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Want to replace my Mesa 20/20

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  • #1

    Want to replace my Mesa 20/20

    So I love my Mesa 20/20 since it's LIGHT, 1 rack space, and just the right amount of power for my band situation, but I'm finding it too unreliable. I think it just doesn't get enough cooling so when you push it hard it's prone to blowing tubes and other components .... of course the times I'm pushing it hard are during gigs, and that's just not acceptable. Last night I started losing power, so I quickly switched to the other channel which got me through the night, but then when I got home and started tinkering with the tubes (assuming one of them had blown) they all seemed to be OK. But then the amp started blowing fuses and not working at all .

    I know there are 1000 other threads about rack power amps already, but I'm wondering if someone can recommend something that might fit my specific needs... looking for something that's not ridiculously heavy, not ridiculously over powered (e.g. no Mesa 2:90), no bigger than 2U, and RELIABLE! Oh, and of course I want real tubes, no solid state (I have a backup solid state amp already). The Mesa 50/50 (23 pounds) seems like a natural choice to check out, and I also came across the Engl E840/50 in my web searches (26 pounds), though I'm not sure where I could try one of those out. Anyone have experience with it? Any others I should consider? The Randall RT2/50 looks cool but at 40+ pounds, no way!

    Does anyone make a 2U unit that is less than 50 watts per channel (which is really more than I need)? I like a little bit of tube breakup with my tone so I'm not looking for gobs of headroom, and I'd really like something lighter.

    Besides the Mesa 20/20, my current rack has a loaded Randall RM4 and a Rocktron Xpression.
    Last edited by Bert; 04-06-2014, 10:53 AM.
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  • #2
    Damn, I used to own one of those. I don't think they are inherently unreliable or anything. Like all MB gear it is built like a tank. It sounds like you need a proper root cause diagnosis of your unit before you jump ship maybe?
    _________________________________________________
    "Artists should be free to spend their days mastering their craft so that working people can toil away in a more beautiful world."
    - Ken M

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    • #3
      Maybe... it's in the shop right now, but they are way backed up so I won't get it back for at least a couple weeks :/ It is indeed very well built but I'm sure they had to make some compromises to fit it in that compact a space.

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      • #4
        I guess one possibility might to be installing a beefier fan in there, if that's at all possible?

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Bert View Post
          I guess one possibility might to be installing a beefier fan in there, if that's at all possible?
          One can always guide a fan ON it, getting the heat out of (or cooler air into) your rack is another way to reduce the temperature for the units
          "There's nothing taking away from the pure masculinity I possess"

          -"You like Anime"

          "....crap!"

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          • #6
            I would replace it with it's more powerful brother the Stereo 2: 50. I've got one and it has been bulletproof in my rig. A great power amp IMO.
            Last edited by Hellraiser6502; 04-27-2014, 12:20 AM.
            Kahler...Killing guitar values DEAD since 1981.

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            • #7
              if you have to get another amp id suggest the mesa 50/50 or for about 150 less you could find a carvin 50/50. theyre heavy but not as heavy as the peavey 60/60. i have no experience with any others but i havent had any issues with the mesa or the carvin...although i no longer own them either.

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              • #8
                Doesn't VHT/Freyette make a 2U rack power?
                GTWGITS! - RacerX

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                • #9
                  Seems they do:

                  http://fryette.com/poweramps_features.html

                  Pretty cool too in that it has a class A / class AB mode switch.

                  Their site doesn't provide units for the weight, just "15". I suspect that's Kilograms... hard to believe it would only be 15 pounds?!

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                  • #10
                    At the bottom the weight is listed as 33 lbs, which is 15 kg.

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                    • #11
                      Ahah... thanks sparky. I swear that wasn't there when I looked before!

                      My 20/20 is still in the repair shop which has a huge backlog... going to wait until I get the details on why it failed before I blow my money on something else.

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                      • #12
                        I have a friend who uses the Fryette/VHT 90 watter in his Axe-FX rig. Gigs it constantly and AFAIK the thing is rock solid.
                        I like EL34s.

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                        • #13
                          I'm always worried about overheating, so I leave the space above my power amp empty. That may not be an option for everybody, of course.

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