Hey guys, new MKIII owner.

[Chihlidog]

Hey guys, just picked up a Mark III purple stripe yesterday. It's small but it is the BIGGEST sounding amp I have ever heard.

Needs a good cleaning and some screws are missing from the fan. Some of that dust is way down in there. Anyone have any tips for cleaning this stuff out? I tried a q-tip but it isnt doing the job. I'd like to see this thing looking good on the inside again.

Thanks for letting me sign up. I've owned a dual recto and a Nomad but this Mark will never go anywhere, just picked it up yesterday and I am in love.

 

[Tuna141]

Congratulations.

Nice amp. it does look a little dusty though. Dust can cause problems in an amp: It will cause components to run hotter, and get into tube sockets, jacks, switches, etc. It will also reduce the life of your fan by drying out the bearing.

I suggest you clean that bad boy up - vaccum cleaner or a can of compressed air can help. I also suggest you get the fan running again too (looks like it's disconnected in the photo) or buy a replacement.

 

[lerxst88]

pull the chassis out of the amp and take whatever you can apart and hit the inside of the headshell with a rag and some Pledge. for the tolex wipe it down and then go over it with vinylex.

whats up with the two 6l6s and two EL-34s? is that simulclass?

 

[Chihlidog]

Congratulations.

Nice amp. it does look a little dusty though. Dust can cause problems in an amp: It will cause components to run hotter, and get into tube sockets, jacks, switches, etc. It will also reduce the life of your fan by drying out the bearing.

I suggest you clean that bad boy up - vaccum cleaner or a can of compressed air can help. I also suggest you get the fan running again too (looks like it's disconnected in the photo) or buy a replacement.

Ah, I see the fan plug now that you mention it. Any idea where I might get a cord for it, and where do I plug it into on the other end? I'm a total n00b to the Mark series I didnt even realize it was disconnected. I definitely want to get it cleaned up, this thing deserves to be in top shape. The vacuum wont cause any issues? I know ya cant use them for computers, I guess an amp is not as sensitive to static?

Appreciate the advice.

 

[Chihlidog]

pull the chassis out of the amp and take whatever you can apart and hit the inside of the headshell with a rag and some Pledge. for the tolex wipe it down and then go over it with vinylex.

whats up with the two 6l6s and two EL-34s? is that simulclass?

Yup, simulclass. This is what it was loaded with from the seller (gwerner, he had it up for sale here actually). Like I said in my post above I am total n00b to the Mark series but as long as it isnt going to hurt the amp I dont plan to change the tubes, it sounds absolutely killer like it is.

I've never taken apart an amp before, is there anything I might damage by removing the chassis considering I am just going to be basically fumbling around with it? Or should I take this to an amp tech to get it professionally done?

 

[Scottyyy]

Congrats.

Seems we both got our Mark IIIs around the same time. :lol:

 

[Chihlidog]

Congrats.

Seems we both got our Mark IIIs around the same time. :lol:

Thanks! Congrats right back. This is an absolutely awesome amp. I've had lots. 5150 was my main amp for years and I loved it, also had a Dual Rectifier, Nomad 45 2x12 and a Randall RM100 recently and this sucker blows them all away. Enjoy yours!

 

[lerxst88]

pull the chassis out of the amp and take whatever you can apart and hit the inside of the headshell with a rag and some Pledge. for the tolex wipe it down and then go over it with vinylex.

whats up with the two 6l6s and two EL-34s? is that simulclass?

Yup, simulclass. This is what it was loaded with from the seller (gwerner, he had it up for sale here actually). Like I said in my post above I am total n00b to the Mark series but as long as it isnt going to hurt the amp I dont plan to change the tubes, it sounds absolutely killer like it is.

I've never taken apart an amp before, is there anything I might damage by removing the chassis considering I am just going to be basically fumbling around with it? Or should I take this to an amp tech to get it professionally done?

well a tech could do it but its easy enough and it wont cost anything. (if youre in the chicago area send me a PM and ill clean that mark up!) PM me if youre not and ill describe how to go about cleaning your amp and doing some refresher maintenance!

