Mesa F-series Lounge. Come on in and share your secrets.

[Surfcaster]

I always remember whether I'm on contour or not. This is because I rarely use the second channel without it lol.

I'm with you...the only time the Contour is off is if I'm just playing around with different tones or if I accidentally hit the switch. IMHO,the Contour is what makes the second channel, I would not have purchased the amp without it.

[Lt_Core]

I'm with you...the only time the Contour is off is if I'm just playing around with different tones or if I accidentally hit the switch. IMHO,the Contour is what makes the second channel, I would not have purchased the amp without it.

What style of music do you play, Surfcaster? I have my contour on about half of the time (current rock, 90's, 80's, 70's). I agree...contour kicks ass!

[Tommi Inkila]

yeah whens ya sequel out so i can buy both at once? :)
The 3 song cd is out in few weeks... there will probably be a combo package available then. Thanks for the interest :)

[jcoggins7]

I'm with you...the only time the Contour is off is if I'm just playing around with different tones or if I accidentally hit the switch. IMHO,the Contour is what makes the second channel, I would not have purchased the amp without it.

I totally agree.

[musicdog400]

That's interesting. I never use the contour. I leave it off for a nice warm singing sound with lots of mids, then switch on the EQ in the loop for a scooped modern sound that is awesome with my seven string. The EQ of the contour just doesn't sound good to me when I compare it to the EQ in the loop.

[ashjn]

Ya I RARELY play with Contour on...

[Flannery]

I'm the same. Contour rarely gets used (I play in a cover band, the music is mostly recent stuff). I use it maybe twice a night....

[dumeril7]

hey fellows!

today I've experienced a "problem" with the reverb when I switch the channels. is it regular, that the reverb only starts working a second after I switched the channel? I guess in a live situation this would not be that bad... but I can't imagine why this existed.
when i switch the reverb on, it is there just after I pushed the button!


I remember reading an interview with Randall Smith where he said that the F series amps uses relays for channel switching (there was some advantage to it that I can't recall). He also said that because relays will normally produce a pop when used for channel switching, they add some circuitry to mute the amp momentarily when you switch channels so that you don't hear the pop. The mute occurs so quickly that you normally don't notice the mute either. However, I'm thinking that they also have to mute the reverb since the pop gets fed into the reverb. If that's true, then the reverb mute would have to be a bit longer because the pop will reverberate for a bit. That's probably long enough for you to actually notice it.

D7

[XiXora]

The 3 song cd is out in few weeks... there will probably be a combo package available then. Thanks for the interest :)

NP, you have a sweet tone. I could listen to it all day :D

[Joeytpg]

Hey guys...

some of you have been asking our album, now it's also available here http://www.lasercd.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SCCD05



Tommi, i'm in Spain where should i order the album to get it faster? over there or through your website?

[Joeytpg]

alright tommi, tell me about the Combo package.... i'm interested... before i purchase i wanna know if i should wait

[Ogi-wan]

Tommi does indeed have a good tone. I actually like it better than Petrucci's.

Since they are both using the same guitar, the difference must be in the amp. :thu:

Vive Le F-Series! :D

NP, you have a sweet tone. I could listen to it all day :D

[jcoggins7]

Tommi does indeed have a good tone. I actually like it better than Petrucci's.

BLASPHEMY!!! HERETIC!!!

P.S. No offense Tommi, your tone is incredible (and incredibly close to Petrucci's), but Petrucci's ever-changing ever-subtly and ever-incredible. For me some of his pinnacle tones were on Falling Into Infinity and Liquid Tension Experiment 2, btw.

[MrVisual]

I don't have a cab for my F-50 head yet, but maybe I could mute the speaker with that switch behind the head and just play with headphones or recording out to my PC. Is this possible without damaging my F-50?

[Tommi Inkila]

NP, you have a sweet tone. I could listen to it all day :D
Thanks, hopefully the new heavier tone is to your liking as well :)

[Tommi Inkila]

alright tommi, tell me about the Combo package.... i'm interested... before i purchase i wanna know if i should wait
It will be available on our site... most likely 16 euros for premiere and this new 3 song cd.

[Tommi Inkila]

Thanks guys for comparing my tone to Petruccis :)

I'm also digging FII and LTE... I wish that I'll have option to use every Mesa amp someday, but until then the mighty F serves me easily well.

[Joeytpg]

cool tommi, let us know when i comes out so i can order it, i love Scenery Channel. (how did that name came about?)


Also, tommi DOES have a great tone.... and like he said, it's good to try other cool amps too, i'm dying to buy a MArk IV, a Diezel Herbert/VH4, it's all good if it's for music purposes. :D

Tommi i know you've prob. posted this before but could you be so kind and let us know how are you running your setup? for example:

Guitar > amp > EQ Loop > Gmajor > etc etc etc

PLUS your settings. :wave:

[Tommi Inkila]

cool tommi, let us know when i comes out so i can order it, i love Scenery Channel. (how did that name came about?)


Also, tommi DOES have a great tone.... and like he said, it's good to try other cool amps too, i'm dying to buy a MArk IV, a Diezel Herbert/VH4, it's all good if it's for music purposes. :D

Tommi i know you've prob. posted this before but could you be so kind and let us know how are you running your setup? for example:

Guitar > amp > EQ Loop > Gmajor > etc etc etc

PLUS your settings. :wave:
We were thinking some band names and I had idea of something "channel" ... so Pasi came up with Scenery Channel from Back To The Future 2. It felt cool and we thought that it wouldn't limit to any music style.

I'll be spamming the forum when it's out :D ... actually it might be quite quick since we got first draft of the mastering yesterday.

My live setup have changed a bit since last time.

EB/MM JP -> Korg DT-10 -> Mesa F50 -> G-Major in the loop / controlled with Tech21 Midi Moose -> H&K 4x12" vintage30s

[Sindran]

Ya I RARELY play with Contour on...

Looks like I'm leaning towards that direction also... I get much better sounds with OD, Boost and EQ pedals of my own...
I don't use the reverb switch either, 'cause theres seperate control for each channel...

BTW: does anybody have schematic for the switch-pedal???
I think I do my own with only one switch (CH1 / CH2). Would save some space on my pedal board.

[Nemesys]

Yesterday, I talked to the dude at the repair shop where my F-50 is. It turns out that the motherboard in the amp wasn't mounted properly, causing a few solder joints to let go after some use. He was able to repair it, so now I'm just waiting on a set of new tubes to come from Mesa (I guess the existing ones aren't good after having been used with the amp in that state). So I'll get a free retube out of the deal, and I should have my amp back in a few days. :D

I've been using a friend's Peavey Delta Blues 210 in the meantime, which is a really nice amp in a different way, but I really miss my F-50, I can't wait to get it back.

[jcoggins7]

Originally Posted by MrVisual
I don't have a cab for my F-50 head yet, but maybe I could mute the speaker with that switch behind the head and just play with headphones or recording out to my PC. Is this possible without damaging my F-50?

Not good man. You always need to have a cab plugged into one of the speaker outs, even if you have the speaker muted. Not doing so could do serious damage to your prized F-50.

Originally Posted by Tommi Inkila
I'm also digging FII and LTE... I wish that I'll have option to use every Mesa amp someday, but until then the mighty F serves me easily well.

I totally agree with you here Tommi about the F-Series. It's the best amp I've found to get Petrucciesque tones easily and quickly. And I totally want to have a whole fleet of Boogies too. I want a Mark IV, Tremoverb, Lonestar, and Triaxis 2:90 combo, and maybe a Stiletto Ace for good measure.

[bowen71]

I don't have a cab for my F-50 head yet, but maybe I could mute the speaker with that switch behind the head and just play with headphones or recording out to my PC. Is this possible without damaging my F-50?

Yes, that is what that switch is for. If you don't have an owners manual you should go on Mesa's website and download one.

Per the manual: This switch mutes all of the signal at the power section driver stage, removing the need for a speaker load.

With the switch set to the ON position a speaker load must be maintained.

[MrVisual]

I have the manual, but I'm not going to try that setup before I'm 100% sure about this. Can't afford another amp :)

[jcoggins7]

My bad MrVisual. He's right.

[hal9000]

hey hal, what type of recto do you have again? I've been itching for a recto but honestly i don't know why. just gas.
What are the tonal characteristics between your F100 and recto head?See my post here: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showpost.php?p=20771009&postcount=4035

[Surfcaster]

What style of music do you play, Surfcaster? I have my contour on about half of the time (current rock, 90's, 80's, 70's). I agree...contour kicks ass!

I play a little bit of everything, but predominantly rock from the 70s and 80s. I had a guitarist friend with me when I bought my F50 and he felt the samy way, if the second channel didn't have the contour we would have walked away.

About the only time I turn it off is with really low gain settings.

Anyway, based on other posts here, Mesa did well to include it and make it optional...if it was permanently hard-wired in it looks like some others might not have made the purchase. Different strokes for different folks!

[MrSandMan]

Hello,

I'm a new brother here to join this awesome group... Just picked up a new (used) Mesa/Boogie F-50 combo from BlarneyC4. Wow, what can I say about these amps? They're killer! Fine quality! Very sexxy looker! And sounds just amazing... Love the way they crunch up in heavy form, instead of creating a fizzy gain... and the cleans are crystal.

All original packaging and paperwork. Not a spot of dust on this beast.... I feel like I just purchased a brand new amp from GuitarCenter... it even has the *brand new smell*.

Check it out.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/Chazzy29/Studio/DSCN2547Medium.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/Chazzy29/Studio/DSCN2542Medium.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/Chazzy29/Studio/DSCN2544Medium.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/Chazzy29/Studio/DSCN2549Medium.jpg

[hal9000]

Hello,

I'm a new brother here to join this awesome group... Just picked up a new (used) Mesa/Boogie F-50 combo from BlarneyC4. Wow, what can I say about these amps? They're killer! Fine quality! Very sexxy looker! And sounds just amazing... Love the way they crunch up in heavy form, instead of creating a fizzy gain... and the cleans are crystal.

All original packaging and paperwork. Not a spot of dust on this beast.... I feel like I just purchased a brand new amp from GuitarCenter... it even has the *brand new smell*.

Check it out.MrSandMan, welcome to the forum and the F-series brotherhood! :)

Please tell us more about the kind of music you play and the rest of your rig.

[Joeytpg]

my F-50 doesn't have the Mesa Boogie logo!

i bought it used, is that it? maybe the seller didn't have it!

[hal9000]

my F-50 doesn't have the Mesa Boogie logo!

i bought it used, is that it? maybe the seller didn't have it!Mine doesn't either Joey. You can call Mesa and get one if you want I believe. I prefer the stealth look of mine without the logo. :)

[bnelly428]

my channel 2 hums a lot... just recently replaced the stock mesa power tubes and the pre amp tubes V1 and V2, would replacing the remainging 2 preamp tubes fix this, or is it a defect in the amp that makes it loud?

i have a SD humbucker in neck and bridge. also the tubes are sletvana 6l6gc and jj 12ax7's

thanks

[bnelly428]

also, would adding something like a NS-2 treat this problem or is that pedal more for the input hum (single coiled pickups)

[dumeril7]

New member of the brotherhood here.

Picked up an F-30 head not long ago. I gotta say, I'm right blown away that the F series was Mesa's entry-level amp line.

To let you know where I'm coming from, I'm more of an old school rock and blues player and a vintage amp guy at heart. My main amps are a mid 70s 50W Marshall and a brownface '63 Fender Concert. Those are great amps but heavy, bulky and not exactly versatile. So I wanted to get a small, light, channel-switching amp that I could take to jams and rehearsals. The main criteria were versatility and convenience. Tone-wise, it just had to be good; it didn't have to be spectacular. The F-30 has completely exceeded expectations. Its does virtually everything I want it to do well, and it completely kicks ass at a few of them.

I'd read here about its great clean sounds, and I agree with that. Very nice. But the higher gain settings on the clean channel (along with cranking the master) really produces some outstanding, touch-responsive blues tones. With a strat, you can do a very credible SRV no problem. Going easy on the gain and cranking the mids on channel 2 (along with using a Les Paul), I can get pretty close to Beano-era Clapton. And it doesn't nail 'em, but I can certainly get in the ballpark of AC/DC style Marshall tones.

The amp has more gain on tap than I can really use and I may experiment with lower gain preamp tubes to see if I can spread out the useable gain range on channel 2, instead of sticking to the region below 10:00.

I have a couple nitpicky things I might change, but they're pretty minor. This is one of the best $500 purchases I've made.

Cheers!
D7

[MrSandMan]

my channel 2 hums a lot... just recently replaced the stock mesa power tubes and the pre amp tubes V1 and V2, would replacing the remainging 2 preamp tubes fix this, or is it a defect in the amp that makes it loud?

i have a SD humbucker in neck and bridge. also the tubes are sletvana 6l6gc and jj 12ax7's

thanks


Hi bnelly, the F-series or most tubes amps create some hum noise. But if it hums excessively, perhaps your residence has a bad ground or maybe your pickup is picking up something magnetic. When I go near a fluorescent light, my amps will hum like crazy.

Does it hum with the power on and the stand-by switch off? If so check into getting a power conditioner.

Also may want to check into a isp decimator.

As far as your V1 V2 V3 V4 tubes, I think (not sure) the V1 should be the creator of the excessive hum from bad tubes.

Someone want to confirm that?

[MrSandMan]

MrSandMan, welcome to the forum and the F-series brotherhood! :)

Please tell us more about the kind of music you play and the rest of your rig.

Hi Hal, thanks for the warm welcome. My type of mysic consists of Progressive, Nu Metal, and alternative (Alice in Chains) type stuff. I really like the tone of "So Cold" Breakin Benjamin, Godsmack, some Korn, And "five to one" -The Doors type stuff. ...and I really like throaty clean rhythms.

My gear:

Mesa/Boogie F-50
Peavey XXX 212 (For Sale to buy F-50 stuff)
Line 6 Spider II (For Sale)
Ibanez RG520QS
Ibanez SZ520QM
Custom Tracer
Dean Performer
Washburn X
KORG D888
CPX 2600
Peavey SP5
BBE Sonic Maximizer
BIG MUFF

I have a question for you.. or anyone else. What model Celestion would be the same as the Celestion Black Shadow 90? I really like it's warm sound (The V30's are a little harsh for me) But the Black Shadows seem to be harder to snatch up.

Thanks!

[hal9000]

Hi Hal, thanks for the warm welcome. My type of mysic consists of Progressive, Nu Metal, and alternative (Alice in Chains) type stuff. I really like the tone of "So Cold" Breakin Benjamin, Godsmack, some Korn, And "five to one" -The Doors type stuff. ...and I really like throaty clean rhythms.

My gear:

Mesa/Boogie F-50
Peavey XXX 212 (For Sale to buy F-50 stuff)
Line 6 Spider II (For Sale)
Ibanez RG520QS
Ibanez SZ520QM
Custom Tracer
Dean Performer
Washburn X
KORG D888
CPX 2600
Peavey SP5
BBE Sonic Maximizer
BIG MUFF

I have a question for you.. or anyone else. What model Celestion would be the same as the Celestion Black Shadow 90? I really like it's warm sound (The V30's are a little harsh for me) But the Black Shadows seem to be harder to snatch up.

Thanks!It seems I like a lot of the same tones you do (sans nu_metal :)), so have a listen to some of my clips if you get a chance in my sig. I also recently recorded these two:
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/What_the_Hell_Does_hal9000_Have.mp3
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Will_Rock_You.mp3

As far as speakers, IIRC, the Mesa Custom 90 is styled after the Celestion Classic Lead 80 or CL80 for short. It's a very balanced and less colored speaker compared to the V30. You can buy them directly from Mesa, but they're a bit spendy compared to getting CL80s from say www.avatarspeakers.com.

[Surfcaster]

my F-50 doesn't have the Mesa Boogie logo!

i bought it used, is that it? maybe the seller didn't have it!

Mine doesn't either? Does yours have the LEDs on the faceplate? I know the first run of F50s didn't have either the LEDs on the faceplate or the Logo on the grille. You can also check your serial number to find out...I can't remember mine exactly, but it was one of the first few hundred.

I've contemplated calling to get a logo, but just never have.

[bnelly428]

thanks for the response sandman, now by power on and standby off you mean the amp is on and the signal is going through ie, you can hear my guitar, in this case yes but if by this you mean standy ON then there is no hum, only very low which i believe is normal, just the tubes warming up

[bnelly428]

thanks for the response sandman, now by power on and standby off you mean the amp is on and the signal is going through ie, you can hear my guitar, in this case yes but if by this you mean standy ON then there is no hum, only very low which i believe is normal, just the tubes warming up

[MrSandMan]

thanks for the response sandman, now by power on and standby off you mean the amp is on and the signal is going through ie, you can hear my guitar, in this case yes but if by this you mean standy ON then there is no hum, only very low which i believe is normal, just the tubes warming up


Them I'm thinking it's a (normal hum)... Is it horrible bad? Perhaps a ground on the guitar, Bad cord, or your pickups are picking up on something magnetic, i.e. fluorescent lights.

