Reg
Well-known member
I have just had to send my 4th Express 5:50 amp back in less than 4 weeks!
Amp no. 1 - got it home and there was a really bad vibration coming from somewhere in the amp. Particularly bad on certain notes / chords. Took it back and got:
Amp no. 2 - Plugged it in and nothing! Well, it sounded as if it was operating on about 1/4 watt. Rang the shop. I got the impression they thought I was making this up. Said they would check with Mesa UK and get back to me. Put the phone down and just started to muck around with it when suddenly, kerblam! it went straight onto full volume. Frightened the frigging life out of me and everyone in the house. Not to worry though as it soon stopped working! The shop got back to me to say that yes, there apparently was a problem with some of these. Something to do with a faulty input jack and to bring it back. In the meantime, it worked and then stopped a couple of times so went back for:
Amp no. 3 - Told this had been checked, was perfect and had been resealed. Took this home, opened it up and took it straight back! It had no footswitch, cover, manual or inspection tag. Also had some foam trapped between the grille and top panel as well as some marks on the top. I wasn't going to pay £1200 for someone else's old amp so got:
Amp no. 4 - This seemed OK to start with but I soon started to get that horrible vibration again. Had a look inside and noticed that one of the 12AX7 valves (2nd from the right as you look from behind) wasn't glowing at all). Bypassed the shop this time and contacted Mesa UK distributor direct who kindly sent me 2 new 6l6s, a 12AX7 and a T-shirt for my troubles! Changed the tubes but the vibration was just as bad. Put hand (carefully) on each of the 6l6s in turn and noted that the vibration eased a bit so ? tube vibration. However, the new 12 AX7 was still not glowing properly.
Told to take it back to the shop again!! I am now waiting to see what will happen.
I try and remain optomistic but it's not easy!
Do I cut my losses or should I stick with Mesa?
Can anyone beat this tale of woe (not that you'ld want to)
Amp no. 1 - got it home and there was a really bad vibration coming from somewhere in the amp. Particularly bad on certain notes / chords. Took it back and got:
Amp no. 2 - Plugged it in and nothing! Well, it sounded as if it was operating on about 1/4 watt. Rang the shop. I got the impression they thought I was making this up. Said they would check with Mesa UK and get back to me. Put the phone down and just started to muck around with it when suddenly, kerblam! it went straight onto full volume. Frightened the frigging life out of me and everyone in the house. Not to worry though as it soon stopped working! The shop got back to me to say that yes, there apparently was a problem with some of these. Something to do with a faulty input jack and to bring it back. In the meantime, it worked and then stopped a couple of times so went back for:
Amp no. 3 - Told this had been checked, was perfect and had been resealed. Took this home, opened it up and took it straight back! It had no footswitch, cover, manual or inspection tag. Also had some foam trapped between the grille and top panel as well as some marks on the top. I wasn't going to pay £1200 for someone else's old amp so got:
Amp no. 4 - This seemed OK to start with but I soon started to get that horrible vibration again. Had a look inside and noticed that one of the 12AX7 valves (2nd from the right as you look from behind) wasn't glowing at all). Bypassed the shop this time and contacted Mesa UK distributor direct who kindly sent me 2 new 6l6s, a 12AX7 and a T-shirt for my troubles! Changed the tubes but the vibration was just as bad. Put hand (carefully) on each of the 6l6s in turn and noted that the vibration eased a bit so ? tube vibration. However, the new 12 AX7 was still not glowing properly.
Told to take it back to the shop again!! I am now waiting to see what will happen.
I try and remain optomistic but it's not easy!
Do I cut my losses or should I stick with Mesa?
Can anyone beat this tale of woe (not that you'ld want to)