MESA/Boogie Fillmore™ 25 & 50 Comparison Demo

While the Fillmore™ 25 & Fillmore™ 50 share the same preamp, controls and speakers, the two amps offer different power tube types and, in their 1x12 combo format, different cabinet sizes. Dinesh Lekhraj from the Mesa/Boogie Hollywood store talks and plays us through some of the differences between these two amps.

The Fillmore 25 is the smaller and more compact of the two amps and the 1x12 combo weighs in at 35lbs while the Fillmore 50 1x12 wide body combo weighs in at 45 lbs. Despite having the same speaker, the Fillmore 50 offers more low end width and and a bit more punch, while the Fillmore 25 combo, housed in the classic Boogie 1x12 combo size, offers a bit of an upper midrange bump that cuts through a mix in gigging situations.

The Fillmore 25 uses 6V6 power tubes - the first dedicated 6V6 power section for a Mesa amp - and the preamp and power section are perfectly blended here. There’s an amazing threshold of clip and classic 6V6 grit and growl. In both Fillmore 25 and 50, dialing in the gain to taste between the three modes will deliver a wide range of authentic vintage-inspired Tones from sparkling cleans, subtle clip and drive, singing and sustaining single note solo sounds, and classic crunch and grinding rock rhythm gain.

Recorded with a Nash S57 with Lollar pickups in the Fillmore 25 and Fillmore 50 1x12 combos. Mic’d with a SAhure SM57 and Share KSM 313 and an H4N stereo room mic and mixed 33% SM57, 33% KSM313 and 33% H4N.

For more info on the Fillmore™ 25:

And more info on the Fillmore™ 50:

[frankenstein]

I've bought the 50 head when it came out, and bought the 25 head when it came out. Ran them into a Mesa 2x12 with the Mesa Vintage 30's. Ended up selling the 50. It's a great pedal platform, and the 25 just sounds fantastic!

[lanwan]

That really helps in understanding the difference, outside of looking at Watts alone. Thanks

[jonathandiaz]

This was a great video comparison of the amps. I feel like this is how most amp videos should be

[oldguysguitarvlog]

Interesting that the 50w on the crunchier setting at about 2:00 is exactly what I didn't like about it. That more muffled, bassier, squishy sound that I couldn't dial out. Same with the high gain setting. Amazing that the 25W version is only a couple of hundred cheaper than its big brother. The 25W head sounds amazing.

[gcvrsa]

OH...the both of them together! That's exactly the sound I want!

[ZombiePenguinStudios]

besides the 50 having a warmer clean
i also feel that it has the high end controlled better when it had gain, compared to the 25

[jjcaine]

Great to see this kind of A/B video. Would love to see this with the triple crown to compare the tones of the amp with el34 or 6l6. Something to consider.

[jayteesgear]

I played a 50 yesterday for the 1st time- Changed my LIFE!
That lil 25 just breaks up SO WELL though! Dang you guys! 🤠

[mikedfurman]

This is a great vid! Would also be super cool if we could see how the 50 in 25w mode compares to the 25 w amp. Thanks!

[gunjabeans]

Awesome Demo. Been a Mesa Guy Since 2001

[michaelscott]

The 25 for tracking, 50 for the club. Good demo thx for sharing😎👍

[yarbgreat]

I actually prefer the drive of the 25w. Less bass makes it feel a little more cleaned up to me, but the clean out of the 50 w/ the extra bass sounds better. I’d want the 50 for sound, but I’d prefer the 25 for ergonomics. Easier to transport, etc.

[jeffmakor]

The 25 sounds so much better to these ears.

[jeremyjohnston]

Excellent clip. Fillmore could be the best Mesa 25w head and box is absolutely ideal.

[MRxr]

sounds amazing with them both together. do like the mids of the 25. I think the head and cab would let it breath and sound fuller like in the video, maybe with green backs, or v30's. either way. both amps sound great. felt high gain 50 was a little recto sounding.

[EmeryJ.Nova]

Both sound fantastic. I find myself drawn to the 25. A bit more raw but that 50 really shines with way more warmth.

[jmsclbwmn]

Dang. Now I just want both. Good job, guys!

[justicesword]

Yeah! I love these videos a lot. Please, do more videos like these ones. Mark V vs Dual Rectifier and others. Mesa Boogie is the best for me!

[DonNiouels]

Great!. Really. I'm a Boogie player for over 25 years (i've owned more than 15) and i have to admit that i'm a die-hard fan.
However...In the last uploaded videos i'm sorry to notice that in the "background" amps the Lonestar is missing...
If this is a move that means that you'll discontinued this AMAZING and iconic amp (probably because the Fillmore is in the same vintage flavor?), i think that it's a HUGE mistake...just saying...If it's true, PLEASE, RETHINK...

[H.o.l.o.H]

Very relevant and well balanced comparison ! thanx sir !