Turn on the amp and with the STANDBY 'on' unplug the cord that goes into the amp. If you're still getting high amount of hum, then it's something internal or a home wiring issue.

Does it hum without the stomp boxes too?

Anyone here will tell you that the F-50's are known to have some hum. But that depends on how bad it is, I guess.

I know my F-50 hums slightly more than my XXX 212... But not enough to bother me.

Otherwise try a different outlet (closer to the fuse box). One that's *NOT* on a flow from the outlet you're using now. Lastly, take your amp over to a buddies house and try his outlets...

I know how tube amps can be a bit fussy.

[bnelly428]

i'll have to try unplugging etc when i get home, i just retubed and it seems these tubes are a little bit louder in the hum department, i used to get shocked by the mic back when i used an amp for vox, so it could be a ground issue on my guitar, i'll keep you posted

[MrSandMan]

LoL- When I play guitar with no shoes on, I get shocked too..

[MrVisual]

I have a little issue here. When I'm playing with headphones or recording out to my computer, everything's fine. But when F-50 is connected to my computer's line in AND I'm playing with headphones that are connected to the computer (I know, this isn't the best explanation) so that I could play along with some backing tracks silently , I only hear sound from the other headphones speaker. In any other cases the sound is in stereo. What could cause this?

In other words, I hear my F-50 in mono and everything else in stereo. Weird, huh? :)

[hal9000]

I have a little issue here. When I'm playing with headphones or recording out to my computer, everything's fine. But when F-50 is connected to my computer's line in AND I'm playing with headphones that are connected to the computer (I know, this isn't the best explanation) so that I could play along with some backing tracks silently , I only hear sound from the other headphones speaker. In any other cases the sound is in stereo. What could cause this?

In other words, I hear my F-50 in mono and everything else in stereo.Are you connecting the recording out of the F-50 with a mono cable (Tip-Sleeve) to your computer? If so, you're shorting one side of the output to ground (the Ring of a TRS or Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable also called stereo). Your computer's line-level input should be TRS or stereo and so should the cable.

[MrVisual]

Are you connecting the recording out of the F-50 with a mono cable (Tip-Sleeve) to your computer? If so, you're shorting one side of the output to ground (the Ring of a TRS or Tip-Ring-Sleeve cable also called stereo). Your computer's line-level input should be TRS or stereo and so should the cable.

The cable should be a stereo cable. I heard my F-50 from both of the PC speakers earlier today. At least I think so. But when I plugged in headphones, this happened.

I have to try this again tomorrow. The problem has something to do with the cable, line input or the soundcard.

[MrSandMan]

What program do you use...? I know with audacity you need to change the settings.

Just a thought.

[MrVisual]

What program do you use...? I know with audacity you need to change the settings.

Just a thought.

I'm not recording anything, just playing with F-50 connected to line input.

[MrVisual]

So I tried this again and it seems that when F-50 is connected to my computer, only left speaker is active. With my Boss ME-50 everything has always been fine. Do you think this is a cable related problem, even though it is a stereo cable?

F-50 is able to produce stereo sound with headphones plugged in directly.

[MrSandMan]

Do you run 1/4" jack into the pc from the F-50 or reduce it down 1/8"?

[MrVisual]

Do you run 1/4" jack into the pc from the F-50 or reduce it down 1/8"?

Actually I have a 1/8" cable and separate 1/4" jack that is plugged into F-50. Could it be that it isn't compatible with F-50?

I'm not sure about these dimensions but maybe they are correct.

[MrSandMan]

So it's a thin cable (like for headphones) and you use a 1/4" adaptor to fit for the F-50?

Maybe buy a 1/4" to 1/8" Stereo adaptor (for the PC) and using a regular 1/4" guitar cord.

[MrVisual]

So it's a thin cable (like for headphones) and you use a 1/4" adaptor to fit for the F-50?

Maybe buy a 1/4" to 1/8" Stereo adaptor (for the PC) and using a regular 1/4" guitar cord.

Yes, and it works fine with my Boss ME-50. It does seem that I have to buy a different cable/adaptor for the F-50.

I didn't notice earlier that the sound was only coming from the left pc speaker until I plugged in headphones. After that this problem was a little easier to solve.

Thanks for your answers.

[MrVisual]

One more question: When I used that thin cable, the F-50 became quite hot after a while. Even the front panel was really really warm. Is this normal? I just want to make sure that nothing happened to the amp. When I played with headphones, the amp wasn't nearly as warm. But I played longer with the line input thing.

Technically speaking, is it even possible that the F-50 gets too hot when played with a "mismatching" cable and speaker muted? :)

[MrVisual]

So the cable is thin, headphones-type and this is attached to it.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_1843_adapter.htm

I wonder if this helps.

http://www.schulz-kabel.de/Web_UK/Kunden_UK/miniklinkenkabel1ku_UK.htm The first one is this cable.

[MrSandMan]

on the top link, that adaptor is wrong i think. notice your guitar cord has on black ring.. and that adaptor has two.

[MrVisual]

on the top link, that adaptor is wrong i think. notice your guitar cord has on black ring.. and that adaptor has two.

Well, that adaptor isn't exactly the same, just looks like mine. And stereo cables have always two black rings.

I'll buy another adaptor and that's it. I noticed that the rings in that adaptor are different from my headphones. That's probably why it can't produce stereo sound.

However, I would like to know if it is normal or not for the F-50 to get quite hot when connected to a computer.

[Polaris20]

Just a follow up; the guy I sold the F-50 to called me later that night and said how much he loved it, and thanked me for the good deal. So there you have it; nothing wrong with the amp, it sounded the way it's supposed to. It's just not my cup 'o tea. I think I've discovered I'm a Marshall guy, be it with an actual Marshall or one of the many EL34-based amps out there.

[MrVisual]

Just a follow up; the guy I sold the F-50 to called me later that night and said how much he loved it, and thanked me for the good deal. So there you have it; nothing wrong with the amp, it sounded the way it's supposed to. It's just not my cup 'o tea. I think I've discovered I'm a Marshall guy, be it with an actual Marshall or one of the many EL34-based amps out there.

Yes, everyone has their own preferences. I just love the Mesa sound, especially when playing some heavy stuff.

[hal9000]

Just a follow up; the guy I sold the F-50 to called me later that night and said how much he loved it, and thanked me for the good deal. So there you have it; nothing wrong with the amp, it sounded the way it's supposed to. It's just not my cup 'o tea. I think I've discovered I'm a Marshall guy, be it with an actual Marshall or one of the many EL34-based amps out there.If I had a nickel for every time I've heard the phrase, "I guess I'm just a Marshall type of guy" in reference to not liking a Boogie, I could buy a cup of coffee from this thread alone. :) That's just the way of the world my friend. I actually quite like the EL-34 sound as well and that's why I have a VHT 50CL. Good luck with your search for tone. Have you considered the Stiletto Ace?

[Polaris20]

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard the phrase, "I guess I'm just a Marshall type of guy" in reference to not liking a Boogie, I could buy a cup of coffee from this thread alone. :) That's just the way of the world my friend. I actually quite like the EL-34 sound as well and that's why I have a VHT 50CL. Good luck with your search for tone. Have you considered the Stiletto Ace?
Yeah I have. I intend upon buying a new Marshall DSL50.....but if I can find a used Ace, I'll hit it. Brand new, it's just a little more than I am willing to spend.

[snakum]

Mesa Boogie Epiphany Number 74 ...

The F-100 and Recto cab can be dialed into a very toneful, smooth bass amp, and WAY louder than it's 100 watts would imply.


Mesa Boogie Epiphany Number 75 ...

The F-100 and a good 2x12 bass cab is a KILLER bass rig and crushes many higher wattage bass amps. Will be adding an Avatar 2x12 as soon as possible for pulling double duty. :D

[hal9000]

Mesa Boogie Epiphany Number 74 ...

The F-100 and Recto cab can be dialed into a very toneful, smooth bass amp, and WAY louder than it's 100 watts would imply.


Mesa Boogie Epiphany Number 75 ...

The F-100 and a good 2x12 bass cab is a KILLER bass rig and crushes many higher wattage bass amps. Will be adding an Avatar 2x12 as soon as possible for pulling double duty. :DYeah buddy! I ran my F-100 through my bass player's Avatar 2x12 bass cab and it was sick. I really loved the overdrive tones on the bass as well. Why play detuned metal on a guitar when you can play an entire octave lower? :)

If you've ever listened to the band Honky, their bass player runs a distorted bass which makes it sound like there is another guitar in the trio along with the bass tone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s--Ju__-90o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbNdMT_7A1I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOTNnQJkaZ8

BTW, I played with a bassist that had a flip-top Ampeg B-15 (2x6L6 @ 50 W) which sounded great and had a ton of volume. So, I know that the F-100 would compete easily for volume in a band.

[Surfcaster]

Yeah I have. I intend upon buying a new Marshall DSL50.....but if I can find a used Ace, I'll hit it. Brand new, it's just a little more than I am willing to spend.

I can really identify with you. I've been going back and forth between a DSL50, the new Vintage/Modern and a Stiletto Ace like crazy here lately.

I was really thinking DSL50 for a while, but I think I'd probably only use the green channel with the clean and crunch modes, so it wouldn't be footswitch friendly like that. And I've not tried a Vintage/Modern yet.

I really like the Stilleto Ace that I tried several weeks ago, but like you say it's a little pricier. Ideally I'd like to set all three of them next to each other and really compare them.

But at this point I plan on keeping my F50, just because the clean channel is so sweet. If, after getting a new amp, I find it has really nice cleans I might think about selling the F50, but not initially. The problem with not selling it now is that it's gonna take me a long time to save the cash to buy something new. So I'm trying to cool my jets a little for now.

[MrSandMan]

Hal9000, thanks for sharing those links... they're a very interesting band, I like their groove.

[Surfcaster]

Yeah I have. I intend upon buying a new Marshall DSL50.....but if I can find a used Ace, I'll hit it. Brand new, it's just a little more than I am willing to spend.


Another part of my problem is volume...the F50 sounds great loud, but I've tried all the tricks posted here and none of them give me satisfactory distorted tone at the volumes I'm using at home. My most recent solution is to just use the clean channel with my MI Audio Crunch Box through my 2x12 cab...that particular combination works pretty well, but I still miss the F50's distortion. I'm not sure any of these other amps will do any better in that respect, but I'd like to find out.

[MrSandMan]

I love the looks of the Stiletto Ace, but I just haven't heard appealing enough sound clips to justify buying one.

And I don't have access of playing one for myself. But it has to be good, it's Mesa... it's just the clips that I've heard sound a little thin/brittle to me.

[bnelly428]

for the F-100 is it possible to run the swith at 100 watts but take out 2 power tubes so it's essentially only 50 watts? or would that totally screw with the amp?

[Surfcaster]

I love the looks of the Stiletto Ace, but I just haven't heard appealing enough sound clips to justify buying one.

And I don't have access of playing one for myself. But it has to be good, it's Mesa... it's just the clips that I've heard sound a little thin/brittle to me.

It's definitely a different distortion...and yes, it is thinner than your standard Mesa distortion, but that's much more typical of a Marshall style distortion. The low end is there, but it's just different...and there are more mids. It just seems more "refined" to my ears...compared to the more "raw" distortion of the F50...and that suits my particular tastes. Ideally, I think it would be cool to have both, which is why I'll probably try to hang on to the F50.

I tell you, being on a budget sucks sometimes!! Though it's probably a good thing in the end. I rarely end up with gear that I don't like because I really do my homework before I spend those hard-to-come-by dollars.

[Lt_Core]

I tell you, being on a budget sucks sometimes!! Though it's probably a good thing in the end. I rarely end up with gear that I don't like because I really do my homework before I spend those hard-to-come-by dollars.

Amen, brother! Very muck like you, I'm gassing for a Stiletto head, big time. I want to add that British sound without getting a DSL 50. Seems like there are more options with the Stiletto compared to the DSL 50.

Going to fire up the Avatar this week hopefully. I was in Ft. Lauderdale on a business trip and haven't had a chance to set it all up. Our band is on a rare 2-week break (vacations, etc.) so I'll have some time to play this weekend.

[hal9000]

for the F-100 is it possible to run the swith at 100 watts but take out 2 power tubes so it's essentially only 50 watts? or would that totally screw with the amp?I'm not sure why you'd want to do that since the switch does the same. :) Yes, you can pull either the inside or outside pair if you want to reduce power to 50 W. It's best to use an 8 Ohm speaker or cab into the amp's 4 Ohm tap in this case since that will match the impedance of the output stage.

[MrVisual]

for the F-100 is it possible to run the swith at 100 watts but take out 2 power tubes so it's essentially only 50 watts? or would that totally screw with the amp?

Why would you want to do that? There is already a 100W/60W switch in the amp.

Oh, hal9000 was faster :)

[bnelly428]

well the 60 watts is still pretty loud!! just to see what my options are i guess.

now by inside and outside pairs you mean like

1234 config with all tubes
1+4 outside pair
2+3 inside pair?

and how's my boost coming hal? :)

[hal9000]

well the 60 watts is still pretty loud!! just to see what my options are i guess.

now by inside and outside pairs you mean like

1234 config with all tubes
1+4 outside pair
2+3 inside pair?

and how's my boost coming hal? :)Yup, 1 & 4 are a pair as are 2 & 3. If you have Mesa 6L6s which glow blue under high voltage, you can tell which pair is on. IIRC, the inner pair is on with low power selected.

About the boost, I scrapped the current box because the paint didn't come out the way I wanted, so I ordered another one. I'll let you know when I'm into the electrical build. :)

[zer0psi]

If I had a nickel for every time I've heard the phrase, "I guess I'm just a Marshall type of guy" in reference to not liking a Boogie, I could buy a cup of coffee from this thread alone. :) That's just the way of the world my friend. I actually quite like the EL-34 sound as well and that's why I have a VHT 50CL. Good luck with your search for tone. Have you considered the Stiletto Ace?

I realized I'm definitely more of an EL34 guy, and thanks in large part to hal9000's insight, I ended up with my VHT 100CL, and I am very happy. The F-50 is a monster amp and did a lot of things my VHT can't, but for only being able to have one amp, the VHT is it for me.

[jcoggins7]

Man all this talk of EL34 tone is really giving me gas for a Heartbreaker.

[Rodimus Prime]

I think the reverb in my amp is dead... or very subtle.
i don't actually hear it when it is engaged but when i physically make the reverb springs rattle (by leaning the amp back and placing it firmly on the ground again) i hear that they are active but it doesn't seem to create any sonic depth when i play. any help or suggestions? Its not life or death as its been like this for sometime and i havn't really cared to do anything about it. I just want my amp to work as best as it can in every regard. thanks

[jonchristopher]

Man, this is quite a place! I got an F50 over the holidays for some studio work. Sweet sound - I love this combo. It had a noisy microphonic preamp tube right out of the chute, and Mesa gave me a couple replacements. I've got some stomp boxes, but have a line on a great deal for a lightly used G-System. Actually got it right now trying it out. Not sure I like the tone change with this processor - the A/D thing might be changing the tone - need some time to heat things up and get used to it. I'm at a total loss on how to switch the channels/contour from the G-System. Anyone done this, or have info to share? It's probably somewhere on this thread - I've got a lot of reading to do. Do I need something like an Axess CFX4 to make this happen? I called Mesa support - they said the F50 footswitch isn't Midi, even though its using that style of cable.

Awesome thread - let's see, do I read or play?

[Rodimus Prime]

bump for my reverb issue

[bnelly428]

bump for my reverb issue

just replace the tank.. or buy a holy grail (I have the same situation, and i just don't have time to get it fixed inbetween gigs)

if you have the option of repairing it, it'll probably cost you like $60 after parts and labor, or you can shell out an extra $40 and get the grail. But it is nice to have on board verb... damn i want mine fixed!

anyone know what the part number is for the tank? and how to get it out to replace?

Hal, I took the 1+4 pair out and powered up at both 60 and 100 watt, on 60 watts the amp seemed HUGE. on 100 it was noticeably softer. Although ch2 was Very gainy and had to keep the volume really low (maybe something to do with the pair i took out?)

[plumptone]

Brothers-

I'm now officially at a loss. Here's the situation in a nutshell. F-50 bought new last June. Recording/rehearsing once a week, gigging maybe 2 or 3 times a month. For the first couple of months no germaine issues other than disappointment as to clean channel volume. A/B'd with a store F-50 and determined all ok. After maybe three months two preamp tubes go south.

After 4 months starts with the intermittent dropout. What happens is at the end of the night (4th set of a 10-2:00 gig or 3 hours into a session) it starts dropping out intermittently. Kind of like it's stuttering - complete loss of sound followed by coming back on full bore. Happens in both channels. Gain settings are 1 o'clock in the clean channel and 2:30 in the drive channel. Output is noon in the clean and 10:30 in the drive channel. I'm running effects up front as well as in the loop.

