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

[Dann'sTheMan]

hey Andy, thanks for the warm welcome :thu::) I've read that article and i find it very interesting.. but, i will unfortunatelly have to sell my Studio22 so i can buy a guitar, I'm currently guitarless, i traded my only guitar for the F-50... and i sure as hell don't regret it! :love:




oh, so I have fans? :wave::love: j/k.. thanks for the kind words, i can't wait to record this beast... i also hope to buy a condenser mic like the AT3035, if not, i will record it with my sm57 that i have now...

Hey Mrmot,

Shame that you'll have to sell on the Studio22 - it's served you well. Hopefully your new F-50 will comfort you and your ears! :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Yeah, I'm the same person. I lost the email to CatsGoMoo (which bugs me. I had 4k posts on that screen name and 14k on this one before things got cleared).

I use this amp in an electric guitar ensemble, mainly. We transcribe and arrange pieces of classical music (well, classical art music. That's everything from the classical era to 20th century even) for eight electric guitars. This season our concert consists of a bunch of halloween music, and I'll be doing an arrangement of BWV 565 (the toccata in d-minor).

Previous years we've done everything from Fanfare to the Common Man to pieces composed by members of the group to George Crumb, Phillip Glass, Bach, Night on Bald Mountain. All kinds of stuff.

I'm sure it'll work really well in there. Today's my first rehearsal with that amp, so we'll see. Our concert is next week. I'm sure I'll have video/audio of it.


Aside from that ensemble, I play a lot of composed electric guitar music. There's not a lot out there, and I feel it's kind of necessary. I want to make the electric guitar more legitimate as a "real instrument" and seen less in a popular music vein (as it's always been seen). Here's an example of a piece I played last semester, composed by my composition teacher, John Kiefer, called Asterism. I'm into very modern stuff. It's got this wicked string skipping pattern at the end that is pretty damned difficult, but really fun to play once you get it under your fingers. The sound effect at the end is achieved by fiddling with an analog delay pedal.

http://www.box.net/shared/lx5ugxa6y7

Hi EvilMeow,

I thought I recognised you! I certainly remember you posting as CatsGoMoo and also as EvilMeow before that. Did you contact the mods and ask them to reinstate your post count?

Regarding the music and link you posted - loved it, you're a talented musician! It's great to find someone looking to stretch electric guitar music in a new direction. I look forward to hearing how your F-series records in your work. How did it work out at rehearsal? :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[gregv]

Hey,

Well I am new to the forum here and I finally got my new F30 combo amp today and am pretty excited. So I was just wondering if you owners out there had any help or tips with getting set up and familiar with the amp. A couple questions I had were.........

1. What are the two Fx inputs in the back and how do they involve effects pedals?
2. I am not that familar with playing with the EQ controls, is it difficult to find good tone or how would you approach adjusting the controls.
3. Lastly, I ordered this amp off ebay from a music store in the states and everything seems to have come in good shape. The only thing I was wondering was right behind the two tubes is this long screw that sticks out and attaches up top where all the electronics are. Is this normal as it seems to stick out and look out of place???

Any help or additions would be much appreciated as I want to get as much out of this amp as possible!

[Will Cyrier]

Hey,

Well I am new to the forum here and I finally got my new F30 combo amp today and am pretty excited. So I was just wondering if you owners out there had any help or tips with getting set up and familiar with the amp. A couple questions I had were.........

1. What are the two Fx inputs in the back and how do they involve effects pedals?
2. I am not that familar with playing with the EQ controls, is it difficult to find good tone or how would you approach adjusting the controls.
3. Lastly, I ordered this amp off ebay from a music store in the states and everything seems to have come in good shape. The only thing I was wondering was right behind the two tubes is this long screw that sticks out and attaches up top where all the electronics are. Is this normal as it seems to stick out and look out of place???

Any help or additions would be much appreciated as I want to get as much out of this amp as possible!

Congrats on your purchase and welcome. I'm relatively new around here also but have had my Mesa F-30 for almost 2 years now.

to (try to) answer your questions;
1.) The FX loop is a parallel loop that allows you to set the mix or level of your inserted FX along with the Mesa's pre-amp signal (correct me fellas if I'm wrong on this). If you don't plan on using it, it can be used as a master volume (see Hal's signature or http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000F-SeriesMixPotMasterRevB.jpg ). Pretty cool either way.

2.) I haven't found it difficult and it depends on what you're after. Sounded great to me since I first plugged into it at GC.

3.) I have the same thing and have always wondered about it....:freak:

Peace,

Will

[EvilMeow]

Hi EvilMeow,

I thought I recognised you! I certainly remember you posting as CatsGoMoo and also as EvilMeow before that. Did you contact the mods and ask them to reinstate your post count?

Regarding the music and link you posted - loved it, you're a talented musician! It's great to find someone looking to stretch electric guitar music in a new direction. I look forward to hearing how your F-series records in your work. How did it work out at rehearsal? :)

Big smiles,

Andy.


Thanks! It sounds absolutely AMAZING! Perfect for what I'm doing! I've got a Halloween concert to give tonight with the ensemble, and during the performance I'll be playing Bach's Toccata in d-minor as a solo (BWV 565, the famous one. Just the Toccata, no fugue yet). I'll have video of it up on Youtube in a few days if it goes well. :)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey,

Well I am new to the forum here and I finally got my new F30 combo amp today and am pretty excited. So I was just wondering if you owners out there had any help or tips with getting set up and familiar with the amp. A couple questions I had were.........

1. What are the two Fx inputs in the back and how do they involve effects pedals?
2. I am not that familar with playing with the EQ controls, is it difficult to find good tone or how would you approach adjusting the controls.
3. Lastly, I ordered this amp off ebay from a music store in the states and everything seems to have come in good shape. The only thing I was wondering was right behind the two tubes is this long screw that sticks out and attaches up top where all the electronics are. Is this normal as it seems to stick out and look out of place???

Any help or additions would be much appreciated as I want to get as much out of this amp as possible!

Hi gregv and welcome to the brotherhood. Will Cyrier has already excellently answered most of your questions, so I'll just elaborate.

1. The two sockets are the FX Send and the FX Return and comprise the amp's FX loop. Simply connect the FX Send to the input of your chain of FX (including potentially pedals), and connect the output of the FX chain to the FX Return. As Will rightly said, it's a parallel loop and consequently has an adjustable Mix control. Turn the Mix control up towards 90% to blend in more and more of the effected sound from your FX chain with the sound of your F-series. Popular effects to run in an FX loop include Chorus (and other Modulation FX like Flange, Phaser etc), Delays and Reverb. (FYI, Overdrive and distortion pedals are usually run between the guitar and the amp).

2. Just plough through this thread for lots of ideas for EQ settings and much, much more. The second post has some excellent graphics from our very own muse, hal9000 - and they include some great starting points for dialling in some sounds. The usual recommendation is to try and get the amp volume control up above 9 o'clock in order to really hear the F-series start to sing. (This can be unbearably loud, so check out the various tips in this thread for getting the volume down, whilst keeping the volume control up above 9 o'clock).

3. The long sticking out screw is perfectly normal. IIRC, it's a chassis tension screw that will help avoid creaks and vibrations from your over-engineered piece of Mesa art! :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Thanks! It sounds absolutely AMAZING! Perfect for what I'm doing! I've got a Halloween concert to give tonight with the ensemble, and during the performance I'll be playing Bach's Toccata in d-minor as a solo (BWV 565, the famous one. Just the Toccata, no fugue yet). I'll have video of it up on Youtube in a few days if it goes well. :)

Very best wishes for the gig! I'm looking forward to that link already! Keep on rockin' in the free world, :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[opultaM]

Congrats on your purchase and welcome. I'm relatively new around here also but have had my Mesa F-30 for almost 2 years now.

to (try to) answer your questions;
1.) The FX loop is a parallel loop that allows you to set the mix or level of your inserted FX along with the Mesa's pre-amp signal (correct me fellas if I'm wrong on this). If you don't plan on using it, it can be used as a master volume (see Hal's signature or http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000F-SeriesMixPotMasterRevB.jpg ). Pretty cool either way.

