Mesa/Boogie F-50 112 Combo

I bought this 2002/2003 Mesa F-50 combo off of ebay almost 2 years ago.

2 channels, with a bright pull-switch on the clean channel, and a boosted lead sound on the distortion channel. Onboard spring reverb, which kicks some serious ass. An effects loop that I've never used. Recording output and speaker mute.

It has a little too much power for my needs. The 50-watt rating is over-kill for the mic'd shows I usually play. The volume controls aren't very useful at lower volume settings, going from too-quiet to far-too-loud within a few degrees' turn.

Generally, it's taken care of my needs pretty well over the past 2 years.

Rating:
Clean Channel -> 9
Distortion Channel -> 5 (through the onboard speaker), 4 (through my Mesa 4x12), 6 (through a Marshall 4x12)

I play a 2002 Gibson double-cut LP, with some really hot pickups.

This amp is definitely more suited to a rhythm guitarist.

Clean
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The clean channel sound amazing, going from pure clean to moderately distorted with a flick of the gain control. This is perfect for my jazzy-ska rhythm style. Once the amp has been warmed up for several hours, it generates the greatest clean sound I've ever heard.

Distortion
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The distortion channel is why this amp gets a low overall score; it's terribly muddy and undefined. When it's time for my band to switch into power-chord chorus, I always find myself wishing it were louder, with more bite.

There are 2 modes of operation on the distortion channel: standard and mid-boost. The standard distortion is useless; it sounds like a pillow has been placed in front of the speaker. The mid-boost mode adds more volume and mids, resulting in a slightly more defined sound, I use this mode exclusively.

I've tried cutting the mid and bass controls, raising the treble, playing through different speakers, but nothing will entirely get rid of the lame mud. Even if this did help, you're not supposed to fight your amp for good tone.

Playing through a Marshall 4x12 helps the situation quite a bit, though.

Speaker
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The 12" Black Shadow speaker isn't the greatest, either. It flabs out on the bass at the high end of the volume spectrum.

I've never had any major problems with this amp. I have a few peeves, however.

The fuse is difficult to seat properly in it's socket. It's come loose on me a couple of times, once right before a set which caused me to switch amps.

The 12" Black Shadow speaker flabs out with too much bass at high volumes.

On the plus side, the amp is built like a freakin' tank. It gets mistreated as all regularly gigged gear does

I've never dealt with Mesa.

The previous owner ordered a replacement LED directly from the company and they shipped it to him for free, so that's a pretty good sign.

This amp isn't the cure to the search for perfect tone, but I'll probably keep it because of the clean channel.

Very simple control scheme 2 channel amp with a pull bright function for the clean channel and a contour function for the dirty channel. Although this is 50 watts it is almost as loud as a 100 watt marshall stack. Finally, it does have a reverb tank.

This amp is quite versatile but won't nail any death metal/heavy metal tones. It can go as heavy as metallica. So basically, from country to hard rock is covered. The distortion is as heavy as the dual rectifier but with a much different tone.

Too soon to tell.

Warranty is excellent and Mesa people are easy to contact compared to all other major amp manufacturers save Line 6 perhaps.

This is an excellent amp for shows and practicing.

2004...see Mesa website for details.

2 channels, but the 3rd contour one really kicks in some Marsall-esqe/recto influence there. More than enough power. Clean is the best I've heard...up to this point anyway.

Beautiful clean sounds. Suits my style perfectly, because i wanted a stripped down amp, with little options like mesas other amps (tweed, crunch,lead switches etc..) they all sound juicy, like in the lonestar, but this is simple, yet has all the tone u ever need for classic rock, and maybe some high gain influence, although that is NOT what this amp is meant for. More like a 3 channel amp really.

Your vol knob on the guitar has a great deal of influence as sell, and you really need to find your sweet spots with this amp. More than loud enough for club and some bigger venues. No issues there. Im thinking of an extension cab, like the recto 2x12 for some closed back addition to the open on this combo.

I guess so, but after getting it, I noticed the clean channel had some hissy noise creeping into it, but , like usual, and what happens 90% of the time, its the tubes. Mesa has sent me 2 new 12ax7's (actually not the problem, but too late, they sent them anyway) and 2 x6L6's since one of the 6L6 was giving some white noise. It was intermittent , but driving me a bit batty nevertheless. Now its back to bliss, sounds fantastic. Im really starting to explore this amp more now with my 59 R.I Les Paul with Burstbucker pickups in place (original were '57's but not quite on par as the burstbuckers, and they are more true to original 59 pick up specs anyway)

Mesa is second to none. For that reason alone, plus the fact that Randall and team do this because they love doing it, puts them at the top of the heap.