Took it to the local authorized tech in January. He called last night (some 7 weeks later) and tells me that after idling the amp for an hour and playing for 30 minutes he can't replicate symptoms. WTF?

I need suggestions as to (1) what the problem could be and (2) how to proceed. I dropped major $ on this amp (wood & wicker) and I'm very disappointed right now.

Thanks.

[hal9000]

Man, this is quite a place! I got an F50 over the holidays for some studio work. Sweet sound - I love this combo. It had a noisy microphonic preamp tube right out of the chute, and Mesa gave me a couple replacements. I've got some stomp boxes, but have a line on a great deal for a lightly used G-System. Actually got it right now trying it out. Not sure I like the tone change with this processor - the A/D thing might be changing the tone - need some time to heat things up and get used to it. I'm at a total loss on how to switch the channels/contour from the G-System. Anyone done this, or have info to share? It's probably somewhere on this thread - I've got a lot of reading to do. Do I need something like an Axess CFX4 to make this happen? I called Mesa support - they said the F50 footswitch isn't Midi, even though its using that style of cable.

Awesome thread - let's see, do I read or play?jonchristopher, welcome to the forum and the F-series brotherhood! :)

My rig should is analogous to what you're going to do with the G-system and F-50:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000GigRig8_23_06.jpg

If you look at Andy's post #2 (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11110585&postcount=2) he explains the switching pins for the F-series. Just like Andy and Tommi, I made my own cable that runs from my G-Major's TRS 1/4" switching output to a 5-Pin DIN (a.k.a. MIDI) connector. I have the Tip of the TRS 1/4 plug controlling Pin 4 of the DIN for channel 1/2 toggle. The Sleeve of the TRS 1/4" plug controls Pin 2 of the DIN for Contour On/Off. Reverb on Pin 5 of the DIN is tied to ground so it's switched out of the circuit. Since the G-Major only has two relays compared to the F-series' three switchable functions, I had to make a choice as to which function to leave out. For most people, reverb is rarely switched since each channel has its own control. I may be in the minority in tying it to ground for off, but I did that because reverb comes before the FX loop. Since I don't want to have any FX after the amp's reverb, I get reverb from the G-Major.

Since the G-System has four switching relays on two 1/4" jacks, you can build exactly the same cable as I did, provided you don't want to switch reverb on and off via MIDI. Then, you can use the other two relays to control something else.

Here is what I used and I'm very pleased with the quality of the cable and connectors. The wire is made by Belden and both the 1/4" TRS connectors and the 5-PIN DIN are from Neutrik which are my favorites.

TRS 1/4" cable - choose your length. (I use 6 ft. since the G-Major is in a rack right above my F-100)
http://best-tronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BMI&Product_Code=SI1-XX

Nuetrik 5-Pin DIN (NYS322)
http://best-tronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BMI&Product_Code=MC-0717

If you wanted a 20' cable, the total would be $18.74 plus shipping which is excellent for such high quality cable and connectors in a custom length.

For construction, you simply remove one of the TRS plugs and put the 5-Pin DIN in its place. Since the G-System engine can be at the playing position or rack-mounted, you might think about ordering a cable that will be long enough to cover both a playing position (20') and rack position (6') when cut in two. Therefore a single 26' TRS cable, plus two (2) 5-Pin DIN connectors would give you two fully realized cables for different scenarios.

[hal9000]

I think the reverb in my amp is dead... or very subtle.
i don't actually hear it when it is engaged but when i physically make the reverb springs rattle (by leaning the amp back and placing it firmly on the ground again) i hear that they are active but it doesn't seem to create any sonic depth when i play. any help or suggestions? Its not life or death as its been like this for sometime and i havn't really cared to do anything about it. I just want my amp to work as best as it can in every regard. thanksA new reverb tank from Accutronics only costs about $25 plus shipping, but Mesa should be able to send you a replacement under warranty. Replacing the reverb tank is really easy. It only has four screws and two RCA connectors. The repair should take you about five minutes.

As far as diagnosing the problem, Accutronics tanks are notoriously fragile as is necessary for their function. The transformer (driven by the F-series reverb driver Opamp circuit) that induces a rotational torque on the springs has very a small gauge wire that comes from its input. That would be the first thing to check. The fact that you can get some output by jostling the springs tells me that the output transformer is still connected and the reverb recovery Opamp is amplifying the result. Therefore, you probably have an input problem, be it cabling from the amp, a bad wire to the transformer, or even one of the tiny (And I mean TINY) wires that suspends the springs between their transformers is broken. Since reverb tanks are so cheap to replace, most people don't try to repair them. The most common repairable failure is to resolder the wires running to the transformer. If anything else is wrong, it's usually not worth the time to try and fix, or even possible.

I hope I've given you some things to think about. IMO, a call to Mesa is in order. Make sure to call today though since they are closed on Friday.

[dumeril7]

I think the reverb in my amp is dead... or very subtle.
i don't actually hear it when it is engaged but when i physically make the reverb springs rattle (by leaning the amp back and placing it firmly on the ground again) i hear that they are active but it doesn't seem to create any sonic depth when i play. any help or suggestions? Its not life or death as its been like this for sometime and i havn't really cared to do anything about it. I just want my amp to work as best as it can in every regard. thanks

First thing to check is that the cables that connect the reverb tank to the amp chassis are still connected. Mesa uses RCA connectors that sometimes can get yanked out if you, for example, stuff cables into the back of your amp. (I spent several hours scratching my head over this when the reverb went dead in my Blue Angel.) If that doesn't work, I think you'll need to take it into the shop. (Normally I'd say replace the reverb driver tube but the F-series doesn't have a tube-driven reverb.)

D7

[Rodimus Prime]

i've had to replace the tank in my Blues Junior so i know its a simple process but it was just weird that i could still hear it when i pushed her around. i wasn't sure if it was a tube thing, or whatever. I'll check out the wires first.

Another question, i bought the amp second hand from some guy. Am i still under warranty?

[bnelly428]

Another question, i bought the amp second hand from some guy. Am i still under warranty?

i'd guess not.

also if you cannot hear the reverb tank when the amp is on and moved, and the connections are all in place (also when the reverb knob is turned up there is no noticeable increase in background noise through the amp if that makes sense) is this still a tank issue?

[hal9000]

Brothers-

I'm now officially at a loss. Here's the situation in a nutshell. F-50 bought new last June. Recording/rehearsing once a week, gigging maybe 2 or 3 times a month. For the first couple of months no germaine issues other than disappointment as to clean channel volume. A/B'd with a store F-50 and determined all ok. After maybe three months two preamp tubes go south.

After 4 months starts with the intermittent dropout. What happens is at the end of the night (4th set of a 10-2:00 gig or 3 hours into a session) it starts dropping out intermittently. Kind of like it's stuttering - complete loss of sound followed by coming back on full bore. Happens in both channels. Gain settings are 1 o'clock in the clean channel and 2:30 in the drive channel. Output is noon in the clean and 10:30 in the drive channel. I'm running effects up front as well as in the loop.

Took it to the local authorized tech in January. He called last night (some 7 weeks later) and tells me that after idling the amp for an hour and playing for 30 minutes he can't replicate symptoms. WTF?

I need suggestions as to (1) what the problem could be and (2) how to proceed. I dropped major $ on this amp (wood & wicker) and I'm very disappointed right now.

Thanks.First of all, I'm sorry to hear you've been having problems with your F-50. I detest intermittent issues in electronics since I see them from time to time in my day job (Electrical Engineering).

For me, isolating the problem means taking everything down to its basic usage. So, when you test your F-50, there should be only a known-good guitar plugged into its front end with a good cable, having nothing in the FX loop, and the AC power should be known-good. So, with all of your FX out of the way, you can make sure it's an amp problem we have.

Of course, I always look to tubes as the first point of failure for intermittent problems and since you have the same issue regardless of the channel selected, that means we should consider the common tubes used in all channels. 1) V1 is used for both channels as input, 2) Part of V2 is used for channel 1, the other side is for channel 2, 3) V3 is used for both channels for FX send/return, 4) V4 is used by both channels for the Phase inverter, 5) V5 & V6 are power tubes, thus also used by both channels.

So, let's say that the tubes aren't the problem. What else could cause an issue like this? Perhaps the master volume relay switching is going bad? Relays are very reliable, so it's unlikely that they would cause a problem. It is possible that the relay's solder pads get heated up after a long time and then cause intermittent failures. I thought at first you could have a problem with one of your master volume pots, but if the problem is the same across channels, that leads me to believe that the pots are okay. To see if it is in fact the preamp that's causing the problem, perhaps an experiment or eight is in order. :)

Experiment #1: Isolate the Problem
If you run a cable from the Recording output, but continue to run the output stage unmuted you will be able to tell where the problem resides.

1) If the recording output is steady, yet the amp's output through the speaker is varying, the preamp up through V3 is fine, and that includes all the channel switching and other relays. See Experiment #2.
2) If the recording output isn't steady and varies the same as the amp's output through the speaker, then the preamp is at fault from V3B backwards to V1 which includes the entire preamp from the FX loop, back to the contour filters and on to the guitar input. See Experiment #5.

Experiment #2: The PI, Power Stage, or Speaker is the problem
IIRC, Lt_Core had a bad speaker, so let's not rule that out, even though it is uncommon. I would suggest plugging the amp into an extension cab. If you don't have one, see if you can borrow one. If you have another combo lying around, see if you can use its speaker.

1) If the problem is fixed, the combo speaker is hosed. Call Mesa, get a new speaker for free under warranty. :)
2) If the problem persists, it's a PI or Output stage problem. See Experiment #3.

Experiment #3: Speaker is verified, so the PI or Power Stage is the problem
Replace V4 with a known good balanced 12AX7 for the phase inverter.

1) If the problem is fixed, you had a bad PI tube in V4.
2) If the problem persists, the output stage from V5 & V6 through to the Output transformer is to blame. See Experiment #4.

Experiment #4: Speaker and PI are verified, so Power Stage is the problem
Replace V5 & V6 with known good Mesa branded 6L6 tubes (so we can rule out the bias part).

1) If the problem is fixed, you had bad power tube(s) in V5, V6 or both.
2) If the problem persists, the bias or screen grid resistors of the power stage could be a problem or the output transformer. I don't have any easy way to check if these are a problem from the outside of the amp, so you'll have to take it to a Mesa-authorized tech. At least he'll know where the problem resides.

Experiment #5: The Output Stage seems to be okay, so let's test V3B through the output.
I hope you have a modeler or some other line-level capable output device. A CD player's output, or your computer's line out will work as long as you can run a 1/4" cable to the FX return. Let's say you have a modeler, run it's output to the FX Return jack. Plug another 1/4" cable into the FX Send jack to remove the preamp from the circuit.

1) If the problem is fixed because you can hear solid power coming out the speaker, something is wrong from before V3B back to the input. See Experiment #6.
2) If the problem persists, it seems that V3B is bad or its bias network since we know that V4 and beyond is good, and the rest of the preamp is out of the picture. Replace V3 and see if the problem persists. If so, take the amp to a tech and tell him you've isolated the problem to the FX return circuit centered on V3.

Experiment #6: V3 & V4 through to the Output Stage and speaker seem to be okay, so let's test the input jack
It may be possible that you have a bad input connector. It does mute the signal to ground when there is nothing inserted via an internal switching jack. So, insert a cable in the input, but connect the unused end's tip to a multi-meter set to Resistance. The sleeve should be connected to the ground terminal on the MM. If you see the resistance between the two points go from some high value down to around 0 or so, you've found the problem. The input jack is about $1.50. Otherwise, move on to Experiment #7.

Experiment #7: V3 & V4 through to the Output Stage and speaker seem to be okay as is the input jack, so let's test the FX Send Jack's switching.Run the guitar to the amp's input as normal. Run a cable from the FX send to the FX return and turn the FX mix pot up all the way. If the switching on the FX send jack is bad, inserting a cable should alleviate the problem. You're already doing this technically because you have FX in the loop, but just to be sure, let's not rule it out. You should be able to rotate the mix pot to both extremes and notice almost no change in volume. If you remove the cable from the FX loop and the problem comes back, the FX send jack is to blame. It's also a $1.50 item. If the problem didn't change at all, see Experiment #8.

Experiment #8: V3 & V4 through to the Output Stage and speaker seem to be okay and the input jack and FX Send jack switch are good, so let's test everything else.
Guitar to amp input as normal. We've isolated the problem this far so we know it has to do with either the two preamp tubes V1 and V2, the relay switching between channels, or a bad solder joint somewhere. If you know that V1 and V2 are good since they work in another amp, and your guitar and cable are good since they've been proven in another amp, then that leads me to believe you have a bad relay or solder connection between the input and V3. I know that's not very helpful, but I can't think of an external way to figure out what the problem might be. There are two relays that switch the input stage and the tone stack when channel 2 is selected (RY1A & RY1A input stage and RY2A & RY2B for the tone stack). The next place there is shared switching is the relay with terminals RY3A & RY3B which switches out the masters per channel and the reverb pots. I suppose you could also have a problem with the channel mute which takes the relay pop out and is centered around BJT 2426M of the Mute Pulse Buss circuit. You may also hear the relays chatter (back and forth with no input from you) when there is no sound coming out of the speaker.

If none of that gets you anywhere and the problem is still amp related, find a different tech. :)

[plumptone]

Hal - wow. Thank you for all that information. Now at least I have somewhere to start. I really - and I mean REALLY - appreciate that. I'm going to print it out, and if my tech hasn't been able to come up with anything, I'll start running through all that. I'm by no means experienced when it comes to understanding the internal workings of these machines, but common sense has allowed me to try out several of the suggestions already. But I see the logical sequence now, and will use this in the event the issue isn't resolved by my tech.

I spoke to him earlier this morning, and he's going to open it up and look inside. I *do* feel bad, because Mesa apparently won't reimbure him at his full bench rate for warranty work, and will only pay him to fix the problem. So - as he explained it to me - if he figures out it's a bad relay for example, they will only pay him to fix that, and not for the 4 hours it took him to figure it out. He wants to try to replicate the problem before opening up the amp so that he can hear for himself what's happeneing, and so far ge hasn't been able to make that happen. It only happens for me at the end of a long gig, so I'm not sure he'll be able to make it happen uless he sits down and plays the amp hard and loud for 4 hours - and mesa certainly isn't going to reimbure him for that time!

Again - THANK YOU! I'll post a follow up once this has been resolved or if there are any further developments.

[Adam Poland]

also, would adding something like a NS-2 treat this problem or is that pedal more for the input hum (single coiled pickups)

I just recently got an NS-2 for that specific problem. It does a decent job up front and the JJ tubes are pretty decently high gain so it's coming from the preamp stage of the amp. I've tried running my NS-2 in the effects loop with little to no luck, but it was right before a show so I didn't have much time to mess with it. Once I figure it out, I'm sure it'll cure the problem right away.

[Goldwing]

jonchristopher, welcome to the forum and the F-series brotherhood! :)

My rig should is analogous to what you're going to do with the G-system and F-50:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000GigRig8_23_06.jpg

If you look at Andy's post #2 (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11110585&postcount=2) he explains the switching pins for the F-series. Just like Andy and Tommi, I made my own cable that runs from my G-Major's TRS 1/4" switching output to a 5-Pin DIN (a.k.a. MIDI) connector. I have the Tip of the TRS 1/4 plug controlling Pin 4 of the DIN for channel 1/2 toggle. The Sleeve of the TRS 1/4" plug controls Pin 2 of the DIN for Contour On/Off. Reverb on Pin 5 of the DIN is tied to ground so it's switched out of the circuit. Since the G-Major only has two relays compared to the F-series' three switchable functions, I had to make a choice as to which function to leave out. For most people, reverb is rarely switched since each channel has its own control. I may be in the minority in tying it to ground for off, but I did that because reverb comes before the FX loop. Since I don't want to have any FX after the amp's reverb, I get reverb from the G-Major.

Since the G-System has four switching relays on two 1/4" jacks, you can build exactly the same cable as I did, provided you don't want to switch reverb on and off via MIDI. Then, you can use the other two relays to control something else.

Here is what I used and I'm very pleased with the quality of the cable and connectors. The wire is made by Belden and both the 1/4" TRS connectors and the 5-PIN DIN are from Neutrik which are my favorites.

TRS 1/4" cable - choose your length. (I use 6 ft. since the G-Major is in a rack right above my F-100)
http://best-tronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BMI&Product_Code=SI1-XX

Nuetrik 5-Pin DIN (NYS322)
http://best-tronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BMI&Product_Code=MC-0717

If you wanted a 20' cable, the total would be $18.74 plus shipping which is excellent for such high quality cable and connectors in a custom length.

For construction, you simply remove one of the TRS plugs and put the 5-Pin DIN in its place. Since the G-System engine can be at the playing position or rack-mounted, you might think about ordering a cable that will be long enough to cover both a playing position (20') and rack position (6') when cut in two. Therefore a single 26' TRS cable, plus two (2) 5-Pin DIN connectors would give you two fully realized cables for different scenarios.