2.) I haven't found it difficult and it depends on what you're after. Sounded great to me since I first plugged into it at GC.

3.) I have the same thing and have always wondered about it....:freak:

Peace,

Will

Also, regarding the Loop, I agree with the manual that you should keep it at 100% wet. Then adjust the levels on your pedals for effect mix.

Generally speaking, reading the manual will help out ALOT.

[opultaM]

Question for all:
Anyone using the FX Loop on your F as a Power Amp In? If so what are you feeding into it?

[hal9000]

Question for all:
Anyone using the FX Loop on your F as a Power Amp In? If so what are you feeding into it?I have, and it was a Vox Tonelab. It sounded good to me. Just make sure to add a dummy cable to the FX Send jack so you disconnect the preamp. Otherwise, it will sound as if a blanket has been thrown over the speakers.

[Will Cyrier]

Question for all:
Anyone using the FX Loop on your F as a Power Amp In? If so what are you feeding into it?

I'm using a Vox Tonelab SE and it sounds killer. When I get bored with that, I go straight into the Mesa through my pedal rig. Both sound great.

[opultaM]

Cool. Maybe I'll give it a shot with...something... I don't really have anything that would work though...

[Will Cyrier]

I would recommend the Vox TLSE or TLLE based purely on personal bias. :thu: I heard the Zoom G.9.2tt is pretty cool. The new Pod might sound good too.

[mrelusive]

so i just dug out my old Digitech RP2000 multi-effects unit and was considering selling it... But then i was wondering if i could use it to get some more mileage out of my F-50.

the rp2000 has a decent eq system that lets you pick what three frequencies you wanna boost/cut and some halfway decent effects... but isn't the f-series FX loop pre-distortion? Any suggestions to make some of this work, or should i skip the headache, sell the rp2000 and buy somethin worthwhile.

[ShizzelDizzel]

I'm back in the brotherhood! I had my first F50 Combo about 6 months before this thread started but then I changed gears and switched to bass for the last few years. Now I'm back starting a cover band project and I knew right where to go for my tones. So right now I have an F50 head into a Crate 2 X 12 cab with the ToneTubbies. I'll have to check out some Mesa cabs but for right now this is working out great. My current setup sounds bigger than the combo I had as you might guess with the closed back 2 X 12. Anyway it's good to be back and I will probably be looking into a G Major as well and possibly an MI Crunch box for in between tones. I have the amps setup on contour mode exclusively and the clean for sparkling cleans. Using a Godin Freeway Classic for strat tones, looking into a Shecter C1 Elite for tuned down stuff. And now you know the rest of the story....

[hal9000]

so i just dug out my old Digitech RP2000 multi-effects unit and was considering selling it... But then i was wondering if i could use it to get some more mileage out of my F-50.

the rp2000 has a decent eq system that lets you pick what three frequencies you wanna boost/cut and some halfway decent effects... but isn't the f-series FX loop pre-distortion? Any suggestions to make some of this work, or should i skip the headache, sell the rp2000 and buy somethin worthwhile.The FX Loop is post distortion, so most time-based and EQ effects would traditionally be placed there. I really like my G-Major, but I've had good luck with DigiTech delay and reverb pedals and a PODxt in the loop.

[eddie.perez]

Hello brothers :wave:, I've owned a F-100 for about year and a half now and have no complains what so ever. Really good :thu:sounding and versatile amp.

I currently run a Boss gt-8 ( which I use for light effects) into a BBE maximizer in the fx loop of the amp, outputing to 2x12 rectifier cab into a sennheiser e 906 mixed with a shure SM57. I planning on getting a Decimator Pro Rack G for my rack to eliminate some of the noise and hum coming from my Shecter. Should I or should I not? I know it's really pricey!!

[Will Cyrier]

My wife and son left today to run some errands and I cranked up my tonelab through the FX loop...bedroom volume does not do this amp justice. What sounds semi muddy at low volume, cleans up nicely with some volume behind it. Patches that I normally wouldn't use my neck pick-up on suddenly sounded good with all pick-ups. I know there's some audiophile term for this, some curve I forgot the name of that-when you crank the volume-the bass frequencies are not a prominent relative to the others. Whatever it's called, my rig sounded awesome today.

[hinrich]

I know there are posts in the lounge on this but I don't know how to narrow a search to the F-Series Lounge so sorry for the repetitiveness of this topic.

I've had an F30 combo for a couple of years and my band and I agree that the sound of my old old Marshall Valvestate 8080 has a nicer distortion tone to it so the boogie has been collecting dust for the past year. I've tried the recommended settings as well as settings posted on this forum and they're just too loud for what I'm using it for. I heard several recordings of it so I know it's good amp.

I want to use it though, its newer and I feel more confident with it's reliability on stage. I recently tried out a 25 watt Mesa Boogie Express and I have to tell you, in 5 watt mode, it's a beautifully sounding amp and it wasn't hard to dial in any settings.

So I'm about to get an attenuator and this is where I was hoping for a bit of help. Does anyone have a Dr. Z Airbrake? I'm about to purchase one but I read that the higher attenuation sucks out the nice tone where the more expensive THD Hotplates are better at high attenuation settings. I'm guessing that it will still be too loud as you can only get away with dropping the amp's master volumes a couple of notches, which won't be enough.:freak:

[hal9000]

I know there are posts in the lounge on this but I don't know how to narrow a search to the F-Series Lounge so sorry for the repetitiveness of this topic.

I've had an F30 combo for a couple of years and my band and I agree that the sound of my old old Marshall Valvestate 8080 has a nicer distortion tone to it so the boogie has been collecting dust for the past year. I've tried the recommended settings as well as settings posted on this forum and they're just too loud for what I'm using it for. I heard several recordings of it so I know it's good amp.

I want to use it though, its newer and I feel more confident with it's reliability on stage. I recently tried out a 25 watt Mesa Boogie Express and I have to tell you, in 5 watt mode, it's a beautifully sounding amp and it wasn't hard to dial in any settings.

So I'm about to get an attenuator and this is where I was hoping for a bit of help. Does anyone have a Dr. Z Airbrake? I'm about to purchase one but I read that the higher attenuation sucks out the nice tone where the more expensive THD Hotplates are better at high attenuation settings. I'm guessing that it will still be too loud as you can only get away with dropping the amp's master volumes a couple of notches, which won't be enough.:freak:I don't personally feel the need for a power attenuator with my F-100 at practice and gig volumes. I get my master volume control from my G-Major which sounds great to me. So, perhaps try out the FX loop master in my sig, or you could use one of your existing FX boxes for loop attenuation.

That said, if I was shooting more for the mid-gain power stage saturation sound, the Hot Plate would be my first stop. I don't like to go beyond 12 dB of attenuation, but it's very good from there forward. I don't have any experience with the Dr. Z, but you might want to also look at Weber's attenuators.

BTW, it burns my eyes to read that a Marshall Valvestate has better tone than an F-series Boogie. :eek:

[hinrich]

BTW, it burns my eyes to read that a Marshall Valvestate has better tone than an F-series Boogie. :eek:

Either that or my amp is defective...

[eddie.perez]

Does anybody in this lovely forum know how to control the amp channels of a F-100 head with a Boss Gt-8 Processor. Can anybody give me some advice.

[eddie.perez]

Does anybody in this lovely forum know how to control the channels of a F-100 head with a Boss Gt-8 effetcs processor. Can anybody body give me some good advice.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Does anybody in this lovely forum know how to control the channels of a F-100 head with a Boss Gt-8 effetcs processor. Can anybody body give me some good advice.

Hi eddie.perez,

All of the F-series amps are controlled in exactly the same way. Check out the second post of this thread for the pin information for the Mesa footswitch cable. Then check out posts #4223, and #4621 (dumeril7's ideas are really cool imho) for some info on how to get things working with the solitary relay in your Boss GT-8. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[pbognar]

I have, and it was a Vox Tonelab. It sounded good to me. Just make sure to add a dummy cable to the FX Send jack so you disconnect the preamp. Otherwise, it will sound as if a blanket has been thrown over the speakers.

