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Guitars > Guitar Amps > Guitar Combo Amps > Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1x12 Combo (Black)

Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1x12 Combo (Black)

Item ID: Exp525-112

2-channel, 1 x 12" Tube Combo Amplifier with 25-watt Class A/B Operation, 5-watt Class A Operation, and Contour Controls - Black

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From Our Research Team:

This 1 x 12" Combo Amp is Great for Studio and Stage Alike!

The Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1 x 12 Combo 2-channel tube amplifier goes beyond what you'd expect from even a feature-laden Boogie amp! This compact combo actually turns into a completely different beast with the flip of a switch — You can actually choose between a 25-watt Class A/B power section and Class A 5-watt power! This flexibility makes the 1 x 12" Express 5:25 1 x 12 Combo perfect for both loud live work and and "small amp" recording! Of course, being a Mesa/Boogie, this amp comes loaded with tons of great features for a huge range of tones; get onboard the Express 5:25 1 x 12 Combo today!



Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1 x 12 Combo 25-/5-watt Tube Combo Amp at a Glance:
  • Great Boogie tube tones for all kinds of players
  • The best of both (power section) worlds
  • A tone-shaping, air-moving beast, packed into a convenient combo

Great Boogie tube tones for all kinds of players
Wouldn't it be great to be able to use the same amp onstage that gives you rich, "small amp" tone in the studio? Thanks to Mesa/Boogie, you can! The Express 5:50 and 5:25 combos each feature four inspiring modes and two completely different power configurations, spread across two fully independent channels. Are you a tonal traditionalist? Select Clean and Blues for your two footswitchable sounds. If you're addicted to gain, choose Crunch and Burn. Then stand back as the well-mannered soul of Dr. Jeckyll morphs into the maniacal Mr. Hyde, hardcore beast. Most important is the classic authenticity of all these iconic tones. No matter what your stylistic destination, the Express will take you there — fast.

The best of both (power section) worlds
Up front, that number "5" indicates the low power, single-ended magic of pure Class A. The "25" and "50" refer to the rated push-pull (Class A/B) output. Together, these make up Duo-Class, Mesa/Boogie's new patented new power circuit. It's the first to offer both single-ended and push-pull configurations in the same amplifier.

A tone-shaping, air-moving beast, packed into a convenient combo
Each channel is further equipped with its own Contour depth control for added shaping that's both assignable and footswitchable. Used subtly, Contour adds a halo of depth and chime to gleaming clean sounds. Higher Contour settings, especially in Crunch and Burn, take you into Recto turf, which is tight, huge and menacing.
Don't be fooled by the compact size of these combos; they're capable of the kind of volume that can keep up with a live band while providing the tonality, nuance, and flexibility you need in the studio.

Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1 x 12 Combo 25-/5-watt Tube Combo Amp Features:
  • Open-back combo
  • 1 x 12" speaker
  • All tube: 5 x 12AX7A, 2 x EL84
  • Switches from 25-watt Class A/B operation to 5-watt Class A operation
  • Fixed bias for consistent performance
  • Two fully independent channels with four style modes
  • Independent Gain, Treble, Mid, Bass, Reverb, Master. and Contour controls per channel
  • Footswitchable Variable Contour Control on each channel provides EQ from one rotary control
  • All-tube long-spring reverb
  • All-tube effects loop
  • 3-button footswitch (Channel 1/2, Reverb, and Contour)
  • Slipcover included
  • Mesa/Boogie products are ONLY available for US shipping. Must be a U.S. resident.
  • Shipping charges apply.

The Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1 x 12 Combo tube amp makes an ideal rig for both stage and studio use!

Express 5:25 1x12 Combo (Black) Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Type Tube
Number of Channels 2
Power 5W Class A or 25W Class AB (Switchable)
Speakers 1 x 12" E50
Effects No Effects
Reverb Yes
EQ Treble, Mid, Bass
Amp Modeling No Amp Modeling
Number of Models 0
Preamp Tubes 5 x 12AX7
Power Tubes 2 x EL84
Inputs 1 x Instrument
Outputs 3 x Speaker
Footswitch I/O Yes
Effects Loop Yes
Height 17.75"
Width 19"
Depth 11.25"
Weight 45 lbs.
Notes Black Tolex with Black Grille Cloth
Manufacturer Part Number 1.E251.BB.F

