Mesa/Boogie DC-5 Head

Two channels, footswitchable, with a push/pull gain knob on clean channel. Others below have either had this modded or wished it were so from day 1. I agree. I must ask though, to those who have modded it, does you get an ugly volume boost when you hit the pushed? It would appear that they don't balance, hence not being on the footswitch. I'm in the dark though.

YOu know all the features.

It's a little limited [largely coz of that push/pull thing] because whilst yes it kicks ass clean and dirty, that's all it does. A third channel would be nice. I hear they've done that in the Nomads, with mixed results?

Ok if anyone actually reads this stuff I desperately want some feedback on it. You can find me at ddss@tig.com.au .. This amp was bought by me in part due to having heard from a million people that boogie build tanks. But this thing has failed on me numerous times. The first time I had the chassis entirely replaced [that was under warranty, thankfully] but this time is much less happy. First off, there's four little relay chips [why don't they just use normal switches? I'm not an electronics guy so I have NFI] that interact with the footswitch etc. One of them blew. Fine, blow away.. but tonite at a gig I got fire and smoke coming outta the power supply and one of the tubes resembled one of those light globe shows they have at the museum where you touch it and the light follows your hand. I'll go to the museum for that, not to a gig. I may be showing my ignorance and it could just be a stupid valve but I just had em all replaced etc and I think the bias is automatic on this amp. So if anyone else has had this kind of crap happen, let me know -please-.

I'm in Australia so it's an NA for me

great if it'd work for a week

Not exactly sure of the model year, but I'd guess it's mid 90's since that's when they stopped making these. This amp is totally versatile. It's capable of great clean sounds, dirty blues tones and bone crunching distortion. Has 2 channels, clean and distorted, with a gain boost on the clean channel. Also has a 5 band grapic EQ which is nice cuz it eliminates the need for my EQ pedal. Has everything I need in an amp.

This is the perfect amp for the hard rock style that my band plays. The tone on this thing blew me away the first time I played it. The clean channel sounds thick and warm and the distortion can go from bluesy crunch to hard rock muscle, and this thing has plenty of muscle. I use it with my two Ibanez guitars, a GAX70 equipped with DiMarzio humbuckers (evolution bridge, PAF pro neck) and a Talman with stock pickups (soon to be replaced). Either guitar sounds incredible through this amp. It's really good at bringing out the individual sound of whatever guitar you plug into it.

Haven't had a problem with it yet and don't really anticipate any major ones. It's out of warranty so if I have any problems I'll either fix it myself or have a good amp tech do it.

haven't dealt with Mesa/Boogie yet, but I need to see about getting a footswitch so we'll see what happens.

Overall, I'd say this is a very well built amp. The previous owner toured a lot with this one so it's seen lots of action. Even so, it still works great. For the price, I couldn't ask for a better amp. Heard these used to retail for like $1300 so this was one hell of a find. If someone stole this head from me, I'd have to track them down, beat the living hell outta them, and then take my amp back. I'd definitely buy it again. In fact, I might buy another one to use as a backup if I can find another. If you play any kind of rock music and need a great sounding head, do yourself a favor and get one of these if you can find one. You won't regret it.

bought this used on ebay. it was made maybe around 97? this head is very versitile, although the mesa boogie high gain sound suits had rock/metal better than anything else. this head has three channels. the clean channel, the dirty channel which is activated by a push pull knob on the gain knob of the clean channel, and the roaring distortion channel. seperate eq for both channels (the dirty channel assumes the eq of the clean). bass, middle,treble, prescence, gain, volume and reverb for each channel, and then a seperate master volume knob to turn up the whole shindig. effects loop. imputs for 4ohm, 4ohm, and 8 ohm cabs. silent recording out, headphone jack etc. this has it all. and of course the graphic eq. im not good with alot of knobs. i go crazy.... its not even a graphic eq its more of a i dunno what to call it. all the knobs are wacky as all mesas. i play with them for 6 hours and play guitar for 5. i have one problem with this amp, the dirty channel is not footswitchable. you can footswitch reverb and both clean and distortion, but you can activate the dirty channel. i believe one of the reviews below has a guy that said he got a mod to be able to do this. considering i play very dynamic indie rock and sometimes a bit of metal or punk rock type stuff, it would be great to activate all channels. im not into backing off the volume knob..

i use a 72 gibson sg standard, mini humbukcers i think. the frets need work so it doenst sound as good as it should. but it sounds good. im still fooling around with the knobs.... still trying to pinpoint it. i get sick of it but im sure it will be worth it. the clean i got so far, it sounds awesome and doesnt break up at all. . the distortion is heavy. breaks up differently than marshalls, which im used to. i like it though. very versitile amp.

looks tough. looks mean.

havent talked to them. they have helpful manuals on their page.

