Recent content by Rich M

You could have some issues with the tubes. Tubes like to be oriented vertically (either up or down). On the side, you can have issues with filament sag. One orientation is preferable (I think with the grid oriented vertically, but I'm not sure). Not sure how they are arranged in the mesa...

I have a chance to pick up a 4x10 Maverick combo. Are these good? How close to an AC30 will it get? Do you get enough bottom end with the 10s and a combo? What do these go for? I saw a 2x12 on Ebay that seemed to go pretty cheap...

I think that is a load of crap. Save your money and let the anal audiophiles spend their $$$ on the matched ones.

Wow, I just traded a Nomad 55 2x12 locally for a 2 ch. Dual Rec. Both of us are really happy. The DR was too loud for him and the Nomad had to many knobs for me. Once it is dialed in (manual helps) they sound great. Best for a studio, where you can keep it dialed in. Fair trade, IMHO. Good...

The output power is only part of what needs to be fed. I forget the efficiency of AB power amps, but it is <100% (~60-70% IIRC). You also need to power the heaters of all the tubes, supply power to the preamp tubes, indicator lights. Every power resistor in that amp is dissipating some amount...

When did they come out? I thought it was in 1991.

Whoah! Nice deal !!! :D

Tommy, Funny about the Jap strat. I plugged my stock SQ strat into it first and it sounded like crap. Maybe the pickups from down under are wound the other way (y'know like the toilet flushing thing).

I would have said the exact opposite. I plugged my frankenstrat with Kinmans into my 55 the other night and it smoked on Ch3. Never could get it to sound good through any of my main amps, so maybe it was weird confluence of factors. Made me think I need to get those Kinmans out of that Floyd...

Dylan, To fix the pots, you need to pull the chassis, safely discharge the caps (look online for advice for this). Then it is a simple matter of removing the knob/pot and recrimping the metal tangs that hold the can onto the pcb wafer that the solder lugs are riveted to. A set of needle-nose...

I think part of the problem with the Nomad spotty reputation is there were some production problems related to the pots. Specifically, there was a bad run of pots with a certain code (81* IIRC). To Mesa's credit they are standing behind these and have been great in terms of support. Also...

What's the difference between the different versions of the Mark IV? A lot of trashing going on of Marshall. It is important to remember that a.) JCM800 are way too trebly unless you have overwound pickups (e.g. Jacksons). Clip the bright cap and you're pretty much there. b.) With the...

I misunderstood about the clang when the amp is ON. Agree your problem has to be upstream from the springs. The reverb on a mark IV is NOT underwhelming. Might be a job for someone with a scope. I just got one a couple weeks ago - pretty cool sounding.

Try the tubes. If that doesn't work, I'd still check the tank. The clang may be the subassembly, which floats on short stubby springs, banging around.

If tank is connected, it may be that the springs inside became unhooked during shipping. Might check that out as well. I would check tubes also. If either send or return tube is cooked, reverb won't work. I've had plenty of tubes fail, esp. current production garbage. You can have just one...