HAL9000,

A few questions for you:

I have a love / hate relationship with the F series. I tried a used F-50 last week for $749, and the clean was great (tone controls very touchy thought), but on the overdrive side, I couldn't get rid of the frizzy high end - I like it to be more smooth for solos, and even crunch.

Could it be that I was playing the amp too quietly and not driving the power amp hard enough? That would be a problem too, because I don't want to have to play too loudly in a cover band. Would controlling the master volume in the loop help with this? Does the mod in the link you provide also make the effects loop behave like a serial loop, allowing a multi-effects unit to control the "master volume" and smooth things out?

Then, when you tried a Tone Lab (was it an SE or LE?) in the power amp in of the amp, did it ruin the nice clean sound of the amp? What amp model did you use for a nice clean sound? Also, did the Tone Lab have enough gain for you? Also, what model did you use for crunch and solo sounds?

It would seem to me that using a Mesa F-50 as the back-end for a Tone Lab would be over-kill. I would think that if it sounds cool with the F Series, it should sound good with some less expensive tube combos as well.

Finally, I'm wondering if there are any mods there to smooth the high end a bit on the overdrive channel - a tube or some other component replacement or adjustment which affects only the overdrive channel of the amp. The clean is great just the way it is.

Sorry for the long post...

[Dann'sTheMan]

HAL9000,

A few questions for you:

I have a love / hate relationship with the F series. I tried a used F-50 last week for $749, and the clean was great (tone controls very touchy thought), but on the overdrive side, I couldn't get rid of the frizzy high end - I like it to be more smooth for solos, and even crunch.

Could it be that I was playing the amp too quietly and not driving the power amp hard enough? That would be a problem too, because I don't want to have to play too loudly in a cover band. Would controlling the master volume in the loop help with this? Does the mod in the link you provide also make the effects loop behave like a serial loop, allowing a multi-effects unit to control the "master volume" and smooth things out?

Then, when you tried a Tone Lab (was it an SE or LE?) in the power amp in of the amp, did it ruin the nice clean sound of the amp? What amp model did you use for a nice clean sound? Also, did the Tone Lab have enough gain for you? Also, what model did you use for crunch and solo sounds?

It would seem to me that using a Mesa F-50 as the back-end for a Tone Lab would be over-kill. I would think that if it sounds cool with the F Series, it should sound good with some less expensive tube combos as well.

Finally, I'm wondering if there are any mods there to smooth the high end a bit on the overdrive channel - a tube or some other component replacement or adjustment which affects only the overdrive channel of the amp. The clean is great just the way it is.

Sorry for the long post...


Hi pbognar,

I know your question was directed at Neil, but fwiw, here's my take. :) I suspect you didn't have the volume control up above 9 o'clock, and consequently, the lead channel voice is not fully developed and can sound harsh. Interestingly, many of the owners here have found that if you run something in the loop to reduce the overall volume, then you can get the "fully developed" voice at low volumes. Methods for doing that include the Mix pot master tip that Neil (hal9000) outlines, volume pedals, and running a line level Multi-FX unit in the loop. This latter method is the way that I usually run my rig (with a G-Major fwiw), and I can get smooth lead tones at low volumes.

If you get another opportunity to try the amp again at a shop, I'd suggest plugging a volume pedal (Ernie Ball seem pretty ubiquitous, and they work well in my experience) in the loop, setting the amp's Mix control to max (90%), setting the F-series' channel Volume control to 10 o'clock, and then controlling the overal volume level with the pedal. This will give you an idea of what to expect, and whether the distortion tones are going to work for your tastes. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

PS. BTW, if you're after smooth, don't ignore the Lead channel (without Contour) with the channel volumes above 10 o'clock, and the gain up high. :cool:

[Lt_Core]

HAL9000,

A few questions for you:

I have a love / hate relationship with the F series. I tried a used F-50 last week for $749, and the clean was great (tone controls very touchy thought), but on the overdrive side, I couldn't get rid of the frizzy high end - I like it to be more smooth for solos, and even crunch.

Could it be that I was playing the amp too quietly and not driving the power amp hard enough? That would be a problem too, because I don't want to have to play too loudly in a cover band. Would controlling the master volume in the loop help with this? Does the mod in the link you provide also make the effects loop behave like a serial loop, allowing a multi-effects unit to control the "master volume" and smooth things out?

Then, when you tried a Tone Lab (was it an SE or LE?) in the power amp in of the amp, did it ruin the nice clean sound of the amp? What amp model did you use for a nice clean sound? Also, did the Tone Lab have enough gain for you? Also, what model did you use for crunch and solo sounds?

It would seem to me that using a Mesa F-50 as the back-end for a Tone Lab would be over-kill. I would think that if it sounds cool with the F Series, it should sound good with some less expensive tube combos as well.

Finally, I'm wondering if there are any mods there to smooth the high end a bit on the overdrive channel - a tube or some other component replacement or adjustment which affects only the overdrive channel of the amp. The clean is great just the way it is.

Sorry for the long post...

Just like Andy mentioned, I use an MXR 10-band EQ in the loop to attenuate the volume. I have a Morley Little Alligator volume pedal on the way and am going to try that too. Didn't care for the Weber Mini Mass at all.

I keep my Master volume at 10 o'clock. The only trouble I have when I pull back the volume with my EQ pedal is the clean channel volume gets robbed, somewhat. I have to push the clean channel's gain and master volume to get it back to unity with the 2nd channel.

[pbognar]

Hi pbognar,

I know your question was directed at Neil, but fwiw, here's my take. :) I suspect you didn't have the volume control up above 9 o'clock, and consequently, the lead channel voice is not fully developed and can sound harsh. Interestingly, many of the owners here have found that if you run something in the loop to reduce the overall volume, then you can get the "fully developed" voice at low volumes. Methods for doing that include the Mix pot master tip that Neil (hal9000) outlines, volume pedals, and running a line level Multi-FX unit in the loop. This latter method is the way that I usually run my rig (with a G-Major fwiw), and I can get smooth lead tones at low volumes.

If you get another opportunity to try the amp again at a shop, I'd suggest plugging a volume pedal (Ernie Ball seem pretty ubiquitous, and they work well in my experience) in the loop, setting the amp's Mix control to max (90%), setting the F-series' channel Volume control to 10 o'clock, and then controlling the overal volume level with the pedal. This will give you an idea of what to expect, and whether the distortion tones are going to work for your tastes. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

PS. BTW, if you're after smooth, don't ignore the Lead channel (without Contour) with the channel volumes above 10 o'clock, and the gain up high. :cool:

Thanks Andy (and Neil)... I was just looking at this thread:

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1533321&page=2

and I realized I had basically already asked Neil about most of this stuff and some synapses in my brain died and I forgot that he already answered my questions...

Growing old is a bitch...

Thanks everyone for the info though - I will have a chance to try the F-50 again tonight. $749, and it really didn't seem like it needed any re-tubing yet.

Of course, if I were to buy it, 3 weeks later Mesa would come out with the 5:15:50 3 channel Express MKII.

As mentioned in the link above though, you'd think Mesa engineering could put out an affordable 3 channel combo for under 1k... Clean / Crunch / Solo with discrete eq... They could DOMINATE the $1000 price point, just like the Hot Rod Deluxe dominates the $500ish price point (and I don't even know why - a single set of tone controls?)

Mesa probably don't want anything in their line eating into their Roadster or Lonestar lines :rolleyes:

[eddie.perez]

Hi eddie.perez,

All of the F-series amps are controlled in exactly the same way. Check out the second post of this thread for the pin information for the Mesa footswitch cable. Then check out posts #4223, and #4621 (dumeril7's ideas are really cool imho) for some info on how to get things working with the solitary relay in your Boss GT-8. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Hey Dann,

I've tried understanding how to make a custom made cable for the F-100, but I find it a liitle too complicated. Is there a picture of what it looks like. Whats the difference between using a stereo jack cable and a mono jack cable? Can I control more with the stereo?. :idea:I 've also notice that my GT-8 has a MIDI output, wouldn't this work for channel swithching since they both use 5 pin inserts. Thanks for your help. your "the mann".