I think that the Jacks in the G-system are stereo. So you could control all the switching functions of the F50 with it

[bnelly428]

I just recently got an NS-2 for that specific problem. It does a decent job up front and the JJ tubes are pretty decently high gain so it's coming from the preamp stage of the amp. I've tried running my NS-2 in the effects loop with little to no luck, but it was right before a show so I didn't have much time to mess with it. Once I figure it out, I'm sure it'll cure the problem right away.


not because it's a boss, but does the pedal suck a significant amount of tone as well as getting rid of the hiss?

[hal9000]

I think that the Jacks in the G-system are stereo. So you could control all the switching functions of the F50 with itYou're correct sir! I already addressed that in my post in reference to the dual 1/4" TRS (a.k.a stereo) jacks. Since most people don't switch reverb on and off, there's really no reason to use the second jack on the G-system. :thu:

[plumptone]

Well Hal - after all this, the tech calls me and tells me he's spoken to Mesa, and they think it's a problem with the speaker, not the amp. The recommendation? Take it home, use it until the problem happens again (how much you want to be it happens in the middle of a gig???), then use a different speaker to see if the problem continues. If the amp works, that confirms a bad speaker and I get a new one. Odd. I wouldn't think a bad speaker would be an intermittent issue. But what do I know.

[hal9000]

Well Hal - after all this, the tech calls me and tells me he's spoken to Mesa, and they think it's a problem with the speaker, not the amp. The recommendation? Take it home, use it until the problem happens again (how much you want to be it happens in the middle of a gig???), then use a different speaker to see if the problem continues. If the amp works, that confirms a bad speaker and I get a new one. Odd. I wouldn't think a bad speaker would be an intermittent issue. But what do I know.I guess that's good news, but I don't like the, "Try it 'till it fails again" bit. You'll notice in my previous post that Experiment #2 covers the broken speaker case. Do you have another speaker cab to use? If so, you can run both of them at the same time given the cab is 8 Ohms (each plugged into a 4 Ohm jack). Then, when the problem occurs, the combo speaker should cut out, but the extension should not. I like this method because it does not leave your amp on without a load. If the speaker is truly cutting out by opening its terminals from the amp, that is dangerous to your output transformer.

Did your tech verify that the solder joints on the speaker and cable are good? You can easily verify the connection points with a multi-meter set to resistance. Once the meter is connected to let's say the positive terminal and the tip of the 1/4" cable, you can gently move the cable around near the speaker's connection and see if you get an open. Normally, the cable will read roughly 0 Ohms with a good cable connection. If an open occurs, it will read some amount of MegaOhms (1,000,000 Ohms) or error depending on the model of the MM. Both the positive and negative solder connections on the speaker should be tested this way. Of course, the problem could be further along within the speaker, especially with the small wires that go from the input to the voice coil, or it could be even stranger. In that case, you just need a new speaker, which Mesa should provide methinks.

Good luck and keep us informed. :)

[RyGy]

wow it sounds like Mesa is not too nice to the amp techs. That is a bid disapointment. If it only happens at the end of a long gig I would tend to think it is something with the output section. With the cost of a new speaker vs the cost of tearing it appart I am suprised that they wouldn't tell him just to replace the speaker, and see if the problem happens again.

Can you post some more details about the problem, how long it is at a low volume before going loud again. It sounds to me like it could be a heat problem. If the tech opens it up, and runs a source into it like a CD player, and then puts a power resister on teh output he should be able to crank it all day. the best way to do that would be with a signal generator at the input, and an oscilloscope ont eh output to see when the signal drops off. Once the problem starts happening he can put a fan on it and see if the problem goes away, or use super cold spray, and go through the power section resistors one by one to see if the volume is restored. Personally I would suspect your output tubes

[MrSandMan]

I'm in delimma here. Fricken crisis break down.... I have to choose between XXX/212 (w/el34ls) and F-50/112 combo. I likey 'em both, but I love the Mesa's tone and resale value..but the F-50 isnt loud enough and the cleans aren't as what I'm looking for. The xxx hit the cleans on the head, and is wayyyyy loud enough.. but the F-50 just has this distortion and lively-ness that I can't obtain with the xxx.

However, playing them both together at the same time from the 2-output wah peddle is the "ultimate tone'! But my gf want me to pay her back the money I owe here for buying the F-50 with her taxes... what do I do?

I can sell both and buy the F-100, keep either the xxx or the F-50... Or I could 'smack my bitch up'- and keep both- HaHa... but she'll prolly smack me back and make me her bitch.

*

[bnelly428]

FYI can i get a quick response.....

I just ordered a new reverb tank from mes $60 with shipping :mad:

but the guy said that the smaller wire should be more towards the front of the amp... im pretty sure my wires are opposite this.... anyone know what he's talking about aka can you help me save the $60???

[bnelly428]

I'm in delimma here. Fricken crisis break down.... I have to choose between XXX/212 (w/el34ls) and F-50/112 combo. I likey 'em both, but I love the Mesa's tone and resale value..but the F-50 isnt loud enough and the cleans aren't as what I'm looking for. The xxx hit the cleans on the head, and is wayyyyy loud enough.. but the F-50 just has this distortion and lively-ness that I can't obtain with the xxx.

However, playing them both together at the same time from the 2-output wah peddle is the "ultimate tone'! But my gf want me to pay her back the money I owe here for buying the F-50 with her taxes... what do I do?

I can sell both and buy the F-100, keep either the xxx or the F-50... Or I could 'smack my bitch up'- and keep both- HaHa... but she'll prolly smack me back and make me her bitch.

*


2x12 = heavy
1x12= not as heavy

do you gig? 1x12 if you do and want to save your back
2x12 if you do and want to look 1/2 as badass as having a 1/2 stack (too many fractions!)

don't let your woman push you around! unless she's a tough one then be her bitch

[RyGy]

Don't rule out your effects for being the cause of the problem. If you can do a long rehersal with out effects, or try putting them all in the loop to see if you still have some sound.

[RyGy]

I'm in delimma here. Fricken crisis break down.... I have to choose between XXX/212 (w/el34ls) and F-50/112 combo. I likey 'em both, but I love the Mesa's tone and resale value..but the F-50 isnt loud enough and the cleans aren't as what I'm looking for. The xxx hit the cleans on the head, and is wayyyyy loud enough.. but the F-50 just has this distortion and lively-ness that I can't obtain with the xxx.

However, playing them both together at the same time from the 2-output wah peddle is the "ultimate tone'! But my gf want me to pay her back the money I owe here for buying the F-50 with her taxes... what do I do?

I can sell both and buy the F-100, keep either the xxx or the F-50... Or I could 'smack my bitch up'- and keep both- HaHa... but she'll prolly smack me back and make me her bitch.

*


If you can find one try a celestion G12 century, a lot louder than the stock speaker, and lighter too. Probably your cheapest option.

[RyGy]

FYI can i get a quick response.....

I just ordered a new reverb tank from mes $60 with shipping :mad:

but the guy said that the smaller wire should be more towards the front of the amp... im pretty sure my wires are opposite this.... anyone know what he's talking about aka can you help me save the $60???

swap the cables on yours around, and see if it works. That is the easiest way.

[plumptone]

wow it sounds like Mesa is not too nice to the amp techs. That is a bid disapointment. If it only happens at the end of a long gig I would tend to think it is something with the output section. With the cost of a new speaker vs the cost of tearing it appart I am suprised that they wouldn't tell him just to replace the speaker, and see if the problem happens again.

Can you post some more details about the problem, how long it is at a low volume before going loud again. It sounds to me like it could be a heat problem. If the tech opens it up, and runs a source into it like a CD player, and then puts a power resister on teh output he should be able to crank it all day. the best way to do that would be with a signal generator at the input, and an oscilloscope ont eh output to see when the signal drops off. Once the problem starts happening he can put a fan on it and see if the problem goes away, or use super cold spray, and go through the power section resistors one by one to see if the volume is restored. Personally I would suspect your output tubes

I just went to pick it up, so I'll be running some diagnostics of my own this weekend. What you said is basically what I'm doing. I'm confirming (one way or another) whether it's the speaker. If it is, I'll call Boogie and ask for a replacement. I haven't looked at what the warranty is on the speaker, but as an act of good faith, I hope they will do the right thing here.

To clarify: It doesn't run at low volume before going loud again. What happens is the entire signal disappears, it stutters, then comes back on. If I roll back the output masters about 1/8th of a turn, it will be ok, but then I'm not running at the volume I need - the channel masters, as we all know, are pretty sensitive and a small move will have a pretty significant affect on overall volume.

I'm frustrated by this. I'm going to try Hal's MM suggestions tonight and see what readings I get, but I did inspect the connections and they looked solid. The tech's inclination was that I just got a bad speaker. What you said, Hal, about having the entire speaker go dead was something that I was worried about too, because then the amp isn't seeing a load at all, and obviously that's not a good thing for the output transformer.

Fortunately I have another combo, a DC-3. So what I can do is run the internal 12 and the 12 that's in my DC-3 simultaneously, pugging each into a 4 ohm jack. As my drummer just said - it'll actually look cool - the F-50 in bubinga with the little black DC-3 like its shadow right next to it.

What's interesting about this, and I just realized, is that I have actually used the amp with a 2x12 extension (internal not plugged in) in the past, and whenever I have done that there has never been a problem. But that was before this all started, and I didn't even think to try that as a possible solution. I really hope it's just a bad speaker, because that's a really easy fix.

[Rodimus Prime]

reverb problem = loose wire

thanks for the input. was far from freaking out but you guys gave me a good first place to look. thanks

Played around with my amp afterwards just getting various tones and playing with extreme settings. what an amp! so nice and big and warm and easy to get awesome tones in. i left it set at:
gain 10:00
treble 10:00
mid 3:00
bass 8:00
reverb n/a
master 10:30

nice punchy, articulate and aggressive tone without too much compression and it was big.

[jonchristopher]

Thanks for the warm welcome hal9000! And the excellent writeup on the cable for the channel switching. Real clear, and looks like its pretty easy to make. Gotta say I'm pretty floored with this forum - ya'll are real cool - and what I've read is very helpful. I'll provide input when I can. Any females on board here?

Hey, I followed the link to the photo of the cable, then clicked on the photo album. So that's Dan in the shots, and his babe Paula. I've got a PRS Custom 22 like his that I named Tara - same color and very similar markings. Great tone, especially with this F50. Les Paul is my main axe though.

Still deciding on the G-System. I'm pretty old school up to now - all analog. It's got a bit of a digital edge to the sound obviously that I'm wrestling with. Its super clean though. But I'm really psyched about the idea of integrating the channel switching with the effects. I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress.

[haleyes]

Hello,
I've been thinking about getting a tube amp for awhile now, and my search has brought me here. Except for the cost, the Mesa seems to be a desirable amp. I've only been playing about four years, and have a Crate GFX-212T. I'm looking for a deeper, fuller sound, similar to Stevie Ray Vaughan. The clips I've listened to seem to indicate that the F-50 might help me find it.

What should I look for when buying an F-50? Tube preference? Speaker preference? I've heard clips that indicate the amp is very quiet, and I've read some posts that say the amp is noisey. Which is it? Any help would be appreciated.

I know that playing the amp first would be the smart thing to do, but I may not get the opportunity. I'm almost certainly going to buy the amp from Ebay... there isn't a Mesa dealership near by.
Thanks for your help and patience.

larry

[Canuck_22]

hi

i have a mesa f-30 and i'm going to be replacing all of my tubes in it very soon. i was just wondering if there are any good combinations of different brands i should try, or should i just get all the same brand like JJ or Goove Tubes?

what do you guys suggest?

[hal9000]

Brothers, I had some time to record two clips last night so I thought you guys might like to hear them. I used my Fat Strat for both of these clips in various positions noted below. The amp was setup on channel 2 (No contour) with:
G - 8:30, T - 12:30, M - 3:00, B - 12:00, R off, Master - 2:00

Fat Strat - Rhythm L/R = middle single coil, Solo = Bridge SD Custom humbucker:
F-100 Clip - Lynyrd Skynyrd Tuesday's Gone Intro (http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_F-100_Tuesdays_Gone.mp3)

Fat Strat - Neck single coil:
F-100 Clip - Afraid Dave Superman Solo (http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Afraid_Dave_Superman_solo.mp3)

There was no post processing or EQ done to the tracks, but the delay and 'verb are from my Toneport UX-2.

EDIT: Here's the rig.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000SilentDirectRigRevD.png

[mynameistaken]

Brothers, I had some time to record two clips last night so I thought you guys might like to hear them.

sounds good hal:thu:

[Tommi Inkila]

Brothers, I had some time to record two clips last night so I thought you guys might like to hear them. I used my Fat Strat for both of these clips in various positions noted below. The amp was setup on channel 2 (No contour) with:
G - 8:30, T - 12:30, M - 3:00, B - 12:00, R off, Master - 2:00

Fat Strat - Rhythm L/R = middle single coil, Solo = Bridge SD Custom humbucker:
F-100 Clip - Lynyrd Skynyrd Tuesday's Gone Intro (http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_F-100_Tuesdays_Gone.mp3)

Fat Strat - Neck single coil:
F-100 Clip - Afraid Dave Superman Solo (http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Afraid_Dave_Superman_solo.mp3)

There was no post processing or EQ done to the tracks, but the delay and 'verb are from my Toneport UX-2. You guys can guess how I recorded the amp. :)
Really nice sounds and the recording quality gets better everytime... inspiring. I have to try sounds like those.

The new Scenery Channel EP is now ready and internet release is in few days... CD in week or two. :eek: :freak:

[Guitarfreak108]

hi guys,im new to the forum but ive read evry single page of this thread lol.
i have an f 30 and love it. I recently recorded some clips of my f30 check it out.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=1655993C7435FCC2

[hal9000]

hi guys,im new to the forum but ive read evry single page of this thread lol.
i have an f 30 and love it. I recently recorded some clips of my f30 check it out.

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=1655993C7435FCC2
Welcome to the forum and the F-series Brotherhood, Guitarfreak108! :)

Man, that F-30 sounds great! Is the rhythm also F-30? Do I also detect a Strat of some sort?

[Canuck_22]

hi

i have a mesa f-30 and i'm going to be replacing all of my tubes in it very soon. i was just wondering if there are any good combinations of different brands i should try, or should i just get all the same brand like JJ or Goove Tubes?



btw i'm looking to get an even cleaner, clean channel; and still keeping the distortion. i would like the bass to get a bit tighter but i don't know if tubes do anything about those sounds.

what do you guys think i should get?

[Lt_Core]

Spent 45 minutes or so with my new Avatar Vintage with Hellatone 60L's. Wow! Sounds great. Not as loose and bright as the F-50 combo. Seems more defined. Wish I had more time with it today.

Also just traded for a new 2006 Les Paul Studio Cherry Mahogany guitar w/ hardshell case...straight up trade for my 2005 Highway 1 Tele w/ gig bag! Amazing deal from a guitar store manager I know. His personal LP that he bought from a dealer (the special Musician's Friend LP Studio from last year). Gotta love new gear and great deals!

[hal9000]

Really nice sounds and the recording quality gets better everytime... inspiring. I have to try sounds like those.

The new Scenery Channel EP is now ready and internet release is in few days... CD in week or two. :eek: :freak:Tommi, you already know how much I value your ears and playing, so thanks a bunch. It means a lot to me that you like the tones!

BTW, for anyone that's curious, the two clips were recorded silent direct via my Hot Plate set to load with the line out driving my Toneport UX-2. I used the Mesa V30 4x12 cab close mic'ed with an SM-57 on-axis just like I normally do. I didn't change the amp settings at all for the any of the takes. All the variation is simply my playing strength and pickup selection on the Fat Strat.

[Guitarfreak108]

Welcome to the forum and the F-series Brotherhood, Guitarfreak108! :)

Man, that F-30 sounds great! Is the rhythm also F-30? Do I also detect a Strat of some sort?


hi hal ,thanks for the welcome. the rhythm is just a backing track. and YES that is my strat. its a Fender MIJ 68 reissue with bareknuckle pickups,apache model .
for the mic i used a studio projects C1 condenser mic,and hung it over my amp just below the speaker cone.

for the mixing i added a BBE sonic maximizer plugin and some reverb and compression

[Tommi Inkila]

Hello bros!

It's finally here... I really hope you like it.

Here's the topic http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21309351#post21309351

[Torh]

Hello bros!

It's finally here... I really hope you like it.

Here's the topic http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21309351#post21309351

I'm stunned by the quality in your songs. Great tones you get there! I really liked that solo in Seeing Only One - awesome! :)

[Joeytpg]

tommi goddamnit man! i need that CD! :P

dude seriously, let me/us know when to order the CD +Bonus songs.

[Surfcaster]

Hello bros!

It's finally here... I really hope you like it.

Here's the topic http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21309351#post21309351

That's some seriously nice playing Tommi! And great tone! You Rock!! :thu: :)

Are you still using V30s with your F50?

