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Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $400
Standard/Professional
$300
$701+
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Description
The Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo is a powerhouse of tonal versatility packed into a compact frame, ideal for both stage and studio settings. Revered for its dual clean/lead channel design, this amp delivers crystal-clear cleans alongside scorching lead tones, making it a staple for any guitarist's rig. The throaty EL84 power section imbues your sound with a rich, dynamic character, ensuring your performances resonate with clarity and warmth.
Whether you're dialing in lush, clean tones or pushing the limits with aggressive solos, the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo provides a responsive and flexible platform. Its mid-sized build is not only perfect for easy transport but also for fitting into cramped studio spaces, allowing you to capture those signature sounds without compromise. With intuitive controls and robust construction, this amp is designed to withstand the rigors of both live performances and the demands of recording sessions.
Key Features:
- Dual clean/lead channel design
- EL84 power section for dynamic, rich tones
- Compact and portable mid-sized build
- Intuitive controls for easy tonal adjustments
- Ideal for both stage and studio applications
Product specs
| Brand | Mesa Boogie |
| Model | Studio .22 2-Channel 20-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Various |
| Year | 1985 - 1988 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 20 |
| Power Tube Type | EL84 |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
| Speaker Configuration | 1x12" |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo best suited for?
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The Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo is ideal for rock and blues genres, providing a warm, dynamic tube tone with its EL84 power tubes and versatile 2-channel setup.
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How loud is the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo, and is it suitable for gigging?
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With 20 watts of power, the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo is suitable for small to medium-sized venues, offering enough volume for band settings while maintaining great tone at lower levels.
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Does the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo have built-in effects?
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Yes, the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo includes built-in spring reverb, adding depth and dimension to your sound.
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Can the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo handle pedals well?
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The Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo is known for its ability to integrate well with pedals, making it a versatile choice for players who use a variety of effects.
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What is the speaker configuration of the Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo?
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The Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo features a 1x12" speaker configuration, delivering a balanced and full sound ideal for various playing styles.
Videos
Jack Fossett
Mesa Boogie Studio 22: A Forgotten Gem
Mesa Boogie Studio 22: A Forgotten Gem
Jack Fossett
Mesa Boogie Studio 22 - Classic VINTAGE Mesa Tone!!
Johan Segeborn
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional clean channel with Fender-like lushness and depth
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Versatile gain channel mimics Marshall tones with added depth
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Compact size yet powerful enough for gigging with a loud drummer
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Excellent for recording; performs well mic-ed or direct out
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Lightweight and portable; easy to transport with one hand
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Wide tonal range suitable for blues, jazz, rock, and more
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Superior tone stack and control, including middle and presence knobs
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Durable construction, often compared favorably to Roland, Fender, and Marshall
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Rich reverb that remains tasteful even at high settings
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Accepts pedals well, enhancing its tonal versatility
CONS
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Some models have a noticeable volume discrepancy between channels
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Can be noisier compared to other amps, possibly requiring noise management
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Runs hot, necessitating occasional maintenance or modification
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Older models may require a volume mod for optimal performance
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The distorted channel might not match the clean channel's quality in older units
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo.
Features and functionality
Setup and maintenance
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The Studio .22+ requires regular tube changes every 2-3 years to maintain optimal performance and tone quality.
Source -
Owners recommend ensuring the Studio .22+ has had a cap job in the last decade and addressing heat issues to prevent soldering problems.
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Ensure a load, such as a speaker, is attached when using the direct out to prevent damage, as vintage amps like the Studio .22 typically require it.
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The Studio .22's four pre-amp tubes contribute to its high operating temperature, necessitating careful heat management to prevent potential issues.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Studio .22+ excels as a practice amp with low volume capabilities, yet can drive a 4x12 cabinet for larger sound.
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It's advised to use a microphone like an SM57 to capture the true sound of the Studio .22, as the direct out lacks the speaker's tonal character.
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Described as having decent clean and rhythm sounds with a distinctive "Mesa" lead sound, suitable for a range of genres but limited to these tonal options.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Comparisons
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The Studio Preamp, albeit large and heavy, offers exceptional 80s and 90s clean and high-gain tones suitable for studio settings.
Source
Value and pricing
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A well-maintained Studio .22+ is considered worth €950 if it includes a footswitch and has seen a recent tech check.
Source
Software and compatibility
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Users recommend using cabinet impulse responses (IRs) with an IR loader plugin like NADIR from STL Tones for better emulation of speaker characteristics in recordings.
Source
User experience
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Owners report challenges balancing volume levels between channels on some Studio .22 models, which may affect live performance settings.
Source -
Some users have experienced terminal issues with the Studio .22 that were difficult and costly to diagnose and repair, sometimes requiring factory intervention.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings
874
Best preamp - gets those vintage mesa tones as MEGA cleans!
Love this preamp! Gets those Nirvana and Hole cleans, which I'm fond of, but gets those vintage-esque mesa tones that everyone knows of from the old foo fighters records and alice in chains... Great preamp, original 1990 version.
40997
both channels should sound good assuming you like a fender clean and the EARLY mesa dirt sound... its more of a like it or don't thing, the studio preamp does what its designed to do. Its just dated. If it sounds weak try the retube you think you might need. Maybe take it somewhere for service too. Might need new caps by now, tough to say.
557
the clean channel sounds better with a designated distortion pedal, than the distortion channel.
Artist usage
Add artist
Kurt only used the Mesa Boogie Studio. 22 Combo Amp once. Kurt mainly used the Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp with a Crown power amp and a variety of Marshall cabinets. In live performances, his Crown power amp was eventually replaced with 2 Crest power amps,
The Only time Kurt used the Mesa Boogie Studio .22 Combo Amp was on October 24, 1991 at Off The Record, San Diego, CA. This was supposed to be an acoustic show, with instruments supplied by the record store, but since they didn't have any left-handed guitars, the band ended up using their own instruments and playing an electric set. So the Mesa Boogie Studio.22 Combo Amp Belonged to the Record Store.
The image shows what is believed to be Angus Young's Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo amp used during a live performance at Donington.
Album Usage
The Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Mesa/Boogie .22 Studio Combo, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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