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey Dann,

I've tried understanding how to make a custom made cable for the F-100, but I find it a liitle too complicated. Is there a picture of what it looks like. Whats the difference between using a stereo jack cable and a mono jack cable? Can I control more with the stereo?. :idea:I 've also notice that my GT-8 has a MIDI output, wouldn't this work for channel swithching since they both use 5 pin inserts. Thanks for your help. your "the mann".

Hi eddie.perez,

The best picture for getting your head around the complexity imho is on the TC Electronic website, and I link to it in post #2 (but it's easily missed). Check it out again here: http://training.tcelectronic.tc/Files/Training/TCSI/images/answers/770/Rect-o-verb_GMajor.pdf

If you get your head around this diagram, then post #2 should starting making more sense. :)

Regarding mono and stereo cables, you're absolutely right. A mono cable can carry One signal plus ground i.e. two wires. A stereo cable can carry Two signals plus ground i.e. three wires. In the TC Electronic diagram above, they show a Stereo cable connected to a Tip-Ring-Sleeve (aka Stereo) jack with, of course, three wires. A Mono jack would just have Tip-Sleeve connections and two wires (for signal and ground) coming out of it - this is what you need for your GT-8's remote switching socket.

Regarding the MIDI out on your GT-8, unfortunately you can't use it to directly connect to your amp's footswitch socket. It's true that they both use exactly the same connector (it's called a 5-pin DIN connector), however they are carrying different signal types: the GT-8's MIDI connector carries electronic signals, whereas the amp's connector carries electrical signals. Easy to get confused on this one because the connector types are the same. :p It's also worth mentioning that there are products around that take in the electronic MIDI signal, and output the electrical signals needed to switch amps - this would allow you to use the MIDI out on your GT-8, to switch your amp, via another box (something like the Axess CFX4 (http://www.axess-electronics.com/products/cfx4.html)),

Big smiles,

Andy.

[hinrich]

BTW, it burns my eyes to read that a Marshall Valvestate has better tone than an F-series Boogie. :eek:

Hey Hal

Well, I caved and bought a brand new THD. I am humbled, next to the Marshall Valvestate, the F30 blows it out of the water. Alhtough I'm not too excited because it cost me $1,800 to get to this point.

Anwyay, I have a question to Hot Plate owners. It works fine but when I switch to -16 dB, its okay for a few seconds then the volume drops to nearly nothing. This sounds like a flaw to me. Also, the pot on the right doesn't change when I turn it either way, and the manual said it is supposed to drop and increase the volume.

Could I be doing something wrong?

[Will Cyrier]

Well, I caved and bought a brand new THD. I am humbled, next to the Marshall Valvestate, the F30 blows it out of the water.

What about the F30 blows the THD out of the water? I have an F30 and have always coveted a THD amp head. Just curious.

[Tommi Inkila]

Hello bros! and welcome to all new F-loungers :)

I've been busy with my studies and my band's next album... we've already recorded drums for 4 songs and might I say that the tone is there. I can't wait to get blasting out the first patch of guitar tracks in January. Yes, there will be clips :)

[twolfe278]

I just bought a Tube Cube off ebay. It's green, 80 watts and can attenuate 4, 8, 16 ohms. It is only $94!!!!! Plugged it in, and was very satisfied. Now, i haven't heard the thd or marshall, but for price difference, i don't think i went wrong at all. Sounds great to my ears. look it up...the guy is great with communication.

T-Wolfe

[Joeytpg]

hey brother. sup?


i'm having a little bit of problems with my F-50 today. I turned it on and even tho it TURNS ON there's no sound coming out of it. I did nothing to it, i was even playing it yesterday.

I turn on the power button, and after a couple of minutes i turn on the stand by switch and NOTHING. no sound. I looked at the tubes and the second tube (v2?) even though is glowing doesn't have the same "power" or intensity in the glow as the tube no.1 (v1?)

could this be the problem?

[AXEL276]

I would highly recommend that you at the very least buy a spare 12AX7 & a
6L6. Before you even think of going to a tech try swapping out the tubes one at a time. It could be a simple $10 fix.

[Will Cyrier]

hey brother. sup?


i'm having a little bit of problems with my F-50 today. I turned it on and even tho it TURNS ON there's no sound coming out of it. I did nothing to it, i was even playing it yesterday.

I turn on the power button, and after a couple of minutes i turn on the stand by switch and NOTHING. no sound. I looked at the tubes and the second tube (v2?) even though is glowing doesn't have the same "power" or intensity in the glow as the tube no.1 (v1?)

could this be the problem?

This could be a dumb question but one to ask nonetheless, did you accidently flip the "silent recording" switch? Could possibly need new tubes...

[Joeytpg]

ok, so the F-50 uses a 12AX7 tube that goes in the V1 possition, and a 6L6 that goes in the V2 right?

V1 is the first possition (from left to right) and V2 the second right?



It's my first tube swapping :)

[Joeytpg]

This could be a dumb question but one to ask nonetheless, did you accidently flip the "silent recording" switch? Could possibly need new tubes...

no, I haven't.


I bought this f-50 like 11 months ago and the owner played it for a couple of years and then just stopped playing it for like 3 years almost. So, it's like a total of 5 - 6 years without a tube swap. could be tubes right?


I'm asking because I'm new to tube amps and I don't know the way tube amps behave when they need a tube swap.

the amp just kind of dyed on me, and I say KIND OF because it turns on and I can even change channel and add contour but NO sound. I haven's turn the silence recording switch on and like I said, the tube in v2 is dimmer than the v1 tube.

[bendedavis]

How much are F-30 combos going for these days?

[AXEL276]

ok, so the F-50 uses a 12AX7 tube that goes in the V1 possition, and a 6L6 that goes in the V2 right?

V1 is the first possition (from left to right) and V2 the second right?
It's my first tube swapping :)

The 12AX7's are the small tubes, I believe there are 5 of them, and the 6L6 are the 2 big tubes. Buy (at the least) one of each. Take out V1 (small 12AX7) and put in the new tube. Try the amp, if no difference, put the original tube back in V1 and then take V2 out and replace it with the new tube. And so on. Do the same with the (big) 6L6's.

This is the most simplest and cheapest way to test for a tube problem.

[Joeytpg]

The 12AX7's are the small tubes, I believe there are 5 of them, and the 6L6 are the 2 big tubes. Buy (at the least) one of each. Take out V1 (small 12AX7) and put in the new tube. Try the amp, if no difference, put the original tube back in V1 and then take V2 out and replace it with the new tube. And so on. Do the same with the (big) 6L6's.

This is the most simplest and cheapest way to test for a tube problem.



oh, ok! then I'm mistaken, i'm talking about the V2 tubes (both big ones) the one in the right if you're looking at them from the back is dimmer than the one in the left. It's like the one in the right is dying.

[AXEL276]

For the record, all the small tubes (12AX7) are refered to as V1 through V4. The larger tubes (6L6) are just refered to as power tubes. If one of the power tubes looks bad then by all means replace it. In your case it sounds like it would be a good idea to replace both of them anyway and keep the one that looks good as a spare. If you bring your amp in for repair chances are the tech is going to replace the tubes anyway and he'll charge you for it.

http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/F-Series.pdf

Reference page 12 of the manual

[estring777]

hey brother. sup?


i'm having a little bit of problems with my F-50 today. I turned it on and even tho it TURNS ON there's no sound coming out of it. I did nothing to it, i was even playing it yesterday.

I turn on the power button, and after a couple of minutes i turn on the stand by switch and NOTHING. no sound. I looked at the tubes and the second tube (v2?) even though is glowing doesn't have the same "power" or intensity in the glow as the tube no.1 (v1?)

could this be the problem?



Hey Joey,
I had the same problem and it turned out to be V4, the output preamp tube.
Sounds like youre still a little confused as to what V1,V2, V3 and V4 are. My suggestion is this. Buy 4 new preamp tubes and 2 matched power tubes from the mesa sight or other reputable tube dealer and replace all six.

