Forgot to say that this amp is a big factor in why the riffs and the production shine. No other Down guitar tone that I've heard sounds as good as the NOLA tone.
Best amp I owned, (probably modded) combo with EV12. Better than triaxis/strategy, mini recto and mark 3 combo. Sold it because I moved and the previous owner begged me to sell it back to him, I was so stupid to sell it. Sounded much better than this.
I sold two calibers, then regretted and bought this one. It’s hard to judge which is worse or better until you put them side by side and compare them head-to-head with the same settings and the same cab.
I’ve had a DC5 for years and now have the Cal .50+ (6L6-Version). I like the gain texture much more on the Caliber and can achieve more transparent, harmonic and fluent gain sounds. The DC5's high always felt stiffer and grittier to me. But on the other hand the DC5 has a significantly more powerful poweramp section. though rated the same, the Caliber does not get as loud as the DC5, starts breaking up earlier, has less low end and overall feels less substantial. It does not matter as much at home, but really starts showing in a band context. Apparently the output transformer is a weak spot in the Caliber. I have had and still have several Mesa amps. They generally have a reputation of being loud for their respective power rating, but the Caliber .50 seems to be an exception from the rule.
