Problem with Mesa Mini Rect

[boldfang]

I have a mesa mini rect for almost half a year now. Recently, on the gain channel, if I use the 10W mode, sometimes there is no volume and there is a bit of sputtering. The volume would cut in and out intermittently. Everything is fine on the 25W mode.

Nothing is affected on both 10W and 25W on the clean channel.

There is no way to replicate this problem. Is there a problem with the tubes?


EDIT: The problem appears more frequent if I engage the FX Loop on the back. It occurs lesser when it is in hard bypass mode.

 

[elvis]

Tubes are always a good bet. With EL84 it's reasonably inexpensive to keep a spare pair around to swap in. And try swapping a spare 12ax7 into each of the preamp tube positions.

 

[KiwiJoe]

Yep, either tubes or..

Since we don't know whether your Mini Rec was new or used when you bought it, it could be the old "10W volume drop" syndrome that was a problem on some of the earlier Mini Recs:

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=63561&hilit=mini+rec+10+watt#p439188

I'd do as Elvis suggested and swap in some fresh tubes. If that doesn't fix it, refer to the link above and/or call Mesa.