[Kalebmation]

Does anybody know what is involved with modding the FX loop to a serial loop?

[MrVisual]

I've been thinking about buying a G-Major, but I don't actually need all these effects. I could get along with delay, chorus and wah/volume. Recommendations are needed, especially because of the parallel loop and line level signal.

[hal9000]

Does anybody know what is involved with modding the FX loop to a serial loop?Your answer is here my friend: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20857131&postcount=4092

[Kalebmation]

Thanks Hal! I might just try to get by using the 90% setting (I'm running a delay/volume pedal in the loop), but I might like to add an EQ in the loop sometime. I'm very happy with the tones I am getting now though.

[hal9000]

I've been thinking about buying a G-Major, but I don't actually need all these effects. I could get along with delay, chorus and wah/volume. Recommendations are needed, especially because of the parallel loop and line level signal.I love the G-Major with my F-100. It's so transparent, you can't tell it's there and in fact it lets me get better tone because I can attenuate the loop a little bit. So, the G-Major acts as my final master over the whole amp which is really nice at a gig. Since the F-series was designed to operated at pro line level, the G-Major works excellently. You may also like to check out the new G-sharp (http://www.tcelectronic.com/Default.asp?Id=7290) and some of the Rocktron FX products. The G-sharp looks like a real winner for a person who simply needs delay, reverb, and modulation FX. What it doesn't have however, I use quite a bit, like the tuner, EQ, noise gate, and switching relays. For me, the G-Major is integral to my rig since it is the brain so to speak. I change my F-100's channels, apply solo boosts, add EQ, and of course use the FX all from my FCB 1010 controller. See my sig for more details. Also, if you're thinking about building a channel-changing cable, check out my post: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21265640&postcount=4333

[hal9000]

Thanks Hal! I might just try to get by using the 90% setting (I'm running a delay/volume pedal in the loop), but I might like to add an EQ in the loop sometime. I'm very happy with the tones I am getting now though.You're welcome. I also have a DigiDelay, but when it was in my rig I ran it out front since I primarily used it on clean passages. If you happen to have two amplifiers, give this a try sometime. Setup the DigiDelay in front, but use the stereo outs to run to both amps at once. Set one slightly dirty and the other fairly overdriven with the delay set to Ping-pong. Then, bust out your best Hendrix-inspired Star Spangled Banner. :D

[hal9000]

So, yesterday I was off in the morning and decided to play around with my F-100. With it set on 60 W and my Hot Plate/Speakers running into the 4 Ohm jack (necessary for impedance match at 60 W) I went about getting my silent recorded tone from Tuesday's Gone (http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_F-100_Tuesdays_Gone.mp3) What I found is that since most of that tone relies on the power section giving up the goods and not so much on the preamp, realizing the sound with simple FX loop attenuation isn't going to work. Of course, you can get a perfectly acceptable tone with just the preamp, but this tone is special in the "Pushing the power amp way :)."

So, I cranked up the master on channel 2 (no contour) to 2:00, and then promptly turned my Hot Plate down to -16 dB. If you're interested, let's say the amp is putting out 60 W at 2:00 on the master, -16 dB will bring that down to (10*LOG(60W) = 17.8 dBW, 17.8 dBW - 16 dB = 1.8 dBW, 10^(1.8/10) = 1.5 W). It's still loud of course, just not deafening. Man, that sounds soooo gooood! I've not liked the Hot Plate used for this purpose in the past, but I realize now that I wasn't taking into account the amount of overdrive and compression from the power section. You need a good amount less gain to get the liquid feel compared to preamp-only gain.

What's really cool about this setup is that with the bright and deep switches on the Hot Plate, you can control how aggressive and modern the sound is. With the bright switch off, everything is smooth. When you turn it on, Van Halen sounds are to be found with the aggressive upper end of the Plexi.

I also noticed that with the gain @ 9:00, the amp doesn't get any louder from 2:00 all the way to the max, just more saturated as you would expect. I like the 2:00 position because it's a good compromise between preamp and power amp distortion.

BTW, I ordered some Weber Beam Blockers for my F-100. I really like what I've heard in my experiments with paper plates, so the Beam Blockers should be a better sounding and more durable solution. I can't say yet, but from what I've read, the beam of the speakers should be taken away and broadly distributed so you can hear yourself better off axis and not take off the heads of your audience members. I should also be able to kick the volume up a little bit more with the BBs there. From most accounts, people say that the BBs are the best $18 they've ever spent on their tone. :)

[hal9000]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/Stealth%20Boost/StealthBoost4sideassembled.jpg

[bnelly428]

I do say that bnelly character is getting one fine piece of metal ;) :thu:


Thanks Hal!!

[MrVisual]

I love the G-Major with my F-100. It's so transparent, you can't tell it's there and in fact it lets me get better tone because I can attenuate the loop a little bit. So, the G-Major acts as my final master over the whole amp which is really nice at a gig. Since the F-series was designed to operated at pro line level, the G-Major works excellently. You may also like to check out the new G-sharp (http://www.tcelectronic.com/Default.asp?Id=7290) and some of the Rocktron FX products. The G-sharp looks like a real winner for a person who simply needs delay, reverb, and modulation FX. What it doesn't have however, I use quite a bit, like the tuner, EQ, noise gate, and switching relays. For me, the G-Major is integral to my rig since it is the brain so to speak. I change my F-100's channels, apply solo boosts, add EQ, and of course use the FX all from my FCB 1010 controller. See my sig for more details. Also, if you're thinking about building a channel-changing cable, check out my post: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21265640&postcount=4333

Damn! I'm trying not to spend all my money on gear, but it seems inevitable :D G-Major just seems to be too good.

[Tommi Inkila]

I'm stunned by the quality in your songs. Great tones you get there! I really liked that solo in Seeing Only One - awesome! :)
Thanks! I'm glad you like that solo since that's probably my favorite of all things I've done at the moment :)

[Tommi Inkila]

tommi goddamnit man! i need that CD! :P

dude seriously, let me/us know when to order the CD +Bonus songs.
Hey,

and thanks!! We'll get this new cd from print during next week, I'll inform you :thu:

[Tommi Inkila]

That's some seriously nice playing Tommi! And great tone! You Rock!! :thu: :)

Are you still using V30s with your F50?
Thanks surfcaster!

Yeah, I'm still using the same setup. Except that I used Beyerdynamic M201 to get some lowend that SM57 lacks... and then in the mix I had to cut the lowend to give room for bass :D

[MrVisual]

Hey hal9000, how do you use the FCB1010's expression pedals? Volume? Wah?

[hal9000]

Hey hal9000, how do you use the FCB1010's expression pedals? Volume? Wah?The Left one is always Volume. The Right one changes per patch, but I rarely use it. Most of the time, it's programed for detune so if I want to bust out a bass part, I drop the output by an octave. :)

[MrVisual]

The Left one is always Volume. The Right one changes per patch, but I rarely use it. Most of the time, it's programed for detune so if I want to bust out a bass part, I drop the output by an octave. :)

Looks like I'm all set :) Looking forward to this.

My recording output problem is still present. I have changed cables with no results. But considering that headphones plugged directly in the F-50 produce stereo sound, isn't it so that the problem is somewhere else than in my amp? Probably a computer related one... I can't figure this out.

[hal9000]

Looks like I'm all set :) Looking forward to this.

My recording output problem is still present. I have changed cables with no results. But considering that headphones plugged directly in the F-50 produce stereo sound, isn't it so that the problem is somewhere else than in my amp? Probably a computer related one... I can't figure this out.I agree that the problem is farther down the chain than the F-50 if your headphones work fine.

BTW, there is no wah in the G-major, and IMO you should have that out front anyway since it sounds a whole lot better there.

[MrVisual]

I agree that the problem is farther down the chain than the F-50 if your headphones work fine.

BTW, there is no wah in the G-major, and IMO you should have that out front anyway since it sounds a whole lot better there.

Yes, the FCB1010 makes this a lot easier because I was planning to buy a pedal that has wah and volume options, but now I can focus on finding a decent wah pedal.

Thanks, I'm learning something new every time I check this lounge.

[Joeytpg]

Guys what do you thing about the TC Elec. G-system? it has the fxs plus its a midi footswitch.

some feedback?

[Flannery]

Hi guys,
Well I just bought an F-30 combo to go with my F-50 head and I couldn't be happier!

I'm not dissatisfied with the F-50 at all. I just got tired of lugging around a half stack when alot of my gigs don't call for that sort of firepower.

I checked out the Vox AC15 very thouroughly before I decided on the F-30 (those were the only two in the running...) but it just didn't have the mojo I was looking for. It had a nice tone but it didn't seem very flexible unless you had an overdrive working with it. And since I don't like using a pedal full time to get my tone, the Vox went out of the running.

I've only had a couple of hours to play around with the amp since I got it, but it has already surprised me a bit in that it sounds alot like my F-50. I figured with the different tubes in the power section it would be quite a different animal. It does seem a little darker, but for the most part it has alot of the same tonal characteristics as it's big brother (so far....).
I just dialed in the same EQ settings as on my F-50 and these seem to work just fine although I'll definitely do some tweeking to see if I can get even better. :)

And man is this thing loud!! It's hard to believe that it is only 30 watts. I turned the master up to around 6 just to see what it could do, and I almost liquified myself! There's more than enough amp there for any gig that I'll ever play!

So if there are any of you out there that own both of these amps also, are there any little secrets you discovered on subtle (or not so subtle) differences
that might help me wring a little bit more out of the F-30 that my F-50 might not have twigged me to?

I play in a top 40 cover band, but when I do original stuff it is more in the vein of Fu Manchu and Nebula (stoner rock for want of a better term...) so any of your hints would be most appreciated.

[hal9000]

Hi guys,
Well I just bought an F-30 combo to go with my F-50 head and I couldn't be happier!

<snip>

And man is this thing loud!! It's hard to believe that it is only 30 watts. I turned the master up to around 6 just to see what it could do, and I almost liquified myself! There's more than enough amp there for any gig that I'll ever play!

<snip>Sweet, a brother twice over! I'd like to have an F-30 head since they won't be built anymore.

BTW, the F-30 is rated at 22 W RMS, so it's even more impressive in its loudness. :) If you get the chance, try a Mesa Thiele 1x12 cab under the F-30 for a huge-sounding 1/4 stack.

[hal9000]

Guys what do you thing about the TC Elec. G-system? it has the fxs plus its a midi footswitch.

some feedback?Man, don't even start with the G-system talk! I'm trying to stay away from thinking about it. :)

The one concern I have is how everything hooks up when you have the engine rack-mounted? I know there is one control cable to the engine from the foot controller, but what about say an expression pedal out at the playing position? It would be nice to be able to rack mount my pedals along with the engine and have them selected per patch. Like I said before, I think TC Electronic should offer the G-System Midi Controller as a separate product. There are very few flexible MIDI controllers out there for < $500.

[Lt_Core]

After a 4 hour rehearsal last night I can say that my new LP Studio sounds great with the F-50 & Avatar cab. Nice, rich, deep cleans....great OD without sounding compressed, nice vintage sound without the Contour on. Not as percussive & metal-sounding as my Agile with Jazz & JB pickups.

One thing, sometimes I feel the treble and mid knobs have limited effect on channel 2. On the channel 1 they're pretty dynamic. I know Mesa's tone controls are different from most. Anyone else have this feeling? Don't get me wrong, I like how it sounds :)

[bnelly428]

yeah. im still trying to figure out channel 2 eq as well

[hal9000]

yeah. im still trying to figure out channel 2 eq as wellYup, there isn't a lot of change in the sound by rotating the treble and mid knobs because the tone stack is early on in the gain stages. The result is that the EQ controls more of the feel of channel 2 rather than the overall tone. The F-series is like the Mark IV in its placement of the tone stack. In my other amps (T-verb & VHT 50CL), the EQ is after major clipping so it affects the tone a lot more, but not the feel which you need a stomp box for. So, it's a compromise either way. If you want more control over the F-series tone, place and EQ in the loop (MXR 10-band highly recommended).

[Lt_Core]

Yup, there isn't a lot of change in the sound by rotating the treble and mid knobs because the tone stack is early on in the gain stages. The result is that the EQ controls more of the feel of channel 2 rather than the overall tone. The F-series is like the Mark IV in its placement of the tone stack. In my other amps (T-verb & VHT 50CL), the EQ is after major clipping so it affects the tone a lot more, but not the feel which you need a stomp box for. So, it's a compromise either way. If you want more control over the F-series tone, place and EQ in the loop (MXR 10-band highly recommended).

Hi Hal,

Cool, that makes sense. I have an MXR KFK 10-band EQ and it's awesome. I was just curious about the treble/mid controls on channel 2.

Thanks for your recommendation on the Hellatone 60L's for my Avatar Vintage. Nice deep bass but still tight and controlled. This weekend is my first gig with the Avatar and LP Studio. Can't wait!

Oh, check out my band's new website that I built. Big 2 year anniversary show next Friday with our new pint glasses. Also, take a peek at the tattoo corner. Temporary tattoos + beer + women = good!

Naughty Monkey v2.0 (http://www.naughtymonkeyband.com)

NM......fueled by Mesa!!!!

[Goldwing]

uuhhh g-system issue jejej. Great product: 4 loops for external pedals, one aditional loop to work with a preamp (I guess it could be used to work with the 4 cable method also), you could use it all in stage or use it in rack (I think that you need a UTP cable), aditional in for a control pedal, also you could control all the efects within a patch individually, a configurable booster, 2 TRS jacks to controll amp's channels and a limited midi capability but.. for what else you could need MIDI? it seems that its all there...mmm.. seems to have everything. For me, the only problem is that its just too much expensive in my country.

[bnelly428]

Got Tommi's cd in just now and I sugest that if you like DT or great music pick it up!

Also was waiting on my Stealth Boost from Hal9000, but that didn't come in (monday i suppose) I wanted to use it tonight at my gig but oh well.

this is a question for anyone, It seems like my channel 2 has tons of amounts of gain from 8-3 o clock, with no real difference in between. Now i am running themaster around 9 or so because i really dont have a need to run it at 2 ! is this just because its very soft at this point? thanks!

[Lt_Core]

Got Tommi's cd in just now and I sugest that if you like DT or great music pick it up!

Also was waiting on my Stealth Boost from Hal9000, but that didn't come in (monday i suppose) I wanted to use it tonight at my gig but oh well.

this is a question for anyone, It seems like my channel 2 has tons of amounts of gain from 8-3 o clock, with no real difference in between. Now i am running themaster around 9 or so because i really dont have a need to run it at 2 ! is this just because its very soft at this point? thanks!

I notice quite a bit of difference between 8 and 3 o'clock on channel 2's gain....maybe it depends what guitar you're using, not sure. Maybe the F-series geniuses will speak up ;)

[MKCL]

Hey guys, I am still using the Mesa F30 here. When I got it used, it was in good condition.

I'm just wondering about tube change. It's been about 3 months since I bought the amp. When should I change tubes? I spend a lot of time noodling around at home, so the volume isn't too high. It's only when we get gigs, that I turn it up, but usually gigs are 2-3 times a month.

Right now, when I turn it on, the pair of tubes are orangey in colour. How do I know when to change it? Is there a specific colour I should look for? As for sounds, I don't really notice a difference.

[Tommi Inkila]

Got Tommi's cd in just now and I sugest that if you like DT or great music pick it up!

Also was waiting on my Stealth Boost from Hal9000, but that didn't come in (monday i suppose) I wanted to use it tonight at my gig but oh well.

this is a question for anyone, It seems like my channel 2 has tons of amounts of gain from 8-3 o clock, with no real difference in between. Now i am running themaster around 9 or so because i really dont have a need to run it at 2 ! is this just because its very soft at this point? thanks!
Thanks! I'm glad that the album delivered :)

It's hard to say what's going on without hearing your amp... but I think there's quite much differences between that area... I personally use it around 12:30-13:00. Then there's few specualtions:

1) The preamp tubes are wornout or they are low-gain.
2) Where's your treble? It affects the amount of gain in Mesas...
3) My F50 starts to work 30 minutes later... at 9:30, not sooner :D

[dumeril7]

Hey guys, I am still using the Mesa F30 here. When I got it used, it was in good condition.

I'm just wondering about tube change. It's been about 3 months since I bought the amp. When should I change tubes? I spend a lot of time noodling around at home, so the volume isn't too high. It's only when we get gigs, that I turn it up, but usually gigs are 2-3 times a month.

Right now, when I turn it on, the pair of tubes are orangey in colour. How do I know when to change it? Is there a specific colour I should look for? As for sounds, I don't really notice a difference.

Its not really like changing oil in your car where you do it after so many miles. You get varying lifetimes even off the same model and brand. You need to change when they start to misbehave in some way: The sound is dull and lifeless or muddy, the volume is lower, you get weird noises, they go microphonic (they rattle of howl in feedback), if there's any arcing electricity in the tubes (orange and blue glow is fine). Generally you just notice that your amp doesn't sound as good as it used to.

