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CHANNEL POWER SELECT: MULTI-WATT™ Channel Assignable Power
As mentioned in the OVERVIEW, your
Express Plus features our patented Multi-Watt™ Power, which allows you to switch between three power ranges that run in both dif-
ferent Classes of Operation and different Wiring Configurations. You will only find this powerful feature on MESA
amplifiers and it allows you to tune the power section for volume, Tone and feel… optimizing its response for higher
volume gig applications or lower volume recording and inspiring practice sessions
25 WATT
50 WATT
The Full Power setting (50 watts in Express 5:50+, 25 watts in the Express 5:25+) runs in Class A/B
and is wired in a Push-Pull Configuration. This position (switch up) delivers the full rated power and would be the choice any time
you need headroom for clean sounds or bold, tight authority for all the sounds while playing with other musicians. Class A/B, when
combined with a pair of output tubes wired in a Push-Pull configuration, is the most efficient operating class and style of wiring and
this scheme emphasizes upper mid punch, low-end clarity and upper harmonic cut.
NOTE: 5:25+ Owners! You’ve probably noticed by now that your Express Plus seems far louder and more dynamic than any other
25 watt amp you’ve heard. This is due to Dyna-Watt™, our patented way of wiring up a pair of EL84 output tubes that delivers a
massive burst of headroom at the initial attack of the note. From there a “timed sag” circuit loosens the feel as the notes decay and
the result is a little amp that is twice as powerful as its rated wattage on the attack – where you need it – but sweet and clippable,
bouncy and dynamic as the sound decays. The Express 5:25+ with Dyna-Watt™ is one of our most enjoyable circuits to play as it
is extremely Expressive and friendly feeling on the strings as well as incredible sounding…5:50+ owners, check one out sometime!
15 WATT (25 Watt in the Express 5:50+)
This position utilizes both power tubes running in Class A to create a lower wattage
option that sweetens the top end and adds warmth while delivering a lower clip threshold. The pair of EL84’s runs in Class A pen-
tode, but here delivers the softer transition into clip and sweet upper harmonic detail and smoothness Class A circuits are famous for.
Though technically a low power rating, the 15 WATT (25 WATT in 5:50+) setting is still quite loud and therefore capable of some ample
gig volumes, especially when you want some attitude in your “clean” sound and don’t need the highs or lows to be squeaky clean.
This Power Mode is the choice when you’re looking for Blues or Roots sounds (in the CLEAN and BLUES Modes) - and have a front
end GAIN setting that uses a bit of preamp drive – still basically clean and responsive to dynamic content – but right at the threshold
of where it relies on power sensitivity for most the overdrive component. There is a whole range of applications for the transitional
region this Power Mode features from purring Blues Solo sounds to Alternative furry chording or any time you need to be able to lean
into it and ride the power clip.
Another application of this Power Mode is creating liquid smooth high gain solo sounds in BURN. The character here is creamy and
compressed and the feel is more legato and forgiving. Be sure to try the CRUNCH Mode as well with the 15 Watt setting (25 WATT
in 5:50+) – as this combination creates some amazing medium to high gain sounds for layered chording and singing sustain for
single notes.
Some players love the 15 WATT (25 WATT in 5:50+) setting so much they use it all the time, citing the perfect balance of Tone, head-
room and power expression (clip-ability). While we do agree with this view to some extent, and certainly the 15 WATT Power Mode
(25 WATT in 5:50+) does offer a beautiful balance of power attributes, it is but one of the faces of power contained in the Multi-Watt
palette. We suggest exploring them all and applying each of these different and expressive Power Modes according to its virtues.
FrONT PANeL: CONTrOLS & FeATureS (Continued)
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