been playing for 4 or 5 years. i have a msrahll jcm 900 im borrowing. i like jcm 800s, i have a sovtek 50 watt. sovteks are ace. id buy this again if it was 550 of course! try this. sounds good. hands down loudest amp ive owned. louder than my marshall 100 watts

Dual channel, rhythm and lead with a pull boost knob (gain) on the rhythm channel. Also, a master volume, well, it's called "output level", which controls the overall volume of both channels, very cool because you can get really good sound at moderate volumes. Five band EQ assignable to rhythm and lead channels or lead only. Two 6L6's in the main power section and 6 12ax7's in the preamp section. Effects loop on the back as well as recording and headphone outputs. I bought the amp new about a year and a half ago and have used it primarily for recording and have jammed with friends a few times with it. I came close to getting rid of it a few times when I first started using it because it's definitely not just a plug and play amp. It takes time to learn the nuances of how various tonal and volume settings affect the overall sound. Once I spent the time to get to learn how to get what I wanted I was and have been extremely happy with it.

My primary guitar is a DeArmond JetStar and I also have a Carvin SC90 and a Fender California Fat Strat with a Dimarzio PAF Pro. Basically, I prefer humbuckers with a bright, cutting sound. The DeArmond has particularly bright humbuckers and single notes on the high e and b strings chime like bells. I get what is, for me, an absolute perfect rhythm crunch. I like my rhythm sound to be clean enough so soft picking/strumming allows chords to retain their character while being right on the edge of breaking up. Also, when I want to bear down and get the strings flopping around and pushing the amp I want to be able to get a nice, warm, crunchy distortion which this amp has in spades. The lead channel, for me at least, is really only useful for, drum roll please, single note lead stuff (hence, why it's called the "lead" channel, duh). Notes sustain for days and there's all kinds of nice skronking harmonics dancing around all over the place...nice. There is a caveat here, though, you HAVE to spend time with this amp to be able to get what you want, it's definitely there, but, you have to get to it (which is why I give it an 8, I don't like to work, dammit!).

Guessing, based on Mesa's rep and the way this thing is built it will last a long, long time without any significant problems.

I had to order a footswitch from them and received it in a few days, no problems. Really haven't dealt with anyone regarding a problem though.

I've been playing now for twenty-five years and own a Carvin Vintage33 combo as well as a Marshall Valvestate 30W combo (have to do a bit of travelling for work and the Marshall is a good hotel room amp). Since I've spent the time to get to know this amp and can tweak my ideal sound out of it, I'd probably buy it again, although, I played a Bhudda combo which I liked a lot which I might consider, but, overall, my Mesa freaking kicks the llamas ass overall.

LOOK BELOW FOR THE FEATURES AND SUCH. I PUCHASED THIS AMP IN EARLY 2000. IT WAS USED, BUT IN MINT CONDITION. THIS IS THE MOST VERSITLE HEAD I HAVE EVER OWNED. IT CAN BE SUPER CLEAN, TO RECTIFIER DIRTY.
THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD MAKE THIS AMP BETTER IS IF THE PULL KNOB ON THE CLEAN CHANNEL COULD BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE CHANNEL SWITCHER. AND DONT LET THE FACT THAT THIS AMP IS ONLY 50 WATTS FOOL YOU. TO GET TO ANY AMPS SWEET SPOT YOU HAVE TO CRANK IT, SO THIS AMP GETS A LOT SWEETER, AT A LOT LOWER VOLUMES. AND YOU DONT DROWN OUT THE REST OF THE BAND, OR GO DEAF IN THE MEANTIME! AND 50 WATTS FROM MESA IS LOUDER THAN MOST OTHER COMPANIES 120 WATTS. I NEVER TURN THIS AMP UP PAST 4 ON THE MASTER, AND 5 ON THE INDIVIDUAL CHANNEL LEVELS.

I PLAY AN ASSORTMENT OF IBANEZ GUITARS THROUGH THIS AMP. AND EVEN IN THE SUPER DIRTY CHANNEL THE CHARACTER OF THE INDIVIDUAL GUITARS COME THROUGH. I PLAY FROM P-FUNK TO EAST COAST OLD SCHOOL HARDCORE TO METAL TO EMO. THIS AMP DOES IT ALL, VERY WELL!! THIS AMP IS THE BEST OF ALL THE MESA AMPS COMBINED. IT HAS THAT SWEET CLEAN TONE OF THE MARK 4 TO THE MODERN DISTROTION OF THE RECTOS. AND SOMETHING THAT THE RECTOS HAVE SORELY MISSED, UNTIL LATELY, CHANNEL SPECIFIC REVERB!!! MY PERSONAL FAV DISTORTION TONE IS THE RECTO DISTORTION. BUT IT RULES IN THE FACT THAT THE MARK 4 CLEAN IS SO MUCH NICER THAN ANY CLEAN FOUND IN A RECTO HEAD. I HAVE KNOWN MANY PLAYERS TO OWN THIS SAME MODEL OF
HEAD, AND WE ALL HAVE DUG IT. THE REVERB IS NICE, IT HAS A SMOOTH TAIL AND ISNT SUPER BOINGY LIKE OLD FENDER REVERBS.

