(Problem fixed: it was the tubes)

[eudaimonia02912]

NOTE: I edited the thread title because I don't want casual readers to get a bad impression of the amp.


This amp sounds awesome, but I'm pretty annoyed by this.

Today, while playing, I heard a bunch of crackles and pops, and then the volume started to waver. Next time I went to play the amp, it had no guitar sound at all, just some hiss, hum, and crackle through the speakers (which gets louder on the high gain channels or when the output is cranked). I then tried it again later, and I only had some slight volume on channel 2.

I went through each pre-amp tube one by one to see if there was an issue there. I thought perhaps the driver or inverter had died. No changes.

I also tried using new 6l6s. No difference.

So, now I'll have to wait until Monday, and probably Tuesday (since Monday is a holiday), to see what can be done about this.

EDIT: Actually, come to think of it, the dealer is open tomorrow. I might take it back and exchange it for a new one, though it might be weeks before they can get me one.

 

[Barry]

This amp sounds awesome, but I'm pretty annoyed by this.

Today, while playing, I heard a bunch of crackles and pops, and then the volume started to waver. Next time I went to play the amp, it had no guitar sound at all, just some hiss, hum, and crackle through the speakers (which gets louder on the high gain channels or when the output is cranked). I then tried it again later, and I only had some slight volume on channel 2.

I went through each pre-amp tube one by one to see if there was an issue there. I thought perhaps the driver or inverter had died. No changes.

I also tried using new 6l6s. No difference.

So, now I'll have to wait until Monday, and probably Tuesday (since Monday is a holiday), to see what can be done about this.

EDIT: Actually, come to think of it, the dealer is open tomorrow. I might take it back and exchange it for a new one, though it might be weeks before they can get me one.

You have warranty , you can always call mesa 707 778 6565, The artist relations people will help you .

 

[eudaimonia02912]

Back to the dealer. They've had similar issues develop on new Mesas (though not the Mark Vs) where it turned out to be a capacitor that came loose in shipping. They'll check the tubes and few others things they're authorized to do. If it's not that, then I'll either get it repaired or get a new one.

 

[motorcop71]

I say if it's not a tube or something else that simple, get a new one. This could be a sign of worse things to come. Why spend all that hard-earned money and have to settle for something that wasn't perfect?

 

[pathos45]

reason why i bought the mark v= 5 year warrenty much better

 

[eudaimonia02912]

Well, I got it back from the dealer. It turned out just to be tubes. 3 different pre-amp tubes had died, so they replaced those and gave me some extras. No wonder I couldn't diagnose it just switching 1 at a time.

 

[Old BF Shred]

Well, that can happen.....glad you got it squared away quickly!

Tubes can go in a short amount of time. Jarring and bumping during shipping does not help....even if they passed the Mesa 'RoboTube' test, UPS can take 'em out in seconds! :lol:

Let's hope this is the last problem you'll have with it!
Take care

 

[Boognoob]

Same problem. Pulled it into the studio for the 1st time, its about 9 days old now, and I have had the experience you described above.
And thank **** that you did detail it, cause I dont mind telling you, being both new to Boogies and new to full Tube amps in general, that reaaaaaaalllllly worried me when it happened.
And its good to hear that at least im not alone.
But also bad to hear it, as "How delicate are these amps?" is repeatedly going through my mind now.
And as it was the preliminary sessions for some recording work, I hope its sorted soon/not a reoccurring problem. Dont wanna feel too scared to go to 90 watts in case of killing it.
Taking it straight up the shop tommorrow and hoping that replacement tubes solve it.

Also, the Boogie I tried last year, that sold me on getting one had channel 2 blow on it halfway through. That apparently was down to a solder issue.

I love this amp more than any ive ever had, but just want it to be reliable.

 

[Scary]

Same problem. Pulled it into the studio for the 1st time, its about 9 days old now, and I have had the experience you described above.
And thank **** that you did detail it, cause I dont mind telling you, being both new to Boogies and new to full Tube amps in general, that reaaaaaaalllllly worried me when it happened.
And its good to hear that at least im not alone.
But also bad to hear it, as "How delicate are these amps?" is repeatedly going through my mind now.
And as it was the preliminary sessions for some recording work, I hope its sorted soon/not a reoccurring problem. Dont wanna feel too scared to go to 90 watts in case of killing it.
Taking it straight up the shop tommorrow and hoping that replacement tubes solve it.

Also, the Boogie I tried last year, that sold me on getting one had channel 2 blow on it halfway through. That apparently was down to a solder issue.

I love this amp more than any ive ever had, but just want it to be reliable.

They're more reliable than most, that's why alot of times people will use them for gigs even if they have vintage stuff they record with.

 

[crisis]

not sure about the fragility of tubes. I had a second hand Single recto sent via UPS airmail from the US to Australia in a big box with foam wafers, all loose. Worked perfectly although I admit I was a little concerned when I saw it lob.

 

[212Mavguy]

The Achille's heel of new production tube amps is the new production tubes that they are forced to use. They just don't make tubes like they used to...period. Mesa does much better at trying to screen the tubes they use for the benefit of their customers, I admire that. But sometimes s___t just happens. Best to have a full set of spares. Used vintage old stock and new old stock tubes tend to be better sounding and definitely longer lasting. Peace.

 

[Scary]

Another Mark V death post turns out to be nothing more than faulty tubes. I'd be interested to know how many have had real problems, other than the standby/variac letters wearing off! :lol: After seeing the hammer test video it seems like reliability is important to them so i'm betting the % of faulty amps is low.

I wonder why someone doesn't buy an old tube factory and start making the tubes musicians want.

 

[Old BF Shred]

I wonder why someone doesn't buy an old tube factory and start making the tubes musicians want.

I believe Groove Tubes is...although they may take the equipment and move it offshore to save $$.

You can check the story on google or their website, but IIRC, they bought and moved such equipment to make the EL34M in China.

 

[Boognoob]

Ahhhh thanks for the responses, people.

Well that was weird: got it up the shop, and magically it seemed to work.
And all that the guy did was take the fuse out, have a look at it and put it straight back in.

According to him the less glowy looking rectifier tube was normal, and since it was working fine with it looking less lit that the others...


So heres a another question for you guys....
Can messy voltage do this to Boogies..?
'Cause the lights in the studio that the amp went mental in always do that dimming/brightning thing.
The amp was still messed up when I got it home last night, and was still that way after being off all night this morning, but we get it to the store.....and hey presto.

SO glad its working now, but fearful that this might occur again in future...
Also hoping its not a dry joint type thing as apparently there are no more Mark Vs avaliable to my retailer 'til april....and living without it that long would be a nightmare.

Other than this issue so far, the amp is the 8th wonder of the world..and I luvs it.

 

[Old BF Shred]

Not so strange..... 8)
If the buiding where the studio is located was built/wired in the '60's or even early '70's, they may have used aluminum wire. It will cause what you described. (Of course other electrical related issues can too).

I also had a one-time strange occurance with my Stiletto...No power at all until I reseated the fuse. This was (I assumed) just a bit of corrosion in there that broke free when I reseated it. At least, it seems, I am not the only one to come across this.
Just keep an eye on it. If no symptoms repeat anytime soon, you are likely good to go.
I tend to think you'll be fine from now on.

Take care