Great amp. Nice weight (wont break your back) and if you cant find a useable tone, or setting with this amp, then you may as well pack it in friend. If your into death metal, high gain, get a recto, and dont be writing reviews here saying the amp sucks cuz you cant get that Linkin park type of distortion,(although contour kicked in is pretty close). Been playing for 22 years or so, and have a PRS custom 24, Les Paul R.I 59, Stratocaster, early 80's Squier Tele (great axe!!) and a Yamaha 1984 SA800(complete rip off of Gibson 335, and way better built compared to today). I play all sorts of styles, yet its my own, with influences of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Santana, and whoever else.
Mesa is great. The only other compelling amp I would like to try is an Orange Rockerverb 50, and the new Vox AC30CC but i have heard some issues with that chinese box. Orange costs a lot more and uses the 6V6 tubes, which as far as I know, are very close to 6L6 (fender) I would like therefore to look into an EL34 based amp, and maybe a hear a Stilleto calling me,,,,the deuce to compliment the 6L6 sound. Could switch back and forth, or combine them.

Just as a response to Lufla below...for one, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience...or maybe your expectations were artificially high.

Anyway, I've had my F-50 nearly two years now, and still love it...and it's one of the first production models...before the widebodies were made. (Original review below)

My effects loop is dead quiet...always has been.

Bottom end...I've got plenty of it. If you need more, run it through a multi-speaker closed back cab.

Tone controls...I will grant you that the tone controls are very subtle at high gain settings...but most other tube amps are the same way at high gain. But even a modestly discerning ear can perceive the difference and adjust appropriately. On the clean channels, I have more than adequate tone control.

Reverb...I agree with you here...to me, this is my biggest complaint about the amp...the reverb is very dry and sterile...but for the tones I get out of the amp, I can live with it.

As for the clean channel, it's one of the best I've heard!

As for "Chunk" when you hit the strings, I get plenty. But keep in mind this is a 1x12 cab...if you really want chunk, hook up to a 4x12 closed back!

Fuses...I'm still on my original fuse, and I've cranked the thing (to my ears disdain) on numerous occasions...that's two years, no fuse problems!

No cracking coming out of my speaker...unless the gain is cranked, then that's pretty normal for any amp.

Excellent...have called them a couple of times and they are awesome...even sent me a replacement part at no cost when the fault was obviously user error!

This amp won't do everything, but I've played lots of amps...even boutique amps, and have yet to find one that will. This amp blows away most of the competition in it's price range, including any Marshall DSL or TSL combo, or Fender Hot Rod series.

My biggest complaint about this amp, besides the reverb issue, is that the low gain sounds aren't quite warm enough for me (wouldn't measure up to a Dr. Z amp)...though it can be reasonably warmed up with an external EQ pedal, or you can run a OD pedal for that, too.

I bought this amp in the 2004. The F-50 has two indipendent channels, but the contour option on the crunch channel allows you to have almost 3 different channels. The push/pull gain control for the clean channel enables an useful bright mode. Controls are quite basic but not so intuitive (tone control are very effective and may radically change your sound); anyway, once you have found the eq. that best fits your instrument, you can get most of the sounds simply changing the gain control.
The amp has also send/return ports and the possibility to drive an external cab, which I plan to do in the future.

The sounds are huge. They tend in general to be a bit cold (e.g. compared to Marshall), but you casn dial in a wide range of sounds, from beautiful vintage sounds to high gain metal sounds. It can be very bluesy if you want.
The clean channel is beautiful and very dynamic, even though less loud than the crunch channel. With gain upper than 12:00 this channel is a bit crunchy, and it may be not so easy to have very clean sounds at high volumes. Generally, when playing with my band I keep channel 2 at 9:00 and channel 1 at 12:00 to match the volumes (though this is probably due to the dynamic - using a compressor would probaly easily match the volumes).
The amp anyway is *very* loud, and the best sounds need a good volume: not very suited for playing it at home.

Very good construction, even if currently I'm having some troubles with the output valves, which tended to be a bit microphonic.

Good support until now.

I've been playing this amp for one year. In my opinion is not so easy to get used to this little beast, but when you lear how to use it you have a complete control over your sound. The only things I'd like to see improved is the overall volume of the clean channel and a more general warm feel.