I GIG WITHOUT A BACKUP. JUST ALWAYS TAKE EXTRA TUBES AND FUSES TO THE SHOW. NOT CAUSE THE AMP IS FLAKY BUT CAUSE THE LITTLE CLUBS SOMETIMES HAVE CRAPPY WIREING.SINCE PURCHASING THIS AMP I HAVE GIGED ABOUT 3 TIMES A MONTH FOR 6 MONTHS, AND PRACTICED ALL IN BETWEEN, THIS AMP HAS ROCKED ON, NO PROBLEMS!!

TRIED TO CONTACT THEM, NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK?!? THEY MUST BE SUPER BUSY. BUT WITH EQUIPMENT THIS SOLID YOU HARDLY NEED ANY CUSTOMER SUPPORT!!

IVE BEEN PLAYING 15 YEARS AND I HAVE OWNED OTHER HEADS AND RACK GEAR. THIS PEACE BLOWS EVERTHING ELSE AWAY! I WOULD DEFINATLY BUY THIS AGAIN AND HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER, JUST TO KEEP AT THE HOUSE. I COMPARED THIS AMP TO TONES OF OTHER AMPS FROM SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES. FOR THE $ AND THE TONE, THIS CANT BE BEAT. AND ON A FINAL NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE THAT MESA DISCONTINUED THIS AMP CAUSE IT WAS ORIGIONALLY MEANT TO GET PEOPLE INTO OTHER, MORE EXPENSIVE MESA GEAR, BUT WHEN PEOPLE FOUND OUT HOW MUCH THIS AMP RULED AND HOW MUCH MORE VERSITILE IT WAS, THE PLAYERS JUST DECIDED TO STICK WITH THE DC-5. (THE NOMAD SERIES IS NOTHING LIKE THE DC SERIES, I PERSONALLY DONT LIKE THE NOMADS AT ALL.)

My DC-5 head was made in 1994. This amp is really versatile,dues to the differently voiced channels. The Rhythm channel delivers clean to crunch sounds (big crunch sounds !) while the lead channel gives you distortion and sustain en masse. The Rhythm channel has a pull boost feature which not only adds more gain but also changes the whole channel's voicing. My amp was modified to have the pull boost footswitchable. EQ and Reverb are footswitchable by factory.
The amp has all I need : Gain,Treble,Mid,Bass,Presence,Reverb and Master controls for each channel. The Mid control in the Rhythm channel acts very effective from 0-4. From 4-10 it's another gain control to add a different texture to the Rhythm channel. I use this amp with a 4x12 cab and it smokes. Oh,don't forget the 5 band equalizer (post-preamp - the tone controls are pre-preamp) which gives you the ability to shape distortion sounds from Santana to Cannibal Corpse.
This amp uses 6 12AX7s and 2 6L6GC tubes (50 watt).

I mainly use a 7 string ESP LTD with Seymour Duncan pickups. I play metal and it suits this style very well. Like I said above the DC-5 is a versatile amp (The Rhythm channel is derived from the Mark IV,the lead channel comes from the Rectifier series). Great clean headroom,it's a bit noisy on high gain settings,but that's normal for tube amps

I can't really judge its reliability,I've owned it for a month now. I had to resolder a little wire inside the reverb unit. But that was easy.

Customer support is handled through Trius-Audio (http://www.trius-audio.de) in Germany. They are quite fast and helpful and they offer a (german) messageboard at http://listen.to/mesa-boogie

I've been playing for 7 years. I love this amp.

This amp has great options to work with. It has 2 completely independant channels, and a pull boost on the clean channel. The 2 channels, and the EQ + reverb are footswitchable, but the boost on the clean channel alone is not. I dont really see that as a problem though. Its got 6 12AX7's in the pre-amp, and 2 6L6's in the power stage. It cranks out 50 Watts of class A power.....which is way more than I even need. This can get loud as hell!! When it comes to sound this thing is pure tube heaven. It really sounds amazing.....and its easy to dial in any sound that you want. You have total control over your sound with this amp. It has all the other basic features too, like the presence control, and the classic 5 band EQ sliders.

I use a Fender strat with a humbucker....and it sounds really great. I can get a really thick and fat tone. The lead channel in this amp is really heavy....lots of gain going on. This is what Mesa/Boogie does best....they're known for their liquid smooth, in your face searing metal tone. On the lighter side of things, the boost on the clean channel can crunch up really nicely and give you anything from a blues sound.....to a fatter classic rock sound. I used to own a .50 Caliber + Boogie head, and that sounded really good, but it just lacked the versatility that this amp has. I needed two independant channels, and total control over my sound. That is what this amp gives you. I am totally satisfied with this amp.

This thing is built like a tank. Really rugged construction, and I dont think that it would break if I tossed it against a wall. Mesa/Boogie is known for building reliable, trustworthy amps.

Although I haven't had any problems with my amp to date....I have called Mesa to ask questions and to get information. The service is really good and friendly. The only problem is, that there isn't too much customer service. I think there is like only 2 or 3 tech support guys over there!! This makes them really hard to get a hold of, as they are always busy with callers. You can leave a message though, and they almost always call you back. Its only due to the availability that I give them an 8 instead of a 10.

I bought this amp for a great price, and it is totally worth every penny, and more. Ive been playing for almost 6 years now, and this is the best amp i've owned to date....easily. Its totally versatile, and can accomodate any type of music that I want to play. I mainly play more modern music, anything from alternative, to punk rock and metal, and this amp can do it all with ease. Im Boogie core from here on out.

I bought the head in 1999, and it was made in 1998. I got it at a pawn shop for $599.00. I play jazz/fusion/blues and it covers all of these areas. I rarely use the lead channel;its too heavy. I put a 12AT7 in the first position pre-amp and it sweetened the tone up alot. I wish the lead channel was more of an overdrive than balls-to-the-wall metel, but I guess the rhythm channel can do that. It has plenty of power, and I rarely turn the master above 3.

I use a PRS with humbucking pick-ups, and there is never a noise problem. Sometimes I get radio interference when I play at high areas (Queene Anne in Seattle) but no serious noise probs.
Overdrive in channel one is perfect, lead drive is a bit too much for me, but perfect for scooped metal riffs

Never had a problem. Built to last...forever!

Very busy these days, but extremely friendly

(as of the time i am writing this, the dual caliber series is discontinued and has been replaced by the nomad series). This amp has all the features you need, ever! however, it is still incredibly simple to use. This amp covers all styles of rock, and can also do jazz and country easily. The features are 2 channels. Rhythym (clean) features Gain (pull boost), Treble, Mid, Bass, Presence, Master, Reverb. Lead (distortion) features the same controls as the rhythym channel but with out the pull boost. There is also a 5 band graphic eq, and output pot, which controls overall loudness of the 2 channels. It also has an effects loop w/ level. and slave output w/ level. also 2 4-ohm spk. outs and 1 8-ohm out. It has 50 watts, 2 6l6, and 6 12ax7, with tube driven accutronics reverb. It has everything you will ever need and still sounds amazing and is simple to use. it also has a footswitch to activate the graphic eq and switch clean to dirty. the eq can also be set as lead only, rhytghym and lead, and rythym only.

I use a carvin dc-127 with this amp with duncan invaders and run it through at bbe 462 in the effects loop and use a crate 4x12 cab. i mainly play thrash/death metal and let me tell you something, THIS HAS THE BEST POSSIBLE TONE EVER FOR METAL!!!! goven you use it with the bbe, which improves the tone of anything you use it with. The clean channel can give you the cleanest tones (think roland jazz) but can also give you the deepest and warmest jazz tones. The rhythym channel also can give you the perfect mid driven blues tone and even a punchy rhythym distortion tone. The reverb is great, not splattery and wobbling like fender, but long, smooth warm trailing tone. The distortion channel with out the graphic eq is santana. sustain for ever! clarity and punch is the sound here! it cannot give you a scooped mid tone but gives you a huge warm fluid overdrive perfect for solos. When you use the eq on the lead channel, this is where the mayhem enters. give it the fabled "v" curve and turn the gain up to 8, treble 3, mid 2, bass 3, use the bbe, and you get a more brutal saturated distortion more heavy than metallica circa- master of puppets. And it never looses definition!!! This is better than any other drive channel, by anyone. then take of the eq and you got the perfect lead channel!!

THIS IS A MESA BOOGIE!!!! along with soldano, mesa boogie has the best reputation for reliablility.

I talked to them a couple times and they are always willing to help out with any questions. Even after i was done they still wanted to continue talking to answer any other question i had. very nice people.

you can get the deepest and heaviest distortion sounds, the cleanest sparkling clean sounds, and everything in between. i dunno what else to say, this is the best amp for the money.

Gain, volume, low, mid, high, presence, and reverb for each channel plus a 5 band equalizer, and a master volume.

The sound is pure tube heaven I dont know if im more taken away by the lushish clean tones or the monstrous distortion Another great thing is that you can get sweet bluesy overdrive on the clean channel, everything sounds so good

ive only had it for like 3 weeks but from what ive heard mesas are built ford tough

Sweet sounding amp that broke my wallet but was worth every penny i got tired of messing around with cheap crate amps and cheap fenders overall this amp just sings and id recommend it to anyone