Certainly after 3 months of relatively light playing they should be fine (assuming you bought the amp new). They can last a couple of years even under the conditions you described.

D7

[MKCL]

Its not really like changing oil in your car where you do it after so many miles. You get varying lifetimes even off the same model and brand. You need to change when they start to misbehave in some way: The sound is dull and lifeless or muddy, the volume is lower, you get weird noises, they go microphonic (they rattle of howl in feedback), if there's any arcing electricity in the tubes (orange and blue glow is fine). Generally you just notice that your amp doesn't sound as good as it used to.

Certainly after 3 months of relatively light playing they should be fine (assuming you bought the amp new). They can last a couple of years even under the conditions you described.

D7

Appreciate the information. Well, I bought the amp used, but it was in really good condition. It looks kind of new. The tubes seem fine to me. I guess it won't hurt to change the tubes since I have a pair of brand new Mesa tubes I bought when I got the amp.

When changing tubes, anything I should do or look out for? Or NOT do?

[dumeril7]

Appreciate the information. Well, I bought the amp used, but it was in really good condition. It looks kind of new. The tubes seem fine to me. I guess it won't hurt to change the tubes since I have a pair of brand new Mesa tubes I bought when I got the amp.

When changing tubes, anything I should do or look out for? Or NOT do?

If you buy Mesa tubes, you just pop 'em in (with the amp off of course) and go.

If you buy another brand of tubes, make sure you tell the vendor that you're putting them in a Mesa and that you want tubes that are compatible with Mesa's bias.

Some background: Mesa "hardwires" the bias of their amps and all their branded tubes are compatible with that bias setting. Other companies have an adjustable bias that you can set to be compatible with whatever tubes you buy. There are arguments on both sides as to the value of the Mesa approach, but regardless that's the way it is.

D7

[whathappened]

Hey Fellows!

I told you to share some of my f50 expereriences with you... so, after my band and me did not record anything "serious" at the moment, here is the intro (plus part of the main) of one song of us.

The quality isn't good... the f-50 is the most of time louder guitar...
unfortunately, there is not much singing there (and when with crappy sound).

anyways, just a small impression...


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=677823

[GrandmasterZ]

Hi F-Series experts :wave:

I'm currently searching for a new Amp and have some questions regarding the F-30. Sorry if some of those have already been answered, but this thread is looooong :)

- I'm sure it's loud enough for band rehearsals in general, but how loud is the clean channel?
- I have an Engl 2x12 with V30s which I would like to keep, does the F-30 like V30s?
- I'd like to switch channels with my G-Major, is that possible or does it have a special footswitch jack?
- Is there a big difference in sound between the F-30 and the F-50?

Thanks!

[dumeril7]

Hi F-Series experts :wave:

I'm currently searching for a new Amp and have some questions regarding the F-30. Sorry if some of those have already been answered, but this thread is looooong :)

- I'm sure it's loud enough for band rehearsals in general, but how loud is the clean channel?
- I have an Engl 2x12 with V30s which I would like to keep, does the F-30 like V30s?
- I'd like to switch channels with my G-Major, is that possible or does it have a special footswitch jack?
- Is there a big difference in sound between the F-30 and the F-50?

Thanks!

Not quite sure how to answer the "how loud is it" question. Its not nearly as loud as my 40W Fender or 50W Marshall, but those amps are real loud. The F-30 is loud enough for me to gig with at the small to medium sized bars I play. My feeling is that if you needed a very loud, pristine clean sound in a large venue (say, you're playing jazz or country), without supplementing your sound with the PA, then it probably doesn't have the head room for that. The power section will probably start distorting (which I like, but its not for everyone).

The F-30 loves V30s. I'm using mine with a 2x12 cab loaded with a Weber Blue Dog and a Weber Silver Bell. I like that even more, but your Engl cab will sound great with the F-30.

You'll need to build a special cable to switch channels on the F-30 using your G-Major. There are excellent instructions on the 1st page of this thread. BTW, a lot of folks here are using the G-Major with their F-series amp.

F-30 and F-50 sound more similar than different IMO, but the differences are: F-50 has a deeper-sounding low-end, F-30 makes a chimier clean tone and has a sort of Marshally midrange character. In the combo form, the F-50 sounds bigger. F-30 can sound plenty big with an extension cab though. All IMO of course.

D7

[hal9000]

Hi F-Series experts :wave:

I'm currently searching for a new Amp and have some questions regarding the F-30. Sorry if some of those have already been answered, but this thread is looooong :)

- I'm sure it's loud enough for band rehearsals in general, but how loud is the clean channel?
- I have an Engl 2x12 with V30s which I would like to keep, does the F-30 like V30s?
- I'd like to switch channels with my G-Major, is that possible or does it have a special footswitch jack?
- Is there a big difference in sound between the F-30 and the F-50?

Thanks!GrandmasterZ, welcome to the forum! :)

1) The F-30 is very loud, especially if you plan to run it through a 2x12 with V30s, but the clean headroom will be based on the output of your guitar and the level to which your drummer plays. Lots of people have reported that the F-30 combo can hang with a drummer fine, others have reported that the F-50's clean isn't loud enough for their King Kong drummer. So, you'll have to try one out to see if it's loud enough.
2) Yes, the F-series likes V30s. Both the F-30 and F-100 come with V30s and I've had good results with them.
3) Yes, the G-major can switch channels, but you'll have to make a custom cable to do it. I just so happen to use my G-Major to switch channels on my F-100 and recently wrote about it HERE (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21265640&postcount=4333)
4) The F-30 and F-50 share the preamp, so they definitely sound similar. The difference of course is in the output stage and power handling. Basically, the EL-84s will give a bit more upper mids and chime to the tone, but will have less bass and dynamics than the bigger and more powerful F-50 and F-100. IMO, the 6L6 output of the F-50/100 gives a better Blackface Twin tone in clean, but the F-30's mid character and chime are sweet in a different way.

[hal9000]

Not quite sure how to answer the "how loud is it" question. Its not nearly as loud as my 40W Fender or 50W Marshall, but those amps are real loud. The F-30 is loud enough for me to gig with at the small to medium sized bars I play. My feeling is that if you needed a very loud, pristine clean sound in a large venue (say, you're playing jazz or country), without supplementing your sound with the PA, then it probably doesn't have the head room for that. The power section will probably start distorting (which I like, but its not for everyone).

The F-30 loves V30s. I'm using mine with a 2x12 cab loaded with a Weber Blue Dog and a Weber Silver Bell. I like that even more, but your Engl cab will sound great with the F-30.

You'll need to build a special cable to switch channels on the F-30 using your G-Major. There are excellent instructions on the 1st page of this thread. BTW, a lot of folks here are using the G-Major with their F-series amp.

F-30 and F-50 sound more similar than different IMO, but the differences are: F-50 has a deeper-sounding low-end, F-30 makes a chimier clean tone and has a sort of Marshally midrange character. In the combo form, the F-50 sounds bigger. F-30 can sound plenty big with an extension cab though. All IMO of course.

D7D7, you only have 7 posts, but you're already in the know! See my response. :)

[GrandmasterZ]

Cool, that was quick, thanks! :)

[dumeril7]

D7, you only have 7 posts, but you're already in the know! See my response. :)

I have poured over this thread! Then I got the chance to check out a used F-50 last weekend.

This thread is an amazing resource. (Thanks in no small part to you, BTW.) My only wish is that we had our own forum instead of everything packed in one thread; it would make searching a lot easier.

D7

[jcoggins7]

So I think I'm going to try some TAD 6L6GC-STR power tubes. If I get them, I'll post the results.

[GrandmasterZ]

One more question: Is it possible to connect my Engl 2x12 to the F-30 Combo and use both the cab and the internal speaker at the same time without problems?

[andershoeg]

are your cab 8 ohm? if it is you can plug the combospeaker (8 ohm) to one of the two 4 ohm outputs. then connect the cab to the other 4 ohm output. thats what i do ;)
b.r. andershoeg

[GrandmasterZ]

are your cab 8 ohm? if it is you can plug the combospeaker (8 ohm) to one of the two 4 ohm outputs. then connect the cab to the other 4 ohm output. thats what i do ;)
b.r. andershoeg

Yeah, it's 8 Ohm. I'd like to have the Head-Version once I have the money, but the F-30 Combos seem to be easier to get. But I coud live with that now that I know my cab will work with the combo, thanks!

[Canuck_22]

So my mesa f-30 that i've owned for about a year has recently just stoped working. I don't know what the problem is. I just doesn't make any sounds at all.The power light, lights up when i turn the power on. But when i start trying to play there is no sound at all. i've checked to make sure all of my connections are fine many times and it still doesn't make a sound. I've ordered some new tubes but i don't know if thats the problem because they all look fine (the power tubes light up orange, i don't know about the pre-amp tubes). I've checked the fuse and it looks fine. Even if i turn up the volume no sound at all. I have another amp and my guitars work fine on it.
what should i do?
can i check anything more?
what do you guys suggest cause' i'm freaking out right now?

[barneyc4]

what should i do? Buy new preamp tubes, replace old ones.
can i check anything more? Pre amp tubes. V1 first.
what do you guys suggest cause' i'm freaking out right now? Try new pre amp tubes and a new fuse.

[jcoggins7]

I know this may sound dumb, but check the speaker mute button. You may have accidentally pushed it. I know sometimes I forget to unmute the amp after I've muted it on purpose, and one time, I really was worried that something was wrong, and then discovered I had left the speaker muted.

[MKCL]

How often do you have to change the fuse?

[jcoggins7]

You should never have to change the fuse unless you have a major tube blow. I have an extra one though just in case (as should everyone with a tube amp). They should only cost about a buck to get one if that was the case.

[Lt_Core]

So my mesa f-30 that i've owned for about a year has recently just stoped working. I don't know what the problem is. I just doesn't make any sounds at all.The power light, lights up when i turn the power on. But when i start trying to play there is no sound at all. i've checked to make sure all of my connections are fine many times and it still doesn't make a sound. I've ordered some new tubes but i don't know if thats the problem because they all look fine (the power tubes light up orange, i don't know about the pre-amp tubes). I've checked the fuse and it looks fine. Even if i turn up the volume no sound at all. I have another amp and my guitars work fine on it.
what should i do?
can i check anything more?
what do you guys suggest cause' i'm freaking out right now?


Same thing happened to my F-50. My speaker died, just like that. Do you have an extra cab you can plug into? If not, go to a local guitar shop and fire it up. Make sure the cab's ohms match. Good luck!

[Canuck_22]

Same thing happened to my F-50. My speaker died, just like that. Do you have an extra cab you can plug into? If not, go to a local guitar shop and fire it up. Make sure the cab's ohms match. Good luck!

Realy! ahh. i hope its not my speaker. i have a line 6 spider II but i can't plug it in. how much would a new speaker cost?
would i be able to replace it myself w/o much hassle? or would i have to take it in?

thx for the quick replys btw.

[jcoggins7]

You could probably replace it yourself, though if it's under warranty, I would take it in and have it done. Check the different speaker cab idea first. You can go to practically any guitar store and find either a speaker cab or a speaker that's in a different combo amp to plug in to test it.

[Torh]

My F-50 started distorting early for the clean channel... If I turned the volume up, it got flabby and distorted and all nasty.. Took it to a tech, who changed the V4 socket for the preamp tube, and voilá - clean channel with lots of headroom. I'm sure there are 5-6 posts in this thread that would have answered this for me, but I didn't have time to check that out... Thought I could post this anyways... :)

[SOTY]

Hi guys!! I'm new here and I'm Italian, so don't get angry if my english is not so good... well, I've recently bought an F-50 combo and I'm totally satisfied with it! Great clean and powerful distortion. Now I'm thinking of using a g-major with the F-50 and i saw the rig of Tommi Inkila... well I'd like to know if there could be problem connecting the g-major via fx send/return because i read that the g-major works in a good way only in serial and not parallel... can someone answer my question?
Well thanks for helping...

[hal9000]

Hi guys!! I'm new here and I'm Italian, so don't get angry if my english is not so good... well, I've recently bought an F-50 combo and I'm totally satisfied with it! Great clean and powerful distortion. Now I'm thinking of using a g-major with the F-50 and i saw the rig of Tommi Inkila... well I'd like to know if there could be problem connecting the g-major via fx send/return because i read that the g-major works in a good way only in serial and not parallel... can someone answer my question?
Well thanks for helping...SOTY, welcome to the forum and the F-series Brotherhood! :)

I too run a G-Major with my F-100, just as Tommi and Dann'sTheMan do with their F-50s, so I can personally attest to the G-Major/F-series excellent tones. As long as you turn up the F-series FX loop to the max (90%) you won't have any problems. I use all the functions normally associated with a series loop like EQ, noise gate, compression, etc. and they all work great. About the only thing you can't do is a volume swell from zero to max volume since the lowest volume you can control still has 10% of the parallel path active. If you desire such operation, it would be best to convert the loop to serial which is only a two-wire job and should cost very little.

[SOTY]

Thanks for the answer.. and now I've a doubt... how to convert the loop to serial?? I have no idea to do that..

[hal9000]

Thanks for the answer.. and now I've a doubt... how to convert the loop to serial?? I have no idea to do that..Don't worry about it until you feel it's really necessary. You can evaluate the G-Major without having to change the loop to serial and like I said, there isn't a huge reason to do so anyway. I attached instructions a few pages back about the series mod, so a quick search shall bring it up.

[Lt_Core]

Realy! ahh. i hope its not my speaker. i have a line 6 spider II but i can't plug it in. how much would a new speaker cost?
would i be able to replace it myself w/o much hassle? or would i have to take it in?

thx for the quick replys btw.

If it's still under warranty, take it to an authorized Mesa dealer. If there isn't a Mesa dealer in your area (there isn't where I live) take it to any local guitar store and have them help you find a cab to test it with.

I had my local shop put a new speaker in. Go to Celestion, Eminence, Jensen or any other speaker company and listen to speaker clips to see what sounds good to you. I have a Jensen NEO 100 12" in my F-50 now. I like it better than the stock Mesa Black Shadow (which is very close to a Classic Lead 80) so I figured that was a blessing in disguise :)

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

[hal9000]

I finally got my EBMM 20th Anniversary Silhouette (http://www.ernieball.com/site/flyers/20th_ann.html) that I ordered last May! Here's a pic:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/EBMM%2020th%20Silo/EBMM20thSilo.jpg

This guitar is one of the best I've ever played and sounds like a million bucks. The neck is perfect and the build quality is outstanding. If any of you guys haven't auditioned an Ernie Ball Music Man guitar, do yourself a favor. :)

To celebrate the new lady, I made a clip of a song I wrote yesterday:
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Reflective_F-100_20th.mp3

As usual, here's the rig:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000SilentDirectRecordingRigF-10.png

[Lt_Core]

I finally got my EBMM 20th Anniversary Silhouette (http://www.ernieball.com/site/flyers/20th_ann.html) that I ordered last May! Here's a pic:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/EBMM%2020th%20Silo/EBMM20thSilo.jpg

This guitar is one of the best I've ever played and sounds like a million bucks. The neck is perfect and the build quality is outstanding. If any of you guys haven't auditioned an Ernie Ball Music Man guitar, do yourself a favor. :)

To celebrate the new lady, I made a clip of a song I wrote yesterday:
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Reflective_F-100_20th.mp3

As usual, here's the rig:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000SilentDirectRecordingRigF-10.png

Congrats on the new guitar! Sounds great.

[jcoggins7]

Love the sound man. What were your settings?

[hal9000]

Congrats on the new guitar! Sounds great.Thanks Jeff!
Love the sound man. What were your settings?Thanks Jeff!

I used channel 2 with contour like this:
Gain 12:30, Treble 12:00, Mid 3:00, Bass 9:00, Reverb Off, Master 12:00.

The solo is with my 20th Silo's Neck pickup and the rhythm is with the bridge. I didn't add any EQ post recording.

[MrVisual]

I too run a G-Major with my F-100, just as Tommi and Dann'sTheMan do with their F-50s, so I can personally attest to the G-Major/F-series excellent tones. As long as you turn up the F-series FX loop to the max (90%) you won't have any problems. I use all the functions normally associated with a series loop like EQ, noise gate, compression, etc. and they all work great. About the only thing you can't do is a volume swell from zero to max volume since the lowest volume you can control still has 10% of the parallel path active. If you desire such operation, it would be best to convert the loop to serial which is only a two-wire job and should cost very little.

That 10% dry signal-thing has made me think about buying a G-Minor instead of FCB1010. The Behringer is enormous and the expression pedals can't do what I would want them to do. Does anyone have any experience with G-Minor?

My setup would be Guitar->Volume/wah pedal->F-50->G-Major in the loop with G-Minor->Mesa 2x12" cab.

Can I do volume swells with volume pedal in front of the amp?

Absolutely stunning guitar Hal, by the way.