I have one of the early smaller body F-50s -- bought it used from original owner -- in mint condition. Features have been reviewed -- I think this has all the features I could want in a basic amp -- nicely voiced, yet different channels. More than enough power for just about any situation -- i play in a variety band and this suits me well.

Cleans are simply amazing. OD channel is quite good and sensitive to pickups, attack, and gain. Again, really quite versatile. It is a tighter OD than I am used to -- nice, but tight -- less sag, I guess. The versatility is why it warrants the 10.

no problems -- i gig without backup.

have not dealt with Mesa.

Been playing 30 years -- I love the amp for versatility and size -- again I do not have the widebody version -- it's in the F-30 size box with the F-50 chassis. I think only a few hundred of these were made -- works for me. Very good amp for the money -- especially on the used market.

1x12 Widebody Combo with 50 Watts Class A/B Power (2 Sovtek 6L6GC, 4 Sovtek 12AX7) and a Celestion Black Shadow C90 Speaker. Hand-built in the Petaluma, CA in 2003. Two fully independent channels with independent Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Reverb, and Master controls for each channel. The 3 button footswitch controls Channel 1, Channel 2, Contour, and Reverb. Pull Bright (Channel 1), Contour Switch (Channel 2), Long Tank Spring Reverb, Parallel FX Loop w/Mix Control, Record/Headphone Output, Silent Record Mute Switch, Slip Cover (a nice touch).

Purchased new in February 2004. The F-50 is very versatile and is easily able to cover the Jazz/Blues/Folk/Rock/Pop I play. I wish it had more reverb control (mix, dwell, etc.), but it?s just not that kind of amp (i.e. jazz-oriented). I infrequently use the Contour Switch, which is essentially a switchable mid-scoop with bass and treble boost, but it?s pretty effective as a boost for distorted solos. I use this amp at home and at band practice. It?s ridiculously loud and easily keeps up with a full band with power to spare. It does lack a some of the amenities that Boogie likes to include on their higher-end amps, such as a 3rd channel, user adjustable tube bias, switchable tube/solid-state rectification, a pentode/triode switch, a lead boost, footswitchable effects loop, adjustable poweramp output/attenuation, etc. So, features-wise it's pretty basic for a modern high-gain tube amp. It has no onboard effects, but I consider that a plus. I give it a 7.5, which rounds to 8.

I use it with a 2000 Hamer Artist with 2 Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbuckers, a 1993/2001 USA Stratocaster with 3 Fender singlecoils, and a 1965 Baldwin Double-Six with 3 Burns Tri-Sonic singlecoils. The amp is able to cover the Jazz/Blues/Folk/Rock/Pop that I like to play and sounds great with every guitar I play through it. I immediately swapped the stock Sovtek tubes for Electro-Harmonix pre and power tubes, which made Channel 1 sound much fuller and sweeter and Channel 2 less harsh. Channel 2 always has some background hiss, but that seems to be the norm for high gain amps. Channel 1 also has some background hiss at higher volumes. The background hiss on both channels is completely unnoticeable when playing. Also, both channels will generate microphonic feedback if you combine extreme gain and treble settings, but the manual specifically warns about that. Channel 1 can go from squeaky clean to super fat and slightly crunchy and Channel 2 can go from on-the-edge to brutal near-Rectifier distortion. The Gain knob on Channel 2 is very sensitive and quickly jumps from almost clean to lots of gain, so it can be difficult dial in a nice in between sound with the amp alone; I need to use the guitar?s volume knob to fine-tune the distortion. I give it a 9.5, which rounds to 10.

This amp is VERY solidly built. I?ve my F-50 for 1 ? years now and have never had any problems with the amp (tubes don?t count). In particular, I?ve never had the fuse problems a few reviewers have encountered. I originally replaced the stock power tubes with Svetlana Winged C's, but one quickly developed a short. So I replaced both with Electro-Harmonix power tubes, which are very sturdily built, and I haven't had a problem since. (In case anyone?s curious, I heard no difference between the Svetlana?s and E-H?s.)

I called Mesa/Boogie to inquire about the best way to utilize a multi-effects pedal with it. I got their voicemail, so I left a message and they called back within an hour. Not only did they give me great advice about the pedal, but I happened to mention the power tube failure in passing and, with no questions asked, they sent me a new set of power tubes. Also, their 5-year transferable warranty is tops. Other companies should take note. Quite simply, Mesa/Boogie has phenomenal customer service. And it gives me an extra sense of security knowing that I live little more than an hour from their Petaluma factory. This category gets an unqualified 10.

