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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
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What are the core tonal characteristics of the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp?
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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.
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Is the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp suitable for live performances?
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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.
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How does the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp handle effects pedals?
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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.
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What type of tubes does the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp use?
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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.
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Can the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp be used with different preamps?
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Yes, the Mesa/Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp can be paired with various preamps, allowing for a customizable setup tailored to your specific sound preferences.
Videos
BJ Russell
PRS Standard 22 + Marshall JMP-1 + Mesa Strategy 500
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
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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.
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Use cases and applications
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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.
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Features and functionality
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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.
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Mods and upgrades
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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.
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User experience
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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.
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Channel B of the Strategy 500 can function well even if Channel A has issues, allowing some use of the amp in mono setups.
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Setup and maintenance
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Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 lacks official schematics due to low production, complicating repairs without expert technician support.
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One owner fixed a non-functioning channel by replacing a faulty Orange capacitor, highlighting the importance of checking these components.
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Strategy 500 owners recommend contacting Mesa Boogie directly for repair advice, as their techs have valuable insights on this rare model.
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Replacing original 63V rated electrolytic filter caps with 100V caps in the bias circuit is suggested for improved reliability.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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Kirk Hammett of Metallica utilized the Mesa Boogie Strategy 500 Poweramp, as documented on Angelfire.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
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