[bnelly428]

Hey all, I just sold my F-100 head. Sorry. BUT I have a stealth boost that Hal9000 made for me, and I have no use for it as my new Rectoverb has a built in boost. So I don't want to be spamming in here (but i am) I have to sell it and I'd like to sell it to someone somewhat keep to help them out and that someone could use it. PM me, F-series bruthas!

[pedrozepelim]

Ok, so I tried your way: bought a volume pedal, connected it to the loop. Brought the volume down on the pedal, got my Channell 1 master at 11:30h and my Channell 2 master at 10:00h.
Results? Major tone sucking in the clean channel: all the sparkning and was gone, as if I had turn down thw treble knob. Does your method with thw fx loop attenuator also gives you this results?

[Joeytpg]

Hey Joey,
I had the same problem and it turned out to be V4, the output preamp tube.
Sounds like youre still a little confused as to what V1,V2, V3 and V4 are. My suggestion is this. Buy 4 new preamp tubes and 2 matched power tubes from the mesa sight or other reputable tube dealer and replace all six.

that's what i'll do man, thanks a lot. :)

[Joeytpg]

This question is for Dan'sTheMan........ or any other F-brother living in europe....



Where do you order your tubes?!?

I'm in Spain.....

[Tommi Inkila]

This question is for Dan'sTheMan........ or any other F-brother living in europe....



Where do you order your tubes?!?

I'm in Spain.....
Hey,

I buy them at http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/

I personally like "TAD 6L6GC-STR RCA-Style black-plate PREMIUM Matched Pair" for power tubes and for preamps "TAD ECC83-Cz Premium Selected". That combination gives a bit darker and smoother tone on the contour channel.

[Joeytpg]

hey tommi, thanks a ot buddy....... i want to order the cd dude..........is there a way i can pay and download? if not, where can i pay to order?


regarding tubes:

I'm playing more blues/pop/rockish tunes instead of hard rock and metal......will this tube combination give me good clean sounds?

[Tommi Inkila]

hey tommi, thanks a ot buddy....... i want to order the cd dude..........is there a way i can pay and download? if not, where can i pay to order?


regarding tubes:

I'm playing more blues/pop/rockish tunes instead of hard rock and metal......will this tube combination give me good clean sounds?
No problem Joey!

Yes, they give good cleans... I personally ended up using them since I wanted the distortion sound a bit darker for rhythm and treble control is to me better. The differences are really minor between different 12AX7's. If you want something brighter go for "TAD 12AX7A/ECC83 Premium Selected" the code is RT001. Or for testing buy both.

I think our CD is cheapest through our site at the moment... there's nice package deal on the merch page. Great that you're interested :)

[mrelusive]

I think our CD is cheapest through our site at the moment... there's nice package deal on the merch page. Great that you're interested :)

so uh how much is this package deal in US Dollars... and what's in it? hopefully the album + some sort of pill i can take to instantly be able to play like that....

[Joeytpg]

alright tommi, just ordered the tubes..... the first ones you recommended.

I like darker tones too.

And also order the CD buddy, great music! waiting for it here in Barcelona.

[Tommi Inkila]

so uh how much is this package deal in US Dollars... and what's in it? hopefully the album + some sort of pill i can take to instantly be able to play like that....
Hey big thanks!

It's about 19 dollars at the current rate... there's just the cd's... I ate the pills my self :p :) Thanks for the kind words!

[Tommi Inkila]

alright tommi, just ordered the tubes..... the first ones you recommended.

I like darker tones too.

And also order the CD buddy, great music! waiting for it here in Barcelona.
Thanks!

I hope the album rocks :)

Let us know what you think about the new tubes.

[Joeytpg]

sure man... if the CD sucks i'll ask for a goddammed refund! damnit! :P

[Joeytpg]

tommi, what software are you using for mastering?

i just bought a Metric Halo ULN-2 interface, which is an AMAZING interface, i believe i'm covered regarding Pre's. I have a couple of decent mics and i'm using Logic Express 8. But i need a good Mastering software. I've been thinking about purchasing Izotope Ozone which i've read is VERY good.

I like your recordings....very linear (no big jumps in sound) but at the same time VERY dynamic. What are you using?

i'm writing my CD and i'm getting ready to record it.

[Tommi Inkila]

tommi, what software are you using for mastering?

i just bought a Metric Halo ULN-2 interface, which is an AMAZING interface, i believe i'm covered regarding Pre's. I have a couple of decent mics and i'm using Logic Express 8. But i need a good Mastering software. I've been thinking about purchasing Izotope Ozone which i've read is VERY good.

I like your recordings....very linear (no big jumps in sound) but at the same time VERY dynamic. What are you using?

i'm writing my CD and i'm getting ready to record it.
I personally didn't like Ozone that much although it has everything nicely in the same package.

I use Voxengo Elephant for limiting (Kjaerhus Classic Limiter before that)... normally I use Voxengo Marquis Compressor and GlissEQ on mastering. Some UAD Pultec. It really depends what I'm after.

PS. No guarantees with our CD :D

[hal9000]

Ok, so I tried your way: bought a volume pedal, connected it to the loop. Brought the volume down on the pedal, got my Channell 1 master at 11:30h and my Channell 2 master at 10:00h.
Results? Major tone sucking in the clean channel: all the sparkning and was gone, as if I had turn down thw treble knob. Does your method with thw fx loop attenuator also gives you this results?No, the FX loop master is transparent as far as I'm concerned until you get to ridiculous levels of cut. I normally use the FX mix pot at 2:00 and I'm very happy with the no-earplugs-necessary tone. Perhaps you have a volume pedal that's not suited for the line level loop of the F-series? I would recommend a passive pedal with a resistance of 25k Ohms if possible, but a regular guitar pedal will work too (usually ~ 250k Ohms).

[Lt_Core]

No, the FX loop master is transparent as far as I'm concerned until you get to ridiculous levels of cut. I normally use the FX mix pot at 2:00 and I'm very happy with the no-earplugs-necessary tone. Perhaps you have a volume pedal that's not suited for the line level loop of the F-series? I would recommend a passive pedal with a resistance of 25k Ohms if possible, but a regular guitar pedal will work too (usually ~ 250k Ohms).

Hey Hal, long time no talk! I just picked up a Morley Little Alligator volume pedal for $25 shipped, mint condition. Going to try that in the loop this weekend. I'll report back.

I do get some issues which affects the clean channel when I pull back my MXR EQ's level slider so I understand where he's coming from.

[Rodimus Prime]

hey all. I've had a chance to play a Mark IV and i really enjoyed it however i didn't get a chance to a/b an F-Series amp and the Mark IV. Does anyone have any extensive experience in comparing the two. I understand that in this thread there is a certain bias, but i'll use it to counter the bias from the Markians out there.
Thanks

[hal9000]

hey all. I've had a chance to play a Mark IV and i really enjoyed it however i didn't get a chance to a/b an F-Series amp and the Mark IV. Does anyone have any extensive experience in comparing the two. I understand that in this thread there is a certain bias, but i'll use it to counter the bias from the Markians out there.
ThanksHow about this:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000AfraiddavesGuitarRigs.jpg

When I have more time, I'll give you my thoughts on the subject. BTW, I think the Mark IV is a terrific amp and it's on my personal list of the best amps ever made.

[drewser]

My F-30 hisses way too much on the clean channel. What is going on? What to do about it? TIA for any insight.

[eddie.perez]

Hey Andy,

I got another question for you, I'am now using a Dynamic Sennheiser e906 to record my F-100 head out through a Rectifier 2x12 cab. I usually position my mic a little away from speaker cone to get those mids and lower mids going. Now everytime I record a track the tone pickups up perfectly with the senn( can't ask for more in that aspect), but I feel that the effects on my GT-8 processor are not really being pick up. I was thinking of pairing up with a condeser mic to pic up really fine detail on the effects, such as reverbs, delays, and echoes. Will this work? If so what type of condeser mic would you guys recommend?