[Tommi Inkila]

I finally got my EBMM 20th Anniversary Silhouette (http://www.ernieball.com/site/flyers/20th_ann.html) that I ordered last May! Here's a pic:

This guitar is one of the best I've ever played and sounds like a million bucks. The neck is perfect and the build quality is outstanding. If any of you guys haven't auditioned an Ernie Ball Music Man guitar, do yourself a favor. :)

To celebrate the new lady, I made a clip of a song I wrote yesterday:
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Reflective_F-100_20th.mp3

Hal!

That sounds and looks great... just like my new 7-string Petrucci :) ... so there's +1 for Music Man recommendation.

That clip actually makes me want to try similar setup you're using... maybe sometime in the future. I got pretty nice sounds with Vox AD15VT last time I recorded 2 songs for Frets on Fire. Hopefully I can post them soon.

... well I guess I own myself the Xbox360 I've been dreaming of now that I've got my workload to zero :D

BTW, I have Scenery Channel RSK in stock, but it's not on the website yet... since it's very special patch since there's slight problems in the print... expensive versions someday I hope :cool:

[hal9000]

That 10% dry signal-thing has made me think about buying a G-Minor instead of FCB1010. The Behringer is enormous and the expression pedals can't do what I would want them to do. Does anyone have any experience with G-Minor?

My setup would be Guitar->Volume/wah pedal->F-50->G-Major in the loop with G-Minor->Mesa 2x12" cab.

Can I do volume swells with volume pedal in front of the amp?

Absolutely stunning guitar Hal, by the way.Seriously, in a band context, the 10% bleed can barely be heard. And like I said, it should only take a few minutes to change the loop from parallel to serial if you do intend to do full volume swells.

I'm quite sure the FCB 1010 expression pedals could do almost anything you want, but I agree that it is quite large. You can do volume swells in front of the amp, but it won't be the same as in the loop simply because you'll be changing the amount you're driving the amp as you reduce volume. So, the sound will go from distorted to clean in short order.

Thanks about the guitar. :)

[hal9000]

Hal!

That sounds and looks great... just like my new 7-string Petrucci :) ... so there's +1 for Music Man recommendation.

That clip actually makes me want to try similar setup you're using... maybe sometime in the future. I got pretty nice sounds with Vox AD15VT last time I recorded 2 songs for Frets on Fire. Hopefully I can post them soon.

... well I guess I own myself the Xbox360 I've been dreaming of now that I've got my workload to zero :D

BTW, I have Scenery Channel RSK in stock, but it's not on the website yet... since it's very special patch since there's slight problems in the print... expensive versions someday I hope :cool:Thanks Tommi! Do you have any pics of the JP7?

[houdini]

Hey guys, I'm looking into getting an F-50, but, the channel switching may be a problem for me. I have a non-midi, relay switching system that allows me to turn on/off different loops of effects with the flick of one switch. The system also has the capability of channel switching an amp. However, I know that the channel switch loop works with a standard 1/4" plug.

Is there a not-too-difficult way of setting up the F-50 so that you can switch channels with a simple 1/4" accessible switch as opposed to using the midi-pin footswitch that comes with the F-50? I've seen the post by "Dann'stheman" regarding wiring up the channel switching function for use on a midi controller but I don't know if this same thing will work with an analog switching system that simply uses relays for programming or not.

As the answer to this question will probably be the determining factor on whether I get an F-50 or not, any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Canuck_22]

If it's still under warranty, take it to an authorized Mesa dealer. If there isn't a Mesa dealer in your area (there isn't where I live) take it to any local guitar store and have them help you find a cab to test it with.

I had my local shop put a new speaker in. Go to Celestion, Eminence, Jensen or any other speaker company and listen to speaker clips to see what sounds good to you. I have a Jensen NEO 100 12" in my F-50 now. I like it better than the stock Mesa Black Shadow (which is very close to a Classic Lead 80) so I figured that was a blessing in disguise :)

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

yea i don't know if it is still under warranty. but i'm pretty sure that it is the speaker because i ruled out everything else. i will find out later tonight when i bring my f-30 with me when i pick up my guitar from its setup.

i want to have a good speaker to do clean open cords and still be able to handle a bunch of gain
so do you think i should replace it with another V30 or should i go with another speaker?

what do you guys suggest?
and where would the best place be to order the speakers in Canada?

[jcoggins7]

I'm not gonna lie, I want both of these really bad:

http://www.ibanezregister.com/images/images-jpm/Jpm4-1.jpg

and also either a Universe (old school all black with green pickups, knobs, & dots) or 7 string EBMM in Egyptian Smoke or Candy Apple Red.

[RyGy]

yea i don't know if it is still under warranty. but i'm pretty sure that it is the speaker because i ruled out everything else. i will find out later tonight when i bring my f-30 with me when i pick up my guitar from its setup.

i want to have a good speaker to do clean open cords and still be able to handle a bunch of gain
so do you think i should replace it with another V30 or should i go with another speaker?

what do you guys suggest?
and where would the best place be to order the speakers in Canada?

I might be unloading some speakers soon. I will have to wait until I get my earcandy cab with green machines in it. If they are half as good as everyone says they are I might get rid of a few of my other speakers. I will keep you posted. Check out earcandycabs.com they ship to Canada, and only add a couple of bucks. Plus you can send they emails, and they will recomend speakers for your playing style, and amp.

[hal9000]

Hey guys, I'm looking into getting an F-50, but, the channel switching may be a problem for me. I have a non-midi, relay switching system that allows me to turn on/off different loops of effects with the flick of one switch. The system also has the capability of channel switching an amp. However, I know that the channel switch loop works with a standard 1/4" plug.

Is there a not-too-difficult way of setting up the F-50 so that you can switch channels with a simple 1/4" accessible switch as opposed to using the midi-pin footswitch that comes with the F-50? I've seen the post by "Dann'stheman" regarding wiring up the channel switching function for use on a midi controller but I don't know if this same thing will work with an analog switching system that simply uses relays for programming or not.

As the answer to this question will probably be the determining factor on whether I get an F-50 or not, any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.Houdini, what's up? There is absolutely nothing to worry about with your relay switching since I use the G-major’s relays for exactly the same thing. You’ll have to build a cable of course, but your analog switching device will do the trick. If you look at this post: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21265640&postcount=4333 you’ll see that construction of the cable is simple and inexpensive.

You’ll need at least two relays to take advantage of CH1/CH2 and Contour ON/OFF. I don’t use the reverb switching since my G-Major handles all FX.

[bnelly428]

Thanks! I'm glad that the album delivered :)

It's hard to say what's going on without hearing your amp... but I think there's quite much differences between that area... I personally use it around 12:30-13:00. Then there's few specualtions:

1) The preamp tubes are wornout or they are low-gain.
2) Where's your treble? It affects the amount of gain in Mesas...
3) My F50 starts to work 30 minutes later... at 9:30, not sooner :D

1. replaced the pre amp tubes not too long ago so i doubt its them
2. treb is usually around 1230-130 mid about the same low 10-11
3. i think it may have to do with the low volume thing because i now have a stealth boost (Thanks again neil!) and with ch2 at about 12, and gain at 9ish it seems to be more of an OD than a dist, which is what i want w/ Contour off. maybe the amp just had to "break in " the tubes? i dont know.



Neil,

the SB in the fx loop... im not sure what "last" means in pedal order, last im assuming means it has pedals off its input, and its output goes right into the loop? or am i ass-backwards?

[hal9000]

1. replaced the pre amp tubes not too long ago so i doubt its them
2. treb is usually around 1230-130 mid about the same low 10-11
3. i think it may have to do with the low volume thing because i now have a stealth boost (Thanks again neil!) and with ch2 at about 12, and gain at 9ish it seems to be more of an OD than a dist, which is what i want w/ Contour off. maybe the amp just had to "break in " the tubes? i dont know.



Neil,

the SB in the fx loop... im not sure what "last" means in pedal order, last im assuming means it has pedals off its input, and its output goes right into the loop? or am i ass-backwards?It doesn't have to be last, but for the most part, you want to drive the other pedals in the loop with the same signal level so their relative mix doesn't change.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/Stealth%20Boost/hal9000StealthBoostConnections.jpg

In the diagram above, to put the SB last, place all your other FX inbetween the FX SEND jack and the INPUT of the Stealth Boost.

You're correct that with gain on channel 2 about 9:00, that the tone will be overdriven, but not heavy distortion (depending on the output from your pickups).

[bnelly428]

ok cool, i had it the opposite way around until last night then switched and it sounded a helluva lot better :thu:

[Tommi Inkila]

Thanks Tommi! Do you have any pics of the JP7?
I don't own a camera so nothing yet... maybe from the next gig on Friday 13th next month :evil:

[jcoggins7]

I got my TADs from Doug's Tubes yesterday. Man he ships quick. But anyways, I'm going to put them in next Tuesday for the first time probably. I might check them out this weekend first though.

[Santuzzo]

Hi everyone.

I do not have a Mesa F-series amp, but I'm considering buying one.

I haven't had the chance to find one in a store to check it out yet.

I'm looking for a very versatile amp.
I started a thread on this :
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1566575

I understood, an F-50 might be a good choice for me.

Let me ask you guys, does anyone of you F-50 (or F-100) owners use it for jazz with a hollow body?

Does it stay clean on the clean channel at very high volumes even if the strings are hit hard?

This is a very important thing for me, it needs to be clean if wanted.

But then I want the amp also to have great crunch and high-gain sounds AND everything in between. (I would need to use the amp for jazz and pop, rock, metal, whatever)

Do you guys think an F series combo can do the job? Or am I asking for too much?

Any honest opinions/advice highly appreciated !

Thanks in advance !

Lars
:wave:

[dumeril7]

Hi everyone.
Let me ask you guys, does anyone of you F-50 (or F-100) owners use it for jazz with a hollow body?

Does it stay clean on the clean channel at very high volumes even if the strings are hit hard?

This is a very important thing for me, it needs to be clean if wanted.

But then I want the amp also to have great crunch and high-gain sounds AND everything in between. (I would need to use the amp for jazz and pop, rock, metal, whatever)


Tone-wise I definately think an F-series amp is up to the task of covering all those styles. But I think the F100 would be the best bet since loud and clean is an absolute requirement; it'll stay clean to a higher volume.

D7

[Lt_Core]

My F-50's clean channel stays amazingly clean, even with humbucker guitars. Go for it! There have been some crazy F-50 eBay deals recently. Be patient and you'll find one at a great price.

[Adam Poland]

I'll be selling my F-50 head once my 6505+ comes in. Don't know how much I'm going to ask for, but I know it won't be over $800 or below $550 shipped. If anyone wants one, PM me and we'll set something up.

[Santuzzo]

Thanks, guys !!!

So, does the F-100 combo have 2x12 speakers as opposed to the F-50 with 1x12?

[hal9000]

Thanks, guys !!!

So, does the F-100 combo have 2x12 speakers as opposed to the F-50 with 1x12?Yes, the F-100 combo is a 2x12 with Vintage 30s. It also weighs in at 77 lbs according to my scale. I think the F-50 will probably be perfectly fine for loud clean tones. Even with my loud drummer and my F-100 on 60 W, I never get the master volume over 10:30 or so on the clean channel. As for the tones, I believe the F-50 can do what you want, but for metal, you may want a closed-back cab to bring the tight bass. While the F-50 1x12 combo excels at clean up through classic rock with the open-back, you may not feel it does metal as well without a closed-back cab underneath.

[Lt_Core]

Anybody have an extra F-50 footswitch that they want to sell? Sometimes I don't need to haul my massive pedalboard to practice and just need a simple footswitch but I don't want to keep taking it on & off the board (velcro'd).

[jpoprock]

I understood, an F-50 might be a good choice for me. Let me ask you guys, does anyone of you F-50 (or F-100) owners use it for jazz with a hollow body? Does it stay clean on the clean channel at very high volumes even if the strings are hit hard? This is a very important thing for me, it needs to be clean if wanted.

I thought the clean sound of the F-100 was very nice. Very full and lush. I think it would be a great amp for Jazz. I don't recall it wanting to break up either. It was really one of the nicest clean sounds to my ears that I've heard from an amp. I don't like super glassy cleans though. I kinda like them a bit dark and warm with a kiss of shine on top. The F-100 fit that nicely!

But then I want the amp also to have great crunch and high-gain sounds AND everything in between. (I would need to use the amp for jazz and pop, rock, metal, whatever) Do you guys think an F series combo can do the job? Or am I asking for too much?

Well.. that's where the F-100 lost me. A "good sound" is SOOOOOOO subjective. I've heard people say the F-100 is near the "holy grail" of tone. But when I owned mine, I thought it was perhaps the single worst sounding distortion that I had ever heard in my life. Actually it was a step above the kind of sound kids dial up at the music store on some Crate half stack to poorly play Metallica riffs. I thought it was like a Rat pedal into a power amp. It was horrid. I sold that F-100 in favor of a Marshall 6100LM so fast that it would make your head spin, and I don't regret it for one second. I also owned a Marshall DSL100 JCM2000 that I thought was voiced really badly. And it had JJ tubes in it. It was rancid. I hear that the TSL100's are better.

I've found thru my journey, that I'm just NOT a Mesa guy. I think they are great amps, but they are just not great for what *I* want to hear. You could listen to my Marshall and think it sounded horrible, but then hear the F-100 and be in heaven. It's all up to your ears.

But take my advice, don't buy an F-50/100 until you play one first. Or unless you get such a great deal on Ebay that you won't LOSE money if you flip it. Shipping is always the kicker though.

With that in mind, I really don't have any good suggestions for you on what to buy. I just don't. Well... actually, I WOULD suggest a Marshall 6100LM because it's one of the best and most versitle Marshall's ever made. It's three channel, and has a GREAT Marshall clean, which is unusual. The idea behind the amp is that it's all the great marshalls rolled into one. And I really think it pulls it off quite nicely. It has plexi tones, JCM800 tones, JCM900 tones, super over drive, and a really really nice clean. No reverb though. And so many killer output options on the back that it's not even funny. Line in/preamp mute, Line out, balanced line out for direct to a mixing board (which I use all the time and it sounds great!), killer FX loop, etc.

However, this is a Mesa lovers forum, and I don't want to disrespect anyone. If you're really interested in Mesa, I'd maybe try out a Lonestar, or Trem-o-Verb, or maybe even a Nomad. It's just the recitifier distortion is so "thick and meaty" that it doesn't sound right with most pop or classic rock. Obviously some Mesa's are very "modern" gain sounding. So, if you're in a band like that, it's the bomb. But I'm in a very dynamic classic "hits" band. I have to cover Motown to Metallica convincinly, and my amp does it with ease. That F-100 couldn't do it AT ALL. Also, I'm intersted in those new Vox Custom Classic AC30's that they just came out with (with matchin extention cabs!), and the new Marshall Vintage Modern head, which I hear is the bomb.

That's just what I think.

Good luck!

Jason

[markmann]

Hi everyone.

I do not have a Mesa F-series amp, but I'm considering buying one.

I haven't had the chance to find one in a store to check it out yet.

I'm looking for a very versatile amp.
I started a thread on this :
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1566575

I understood, an F-50 might be a good choice for me.

Let me ask you guys, does anyone of you F-50 (or F-100) owners use it for jazz with a hollow body?

Does it stay clean on the clean channel at very high volumes even if the strings are hit hard?

This is a very important thing for me, it needs to be clean if wanted.

But then I want the amp also to have great crunch and high-gain sounds AND everything in between. (I would need to use the amp for jazz and pop, rock, metal, whatever)

Do you guys think an F series combo can do the job? Or am I asking for too much?

Any honest opinions/advice highly appreciated !

Thanks in advance !

Lars
:wave:
Don't be concerned about the cleans because you'll find lots to love. I'd make sure that the channel 2 (distortion) is to your liking. One of my main guitars is a ES446-s, Giibson hollow body and my f50 has more than enough clean headroom even at high volume. The f30 didn't have enough but the f50 did, in fact I need to add some gain to fatten up the tone a bit to get a nice jazzy sound. For blues I use the same setting with a slight boost from my Bad Monkey and a Strat.

[snakum]

Well ... I'm leaving the F-100 brotherhood. :(

I'm packing my head up tonight for a guy in Michigan, as I was always scared to take it out on a gig (drunk patrons and drunk roadies), and it was just gathering dust. I sold the cab last weekend locally.

I will likely be moving to London this Fall, if not sooner, and I have to pair down the heard anyway. I could have sold it for a mint in England, but I didn't want to deal with the VAT hassles.

I'm going to direct the new owner here to get the F-series lowdown.

Enjoyed it fellas! :)

[Lt_Core]

Well ... I'm leaving the F-100 brotherhood. :(

I'm packing my head up tonight for a guy in Michigan, as I was always scared to take it out on a gig (drunk patrons and drunk roadies), and it was just gathering dust. I sold the cab last weekend locally.

I will likely be moving to London this Fall, if not sooner, and I have to pair down the heard anyway. I could have sold it for a mint in England, but I didn't want to deal with the VAT hassles.