I've been playing guitar for about 6 years, electric for the last 2. I also own a 2001 Hamer Artist, a mongrel Fender American Standard Stratocaster, a 1966 Baldwin Double-Six, and a Zoom GFX-8 multi-effects pedal. If lost or stolen, I check out other amps, especially the Mesa/Boogie Lonestar and Mark IV (both are pricey, though). But I?d probably end up buy this amp again because it?s reasonably priced, exceedingly well made, produces a wide variety of great sounds, has a great warranty, and is made right here in California. The only downsides are that it?s relatively heavy for a 1x12? combo and has more gain than I really need, so the amp could be a little less hissy. Some feature that I wish it had are an adjustable boost switch for each channel, a post effects loop graphic EQ, more reverb control (mix, dwell, etc), and a variable output power switch so that you could get power amp distortion at less than ear splitting volumes. All but the latter are rectifiable with pedals, however.

I?d like to end with a note to the misguided reviewers who are disappointed because the F-50 doesn?t sound like a Rectifier: The gain structure of the F-50 is intentionally different from and less brutal than Rectifiers. Furthermore, no 50 watt 1x12? combo is going to sound like a 100 watt head pumping through one or more 4x12? stacks. Mesa claims that this amp will do rock, not nu-metal (or whatever you call that soulless melodically and harmonically challenged garbage), and it does so in spades. If you want that ultra-heavy Rectifier sound, buy a Rectifier and a few stacks for your down-tuned 7-string I-wish-I-could-play-bass-but-I-have-no-soul riffs. Don?t try to save money and whine when you don?t get the sound you weren?t promised and apparently couldn?t afford. Also, it doesn?t sound like a Marshall (though it?ll come close enough for me). If you want a Marshall, buy one. If you want a great sounding versatile amp with a unique voice, buy an F-50. I give it a 9.5, which rounds to 10.

I bought this amp in 2003. The amp, theoretically, would be versatile enough for my styles, but see next point "sounds". I play mostly rock and blues with no effects excect a wha. The features are already familiar to you, so I won't repeat them. I give it a 5 because there's nothing special about the features the amp has (considering the price).

I use a Framus Diabolo Custum with Seymor Duncan Picks and a Gibson Nighthawk Custom right through the amp, that's all. These guitars (Framus rocks) are both very very good (I've had a few)
My Mesa experience is as follows: (Only based at the F-50)
If you see a live video (e.g. Linkin Park, Dream Theater, etc) you see these people rock through Boogie amps, and you think, wow this sound is huge, I need to own one of these. So I went straight to my next Boogie dealer and bought the F-50, because I needed a versatile Combo and Mesa Engineerung claimed in it's brochures that this one would be the perfect choice to rock. At first I was really satisfied with the sounds coming out of the amp , but as days went by I recognized that I was blinded by the light.
Clean Channel: Sounds well but I owned at the same time a fender Deluxe 112 and this one was as good as the Boogie (1700 Euro to 700 Euro)
Gain/Highgain Channel: Nice, if you like Santana (in fact, even this combo doesn't catch the sound), but there is no bottom and the chords always sound loose, theres no "chunk" when you hit the strings. (Meanwhile I am working in a Music Store and have heard several F-50s but they're all the same). Every crappy amp modelling digital device gets that better.
EQ Section: Dial in what you want, but nearly nothing happens. You could donate the knobs for the poor, because the amp doesn't need them.
Reverb: Clean: lower standard. Distortion: which reverb ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Effects loop: This loop is humming (not only at my Combo, but also at five out of five others) Poorly done.

This thing (and some others, too) eats fuses like candy. Need I say more ?? Furthermore there is a "cracking" coming ot of the speaker, when not playing.

Never dealt with them, but I know some of the german distributors. They are wrong, when recommending a Boogie amp!!!

I play since 8 years and I am gigging seriously. Because of working in a music store I have heard and owned a lot of stuff and I just can say that the Boogie F-50 was the worst peace of equipment I have ever owned. BOOGIE SELLS A DREAM TO YOU BUT NO REALITY.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you are interseted in guitar amps rather than in (*got no name for that*) I would recommend everything from Engl, Hughes & Kettner Triamp, Diezel and the Micro Cube (for practice).
Especially for all of you in Europe: Mesa is way too expensive for a bunch of badly wired "things". Buy something different !!! There's no American Dream of guitar amps, but good old Europe.....
Consider the PRICE (1699,- Euro), now I wouldnt buy it for 300,-
And: very important to know: A F-50 with guarantee and new sells in Ebay Europe for about 900,- Euro, so you see what the real value of this product is: about 50 percent off,of the recommendet price. Do you know a product that looses faster it's value. Please donate the money to the poor, rather than spending it to this company.
They are kidding at us !!!!!