Also you know how they say that if you crank your amp up a little bit your not getting the full tone that the f-series amps suppose to deliver. I was thinking and judge if I'am wrong but, wouldn't it be nicer if you could crank your amp up to get that full tone and bring down the db's with a Hot Plate to get the best out of my recordings. Will this work, are the THD Hot PLates known for being used for recording purposes? I just want to get the best out of my amp without hearting my mic. :poke:

[Joeytpg]

guys, i've just find out that the tubes had no problem. It was the guitar cable! how dumb am i ? hhehe anyways, i ordered new tubes because it was time anyways!

[hal9000]

guys, i've just find out that the tubes had no problem. It was the guitar cable! how dumb am i ? hhehe anyways, i ordered new tubes because it was time anyways!Meh, it happens to the best of us. :) Being an engineer, I always appreciate the solution to a problem, regardless of how it's obtained.

[Mrmot]

Hey guys, I just came up with this settings, some fat clean sound.. I used some cheap washburn guitar with HSS pickup layout, used the neck single-coil with the volume very slightly rolled down (like 9/10), new strings (they contribute a lot!).. it kinda reminds me of the intro clean sound of the band Die Toten Hosen, song "Ich bin die sehnsucht in dir". sorry for very sloppy playing, just a short one-take improv clip.. SM57 in front of the F-50 combo

settings:

contour mode (yes, contour)
gain: 7:30
treble: 10:30
mids: 2:00
bass: 11:00
reverb: 8:00
master: 9:00

clip: F-50 combo fat clean (http://www.box.net/shared/v7imye4b1u)
:)

[Lt_Core]

Hey guys, I just came up with this settings, some fat clean sound.. I used some cheap washburn guitar with HSS pickup layout, used the neck single-coil with the volume very slightly rolled down (like 9/10), new strings (they contribute a lot!).. it kinda reminds me of the intro clean sound of the band Die Toten Hosen, song "Ich bin die sehnsucht in dir". sorry for very sloppy playing, just a short one-take improv clip.. SM57 in front of the F-50 combo

settings:

contour mode (yes, contour)
gain: 7:30
treble: 10:30
mids: 2:00
bass: 11:00
reverb: 8:00
master: 9:00

clip: F-50 combo fat clean (http://www.box.net/shared/v7imye4b1u)
:)

Nice clean tone. That's on Channel 2 with Contour on? Crazy!

[Mrmot]

Nice clean tone. That's on Channel 2 with Contour on? Crazy!

thanks! yes, chn2, contour on ;)

[gregv]

hey guys,

So I played a cover song with a few classmates at our class formal dinner the other day. When we were getting set up I had the chance to turn my new F30 up and hear it at its best..............wow it sounded great!!

Now that I have it back in the basement and people are at home I rarely get it above 9 oclock. I tried looking around but there is so much info and cant seem to find some tricks about getting the full volume tone at low volume levels.

I don't have any effects and am relatively new to guitar (2-3years) so dont know too much or feel comfortable "altering" my equipment!

Does anyone have or can lead me to any tips or tricks to help me get some better tone at lower levels. Thanks so much in advance!!

[hal9000]

hey guys,

So I played a cover song with a few classmates at our class formal dinner the other day. When we were getting set up I had the chance to turn my new F30 up and hear it at its best..............wow it sounded great!!

Now that I have it back in the basement and people are at home I rarely get it above 9 oclock. I tried looking around but there is so much info and cant seem to find some tricks about getting the full volume tone at low volume levels.

I don't have any effects and am relatively new to guitar (2-3years) so dont know too much or feel comfortable "altering" my equipment!

Does anyone have or can lead me to any tips or tricks to help me get some better tone at lower levels. Thanks so much in advance!!Mmm, there's nothing quite like crankin' a good amp up! Welcome to the forum and the F-series brotherhood. :)

Depending on how much gain you use, there are two different methods I recommend. If you're a high gain player (Gain 12:00+ on CH2) then you'll likely be fine with my FX Loop master volume design (in my signature) or any number of quality devices on the loop like a good passive volume pedal, an MXR 10-band EQ, a pro-line-level FX processor, etc. If you use lower gain and like to crank up the master for power tube overdrive, an attenuator is really the only way to make that happen. I would suggest the THD Hot Plate for a power attenuator.

[Joeytpg]

tommi, just got your CD and listening to it right now....


incredible buddy.... GREAT music.....can't believe the F-50 records SOOO good.


did you tighten it up with a boost pedal or something?


by the way that intro parto to Prowled ROCKS!!

[Tommi Inkila]

tommi, just got your CD and listening to it right now....


incredible buddy.... GREAT music.....can't believe the F-50 records SOOO good.


did you tighten it up with a boost pedal or something?


by the way that intro parto to Prowled ROCKS!!
Big thanks, I'm very happy to hear that the CD rocks!!! :)

I didn't use any boost pedals, just guitar, cable and amp... that's it.

I'm planning to try some pedals on our next CD but so far everything has sounded great with plain F50 :thu:

[mrelusive]

Big thanks, I'm very happy to hear that the CD rocks!!! :)

I didn't use any boost pedals, just guitar, cable and amp... that's it.

I'm planning to try some pedals on our next CD but so far everything has sounded great with plain F50 :thu:

so like.... why hasn't Mesa tapped you for a series of F-50 ads? You got tone, chops, available albums... and you're not a bad lookin dude....

wait. do you have a crazy sveeedish accent or something?

http://www.crimespot.net/Spotted/Images/SwedishChefSmall.jpg

[Tommi Inkila]

so like.... why hasn't Mesa tapped you for a series of F-50 ads? You got tone, chops, available albums... and you're not a bad lookin dude....

wait. do you have a crazy sveeedish accent or something?
Hehe :lol: Thanks :thu:

I have Finnish rally driver accent, I think.

[triumph7]

Hehe :lol: Thanks :thu:

I have Finnish rally driver accent, I think.

So that means you can only yell "OH Shit" while flipping upside-down?!?!

I just hope it's not the Raikonnen mumble!

[mrelusive]

so i just had a thought. I wanted to start a fresh musical expedition here. Do away with all the old band names and style constraints that i've had in the past and just make some nice, solid, back-to-basics guitar rock. Since i'm using my F-50 as my main source of tone, i thought it'd be kinda cool to make my 'band' name something from a classic sci-fi type movie, kinda like how we have "hal9000" and "the scenery channel" "afraid dave" and all that... seems to be a common theme (or it could be the cold medicine making me think this is a good idea...)

any suggestions for names or movies to draw name ideas from?

[Tommi Inkila]

So that means you can only yell "OH Shit" while flipping upside-down?!?!

I just hope it's not the Raikonnen mumble!
Raikkonen does it with skill so I'll leave it to him :p:)

I guess I talk a lot with heavy accent without any substance.

[Tommi Inkila]

so i just had a thought. I wanted to start a fresh musical expedition here. Do away with all the old band names and style constraints that i've had in the past and just make some nice, solid, back-to-basics guitar rock. Since i'm using my F-50 as my main source of tone, i thought it'd be kinda cool to make my 'band' name something from a classic sci-fi type movie, kinda like how we have "hal9000" and "the scenery channel" "afraid dave" and all that... seems to be a common theme (or it could be the cold medicine making me think this is a good idea...)

any suggestions for names or movies to draw name ideas from?
IMDB.com!

There's lots of scifi movies, endless possibilities... I recently watched "Primer".

[mrelusive]

ooh primer.... yeah i was tryin to find obscure lines from Cube or Dune or something that i could just pick two words from... this'll be fun.

[Joeytpg]

try clockwork orange.....

Plannet of the Apes

Roving Mars (is actually a documentary) i liked it a lot.

there are a lot hehehe.

[Joeytpg]

Big thanks, I'm very happy to hear that the CD rocks!!! :)

I didn't use any boost pedals, just guitar, cable and amp... that's it.

I'm planning to try some pedals on our next CD but so far everything has sounded great with plain F50 :thu:



hell yeah it rocks. I gotta give it to you man, it's really well mixed. I like the Mastering a lot too. The F-50 and the Drums sound monstrous.

I want some tips regarding mixing. I'm going to record my personal CD (Pop/rock/blues) and I could use some help with tips and stuff.

