Serial Number..Where is it ?

[KillerTone]

Hi. I have just joined this forum as I will be buying an (approx.) 8 year old Dual Rectifier (3 channel) head next week.

Where can I find the amps serial number ?

Thanks for any help and greetings from Ireland.

 

[Authorized Boogie]

The serial number is on the chassis, near to where the power tubes and transformer are mounted. Its on a small black/silver metal decal and begins with R-0XXXXX

 

[KillerTone]

Thank you very much.

Really looking forward to my very first Boogie.

 

[KillerTone]

Just picked this amp up tonight at Westland recording Studios in Dublin Ireland. (3 channel Dual rectifier head)

The serial number is R-0390xx

I would love to know the date of manufacture etc.

Thanks again. TC

 

[KillerTone]

Just received this email from support............

Hi Thomas,

Hope you are enjoying your new amp!

Your amp left Petaluma on October 13, 2004 (that was a Wednesday in case you were starting to worry).

Everything else you would need to know should be in the manual at the following link: http://www.mesaboogie.com/media/User%20Manuals/3chRecto.pdf

Kind Regards,

XXXXX XXXXX

MESA/BOOGIE, Ltd. - Product Specialist

Customer Support #: (707) 778-6565

 

[KillerTone]

I don't have speakers at the moment so I can't try it out.
When I picked it up the guy had it powered up and was playing through it.
It was into a Mesa 4x12 cab which belongs to the recording studio where I bought it.

I pulled the chassis to have a look and everything looks good.
The only thing that struck me as a little strange were the tubes.
The 5 12ax7's were Mesa and said "Russia 2" on each one.
The 4 6L6's were also mesa grey base and the 4 of them said "yellow"
The 2 rectifier tubes were also Mesa.
The larger 6 tubes were dirty with years of burnt in dust etc.

Could these possibly be the original tubes since 2004 ?
The guys said the amp has been in the recording studio since day one has very seldom been used.

 

[TRENCHLORD]

They probably are the original power tubes being gray based. Are they str440 or str430?

You should replace the V3 and the V4 position pre-amp tubes with mesa/jj12ax7 (ecc83) because the russian#2 can have problems in those two cathode-follower positions.
I don't think it hurts the amp though if they do go out, just a pain if it's during a show or practice time.

While you're at it you might try a tung-sol-RI in the V1 slot, or even the mesa spax7. I've liked both better than the russian#2(E.H.) for V1.

 

[KillerTone]

Thanks for the good advice TRENCHLORD.

The 6l6's are STR-440's and the recifiers are 5U4GB

There are no Mesa dealers in Ireland so I will order some valves online.
This site is great for info and advice. Really enjoying reading the posts
and have learned a lot already. Thanks again. Thomas.