Mesa Maverick with strange ghosting problem - HELP!

[Lotustar]

Hey everyone! Just got a Maverick 2x12 combo from 1993. This is my second Maverick. first one was the head version and it was AMAZING. So, I got this combo for $400. Not a bad deal. This combo has not been treated very nice by previous owner though. Looks like it's been gigged A LOT but it powers up and sound does come out. But, it feels weak and has this strange ghosting note thing going on. Sounds like faint double note or something. Hooked it up to another cab to rule out cone cry, so its not speakers. I've been reading up on this and maybe it's caps? They look fine, not leaking or anything. Any ideas from Mesa gurus out there as to what would cause this? It does have a bit of hum as well. Here's a few things that point to this amp being messed with a bit.
Speakers are Eminence Legends 8ohm. These aren't stock are they? They were in the 4 ohm jack. I moved plug to 8/16.
Misc pre amp tubes. It has a JJ ECC87, Ruby 12ax7, Mesa 12ax7-a (russian 2), Some no name with T8 in glass on top, Svetlana 12ax7, Sovtek 12ax7.
Power tubes are JJ EL84
Rec tube is JJ 5U4GB

I REALLY want to make sure this amp is in top playable condition and sounds like Mesa intended. Considering the age of this amp I'm thinking re cap, re tube. The amp has that "relic" look from actual use. Not too worried about looks really. Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

I have a bunch of pics of the whole amp, inside and out if it helps. Let me know. Thanks again guys.

 

[Screamindv]

If you have a second amp, go from the FX send on the Mav to the FX return on the other amp. If it sounds bad, the problem is in the preamp stage. If it sounds good, go from the FX send of the other amp into the FX return of the Mav. If it sounds bad the problem is in the power amp stage. I just put a Stiletto in the shop today with similar problems. I replaced all of my tubes and still had the problem. I woul suggest a tube swap first to see if that fixes it. If not it does sound like caps and fliters need replacing. Should get my amp back in about a week. If you still dont have things figured out, check with me and Ill tell you what my problem was.
Good luck!

 

[Lotustar]

I will def give that a try. I went ahead and replaced all the power tubes and pre amp tubes. Did not help. A friend of mine builds amps and he says its prob caps. Luckily he has all the stuff and knowledge to replace them for me. So after xmas I'm gonna get it done. Will post the results. Good luck with your Stiletto. Thats a killer amp! Thanks for replying.

 

[Lotustar]

Just a quick update incase anyone stumbles on this post. Finally bit the bullet and took my Maverick to a trusted tech. He cleaned it up and checked everything. Needed a new power chord. The one that was added by previous owner had a short in it. And he changed a couple of pre amp tubes that were "problematic". Def a punchier, more chimey amp now. Almost sounds right except...ghosting thing still there!!! I even called Mesa. They have NO clue. I'm at a loss.

 

[RR]

EL84s ghost notes .. that's more inherit EL84 characteristics than a problem. Some EL84 amps has minimize ghost notes and some are more apparent. Not sure how to minimize ghost notes.

Mark Samson (founder of Matchless, designer for Bad Cat and owner of Star amps) is an AC30 Vox specialist as with founder of Bruno and founder of Dr. Z talk about EL84 amps with ghost notes.

Yeah for my criteria for my use the Maverick is (almost*) the perfect gigging amp. Everything I like about it : toggle switches of the two channels to enhance your gain, select either silicon diode or tube rectifier.

One time I record mine using the stock Vintage 30s, lead channel, silicon diode rectifier a bit of saturated gain. Then I recorded rhythm channel toggle "fat" Weber's Blue Dog, Silver Bell (alnicos) and rectifier tube and my buddy was shocked that those two completely different settings were from one amp, the Maverick.

*Only thing I'd like mine changed is the interaction tone controls. I prefer if they were passive like an AC Vox Top Boost Channel then (for me) it would be the perfect amp! Yes it would limit it versatility but a Vox's tone is what I'm after but with the gain versatility of a Maverick.

 

[Lotustar]

EL84s ghost notes .. that's more inherit EL84 characteristics than a problem. Some EL84 amps has minimize ghost notes and some are more apparent. Not sure how to minimize ghost notes.

Mark Samson (founder of Matchless, designer for Bad Cat and owner of Star amps) is an AC30 Vox specialist as with founder of Bruno and founder of Dr. Z talk about EL84 amps with ghost notes.

Yeah for my criteria for my use the Maverick is (almost*) the perfect gigging amp. Everything I like about it : toggle switches of the two channels to enhance your gain, select either silicon diode or tube rectifier.

One time I record mine using the stock Vintage 30s, lead channel, silicon diode rectifier a bit of saturated gain. Then I recorded rhythm channel toggle "fat" Weber's Blue Dog, Silver Bell (alnicos) and rectifier tube and my buddy was shocked that those two completely different settings were from one amp, the Maverick.