50 watt, all tube, 2 channel amp. The dirty channel has a contour setting for lead boost. 1 x 12" speaker.

Each channel has independant settings for GAIN, TREBLE, MIDDLE, BASS, REVERB and MASTER VOLUME (in that order).

Effects loop included (with mix control), along with a silent recording switch for the line out.

This amp is simple, but includes everything I need and nothing that I don't.

Finally, the included footswitch has 3 buttons. Channel select, Contour (only takes effect when on the lead channel), and reverb on/off.

I'm using it for playing in a church band, as well as my rock band. So I'm using it to cover everything from hymns to heavy rock.

First of all this amp is surprisingly low on noise, for a tube amp.

The clean channel is amazing, the 6L6 tubes give it a "fender like" clean sound, with the gain on 5-6 it gives that great fat clean sound. Winding the gain to 8-10, gives an awesome SRV, clean but dirty blues sound.

As for the lead channel, it has gain in abundance, I tend to keep the gain around 5, which gives a thick overdrive, perfect for chunky rhythm guitar, you'll be surprised that it's just a single 12" speaker doing all the work. Kicking in the contour gives it a sweet, singing lead tone that's just the perfect boost.

The only slight (and it is very slight) issue I have is that the volumes for the clean and dirty channels don't quite match up. When playing a song that has clean and dirty parts, the clean channel will need to be about 2 notches higher to match up.

Finally, this amp is plenty loud enough. Using the dirty channel, I gigged with it on 4 to a hall with 200 people in, I had to turn it down!!

This amp is built to last, everything about it suggests typical Mesa quality.

I think this amp is very reliable. As long as you always carry a spare set of valves and fuses, I can't see that they'll every be a problem.

Have not had to deal with them. Although the manual is very well written, and I've heard nothing but good things.

But as I've not dealt with them myself, I'll leave no opinion.

I've been playing for 8 years, and have played my Variax, US strat, Les Paul and Ibanez S1220 through it.

My set up is Guitar -> Crybaby -> Jekyll & Hyde Overdrive -> Adrenalinn -> Digitech Whammy -> Line 6 DL4 -> F50. I love it!

At #1200, it's not cheap, but if it were stolen or lost, I'd get another one I'm sure. It's easily the most versatile amp I've ever played.

Crafted in Pentaluma in the year of our lord 2004. Your basic, widebody F50. Combat black, handbuilt military sound machine.

This F50 gets down and dirty in an orgy of Jackplug intercourse with one gretsch Tennasee Rose Special, one Epiphone Elite LP and when shes feeling fruity, mainly weeknights, a Fender Jaguar with SD quarter Pounders. (Thats a lot of variety going in, and a lot more when you start turning the dials.)

I like most here wanted something unique. I wanted something that was made with care, consideration and above all made out of passion as opposed profit. All my life I have taken great pleasure in simply playing guitar. I get lost in it, vanish and feel reedemed on rentry into earths orbit.

This amp sounds like me. It takes my fingerprints and mine alone. If an amp can be an instrument then mesa are its makers. Each and every sound you ever need is in here, you just have to stop fiddling and play.

I have used it for gigs and I depend on it weekly. There are fuse blowing issues, which can be solved by simply uping the fuse ampage by a few decimals.
On the tube front, well lets say she burns like a bright star and consiquently burns tubes faster than most amps i've owned. I have no quarm about such things. I pay for new strings weekly, I pay for petrol in my bike, I pay for the power in my walls, I live in a world which costs money. The Mesa is a thoroughbred and shes needs to be looked after. Tubes are tubes. Use them and replace them.

Mesa are stunning on support. I use email contact and each time a response comes back within 24 hours. ( I suggest writing emails as it a more formal, logged method of enquiry.) People tend to respond better than phones. Ringing up and screaming will get nobody nowhere.)

So far Ms F50 has only required the basic servicing of tubes. She has traveled Europe with me, she will travel to America with me. She was made for me.

If she was taken away from me I would console myslef by remebering the times we spent together, recanting the many melodies she would sing and sleep well in the thought she were making someone else equally as happy. Then, like all lost loves, i'd go out and get another one.