I was using ProTools but my interface got stolen (M-Audio Firewire 410) and it turned out for the best because I replaced it with a Metric Halo ULN-2 interface which is LIGHT YEARS beyond the M-Audio 410. I also switched to Logic 8, since I like GarageBand so much, I saw logic 8 and reminded me of GarageBand and went for it.... so far I like it a lot.


So, when the time comes I'll shoot you with mixing/recording questions. :)


Another thing,

What did you do to get that FULL sound on the guitars? doubletrack?, how many guitar tracks did you record ? I asume AT LEAST two and Panned of course. I won't use TOO much distortion/gain since it's blues/pop/rock and I don't really have too much experience recording clean/light distortion guitars, so I have NO IDEA how to make them FULL sounding.

[Joeytpg]

hey F-brothers..... i have a question for you........besides the F-series, what amps do you own??


i'm dying for a Diezel VH4 or Herbert!!

[Sixtonoize]

Peavey Classic 50 head

Marshall VS-8200 - For sale - $250+ship, PM me

[hal9000]

hey F-brothers..... i have a question for you........besides the F-series, what amps do you own??


i'm dying for a Diezel VH4 or Herbert!!I have a Mesa F-100 2x12 combo , a Mesa Tremoverb head, a Soldano Avenger head, an Orange Tiny Terror, a custom 5 W EL-84 head made by Doberman Amps, a Tonelab, and a Toneport UX-2.

I think it's funny when people slag the F-series as the amp people get when they can't afford a real Mesa. :)

[Joeytpg]

hey hal, or tommi, have you played a Diezel? which one and what do you think of it?

[Tommi Inkila]

Hey Joey!

The guitars are one take on the left and right, only few parts have "super-stereo", two takes on both side. I used some EQ and compression to even things out. I had the gain around 12:30-13:00 so if you want light gain switch either to "contour off" or go for low gain amounts. Everytime you doubletrack things you need less and less gain.

Thanks for the mix as well :)... I really put some time into it... and I'm hoping to top it on our next album. The mastering is one reason why the album is quite punchy. I didn't want it to be massively loud like today's albums tend to be. Thomas Eberger did great job on that. On "RSK" I had to do it myself since one of the bigger name mastering studios screwed up with the master (no names)... it just didn't sound how I wanted it to sound. We were out of budget so I had to do it.

I'll try to answer your questions when the times comes.

I haven't tried the Diezel but it's on my checking list.

I have the Mesa F50 and Vox AD15VT as practise/home recording amp.

[pedrozepelim]

I have a Laney GH 50L.

[eddie.perez]

Hey guys what's up,

Do you guys think it's better to use a boost overdrive pedal such as the bb preamp, or use the countour on the F-100 amp head. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for all of your help!!:thu:

[hal9000]

hey hal, or tommi, have you played a Diezel? which one and what do you think of it?I'm not to sure I want to play a $4000 USD amp for fear of having to have it, but I would certainly give one a spin if available. I've never seen one in person though. I'm kind of like that with an SLO as well. I have a Soldano Avenger I love and I'd really like to try an SLO because it's supposed to do everything better with awesome build quality, but I fear I'll have to have it and the $2300 USD used price tag is a bit steep for me.

[hal9000]

Hey guys what's up,

Do you guys think it's better to use a boost overdrive pedal such as the bb preamp, or use the countour on the F-100 amp head. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for all of your help!!:thu:I just happen to have a BB preamp and IMO a boost out front and Contour do two different things. I actually prefer an overdrive pedal to give me the in-between tones on the clean channel for which the BB excels. For boosts, I like to set them clean and drop the bass level so the preamp is tighter. Contour simply scoops the mids after distortion is created so it doesn't have an impact on the quality of the distortion. Another use I like for clean boosts, which the BB does greatly, is to setup your distortion channel for an AC/DC kind of moderate overdrive.
Then, for classic rock songs the regular channel 2 is used. For solos, you kick in the BB preamp since it is very liquid. Finally, BB+Contour gives you high gain with tight bass and an evil treble to bring the metal. :thu:

[eddie.perez]

I just happen to have a BB preamp and IMO a boost out front and Contour do two different things. I actually prefer an overdrive pedal to give me the in-between tones on the clean channel for which the BB excels. For boosts, I like to set them clean and drop the bass level so the preamp is tighter. Contour simply scoops the mids after distortion is created so it doesn't have an impact on the quality of the distortion. Another use I like for clean boosts, which the BB does greatly, is to setup your distortion channel for an AC/DC kind of moderate overdrive.
Then, for classic rock songs the regular channel 2 is used. For solos, you kick in the BB preamp since it is very liquid. Finally, BB+Contour gives you high gain with tight bass and an evil treble to bring the metal. :thu:

By liquid do you mean transperant? anyways, Wow you just gave me an idea, My F-100 is going to have four channels now, #1-BB Preamp set to Raw on clean channel, #2-Regular Dark Clean, #3- Regular tube overdrive, and #4-bb preamp+Countour for lovely pleasant crazy solos. I'm going to have to go get me one now. I hope they have them at the new GC at west la. Thanks man.:thu:

[hal9000]

By liquid do you mean transperant? anyways, Wow you just gave me an idea, My F-100 is going to have four channels now, #1-BB Preamp set to Raw on clean channel, #2-Regular Dark Clean, #3- Regular tube overdrive, and #4-bb preamp+Countour for lovely pleasant crazy solos. I'm going to have to go get me one now. I hope they have them at the new GC at west la. Thanks man.:thu:You're welcome. By liquid, I mean that when you play solos, the BB provides effortless sustain without adding a whole bunch of noise and gain. You can set the tone almost clean, with a hint of compression on the BB into the F-series clean channel. Even though the tone sounds clean, it has a lot more sustain than the clean channel on its own.

[opultaM]

hey F-brothers..... i have a question for you........besides the F-series, what amps do you own??


i'm dying for a Diezel VH4 or Herbert!!


-Fender 70's SF Vibrochamp for my bedroom.
-Peavey Rage (garbage) for...some stupid reason
-Just sold my 3channel Dual Recto. The F killed it for me.

[Joeytpg]

ok guys, I just got my new tubes, I'm a total noob when it comes to this, I've never changed tubes before, so I need some guidance. How should I change them?

[pedrozepelim]

ok guys, I just got my new tubes, I'm a total noob when it comes to this, I've never changed tubes before, so I need some guidance. How should I change them?

Unplug the amp from the power. Wait a few minutes. Pull the old ones out (with care) and put the new ones in.

Since it's a Mesa Boogie, as long as the new tubes are also Mesa Boogie you don't need to bias the amp.

[Joeytpg]

The tubes are not from Mesa....... tommi, what should i do? i don't know how to bias the amp. :S

[hal9000]

The tubes are not from Mesa....... tommi, what should i do? i don't know how to bias the amp. :SThey don't have to be Mesa tubes, but the power tubes do need to fall within the range of Mesa's acceptable bias. Your dealer should insure that the tubes are okay for use in Mesa 6L6 amps. The preamp tubes don't need to be biased by you, so they simply install by orienting them properly in the socket and that's it. Just don't twist the tubes. You may rock them a bit back and forth, but don't twist.

[Joeytpg]

hey hal, thanks a lot. I got the Tubes from www.tubeampdoctor.com tommi actually recommended me the tubes I ordered. It doesn't say if they're ok to use in the Mesa amp without biasing.... I guess tommi could clear this up for me.

By the way hal, are the tubes supposed to go in a certain order, or in a specific possition? I get what you say about not twisting the tubes, what you mean by this is that if they're getting hard to push in, I could rock em back and forth to "help them" in but never twist the tube, right?

thanks.

[Tommi Inkila]

hey hal, thanks a lot. I got the Tubes from www.tubeampdoctor.com tommi actually recommended me the tubes I ordered. It doesn't say if they're ok to use in the Mesa amp without biasing.... I guess tommi could clear this up for me.

By the way hal, are the tubes supposed to go in a certain order, or in a specific possition? I get what you say about not twisting the tubes, what you mean by this is that if they're getting hard to push in, I could rock em back and forth to "help them" in but never twist the tube, right?

thanks.
Hey,

I should have guided you more on the ordering process, but it didn't come in to my mind. I normally ask them to send the tubes for Mesa's bias range ie. I asked them to send me tubes that are similar to Mesa's green rating. Most likely the tubes you've been send are pretty close to that range but if you post the numbers/ratings printed on the package I could check how close they are. If I remember right the PC rating should be around 40... and TC 600. Not sure though.