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Reviews

based on 7 reviews

Small, Loud, Versatile

by AR from Nashville, TN
April 3, 2012
Music Background: Studio/Touring Musician, Producer
I've owned the 1x10 version of this combo for three years, having purchased it as a smaller, simpler gigging alternative to my larger Roadster rig. It has never let me down, onstage or in the studio.... read more [+] For a long time, I just ran it clean, using pedals to add my drive and distortion. But lately, I've found myself utilizing all it has to offer. With EL84s, it definitely produces tighter low end and a lot of chime available on Ch. 1 (especially using the Contour control). "Crunch" mode absolutely nails the Nashville sound perfectly, and Ch. 2's "Burn" mode has way more grind than you'd expect. When hooked up to a closed back external cab, you can actually get into early Dual Rec territory. The Dyna-Watt feature is awesome, too; perfect for low level practicing (this thing can get loud, despite its size). close [-]

Great Amp, very versatile

by from
January 10, 2012
Music Background:
Wonderful sounds with a Strat, and very versatile with the 4 (!) channels - Clean, Blues, Crunch and Burn says it all :-) With a weight of about 20kg one can still carry it around in the house, and th... read more [+]e 5W / 30W switch allow to play with decent sound at decent levels. Great package overall. close [-]

A great combo amp

by Mj from OKC
September 22, 2011
Music Background: semi pro
I have a Mark V and because of its size and weight I bought a 5:25. Its a sweet amp. It gives me the basics of my tone and is easier to take around with me. It sounds great, has a big amp sound, th... read more [+]e cabinet is very well designed. You can definitely gig with this amp as well. When I was a kid I wish I could have bought something like this for my first tube amp. close [-]

Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1x12 Combo

by GregE from Ohio
July 27, 2011
Music Background: amateur enthusiast
I love this amp.

I am a bedroom/den hobbyist player. No gigs. Just me playing for myself. That being said, this amp rocks for what I want it to do. The 5 watt setting allows me to... read more [+] play to my heart''s content without having the cops show up to tell me the neighbors said to shut it down. The 25 watt option is there for playing times when a nice, reasonably loud, sound won't be a problem.

I have read reviews from foks who use this amp in small gig settngs and they say it produces adequate volume there. Mesa also makes an add on speaker cab and this amp will accomdate that, so you have that as an option too.

I enjoy playing traditonal rock like Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. I also like to just pick up a tune I hear on the radio, TV or the movies and find tabs for it and go from there.

The range of tone and contour controls on this amp when combined with the two separate channels and two settings on each channel provide an array of options that is incredibly versatile. You can go from a total clean sound to a heavy cruncn overdrive to a soaring/screaming lead.. Just tweak the settings. It comes with a foot switch so it makes it easy to experiment too. The amp also has an effects loop so if you are into that, there ya go!!

Would this amp satisfy the user who wants to rep an AC/DC Marshall stack sound? NO WAY!! However, if you want a decent amp that allows you to explore a wide range of tones and styles in a compact package, this is a definite keeper.

I play a '65 Gibson SG with P 90s and a 2010 Les Paul Trad Pro thru this amp and the range of tones I can get with the amp and guitar controls is awesome!!

Mesa Engineering delivers big time in this package!!! close [-]

Mesa Delivers!!!

by Zach Drummond from Gardendale, AL
January 24, 2010
Music Background: Active Musician
When I went shopping for my first valve amp, I originally decided on a Marshall DSL100. After my purchase I quickly fell out of love with the product because of it's unresponsive EQ section, and uncon... read more [+]trollable tone. I soon decided to take it back. Then I found this amp. This is by far the most versatile amp in this price range! The problems I had with the Marshall were nowhere to be found here. The EQ functions much better on this amp. Most notably, the bass response is beautiful. The dual EQ's are a welcomed feature as well since you will grow accustomed to using both channels regularly. The contour adjust is also a nice feature. The more you twist the knob, the more effect the contoured EQ will have on your tone. This is perfect for adding a little edge on your solos!
The Clean/Crunch and Blues/Burn modes are simply amazing! The clean mode is crystal! The crunch is perfect for your rhythm parts! The blues mode is a delight to hear, and the burn mode pushes the 12AX7's and EL84's into a thick and creamy overdrive that's rich with harmonics! I'm not even sure if I need my overdrive pedals anymore. I also enjoy this amp's spring reverb. To my ear, it sounds perfect. I might not need my reverb pedal either! You have to try this amp! It'll handle anything you need it to! close [-]
Read more reviews

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See Also: Combo Amps , Mesa/Boogie , Mesa/Boogie Guitar Combo Amps

Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 1x12 Combo (Black)

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