I can't have a bad tube already????

[Strat N My Stuff]

I have had my LSS for about two weeks and can't believe I'm having problems so soon. I asked when I bought it if they would put new tubes in it and was told that it had been retubed just a month or so prior and only myself and one other person had played it since then.

What has happened:

It started when I turned it on a few days ago and I heard a loud pop as I switched it on. Then I heard a rushing type sound, kinda like the ocean. I turned it off, back on and it was ok. A while later, same thing. Then one time, I got nothing. I turned off, made sure the power and rectifyer tubes were seated (didn't get to the more hidden pre-amps) and it worked, temporarily. I'm not sure that what I touched actually made any difference at all. Each time I turn it on it is a guess as to what will happen. I can turn on early and handle the pop/but I have to have volume. Oh, I forgot that last night, when I thought it wasn't producing any sound, I maxed the vol/gain and there was a very slight production of sound.

As it stands as of last night, I can't safely anticipate that it will work or for how long, which isn't cool. I am supposed to play this weekend. I was told to check the tubes with the tap test. At this point I will be happy if it is just a tube replacement. Normally, given how new the amp is and my satisfaction with its sound thus far, I would replace with Mesa tubes from the dealer. But that can't happen this weekend.

The Mesa dealer where I bought closes at 6:00 today, at 3:00 tommorrow and I can't get there while they are open (out of town).
I may be able to get up at 8:00 am :shock: (only for something this important) and drive to Raleigh if GC there has the tube(s) I need. I can't check my amp till about 9:00 p.m. tonight cause I'm working. I think I'll call now and see if they have what I would need. I have to be at work at noon, so it would be a fast trip.

I'm gonna check the one music store locally and see what they sell. I'm really just venting. Thanks.

 

[ThunderMonkey]

Man, tubes can just be or go bad at any given time these days. Nature of the beast, I guess.

Dude, Where are you? My buddy Darren Riley could hook you up bigtime, excellent amp guru !

He's on Capital Blvd. too, right down from GC, really great guy !

www.darrenriley.com

(919) 877-0841

Tell em Carlos sent ya, even though I haven't seen him in awhile (was in New York for a bit).

Does the LSS take 2 or 4 6L6's ?

hope it helps man.

 

[Barry]

I have had my LSS for about two weeks and can't believe I'm having problems so soon. I asked when I bought it if they would put new tubes in it and was told that it had been retubed just a month or so prior and only myself and one other person had played it since then.

What has happened:

It started when I turned it on a few days ago and I heard a loud pop as I switched it on. Then I heard a rushing type sound, kinda like the ocean. I turned it off, back on and it was ok. A while later, same thing. Then one time, I got nothing. I turned off, made sure the power and rectifyer tubes were seated (didn't get to the more hidden pre-amps) and it worked, temporarily. I'm not sure that what I touched actually made any difference at all. Each time I turn it on it is a guess as to what will happen. I can turn on early and handle the pop/but I have to have volume. Oh, I forgot that last night, when I thought it wasn't producing any sound, I maxed the vol/gain and there was a very slight production of sound.

As it stands as of last night, I can't safely anticipate that it will work or for how long, which isn't cool. I am supposed to play this weekend. I was told to check the tubes with the tap test. At this point I will be happy if it is just a tube replacement. Normally, given how new the amp is and my satisfaction with its sound thus far, I would replace with Mesa tubes from the dealer. But that can't happen this weekend.

The Mesa dealer where I bought closes at 6:00 today, at 3:00 tommorrow and I can't get there while they are open (out of town).
I may be able to get up at 8:00 am :shock: (only for something this important) and drive to Raleigh if GC there has the tube(s) I need. I can't check my amp till about 9:00 p.m. tonight cause I'm working. I think I'll call now and see if they have what I would need. I have to be at work at noon, so it would be a fast trip.

I'm gonna check the one music store locally and see what they sell. I'm really just venting. Thanks.

I know you need a fast solution but i would call Mesa artist relations Monday and tell them your problem . They will probably send all new tubes . 707 778 6565 . They are open Monday - Thursday and remember they are on the west coast so depending on where you are located could be a time difference .

 

[Strat N My Stuff]

I contacted the local music store and the guy who answered said.....
"Are you playing at home? I have a Marshall and similar to what you describe happened to me. Plug it into another circuit in your house. There may be too much draw on the one you are using."

That may well be the problem. I'm going to check it out when I get home. I did in fact move the amp from one room to another about the time this started. Didn't even dawn on me. I know the store had a power conditioner in line.

They have the GT 12AX7s too. No EL84's.

I hope it is the power supply/recepticle and I can just relocate.

 

[Strat N My Stuff]

I realize that I'm wishful thinking. But I'm at work and can't do anything hands on now so its information gathering time.

My home computer caught a cold and I ran a virus scan and it said "Yikes!" What don't you have?. I tried to quarantine and it locked up, so I'm waiting to get it seen by the tech.

