Mini Rec, Possible Volume Issues?

[paulg2uk]

Hey guys,

I just thought I'd post this as I think I'm going a little mad lol. I bought a mini rec a couple of weeks back and i love it its a great little amp. Unfortunately the amp developed a fault with a high pitched squeal on chan 2 set on 10 watts. I thought it was a case of a tube that was faulty. The store where I bought it just said they would swap it over for another unit which I thought was the best thing to do under the circumstances.

Anyway I received the replacement mini rec yesterday and have noticed quite a difference in volume in both channels. On the unit I sent back chan 2 was fairly loud at about 9 o clock and when flicking onto 25 watts that was even louder like stupid loud. The clean chan I like and sounded very open and sparkling. The new mini which I tried last night seems lower in volume the clean channel needs to be turned up about half way with the gain set to noon to get a fairly good clean sound. And even then it still doesn't sound like the previous amp.

I just wanna make sure this is normal behaviour and that the other mini rec was louder due to the possible tube problem?

Many Thanks

Paul

 

[paulg2uk]

Well I think I might have problem with the replacement min rec. I took it to rehearsals tonight and it just seemed like it was struggling to keep up with the rest of the band. I did notice a big volume difference between the one I sent back and this one which is a lot quieter in comparison. It actually came to a point where my bass player couldn't hear me and had to mic the cab up.

I don't know if its a tube maybe or am I going mad? I had both clean and dirty channels on 25 watts and on the one I sent back I remember it being super loud only on the 10 watts setting.

Anyone got any suggestions? Is this normal

Thanks again

Paul

 

[soundchaser59]

Well I think I might have problem with the replacement min rec. I took it to rehearsals tonight and it just seemed like it was struggling to keep up with the rest of the band. I did notice a big volume difference between the one I sent back and this one which is a lot quieter in comparison. It actually came to a point where my bass player couldn't hear me and had to mic the cab up.

I don't know if its a tube maybe or am I going mad? I had both clean and dirty channels on 25 watts and on the one I sent back I remember it being super loud only on the 10 watts setting.

Anyone got any suggestions? Is this normal

Thanks again

Paul

Well, I can promise you it is not normal.

The most obvious thing to try, as with any amp, is put a completely new set of tubes in.

Others will disagree, but I don't like the "only fix what's broke" approach to tubes. I replace all of them as soon as I bring the amp home. I know there are lots of people who have great experience with new Mesa amps, but I have never had anything good happen if I leave the Mesa branded tubes in the amp too long. It's the first thing I would suggest changing.

 

[paulg2uk]

Well I think I might have problem with the replacement min rec. I took it to rehearsals tonight and it just seemed like it was struggling to keep up with the rest of the band. I did notice a big volume difference between the one I sent back and this one which is a lot quieter in comparison. It actually came to a point where my bass player couldn't hear me and had to mic the cab up.

I don't know if its a tube maybe or am I going mad? I had both clean and dirty channels on 25 watts and on the one I sent back I remember it being super loud only on the 10 watts setting.

Anyone got any suggestions? Is this normal

Thanks again

Paul

Well, I can promise you it is not normal.

The most obvious thing to try, as with any amp, is put a completely new set of tubes in.

Others will disagree, but I don't like the "only fix what's broke" approach to tubes. I replace all of them as soon as I bring the amp home. I know there are lots of people who have great experience with new Mesa amps, but I have never had anything good happen if I leave the Mesa branded tubes in the amp too long. It's the first thing I would suggest changing.

Thanks for the post. I managed to fix the problem. It was was the v4 preamp tube that was causing the volume lost. And also a funny noise coming from chan 2. i swapped out the v2 tube as well and all is fixed. I got 2 free preamp tubes out of mesa as they were still under warranty. I couldn't agree more I was tearing my hair out and was just gonna re-valve the whole amp. Who knows how much stress the tubes take when in transit etc.

I've never had a a problem like this with a mesa before but I suppose theres always a first time for everything lol

Any suggestions on what tubes to buy?

 

[domct203]

I've never had a a problem like this with a mesa before but I suppose theres always a first time for everything lol

The problem is NOT with your Mesa amp but with the non-Mesa made tubes (the Mesa "Russian" 12AX7 is a JJ ECC83S)

Any suggestions on what tubes to buy?

Yes, Tung-Sol reissue for V1, Mesa "Russian" (JJ) or Mesa "Russian-2" (EH) in V2, Penta Chinese (or Mesa "Russian") in V3 & V5, Sovtek 12AX7-LPS in V4.

If the Mini-Recto is a true Rectifier, the Tone Stack & FX Loop Driver (V3 & V5) will be Cathode Follower positions. Do not use any New Sensor Brand tubes (Tung-Sol reissue, Mullard reissue, Electro-Harmonix & Sovtek) in those positions as they have been proven to fail in Cathode Follower use.

http://www.forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25102&start=19

Dom

 

[soundchaser59]

Do not use any New Sensor Brand tubes (Tung-Sol reissue, Mullard reissue, Electro-Harmonix & Sovtek) in those positions as they have been proven to fail in Cathode Follower use.

http://www.forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25102&start=19

Good to know.

If I email some tube seller (like Doug's or Euro) do they take this kind of detail into account when they recommend a retube package? I guess I should ask them about it? Or should I ask Mesa if they will suggest something other than Mesa branded tubes?

 

[domct203]

Do not use any New Sensor Brand tubes (Tung-Sol reissue, Mullard reissue, Electro-Harmonix & Sovtek) in those positions as they have been proven to fail in Cathode Follower use.

http://www.forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25102&start=19

Good to know.

If I email some tube seller (like Doug's or Euro) do they take this kind of detail into account when they recommend a retube package? I guess I should ask them about it? Or should I ask Mesa if they will suggest something other than Mesa branded tubes?

Eurotubes only sells JJ's, which have proven to be reliable in Cathode Follower use.

Doug Preston will usually recommend Penta/Shuguang (chinese) for the Tone Stack & FX Loop, I don't know if it is because of Cathode Follower use or just coincidence.

Mesa will most likely recommend Mesa tubes.

Dom