Amp Trouble

[TripleM]

I bought a new Mesa Boogie amp (Mark V) a couple of weeks ago. I'd been playing around with it for a while and all seemed fine. Then a couple of days ago I noticed a problem. I'd be playing along (playing the guitar - not touching the amp) and all of a sudden it would seem like someone magically gave the Gain knob a quarter turn up. Distortion would turn to fizz and it would get louder. I'd then physically turn the Gain knob down myself and begin playing again. A few minutes later, again without my touching the amp, it would sound like someone turned down the Gain knob.

It now flips back and forth periodically. Any ideas of what's going on?

 

[Wireneck]

Is this a "new" amp or new to you? If it is brand new, I would take it back where you bought it. I had a Framus Cobra that did something similar with the gain on the drive channel. I think a bad preamp tube was the culprit but it has been a few years and I can't remember the exact diagnosis.

 

[TripleM]

It's a "New New" amp. I'm taking it back to where I bought it tonight. I just wanted to maybe get a little information before I talk to the people there.

A bad or poorly seated preamp tube was my only thought. Thanks.

 

[Lt. Bob]

regardless of if it's new or not the Mesa warranty is 5 years and it's transferable.
So what I would do is call Mesa and leave a message. They will absolutely call you back in a day or so. The number's on their website. I've had a V for about a year. No problems at all with it.

 

[TripleM]

Thanks Lt. I think I'll give a call to the shop where I bought it and see what they suggest I do. But to me they should be the ones handling the problem.

 

[Lt. Bob]

Thanks Lt. I think I'll give a call to the shop where I bought it and see what they suggest I do. But to me they should be the ones handling the problem.

absolutely ..... but it costs nothing to call Mesa and at the least yoiu'll have a nice conversation with someone that can actually answer any questions you might have.
For example ..... that amp has 57 relays in it to shift between the circuits.

 

[TripleM]

I've heard you can call them up and say, "I have a Mark V and a Fender Strat. I want a Weezer sound (or name your band). What amp settings would you suggest I use?" And they'll talk to you about it. I might have to try it some time.

BTW - I took the amp in yesterday and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I'm going to change the guitar cord and clean the switches/pots/etc. and see if the problem wasn't caused by that.

 

[Lt. Bob]

I've heard you can call them up and say, "I have a Mark V and a Fender Strat. I want a Weezer sound (or name your band). What amp settings would you suggest I use?" And they'll talk to you about it. I might have to try it some time.

they will ..... when I was deciding whether to get the V or not, I called them twice just to chat about an amp I didn't even have yet.
Both times they spent maybe 45 minutes just talking to me about that amp, other Mesa products ..... amps in general. They were both very relaxed conversations and they never made me feel I should rush thru and quit taking up their time.