Need to unscrew the back to get the footswitch out

[user 16426]

I have just got an export (Australia) combo, my 1st Mesa. The footswitch is in the pouch in the back, but there is a big mesh grill covering the tubes making the gap in the back too small to get the footswitch out. I actually had to unscrew the back to get the footswitch out!!? I called my dealer to make sure, but since they only got the 1st shipment in the country on Tue, they hadn't tried to get the footswitch out as yet. They did the testing without checking the FS.
To confirm, after I got the FS out and put the cover back, I checked to make sure that I couldn't get it back in. The height at the top of the footswitch is too big for the gap. Seems like a bit of an oversight.
When I was talking to the dealer, he told me that Oz had the mesh, and not the bar?, as a few years back someone burnt themselves and sued.

So I either take the mesh off so I can store the FS or I leave the FS out all of the time. Thoughts?

P.S. Is the serial number actually on the amp anywhere or just on the tag that was on the handle?

 

[MrMarkIII]

Yup, the export models get the mesh cage. All amps, not just Mesa, that go anywhere other than the US get the mesh. Have fun changing tubes, too.
Doesn't the cable un-plug from the foot switch?

 

[Octavarius]

Yup, the export models get the mesh cage. All amps, not just Mesa, that go anywhere other than the US get the mesh. Have fun changing tubes, too.
Doesn't the cable un-plug from the foot switch?

Why only export models? I always thought that the mesh cage was a better way of shielding the tubes, especially when pulling out the footswitch (on my Lonestar...) and stuff like that, something that could easily bumb quite hard into the tubes. And of course the "burn factor" mentioned earlier.

However, it is strange that the gap is too small for the footswitch in the Mark V. Does seem like quite a bit of an oversight. However, I'd in that case just have the "domestically used" aluminium bar-protector made for me somewhere and use that instead.

 

[Azrehan]

Don't you love measures taken to protect the idiots in society. The manuals say not to touch the tubes when they are hot but that's not enough for some people.

I'll just stick the footswitch in my gig bag.

 

[user 16426]

Really, heat can burn?
Lucky they put insulation on the wires!
I think I'll just leave the mesh on and put the footswitch in the bag with the other stuff that I need to bring.

 

[#2121313]

The serial number should be on a metalish type of sticker in behind the amp, near the rear panel of the chasis somewhere there...

 

[shred_nadin]

so... my fellow export owners... is there any plastic webbing on the tubes behind the mesh? i cant see any but i'm not sure... i was just assuming they would take it off before they put on a heavy duty mesh grill with 4 screws...

 

[Azrehan]

I'll check mine tomorrow when I pick it up at 9am.

Can't F-ing wait!

 

[#2121313]

so... my fellow export owners... is there any plastic webbing on the tubes behind the mesh? i cant see any but i'm not sure... i was just assuming they would take it off before they put on a heavy duty mesh grill with 4 screws...

There was a cation tag on mine that warned me about removing the mesh on the tubes, but I'm out in Canada so I'm not sure, but I would think they'd have to put some kind of protection during shipping...I'd assume it would be pretty visible, this would only be for the power tubes, the pre amp tubes have their own metal covers which stay over them permanently

 

[shred_nadin]

well there is no warning on the amp, and nothing on the tubes but a mesa logo...

 

[Octavarius]

well there is no warning on the amp, and nothing on the tubes but a mesa logo...

Then you're all good.

 

[shred_nadin]

tis what i thought... i plug in first thing in the morning!!!!!!!!!! :mrgreen: hells yeeeeah

 

[user 16426]

The guys at Pro Audio re-tested the amps and took the stuff off the tubes.