Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Unleash the full potential of your guitar rig with the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp, a powerhouse in the realm of guitar power amplifiers. This formidable unit is engineered for musicians who demand uncompromising tone and reliability. With its dual-channel design, the Strategy 500 allows for versatile configurations, perfect for both studio and live performances. Known for its all-tube circuitry, this amplifier provides a warm, rich sound that brings out the best in your guitar's tonal characteristics.

The Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 stands out with its precision and power, delivering up to 500 watts of pure sonic energy. It's equipped with independent volume controls for each channel, allowing you to fine-tune your output to match any venue or recording setup. The robust construction ensures durability, making it a reliable choice for touring musicians.

Designed with the modern guitarist in mind, this poweramp integrates seamlessly with a variety of preamps and speaker cabinets, offering flexibility and ease of use. Whether you’re crafting intricate studio tracks or commanding the stage, the Strategy 500 is built to meet the demands of professional musicians who refuse to compromise on sound quality.

Key Features:

  • Dual-channel design for versatile configurations
  • All-tube circuitry for rich, warm sound
  • Delivers up to 500 watts of power
  • Independent volume controls for each channel
  • Compatible with a wide range of preamps and speaker cabinets
  • Rugged construction for durability and reliability

Product specs

Brand Mesa Boogie
Model Strategy 500 2-Channel 200-Watt Power Amplifier
Finish Black
Year 1991 - 2011
Made In United States
Categories Power Amplifiers
Electronics Tube
Number of Channels 2

FAQs

What are the core tonal characteristics of the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp?

The Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp is known for its rich, warm tube tone with a powerful low-end response, making it ideal for rock and metal genres. Its dual-channel design allows for versatile sound shaping.

Is the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp suitable for live performances?

Yes, with its 200-watt output, the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp provides ample power for live performances, ensuring clear and robust sound projection even in larger venues.

How does the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp handle effects pedals?

The Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp is highly compatible with effects pedals, offering excellent headroom that maintains the clarity and dynamics of your pedalboard setup.

What type of tubes does the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp use?

The Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp uses vacuum tubes, which are integral to its warm and dynamic sound signature, favored by many guitarists for their tonal qualities.

Can the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp be used with different preamps?

Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp can be paired with various preamps, allowing for a customizable setup tailored to your specific sound preferences.

BJ Russell

BJ Russell

PRS Standard 22 + Marshall JMP-1 + Mesa Strategy 500

Video thumbnail for PRS Standard 22 + Marshall JMP-1 + Mesa Strategy 500 by BJ Russell

PRS Standard 22 + Marshall JMP-1 + Mesa Strategy 500

BJ Russell

BJ Russell

Video thumbnail for Mesa boogie strategy 500 by PG-13 The Bill Hound Show

Mesa boogie strategy 500

PG-13 The Bill Hound Show

PG-13 The Bill Hound Show

Video thumbnail for VHT 2-90-2 versus Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 stereo power amp comparison by mentoneman

VHT 2-90-2 versus Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 stereo power amp comparison

mentoneman

mentoneman

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp.

Comparisons

  • The Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 is compared to a Marshall JCM 800, highlighting its clean, high-volume capability without distortion, similar to high-end audiophile amps.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Strategy 500 is ideal for replicating the live sound of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness when paired with a Marshall JMP-1 preamp.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The amp's clean output at high volumes allows for distortion primarily through pedals, specifically using a Big Muff with Op Amp circuits for accurate Siamese Dream tones.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Lace Sensor pickups are crucial for achieving the desired feedback and sustained notes in the Mellon Collie setup, emphasizing their importance in replicating the album's sound.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners recommend using the Rocktron All-Access MIDI switcher for seamless transitions between clean and distortion settings on the JMP-1 preamp, enhancing live performance control.

    Source
  • Channel B of the Strategy 500 can function well even if Channel A has issues, allowing some use of the amp in mono setups.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 lacks official schematics due to low production, complicating repairs without expert technician support.

    Source
  • One owner fixed a non-functioning channel by replacing a faulty Orange capacitor, highlighting the importance of checking these components.

    Source
  • Strategy 500 owners recommend contacting Mesa Boogie directly for repair advice, as their techs have valuable insights on this rare model.

    Source
  • Replacing original 63V rated electrolytic filter caps with 100V caps in the bias circuit is suggested for improved reliability.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kirk Hammett uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

Kirk Hammett

Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via Angelfire

Kirk Hammett of Metallica utilized the Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp, as documented on Angelfire.

See how Billy Corgan uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

Billy Corgan

Singer, Guitarist

The Smashing Pumpkins

...
Verified via Premierguitar

During a Rig Rundown with Premier Guitar, Billy Corgan says [@ 2:50] about his Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amps:

"Those are run, one channel at a time, to my Strategy 500's which date back to the mid-90's. Those are the power amps I used on Melancholy and The Infinite Sadness as well as the touring rig I had back then."

See how Prince uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

Prince

Singer, Guitarist

The New Power Generation

...
Verified via Proguitarshop

One brand that seems to have made an impression on him is Mesa Boogie. He has been seen playing several models of Mesa Boogie amplifiers throughout the years such as the Heartbreaker, Nomad, and Lonestar as well as a Strategy 500 power amp paired with a Soldano/Caswell preamp.

See how James Iha uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

James Iha

Guitarist, Bassist

The Smashing Pumpkins

...
Verified via Photo

In a Japanese magazine article from the 1990s, two Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 power amps are visibly part of James Iha's equipment rack. Billy Corgan was also known to use these.

See how Andreas Kisser uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

Andreas Kisser

Guitarist

Sepultura

...
Verified via YouTube

This video shows some of the equipment used by Andreas for the recording of Sepultura’s album "Kairos". The Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 can be seen at 1:53.

See how Paul Landers uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

Paul Landers

Guitarist

Rammstein

...
Verified via YouTube

At around 25:10, you can see a clear shot of Paul's rack. In it, you can see Paul's Strategy 500 power amp.

See how John Sykes uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

John Sykes

Guitarist

Thin Lizzy

...
Verified via Johnsykes

"The rack setup used during the later Blue Murder days included a Mesa Boogie Dual Recto head, a Mesa Boogie Tri-Axis Preamp, a Mesa Boogie IIC+ head, a Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 Power Amp, a rack mounted Dunlop Crybaby, a Lexicon PCM 41, a Lexicon PCM 70, and an H&H V800 Power Amp."

See how Jeff Irwin (Will Haven) uses Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp

Jeff Irwin (Will Haven)

Guitarist, Composer

Will Haven

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "#149: Jeff Irwin (Will Haven) | THE BOGCAST", at 1:19:22, Jeff Irwin explains, "So that was pretty much my basic sound for the longest it was the ADA Preamp and the Strategy 500 and the Strategy 500, Mesa just stopped making them all together and those things weighed like fucking 80 pounds like taking those things on tour was just a pain in the ass."

Album Usage

The Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp 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 Strategy 500 Poweramp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

More Mesa/Boogie Guitar Power Amplifiers

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar