My turn to ask DC questions.......

[MarshMesa]

It's definitely not a tube problem. The amp sounds tight with the strat, and the tubes are still very newish. It sounds the same as when I first got the tubes. It must just be that the wood/pickup combination doesn't work as well on the Mesa as it does the Marshall. I tried the same guitar on the Mark V and there was no mud at all. Having an overdrive set as a boost fixes the problem, but then it changes the tone a lot and also makes it a pain to switch channels. It's impossible to use both feet to switch channels and turn off the overdrive at the same time. Ah well, I guess I'll be happy one day when I own a Mark IV and then I'll sell all my other amps. :lol:

 

[Monsta-Tone]

I've been using this: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ROC-PML8FL-LIST
I have presets that add the boost or distortion pedal to the front of the lead channel, and other presets that just change channels, etc.

I'm selling it and most of my pedals because I really want a G-System, but so far it's been a great unit. There is a slight pop noise with really high gain pedals, but other than that it's been a big help with the tap dancing.