Volume loss on my Single Recto lead channel [SOLVED]

[PierLCD]

Hi everyone!

I've just joined the Mesa family, so here's my first post :wink:

My Mesa's a Single Recto Serie I (from 2000 I think) I've bought in used condition.

First time I've played with, everything was OK, but the second time, after one hour practicing, all of a sudden there was a significant drop of volume of the Lead channel, this affecting both Vintage and Modern modes.

To be more explicit, at first I set up Master at 12h on both channels or so to get the same level; now I have to set the clean one at, for exemple, 8h, and then the Lead channel Master at almost 3h to get this earlier result :?

I thought that it was due to the fact that the amp hasn't been used for a while, but it seems that this loss is definitive , however it's still possible to get the amp loud enough.

I've checked with the pen trick that my 12AX7 tubes were fine, and no microphonic did not appear at all. So I guess they can't be accused :roll:

I hope I've been clear enough in my explanations, thanks already to the ones who can answer me!

Cheers

PierLCD

 

[Ibanez]

Even though you check out your pre-amp tube with a pen, it really sounds like a bad pre-amp tube (V1, V2 and/or V3). A bad preamp tube may not cause microphonic even if it is faulty (some good tube may cause microphonics as well). It did happen to me a year ago. You should go buy some new pre-amp tubes (always good to keep some spare) and swap the first three preamp tubes. In this way you will know if your problem is related with the preamp tube. Thereafter you can swap one tube at the time with your previous tubes to see who is or who are the culprit. I prefer this technique (changing all the possible bad tube with good ones) just in case that more than one tube is faulty.

By the way, as this is a used amp, did you change the power tubes ? If not, it can be a good idea to change them by new fresh one.

 

[PierLCD]

Hi there!

So, Ibanez, you were damn right ^^

I didn't even think of this issue, because the faulty tube was a brand new one I've just put in :x
Seconde time that happens to me, these little glass things can be a real pain in the (_|_) :evil:

So back then to the one which was already inside the head, the Recto's back! 8)

Just to make a personnal statement, I've put a Tung Sol Gold 12AX7 tube at V1 position, I think that it really improves the sound of the amp, especially for the clean channel.

See ya!

Pier