*Only thing I'd like mine changed is the interaction tone controls. I prefer if they were passive like an AC Vox Top Boost Channel then (for me) it would be the perfect amp! Yes it would limit it versatility but a Vox's tone is what I'm after but with the gain versatility of a Maverick.

I've had MANY amps with El84s in them. And i've been through MANY amps while chasing that tone. Ive had ac30s, another maverick (head version), marshal plexi, mesa rectoverb 50, even an Ampeg lee jackson. NONE of these amps ever had this problem. Ever. If i could get this amp to sound right like the other one i had, then i would def mix some new speakers in there. Maybe a vintage 30 and a weber? But first things first. F#@*ing ghost notes are driving me CRAZY!!

 

[RR]

I think the ghost notes you're talking about on your Maverick is more serious than the one I'm talking about since it sounds worse than "inherit ghost EL84s". Bummer. Hope you figured out or someone figures it out.

The Maverick was MESA's representative of a Guitar Player Magazine Blues Amp Shoot Out. Of course the specialize boutique amps are the top tiers but Maverick was mentioned as the most versatile. Mine's a keeper. I know I mentioned I want an AC Vox (AC15HW or AC30HW in particular) but no way it would replace my Maverick. Maverick is one of the most versatile quad of EL84s amps.

I know MESA's Lonestar Special is the Maverick's successor, a great amp too but it doesn't have 30 watt power setting /tube rectifier selected option.

I think a lot of guitarists don't realize speakers is an integrated part of an amps tone. e.g. a Celestion Greenback some says its too inefficient or sounds like a blanket is thrown over the enclosure. Now try quad of Greenbacks in a 4x12" playing a Marshall Super Lead or Plexi. Classic Marshall tone!

I have a few 2x12" enclosures with various combinations. My guitar buddy's would bring their amps over to try my combinations. Some say their amp sounds entirely different than the stock speakers that came with the amp.

 

[Lotustar]

I think the ghost notes you're talking about on your Maverick is more serious than the one I'm talking about since it sounds worse than "inherit ghost EL84s". Bummer. Hope you figured out or someone figures it out.

The Maverick was MESA's representative of a Guitar Player Magazine Blues Amp Shoot Out. Of course the specialize boutique amps are the top tiers but Maverick was mentioned as the most versatile. Mine's a keeper. I know I mentioned I want an AC Vox (AC15HW or AC30HW in particular) but no way it would replace my Maverick. Maverick is one of the most versatile quad of EL84s amps.

I know MESA's Lonestar Special is the Maverick's successor, a great amp too but it doesn't have 30 watt power setting /tube rectifier selected option.

I think a lot of guitarists don't realize speakers is an integrated part of an amps tone. e.g. a Celestion Greenback some says its too inefficient or sounds like a blanket is thrown over the enclosure. Now try quad of Greenbacks in a 4x12" playing a Marshall Super Lead or Plexi. Classic Marshall tone!

I have a few 2x12" enclosures with various combinations. My guitar buddy's would bring their amps over to try my combinations. Some say their amp sounds entirely different than the stock speakers that came with the amp.

I agree. I've always loved the Maverick. The short head version I had was "it" for me. What was I thinking selling that thing?!! Chasing tones I guess. My Mav 2x12 have eminence legends in it. They were put in there by whoever it was that owned the amp (and neglected it) before me. Know anything about these speakers? I def don't want that boxy blanket kind of sound.

 

[RR]

The Eminence Legends are similar to CTS or Jensens replicates. Decent speakers but for me I would prefer these in Fender type amps with either 6V6s or 6L6s.

Your former 1-Maverick 12" was a keeper! We discuss this in the other Monsta's post. I'd love to own one of those prototype. One was on Craiglist but was asking for a high price. I kind of don't blame the seller asking for a high price because this seller was looking someone knowledgeable / MESA collector about these Mavericks and was willing to fork out the bucks.

 

[Lotustar]

The Eminence Legends are similar to CTS or Jensens replicates. Decent speakers but for me I would prefer these in Fender type amps with either 6V6s or 6L6s.

Your former 1-Maverick 12" was a keeper! We discuss this in the other Monsta's post. I'd love to own one of those prototype. One was on Craiglist but was asking for a high price. I kind of don't blame the seller asking for a high price because this seller was looking someone knowledgeable / MESA collector about these Mavericks and was willing to fork out the bucks.

Interesting. Hopefully I can get this amp in proper working order so I can actually hear what the speakers can do at higher volume. **** amp hums like crazy!! And makes a ghosting note. I'm about at a point where I have to stop messing with it. It's getting costly and taking away from playing time. Might sell this Mav.

 

[GuitarBear]

Did your tech check the capacitors? I had the ghost note issue on my Studio .22 and it turned out to be a bad capacitor.

 

[RR]

Did you check your post on the "Rectifier" section again? => http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=69237

Possible a reverb tank cable problem?