I'm going to direct the new owner here to get the F-series lowdown.

Enjoyed it fellas! :)

Sorry to see ya leave the brotherhood. Good luck in London!

[Santuzzo]

Thanks everybody for their input and advice !:thu: :)

I will definately have to find a store that has some Mesa amps so I get to check out the F-50 and F-100.

I also heard that an Express 5:50 is very versatile, might wanna check that one, too.
Any opinions on the Express 5:50?

[Canuck_22]

what do you guys think of EarCandy's The Green Machine speaker?
will it do good clean chords and stuuf like that and still have a good overdrive tone to it? any experiences with the cab?

[MKCL]

Today I had a chance to crank the amp a bit.

On the clean channel, I cranked the gain up to get this *low gain* type tone. I realized there was some major feedback. Is this normal?

[jcoggins7]

Depends on what angle you're at, the pickups you're using, and the construction of the guitar (solid or hollow body).

[dumeril7]

Depends on what angle you're at, the pickups you're using, and the construction of the guitar (solid or hollow body).

+1. I almost always play at relatively high volume. Feedback can caused by a number of things -- microphonic pickups (squealing feedback), body resonance (usually in hollowbody guitars, feedback is lower in frequency), microphonic preamp tubes (can also squeal), or just simply too much volume for the room.

If you want to verify whether its the amp causing it, dime the amp (gain and master), turn down your guitar volume all the way, then tap on each preamp tube a few times using the eraser side of a pencil. You may need to do it for each channel since one tube is dedicated to the extra gain stage on channel 2 (I believe). If any of them feed back, then you have your culprit. If not, its almost certainly your guitar (and I'll bet your pickups if we're talking about a solidbody).

D7

[MKCL]

Well, today something new happened. It's mainly on the clean channel. There's a lot of crackling noises. I play a note or a few notes and then I hear the crackling. I'm pretty sure it's the amp, because I switched from a Gibson Les Paul and then tried again with my Fender Strat. There were less crackling noises for the Strat, but it was still noticeable.

Could this be the preamp tubes?

[dumeril7]

Well, today something new happened. It's mainly on the clean channel. There's a lot of crackling noises. I play a note or a few notes and then I hear the crackling. I'm pretty sure it's the amp, because I switched from a Gibson Les Paul and then tried again with my Fender Strat. There were less crackling noises for the Strat, but it was still noticeable.

Could this be the preamp tubes?

Could be the tubes. Perform the microphonic tube test I described in my previous post.

Could also be your cable. Jiggle the cable, especially at the jacks, and see if that causes more crackle. If so, it could be poor solder connections at the plugs. If it happens mainly at the amp side of the cable, it could be a bad input jack on the amp -- once again, jiggle the plug in the jack and see if it gets worse or not.

D7

[pedrozepelim]

With what guitar and pickup position did you play F-50 - Until You Suffer Some, Dann'sTheMan?

[MKCL]

Hm, I think the crackling is coming from the cable...

[hal9000]

Hm, I think the crackling is coming from the cable...Yup, cables are notorious for crackle. If you can remove the plug covers, you can simply resolder the connects and probably have a perfectly fine cable.

[RyGy]

Yup, cables are notorious for crackle. If you can remove the plug covers, you can simply resolder the connects and probably have a perfectly fine cable.

If only every tube amp problem was as easy as replacing or re soldering cables life would be good!!!!! :thu: :rawk:

:deadhorse: (I just always wanted to use this one, but could never find a good way to use it)

[jcoggins7]

So I put the TAD 6L6GC-STRs I got from Doug's Tubes in today, and I really like them. I can't really tell a huge difference between them and my Mesas tonally because I didn't A/B them or anything, but I think they probably sound just a little bit better.

[mattleesc]

quick question:

i have mesa f-30 combo and a 8ohm 2x12 cab.

can i use a 16ohm THD hotplate?

[hal9000]

quick question:

i have mesa f-30 combo and a 8ohm 2x12 cab.

can i use a 16ohm THD hotplate?Yes, you can use the Hot Plate, but only with one of the 8 Ohm loads (i.e., combo speaker or cab, but not both). The attenuation settings and boost switches won't work in exactly the same way, but THD says it's okay as does Mesa. If you intend on running both the combo speaker and 2x12 cab so the total load is 4 Ohms, you'd need a 4 Ohm Hot Plate to be matched.

[Raybies]

I have a Mesa F-30, when I have the master up only to 9 o'clock on the gain channel it seems to hiss quite a bit. I have to switch to the clean channel between songs to stop the hiss, the clean channel is on around 11 o'clock and it's dead quiet. Could there be a problem with my tubes or is this normal? It's not noticeable when I'm playing, only when we stop in between songs and everyone else is quiet but I hiss like crazy.

Thanks!

[hal9000]

I have a Mesa F-30, when I have the master up only to 9 o'clock on the gain channel it seems to hiss quite a bit. I have to switch to the clean channel between songs to stop the hiss, the clean channel is on around 11 o'clock and it's dead quiet. Could there be a problem with my tubes or is this normal? It's not noticeable when I'm playing, only when we stop in between songs and everyone else is quiet but I hiss like crazy.

Thanks!Raybies, there is always going to be some amount of noise on a high gain channel, but it shouldn't be so loud that it's bothersome IMO. There can be a lot to contribute to noise, and the first place I would look is where your gain is set. The higher the gain, the more noise there will be. Perhaps if you use a lot of gain, you might like to raise the height of your pickups to compensate so the amp's gain may be turned down, or even put in a set of higher-output p'ups. Second, V1 and/or V2 could be noisy, so if you have some known-good preamp tubes, give them a try to squelch the noise. Third, take a look at your cables and make sure they aren't problematic. Even though it's a bit counterintuitive that the cable could cause a problem on one channel and not another, it's actually feasible. Channel 2 has an inordinate amount of gain which will emphasize any noise present at the input, whereas Channel 1 has an order of magnitude less gain so the noise won't be amplified so much. When I use my F-100, I can simply turn off my guitar's volume and any channel noise goes away.

[pedrozepelim]

What are the tone diferences between EL84 and 6L6, on clean and distortion?
Also, one can tell the diference in bedroom levels or just with the amp cranked up?

[NiCkMiLnE]

6l6 have a better clean IMO
and have a smoother lead tone, the EL family all have a barky, middy tone to them.

PS:
mooching through your work Neil, damn. always floors me :)

[AXEL276]

Anyone tried Yellow Jacks w/EL84's in an F-50?
If so, how did they sound?

[MKCL]

Alright guys, I think it is the amp that has crackling problems. I am in a bit of trouble as well because I am so tight on cash and I need to get ready for the next few gigs this month.

The crackling is coming from the clean and the distortion channel. Is it the preamps? If it is, which ones? There are four preamp tubes and the preamp tubes are quite far in the back. Ugh.....

[MKCL]

:confused:

Could it be the power tubes?

[hal9000]

6l6 have a better clean IMO
and have a smoother lead tone, the EL family all have a barky, middy tone to them.

PS:
mooching through your work Neil, damn. always floors me :)Thanks! I'm starting to get my site put together: www.64graphics.com :)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey Brothers,

Hope things are rockin' with you all! :) Very best wishes for the Easter period, and here's hoping everything goes fantastically for any gigs you have over the next few days. :thu:

Big smiles to you all!

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

:confused:

Could it be the power tubes?

Hi MKCL,

Could well be. When I last changed the tubes in my F-50, the old power tubes were starting to get a little crackly. It may be worth getting some new spares, so that you can experiment with swapping out tubes and narrow the problem, :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

With what guitar and pickup position did you play F-50 - Until You Suffer Some, Dann'sTheMan?

Hi pedrozepelim,

I used my Charvel ST Custom - a strat style guitar that I've fitted with Seymour Duncan pick ups. IIRC, I used the neck+middle pickups for that clip - although it could conceivably be the neck pickup alone. I use Classic Stacks PUs in those positions, and they sound wonderfully woody. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Well ... I'm leaving the F-100 brotherhood. :(

I'm packing my head up tonight for a guy in Michigan, as I was always scared to take it out on a gig (drunk patrons and drunk roadies), and it was just gathering dust. I sold the cab last weekend locally.

I will likely be moving to London this Fall, if not sooner, and I have to pair down the heard anyway. I could have sold it for a mint in England, but I didn't want to deal with the VAT hassles.

I'm going to direct the new owner here to get the F-series lowdown.

Enjoyed it fellas! :)

Hey snakum,

Au revoir from the brotherhood, and best wishes in the UK. What are you going to be doing in London?

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

I finally got my EBMM 20th Anniversary Silhouette (http://www.ernieball.com/site/flyers/20th_ann.html) that I ordered last May! Here's a pic:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/EBMM%2020th%20Silo/EBMM20thSilo.jpg

This guitar is one of the best I've ever played and sounds like a million bucks. The neck is perfect and the build quality is outstanding. If any of you guys haven't auditioned an Ernie Ball Music Man guitar, do yourself a favor. :)

To celebrate the new lady, I made a clip of a song I wrote yesterday:
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Reflective_F-100_20th.mp3

As usual, here's the rig:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000SilentDirectRecordingRigF-10.png


Glorious! Congrats Neil! and you've celebrated your new arrival in style - I loved the clip. I spent this evening stripping down, and putting my Charvel ("Baby") back together again, in preparation for an international gig this weekend. It's great to have a guitar that really delivers ...and I'm quite the sucker for sunburst guitars! :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. I've gotta run now, the bus leaves in less than an hour. I'll check in soon! :)

[_nameless]

Damn, I order just now a F50 1x12 Combo!!! This waiting is already killing me :mad: !!!

My first Boogie!

[Canuck_22]

what do you guys think of EarCandy's The Green Machine speaker?
will it do good clean chords and stuff like that and still have a good overdrive tone to it? any experiences with the speaker?

i posted this a long time ago...

[Surfcaster]

I finally got my EBMM 20th Anniversary Silhouette (http://www.ernieball.com/site/flyers/20th_ann.html) that I ordered last May! Here's a pic:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/EBMM%2020th%20Silo/EBMM20thSilo.jpg

This guitar is one of the best I've ever played and sounds like a million bucks. The neck is perfect and the build quality is outstanding. If any of you guys haven't auditioned an Ernie Ball Music Man guitar, do yourself a favor. :)

To celebrate the new lady, I made a clip of a song I wrote yesterday:
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Reflective_F-100_20th.mp3

As usual, here's the rig:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000SilentDirectRecordingRigF-10.png


Beautiful guitar, Neil. Cool tune, too!

[Santuzzo]

Hi guys,

I have a thread on this, too, but lemme ask you here as well:

Which amp should I get :

Basically I want a very versatile amp with great cleans that will stay clean at high volumes, so I can use the amp for jazz with a hollow body.
Good crunch and also good high-gain sounds for rock, metal and anything in between.

Which of these two Mesa amps will be better for it?

The F-50 (which is out of production, BTW, but I think some stores will still have them) or the Express 5:50 (this one I think is supposed to be the F-50's successor, and also comes in 2x12 which I think is great).

Any advice/opinions would be highly appreciated !:wave:

Lars

[RyGy]

i posted this a long time ago...

I have a green machine on order in a Boa 1 12 cab. I will be running my Dual rectifier into it. I will let you know how it sounds. I am also going to try it with my F50, but I am selling that amp. I will post here in about a week or so once I have the cab.

[Goldwing]

I finally got my EBMM 20th Anniversary Silhouette (http://www.ernieball.com/site/flyers/20th_ann.html) that I ordered last May! Here's a pic:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/EBMM%2020th%20Silo/EBMM20thSilo.jpg

This guitar is one of the best I've ever played and sounds like a million bucks. The neck is perfect and the build quality is outstanding. If any of you guys haven't auditioned an Ernie Ball Music Man guitar, do yourself a favor. :)

To celebrate the new lady, I made a clip of a song I wrote yesterday:
http://www.64graphics.com/clips/hal9000_Reflective_F-100_20th.mp3

As usual, here's the rig:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000SilentDirectRecordingRigF-10.png


Congratulations!! beautiful guitar!!!

[willrock]

hey guys! can i be one of this big brotherhood? :cool: here's my story, i got myself an express 5:50, waited for a couple of months to get it coz its a special order, then i tried liking it, i really did but never happend, its like a pumped up lonestar, really loose on the bottom end and thin sounding!! not for me.. then i returned it and got myself f50, wow!! never regreted it.. best sounding amp and in the same league of my mark IV!! but my only problem is, how come on the dirty channel (high gain) the treble knob is not working as much compared if im in the lo-gain settings? is my treble knob broken? or is this normal?

[jcoggins7]

To answer willrock's question, that's normal. This is because the EQ is before the gain stage, instead of after like on most amplifiers. This causes it to shape the character and amount of the gain more than the actual frequency range.

[ashjn]

Has anyone tried the Bogner 1x12 cabinet with any of their F-Series amps? I have a Mesa 2x12 now, and am thinking about picking one of these up as well...

[pedrozepelim]

Just got my F30 today. Great clean sound,but still trying to dial the overdrive channel (not enough treble, it seems there's a blanket in my speaker).

The question I got for you is this: there's a leather bag (not the recipient with velcro for keeping the pedals and the cables) inside the amp, below the speaker. I can't get it out and neither can I see what's inside.

What the hell is that?

[jcoggins7]

Ha I used to wonder the same thing. It's the reverb tank.

[pedrozepelim]

Ha I used to wonder the same thing. It's the reverb tank.

Thank you!

[hal9000]

Just got my F30 today. Great clean sound,but still trying to dial the overdrive channel (not enough treble, it seems there's a blanket in my speaker).

The question I got for you is this: there's a leather bag (not the recipient with velcro for keeping the pedals and the cables) inside the amp, below the speaker. I can't get it out and neither can I see what's inside.

What the hell is that?Congrats on the amp and welcome to the F-series Brotherhood! :)

Concerning the amount of treble available, are you listening to the combo in-line with the speaker? If so and you have the 1x12 combo with a Vintage 30, I'd be surprised if you think it's still dull. You could have bum preamp or power amp tubes though which can cause lackluster performance, but make sure you're listening to the amp's true sound.

[pedrozepelim]

Congrats on the amp and welcome to the F-series Brotherhood! :)

Concerning the amount of treble available, are you listening to the combo in-line with the speaker? If so and you have the 1x12 combo with a Vintage 30, I'd be surprised if you think it's still dull. You could have bum preamp or power amp tubes though which can cause lackluster performance, but make sure you're listening to the amp's true sound.

Yes, I'm playing in line with the speaker, and yes, it's a V30.
Compared with my Caliber 50+ and my laney head, it sounds like there's a blanket in frint of the amp. Not on the clean channel, though, that one realy shines.

Maybe it's because the way I'm use to hear my guitars, but I was afraid that this speaker in an open back would be to trebly, but no, quite the oposite.

Could this be because of the speaker being new?
I don't think the problem is in the tubes, because there's plenty of gain here.
I can tell you one thing: my lead channel does not sound like the clips you posted.

[hal9000]

Yes, I'm playing in line with the speaker, and yes, it's a V30.
Compared with my Caliber 50+ and my laney head, it sounds like there's a blanket in frint of the amp. Not on the clean channel, though, that one realy shines.

Maybe it's because the way I'm use to hear my guitars, but I was afraid that this speaker in an open back would be to trebly, but no, quite the oposite.

Could this be because of the speaker being new?
I don't think the problem is in the tubes, because there's plenty of gain here.
I can tell you one thing: my lead channel does not sound like the clips you posted.Hmm... Well, compared to a Laney, which are usually bright amps, it may simply be a difference you'll get used to. The Caliber 50+ can have an EQ right? If so, you may be getting extra treble that way. Still, I would say my F-100 2x12 can be on the bright side at high volume with the Celestion Century Vintages so I installed Weber Beam Blockers and that helped greatly. You also might like to note that Channel 2 is rounder and more vintage sounding without contour. Contour adds lows and highs and again with my amp will rip your head off in the speaker beam at high volumes.

Aside from differences in the amps you own, you can always experiment with the preamp tubes to make sure you don't have a bum in there somewhere. Since the clean sounds good, it's probably not V1, so I would replace V2 with a known-good tube from one of your other amps and see if that helps.

As far as my clips, they should sound different even though we have the same preamp. The F-100 has 4x6L6 power tubes (100 W RMS clean) and the transformers to match meaning there is a lot more low end, different mids/treble and dynamic capability. I also have different speakers now that I've switched out the V30s for Century Vintages. If you're looking for more girth out of the F-30, I would highly recommend auditioning a Mesa Thiele 1x12 cab. That little mama-jamma will make anything sound huge and is a perfect match for your amp dimensionally.

[Rodimus Prime]

i've found the F30 to be a very bright amp. one of the reasons why i got a FSeries amp. what do you have your settings at? where do you put your volume? do you have other cabs that you can plug it into?
new speakers are kind of brighter when you first get them then they mellow out so i don't think its that.