckers. I've had this amp for 5 months now and I can honestly say that I have never owned a finer tube combo. Clean channel is rich and full when you add the EQ. It is a little thin without the EQ for what I like but is very usable. The crunch channel is great for blues and gives a great boost to the clean channel. My only gripe is that they should have made the crunch boost on the clean channel footswicthable. The distorion channel goes from biting blues to Metal Debauchery by adjusting the gain. I play Heavy rock and blues and this amp suits those styles nicely. The 60 watts is more than enoug to peel paint and piss your neighbors off!!! You can add an ext cab and this will kick ass in clubs!!!

This is a fickle beast so if your a plug and play guy, this may not be the amp for you. I have found some great sound in this amp but you have to experiment.

Solid ,no issues!!!!

N/A.

Love it and I will not look for another amp. I am happy for the first time. It does everything I need it to.

This amp could use a solo boost. I'm going to see if something can be retrofitted.
I use this amp in basement jam sessions, and it's freaking loud - I play with the main volume at about 1.5/10 or so. The main volume knob is very touchy, so it's difficult to adjust the level when you're only at 1.5 :(

I play hard rock, punk and some alternative stuff, and this amp ROCKS.
I have never heard a better sounding combo, and it makes my guitar sound amazing. Everyone who has heard it, loves it.

The clean channel can be as clean as you want, though I haven't played it louder than a basement can handle. You can also overdrive it easily, which lets you have two overdrive channels available by footswitch.

The lead channel is very flexible, and it takes a bit of trial and error to get the tone. I still haven't mastered it yet, but when I fluke onto a good setting, it sounds incredible.

No problems yet. It's two years old, and I've owned it for about 8 months.

I love this amp!

I won't rehash the obvious...just the right amount of flexible options: I don't want an amp with more than two channels - this fits the bill.

three words: OH...MY...GOD! I've owned three other boogies in the past - a three channel Dual Rec, F-50 Head, and a Stiletto Duece that I still have (Its a good amp, too). I've read other reviews where they sound similar to a D/R in the lead channel. NO WAY! Sounds MUCH better. I suppose you could dial in a RECTO tone though, the tone controls are very responsive, and the EQ is as well.

I've also read others compare it to a F-50. Puh-lease! The f-50 is a good amp, don't get me wrong, but it just doesn't sound as good as the DC-5. It took me 4ever to get a great lead tone from the f-50. The DC-5 less than 2 mins. Of course, that may not be fair: I've been using boogies for a while and seem to be able to better tweak them.

Anyway, its very punchy and articulate. You can strum an open E major chord on an heavily distorted setting (I keep it around 7-8) and you can still hear each individual string. Nice! though, not as gain-heavy as the Recto, or even F-50, it still can sound very Heavy, especially with the mids around 4-5. Palm mutes are crisp and hit you in the chest like a baseball bat. Use the EQ, and you can dial in some nasty scooped mid mayhem - though I like the mids, and only use a very,VERY shallow (or flat) v.

Cleans are smokey and dark, but still retain a chimey quality. It overdrives nicely, too.

the separate reverb for each channel is nice to have. But I prefer to leave the reverb off most of the time, and only use if for lead work or single note riffing/fills.

It will be a nice addition to my "family" of amps.

Don't know yet: But if its heritage means anything, I doubt I will have any issues. I've never had problems with any of my other boogies - and I've accidently been really hard on them. I won't embarrass myself by telling you about the time I turned on my Stiletto and wondered why no sound was coming out, only to realize it wasn't hooked up the the cab it was sitting on. Poor thing! Still, once hooked up, it never acted like anything had ever been wrong.

I expect the same kind of durability and reliability from this one, too.

I've dealt with them via email about other amps, and they were very responsive and polite.

I haven't had it that long; but you usually know if you have something special within minutes. I "connected" with this amp almost instantly. You know the feeling: its as if the amp sounds so good you feel like you're playing better, more confidently. If lost or stolen, I would definately get a replacement! I have another combo, a Prosonic, that will probably end up on eBay: It probably just won't get played anymore with this amp around.