Mesa F-50 1x12 owners?

[screamndemon69]

i've been doing some tire kicking lately for another combo and so far this Mesa seems to deliver the goods for the price. i was leaning towards the Fender Super Sonic 1x12 (same price) but have heard alot on it being a very UNroadworthy amp. i'm now leaning heavily towards the F-50 after plugging in between students at the store i teach at. i tried the F-30 and it just wasn't the same. it was very nice but the F-50 just hit the nail on the head for what i want in a combo.
any comments from anyone with REAL experience - especially those who are gigging players who use or have used one is appreciated. i own a Mesa Mark IV 100wtt head and as much as i love it, it has had some issues blowing tubes and fuses (i think i've got that sorted out - fingers crossed). i keep it around (love the clean!) for the larger venues and use 1x12 combos ('65 Fender Reissue Dlx Reverb - great clean but no gain ) for clubs and such which is where i tend to play more often.
thanks in advance.

[musicdr]

I just picked one up a few days ago.I gig quite a lot and was also looking for a 50 watt combo.I hope to integrate it with my gmajor before the next show and see what she can do.I've owned a few mesa combos before but this one definitely has the mojo going on.There is a thread on harmony central with some excellent tips and info regarding this amp.Actually,I was quite surprised how useful and helpful those tips are.Like all mesa stuff,I'll have to put my time in and learn the amp.So far I'm impressed.I haven't dialed in a good metal type tone yet.Singing lead tones, really nice cleans and some great 80's rock tones were pretty easy to dial in though.I'll post back after I spend some time exploring.I have a feeling this will become one of my favorites.My current live rig is a randall rm80(the bruce egnater designed one), with a gmajor in the loop into a 4/12 w/celestions.It is a killer rig.But the mesa would be a little easier to transport and would take up less room on smaller stages.And I would rather keep the randall in the studio for another project I'm involved in.I get tired of packing it all up 4 times a week! I have a H&K 20 watt combo for home use and recording( another killer little amp).I finally feel I have all the bases covered.Before I buy amps I talk to a very knowledgeable friend of mine who repairs and designs them for a living.He hasn't had many f series in at all,but an awful lot of rectifiers.So I hope this amp will be as dependable as my other gear.

[screamndemon69]

thanks for the info. i couldn't have been more impressed with a 1x12 than i have been trying out the F-50. what a rockin' little amp! serious balls and tone. real tone.
everywhere i've gone to read and learn about this amp has rated it top notch. the downside is i just learned Mesa is replacing this amp this year with the new Express series. the Express 5:50 will take the place of the F-50. it has a few new features but is basically the same amp. one of the cool new features is switchable power from 50wtts class A/B to 5wtts Class A. the contour is on both chnnels and footswitchable.
there is an F-50 at my local store right now and i was freaking out a little when i heard it is dicontinued this year and will be the last one they will get since i'm not ready to buy one yet until i started reasearching the new Express 5:50 1x12. it will only be $100 more than the F-50 so for the added features (check out the Mesa website for all the added features) it is still a great priced combo ($1199 respectively).
i have confirmed that 6L6's are my tube of choice for cleans and with the cascading gains Mesa uses a mean, nasty gain can easily be coaxed. i have definitely found my new amp, the Mesa Express 5:50.
(i'm starting to sound like an ad after reading so much stuff and being awake from 3am until now, about 5:45am - time to TRY to get back to sleep).

[musicdr]

i am curious about the express also.I found my f50 for 650.00, pretty much in mint condition.Kind of hard to say no at that price.I would love to audition an express.I too, read more stuff than I should about gear.But it sure is an awful lot of fun.I'm waiting for someone to invent a wireless remote that can switch presets on my rig so I don't have to dodge my crazy bassplayer on the way back to my floor unit.

[screamndemon69]

wow!!! $650 is a steal for that amp!! since you have the F-50 there really isn't a need for the Express unless you think the extra features are something you can't do without (Class A 5wtt setting being the biggest difference).
someone might eventually come up with a wireless switching unit, who knows?
i know what you mean about "dodging" the bass player. recently i was crossing behind my bass player and he somehow got snagged on my wireless cable and then quickly turned and literally tore the cable from the mini XLR end on the cable. i had my local store call Peavey to get a replacement this past week and Peqvey charges $40 for that little 2ft cable. $40!!!!! jeesh. my bass player gave me some cash (we split it since it was an accident) for it last night. i'll order it monday, but $40....(shaking my head).
if i had the F-50 i wouldn't even thing about wanting another combo unless it got stolen or something happened to it. that amp is the best 50wtt combo for the price i have EVER played thru IMHO.
just check out the Mesa website for more info on it. retailing in around $1199 makes the Express 5:50 a bargain but having the F-50 for $650......you lucky bas**rd!!! congrats on that!

[musicdr]

Sorry to hear about your wireless unit.I just went wireless last show.Pretty nice having the freedom to roam around and interact with everyone,especially the ladies.GC had 2 of the f50's for 749.00.Fortunately,I have a contact there who does me a few favors now and then.Its good to have friends.If it wasn't for him,I would probably never shop there.I'm very happy with the amp.Plugged my jem in and played for 4hrs straight.The tone is simply inspiring.

[screamndemon69]

i'd jump on an F-50 for that price any day of the week. that is a very nice deal if it is in clean shape.
i like wireless for those reasons you stated but also for the fact that i can be clumsy onstage. wireless helps me not trip over my cable and have to dance around getting it untangled or whatnot.
i'll get the cable ordered this week. and maybe be back to using my wireless by next weekend.