Need Help with 240 volt Dual Rec.

[dethrattle]

Hello all and have a Boogie New Year. OK, I have a 240 Volt Dual Rec and currently I'm running a stepup/stepdown transformer so I can use it in the USA. My question is this, My transformer's max conversion is 230 volts and that is what I'm plugged into. Will this affect my tone? I know every amp is different, but DAMM!, I've never had to work so hard to get a decent tone out of this monster. The cleans sound very clean and piano like. The gain is just not there. The tubes are fine. I changed out the tubes from another amp I own and still no deal. I've cleaned the tube sockets to make sure. I patched in a BBE to clean up the tone. I don't remember any dual rec. sounding this thin and weak. It is loud as hell, but its just not Boogie. I bought this amp new off ebay about a year ago and the bastered never stated that is was a 240 volt. I didnt want to have to change the trannys and void any warranty, so I purchased the outboard transformer. I think the transformer not putting out the 240 is the problem. I'm so ready to post it internationally but I love the color and would hate to get rid of any Boogie. Someone please help.

 

[Aart]

Export boogies are mostly 240 V amps, while the voltage in most of europe is 230 V. Never had a problem with it.

But if you want to keep the headshell:

Buy a new one, switch the headshells and sell the 240 version in the standard headshell.

 

[Octavarius]

Actually, as I understand it, the export trannies can be rewired to either 220V, 230V or 240V, depending on the country. My Lonestar is an export, and it's got a little label by the fuse where it's marked off as 230V, but the other voltages are also listed there, so I guess they can be rewired for any of those.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Hello all and have a Boogie New Year. OK, I have a 240 Volt Dual Rec and currently I'm running a stepup/stepdown transformer so I can use it in the USA. My question is this, My transformer's max conversion is 230 volts and that is what I'm plugged into. Will this affect my tone? I know every amp is different, but DAMM!, I've never had to work so hard to get a decent tone out of this monster. The cleans sound very clean and piano like. The gain is just not there. The tubes are fine. I changed out the tubes from another amp I own and still no deal. I've cleaned the tube sockets to make sure. I patched in a BBE to clean up the tone. I don't remember any dual rec. sounding this thin and weak. It is loud as hell, but its just not Boogie. I bought this amp new off ebay about a year ago and the bastered never stated that is was a 240 volt. I didnt want to have to change the trannys and void any warranty, so I purchased the outboard transformer. I think the transformer not putting out the 240 is the problem. I'm so ready to post it internationally but I love the color and would hate to get rid of any Boogie. Someone please help.

Sounds exactly like my Triple Recto when I bought it new until I swapped out every last stock pre/power tube out of it......then it was a beast.

 

[Old BF Shred]

Yes, be sure the tubes are good....a shame to spend $ trying to make up for bad ones.

But if they are, or you want 115v convenience, you might consider a good after-market transformer (Mercury Magnetics, Hammond?, etc.) to solve the problem.
Probably cheaper than stock one from Mesa.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Heck man...call up Mesa and tell em whats going on. You'd be surprised at the things they are willing to do for people. I'm not saying they will GIVE you the transformer you need, but my amp is well past the warranty for tubes but they sent me a whole set, no questions asked when I told them I was having a volume loss in spongy mode. Granted the new rebranded JJ's fixed the problem, but they sound like *** and I'm currently working on NOS vintage tubes. They have a great bunch of guys working the help desk and you'd be suprised at what they will do for a customer in a pickle. It may be cheaper than you think.

 

[dethrattle]

I called MESA today and they said that the small mismatch in 230 to 240 was not a problem and probably was a good thing because the amp was probably sagging and would sound better. He told me to check the tubes again and if needed buy new ones. I asked about replacements and they could not do it because I stated I was running the amp at a mismatch in voltage and probably caused the problem. I still think it might be the preamp tubes and will be on a new quest for some. I thing I'll buy the High Gain Front End from Eurotubes only because if they sound crappy I know I can use them in my Marshall.

I currently have my guitars wired for 27 volts. Im using EMGs. Could that be the problem?

 

[R_ADKINS80]

I called MESA today and they said that the small mismatch in 230 to 240 was not a problem and probably was a good thing because the amp was probably sagging and would sound better. He told me to check the tubes again and if needed buy new ones. I asked about replacements and they could not do it because I stated I was running the amp at a mismatch in voltage and probably caused the problem. I still think it might be the preamp tubes and will be on a new quest for some. I thing I'll buy the High Gain Front End from Eurotubes only because if they sound crappy I know I can use them in my Marshall.

I currently have my guitars wired for 27 volts. Im using EMGs. Could that be the problem?

I would only suspect the guitar if you are having the same problem with your Marshall. Otherwise, the problem lies within the Roadster.

 

[wildrat666]

sounds like a tube problem. emgs sounds thin especially if you got emg 81 s. one of my guitars have the 18 v mod and it still sound weak. but that a Roadster sounds thin.....hm it is something wrong with th amp-my roadster is a beast