Mesa 295 vs 50/50 vs 2:90 for Axe FX?

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Hey guys!

I'm on the hunt for a new tube power amp for my axe fx. I have a VHT 2 90 2 here right now, but honestly, it's a little to quick, stiff, and sterile for me....very transparent, but I miss the Mesa flavor in my signal chain.

Has anyone worked with or gotten to compare these amps? Any get to try them with an Axe FX? I will be pushing a Mesa Vertical 2x12 per side...

Thanks much!

Eric

 

[mboogman]

I had a 50/50 for a while, but not with an Axe. I liked it fine. It's definitely got its own thing going on, but over-run with character, it is not. I always felt like it should have a depth knob on it. I started opening it up a little more just before I sold it, and FWIW, it stayed pretty darned linear. There's definitely lots of headroom there.

$.02

 

[pfrischmann]

I can't speak for the Axe but I was recently testing amps for my CAE preamp. The 295 just didn't have it. It sounded kinda compressed and Line-6ish. The 2:90 has much more punch and seemed much more "real", which is why I bought it.

I'm really happy with this combo.

FWIW...

 

[thiswaythatway]

I tried a 2:90 and it sounded pretty good with the Axe standard.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

2:90 is an awesome power amp.

Take a look at the Marshall 9100/9200 series, another great choice.

 

[roadifier]

Check out the 2:100, great power amp.

 

[gbsmusic]

You should try the VHT 2-50-2. Its EL34's and sounds awesome with the AXE!!

 

[Robotechnology]

In this order: 2:90 > 50/50 but, both would work fine and especially the 50/50 for bang for the buck (I have both as well as a 20/20).