Hey, my partner just said I could cut out early 'cause she can tell I'm anxious to get home and check the tubes/power issue. Not bad since I'm scheduled until 10:00. I'm back tommorrow at noon, so I'll update then. Thanks for the input. Rock On. Jeff

 

[Dreads]

My Lonestar Classic (Custom hardwood) arrived with bad tubes from day 1... and it was brand spankin' new. I changed them out with tubes from dougstubes (which he recommended, beautifully, I might add!) No problems since... knock on hardwood!

 

[Russ]

Tubes can go at anytime. Be glad your new amp has a warranty. You should be able to get free tubes for a while.

 

[clutch71]

Tubes can go at anytime. Be glad your new amp has a warranty. You should be able to get free tubes for a while.

+1. I had problems with non-Mesa tubes in an ROV that I bought used. I put stock STR-440's in it and two weeks later one went bad! Happens. My dealer gave me a replacement set. No problems since.

 

[Strat N My Stuff]

Due to the importance of this issue (to me anyway), I took off work yesterday and drove the hour and 1/2 to where I bought my amp. We plugged it in and of course it wouldn't duplicate my problem. He tap tested the tubes (which I did Friday night) with the same result, nothing notable. I pointed out a blue glow out of one of the power tubes, which he said wasn't a problem, only if it was bright white. We plugged in an axe and it worked fine.

I explained that it had been symtomatic with a "pop" noise when the standby was turned on, then a rushing sound or beach wave type sound that got louder then faded, then a weak distortion type sound when played that was present despite adjustment of gain/volume/tone. When I tried it later, it seemed ok briefly, then the sound dropped to almost inaudible, though there was a little, with a broken up sound. Several on/offs with the same thing. (Time of original post)

He stated that the tubes were new, having just been changed prior to when I bought the amp. I said I was aware of that. I replied that I should have expected the amp not to show the problem as I had taken off work would use a tank of gas for the trip. To his credit, he said " I'll replace the power tubes given the sounds you have described." Then he also replaced the rectifier tube. Sounded fine.

Last night it had volume though I couldn't clean up the sound.

This morning I went to church to play for the contemporary service and didn't notice anything when I warmed up (only about 10 minutes- it was 8:30 am). Then in the second song, I noticed the volume drop and that distorted sound almost like fret buzz when I played. Of course had to stop. When I checked it at the end of the service, same thing. Someone said it sounds like your speaker is blown. That having been mentioned it did sound like that. I noticed that especially when I played the A string the buzz was strongest, although I couldn't get a fix on where it came from. I find it hard to understand how it sounded fine at the store unless we just didn't let it get hot enough. I didn't actually play anything we just hit a few strings.

I feel like giving up. Should I buy a pre-amp tube and systematically exchange it to see if thats really where the problem is? I can do this while I'm waiting for the next day that I can make the trip to the store. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks for letting me vent. Jeff

 

[plumptone]

Don't discount a bad speaker as the source of your problem. I bought a new F-50 last year in wood and wicker, and was experienceing an extremely annoying intermittent volume loss after only a couple of months. I re-tubed etc, and nothing fixed the problem (although for me this was something that would only happen an hour or more into the night, and not on initial power-up.) After taking it to a couple of techs, I was advised to try replacing the speaker. So far, that's taken care of my issues, and it seems to me like thta was ultimately the source of my grief. So - if you have an extension cab lying around, disconnect the internal speaker and try that. Speakers are covered under warranty. There was apparently a bad batch of C-90s.

Good luck. I feel your pain, trust me.

 

[Restless Rocks]

I would get the amp to the Mesa Service Center in Raleigh. Sounds like you could have a bad solder joint somewhere in your high voltage supply that might be arcing. This can lead to greater damage of the circuit boards etc. Also even though no visible damage may appear to have happened to an amp during shipping it's possible it may have undergone some severe bumps and bangs which can damage brand new tubes and loosen faulty solder joints. There is also the possibility that a pot may have been jammed which can also manifest itself in this way. These are only some suggestions and in no way a diagnosis (which is impossible without actually benching the amp and putting it through routine trouble shooting procedure). Again IMHO a tech should go over this amp.

 

[Restless Rocks]

Also it is highly possible you have a bad standby switch.

 

[Strat N My Stuff]

Latest - Mesa is sending out some tubes. I've been waiting, hopefully they came today. I'm on the East coast, so I understand the delay.

I continue to have issues. I swapped tube locations several times trying to eliminate the drop out in volume. I did find that the hard by pass on the Master was a marked improvement, though I did it while changing tubes locations so I don't know which properly gets credit.

FYI, when it occurs, I can switch the standby or master on and off two to three times and it goes away, at least temporarily. I know it is better when I toggle it and I don't get the "pop" sound. I don't even wait for the ocean rush anymore. :shock:

 

[Strat N My Stuff]

FYI - I called Artie at Artronics in Raleigh (Mesa warranty service). I'm gonna try the tubes, then if that doesn't work, I'll take up there. He has to keep it a week or so. He does this business after his regular job and on weekends.

 

[Restless Rocks]

Latest - Mesa is sending out some tubes. I've been waiting, hopefully they came today. I'm on the East coast, so I understand the delay.

:shock:

It's only about $12.00 for UPS 2day and $9.00 for 5day which usually takes from 5 to 10 days. The 2day has always showed up in two days from Mesa to NC. So well worth the extra three skins.