 

[Tuna141]

Ah, I see the fan plug now that you mention it. Any idea where I might get a cord for it, and where do I plug it into on the other end? I'm a total n00b to the Mark series I didnt even realize it was disconnected. I definitely want to get it cleaned up, this thing deserves to be in top shape. The vacuum wont cause any issues? I know ya cant use them for computers, I guess an amp is not as sensitive to static?

I'm not 100% positive, but, from memory, I'm pretty sure that the fan plugs into the underside of the chassis on the left hand side while looking in from the back of the head. You should see a black 2-prong AC receptacle. The fan cable is unique and is not a standard IEC AC type. I think you may have to contact Mesa for a replacement - I think it will be inexpensive.

The bad news is, I have a feeling that the previous owner disconected the fan because it was noisy or it had stopped working. As I mentioned in my prior post, all that caked-on dust can dry out the oil in the bearings. So, you find that you need a new fan too.

Also, if you have never worked on an amp, be VERY CAREFUL if you decide to slide out the chassis and open up the amp. There are hi-voltages pesent that can be LETHAL. I do not advise using Pledge or any other kind of liquid near the electronics (the exception being isoprpyl alcohol or Craig's Deoxit or tuner renew/potentiameter cleaner which you can buy at Radio Shack). Also, be very careful to not contact any components with anything conductive. If the vacuum cleaner has a metal tube at the end of its hose, don't use it, as it could short something out. It's bets to not make contact with any of the electrical components, but if you have to plastic or rubber should be OK. If you use compressed air to blow the dust out, be careful that the metal air can does not short to anything.

I suggest you simply remove the tubes and vaccum the underside of the chassis. You can also use a Q-tip dipped in iso-alcohol to clean the jacks, and any contact oxidation.

Or better yet, take the amp to a local tech to have the R2 volume mod performed (info can be found on this site - it's a simple mod) and have him look it over and clean it up while he is at it.

 

[Tuna141]

Ah, I see the fan plug now that you mention it. Any idea where I might get a cord for it, and where do I plug it into on the other end? I'm a total n00b to the Mark series I didnt even realize it was disconnected. I definitely want to get it cleaned up, this thing deserves to be in top shape. The vacuum wont cause any issues? I know ya cant use them for computers, I guess an amp is not as sensitive to static?

I'm not 100% positive, but, from memory, I'm pretty sure that the fan plugs into the underside of the chassis on the left hand side while looking in from the back of the head. You should see a black 2-prong AC receptacle. The fan cable is unique and is not a standard IEC AC type. I think you may have to contact Mesa for a replacement - I think it will be inexpensive.

The bad news is, I have a feeling that the previous owner disconected the fan because it was noisy or it had stopped working. As I mentioned in my prior post, all that caked-on dust can dry out the oil in the bearings. So, you may find that you need a new fan too.

Also, if you have never worked on an amp, be VERY CAREFUL if you decide to slide out the chassis and open up the amp. There are hi-voltages pesent that can be LETHAL. I do not advise using Pledge or any other kind of liquid near the electronics (the exception being isoprpyl alcohol or Caig Deoxit or tuner renew/potentiameter cleaner which you can buy at Radio Shack). Also, be very careful to not contact any components with anything conductive. If the vacuum cleaner has a metal tube at the end of its hose, don't use it, as it could short something out. It's bets to not make contact with any of the electrical components, but if you have to plastic or rubber should be OK. If you use compressed air to blow the dust out, be careful that the metal air can does not short to anything.

I suggest you simply remove the tubes and vaccum the underside of the chassis. You can also use a Q-tip dipped in iso-alcohol to clean the jacks, and any contact oxidation.

Or better yet, take the amp to a local tech to have the R2 volume mod performed (info can be found on this site - it's a simple mod) and have him look over the amp and clean it up while he is at it.