Been a Fender/Peavy guy for decades, aging my self now. DRRI, BDRI and most recent BJIII Limited with CR speaker. Semi-Pro and moving from almost exclusive blues band to some old school rock thrown it. Had gone to the BJ but just wasn't making it and relying to much on stomps because of the one channel. Had some money come in and having never had a MESA did some shopping and listening and reading reviews and the Express 5:25 seemed the ticket. My BDRI is just way too much volume wise and even the DRRI has to be cranked to get to that sweet spot.
Only had a few hours with it at home Sat and then rehearsal Sun., last night. WOW.........did I say WOW. Used the recommended Blues with low gain and Crunch for higher. For a few I did switch to Clean, wish there was a way to foot pedal that. Had taken several of my OD's off the pedalboard and just left my Wampler Hot Wired on because of the OD with the blend and distortion channel to give just an extra hair when using with the Blues channel then my Xotic SL compressor and my Zoom MS-100BL for a couple of the songs where I use some modulation, through the effects loop.
Love the solo feature! Cleans up well with volume roll back, was playing the Strat all night. Still playing with some EQ but the tones and dynamics were just great compared to the BJ.
Will be gigging it this Friday, can't wait!
Only had a few hours with it at home Sat and then rehearsal Sun., last night. WOW.........did I say WOW. Used the recommended Blues with low gain and Crunch for higher. For a few I did switch to Clean, wish there was a way to foot pedal that. Had taken several of my OD's off the pedalboard and just left my Wampler Hot Wired on because of the OD with the blend and distortion channel to give just an extra hair when using with the Blues channel then my Xotic SL compressor and my Zoom MS-100BL for a couple of the songs where I use some modulation, through the effects loop.
Love the solo feature! Cleans up well with volume roll back, was playing the Strat all night. Still playing with some EQ but the tones and dynamics were just great compared to the BJ.
Will be gigging it this Friday, can't wait!