There are no exact orders for the tubes. Generally the power amp tubes are changed in pairs and preamp in any order you like. When changing them don't use too much power and do it slowly.

[Joeytpg]

alright the preamp tubes (the smaller ones) don't have neither PC nor TC number, but the poweramp tubes (the big ones) do

as you said the big ones came in pair, the box says this:

One of them says:

6L6GC-STR| PC:60
C57 07 | TC:630


The other one says:

6L6GC-STR| PC:60
A99 07 | TC:630


it's written on both boxes on the top hatch.



so can i use them without biasing?

[Tommi Inkila]

Yeah, the preamp tubes don't have ratings... there's no need to bias them.

Hmm... I can check my tubes ratings tomorrow night. If I remember correctly the ratings then the tubes will run a bit cold.

Of course you could mail to tubeampdoctor and ask them for quickest answer.

[Joeytpg]

I did too, but I haven't gotten an answer yet.


:(

[Tommi Inkila]

I did too, but I haven't gotten an answer yet.


:(
They normally answer the next day so most likely they'll answer in few hours... otherwise I check the ratings tonight at the band rehearsals.

[joel3000]

Just bought a F-50. Amazing!

I gigged with it, literally, an hour after I bought it. It sounded incredible, lots of complements.

I almost completely ignored my effects on a 2 hour gig. I'm going to shorten my gig pedal chain now,
they just aren't necessary.

My guitar was the PC-2 which does nice Gibson impressions.

[Tommi Inkila]

I did too, but I haven't gotten an answer yet.


:(
Okay, just got back from the rehearsals. Mine are rated PC 37 and TC 663... so it seems that you're tubes aren't the best match :cry: ... I think it's better to wait the answer from TAD. They should have somekind of change/return policy in the worst case scenario.

[Tommi Inkila]

Just bought a F-50. Amazing!

I gigged with it, literally, an hour after I bought it. It sounded incredible, lots of complements.

I almost completely ignored my effects on a 2 hour gig. I'm going to shorten my gig pedal chain now,
they just aren't necessary.

My guitar was the PC-2 which does nice Gibson impressions.
Welcome aboard! ... and it will only get better :)

[Progdude]

nice.. congratulations joel3000, welcome to the family :wave:

By the way Tommi, I was listening to the "ProgRadio" at itunes, and heard a song, it was real nice, but I didn't bother checking the name of the band, since I was doing some projects at that time, but then I heard a solo..
It ringed a bell, I focused real hard on remembering where have I heard that solo, then I remembered... the F50 Lounge!. I had to check the name of the band, and it was indeed you, Scenery Channel, had to congratulate you for your great band.

For all of you prog lovers, check out this site, with lots of info:
http://www.perfectprog.com/
or if you just want the radio:
http://www.perfectprogradio.com/

[Joeytpg]

Hey tommi, i've e-mailed back and forth with TAD and I'll send them back the preamp tubes. They need to know what's the Mesa Boogie Biasing rage? what's the correct TC/PC codes for our Mesa F-50 ?

[Tommi Inkila]

Hey tommi, i've e-mailed back and forth with TAD and I'll send them back the preamp tubes. They need to know what's the Mesa Boogie Biasing rage? what's the correct TC/PC codes for our Mesa F-50 ?
You mean the power amp tubes?

Mine are rated TC 37 and PC 663... you could also say that it's about the same ratings that Mesa's own "green" -rated tubes have.

I'm glad it worked out :)

[Tommi Inkila]

nice.. congratulations joel3000, welcome to the family :wave:

By the way Tommi, I was listening to the "ProgRadio" at itunes, and heard a song, it was real nice, but I didn't bother checking the name of the band, since I was doing some projects at that time, but then I heard a solo..
It ringed a bell, I focused real hard on remembering where have I heard that solo, then I remembered... the F50 Lounge!. I had to check the name of the band, and it was indeed you, Scenery Channel, had to congratulate you for your great band.

For all of you prog lovers, check out this site, with lots of info:
http://www.perfectprog.com/
or if you just want the radio:
http://www.perfectprogradio.com/
Hey thanks, that's cool :thu:

It was probably "The Corridor" or "Concrete" that was playing.

[otter5555]

I am an old, grey headed, grey bearded fart that has been playin' blues rock, rock and metal type music for almost 50 years.

I have owned many fine guitars and amps.

I currently own several fine guitars and amps.

But I am blown away by my new F-30 !

With all knobs set on 12 o'clock, out of the box, it sounded great.

Five minutes tweaking and I have sounds to die for.

It has the tones that I have been looking for, for my entire playing career.

i am using a boss dd-3 and a boss rv-5 in the effects loop and that is all.

Clean, crunch, fluid lead tone. That's all I need and they're all there.

I also own a 2 channel DR, Stiletto Ace combo, Studio 22, and a few Marshalls.

This F-30 is now officially my "go to" amp. It sounds fine on the single speaker, through my 4x12 Mesa cab and miked up.

Doesn't matter whether I have a Strat, LP or a PRS plugged in, It sings.

I'll shut up now and leave you young guys alone but I just had to brag on this amp :)

otter

[Joeytpg]

Hey otter5555, welcome to the F-brotherhood, stick around and read a little, you'll find A LOT of good stuff in this lounge.

F-series amps RULE the world. I LOVE my f-50!

by the way, post some pics and clips if you can.

You play tha' blues you say.........what do you like?? I'm getting into Blues, learning some blues pentatonics, etc.

[Joeytpg]

Replying to otter5555 got me thinking..............

.....who in here plays blues? or Pop/blues? could someone gimme some nice blues scales and blues based chords that i can use to write some tunes?


I'm completely new to Blues, or to COOL ASS GUITAR for that matter, even tho i've been playing guitar for close to 10 years, I used to play mostly Metal, and Alternative/punk. And while I developed GREAT speed in my right hand and my powerchording is pretty good, I honestly have been opening up to a BETTER guitar playing. Listening to John Mayer (i love this guy's music, i believe he is the next big thing in music,), listening to Stevie Ray V., B.B. King, etc....

This has really changed the way I look at music and specially guitar playing, I'm writing my first CD (I'm a singer songwriter) and what's coming out of me is pop/rock/blusy songs (the singing melody is very pop, but with a lot of rockish/blues).

So, i'm learning new chords, and soloing (i was a rythm player mostly before) so, what are good chords and scales to get that rockish/blues melodies going?.

[fxschx]

Hi Tommi,
on Monday I have ordered your Scenery Channel CD,
paid with PayPal.
On Thursday was the Cd in my mailbox.
Fast shipping to Germany, Payment without risk.
Very easy!
Very good, interesting music and good recorded.
It sounds great!!!
I heard it several times.
I hope you make more of your music in the future.

Greetings from Germany
Frank

[joel3000]

Anyone playing fusion on their F-50?

I'm looking to get Scofield type tones. If you've gotten good settings
for that please share.

I'm also looking for a rack mount multi-fx unit for up to $400 (used is fine).
Any recs would be appreciated.

[hal9000]

Anyone playing fusion on their F-50?

I'm looking to get Scofield type tones. If you've gotten good settings
for that please share.

I'm also looking for a rack mount multi-fx unit for up to $400 (used is fine).
Any recs would be appreciated.I really like my TC Electronic G-Major, and the Rocktron Expression gets good press as well. You can see in my signature how I employ the G-Major to be the brain of my rig and it switches channels on my F-100 as well. For me, the G-Major and its EQ/level options make the F-series a three channel beast.

[hal9000]

Replying to otter5555 got me thinking..............

.....who in here plays blues? or Pop/blues? could someone gimme some nice blues scales and blues based chords that i can use to write some tunes?


I'm completely new to Blues, or to COOL ASS GUITAR for that matter, even tho i've been playing guitar for close to 10 years, I used to play mostly Metal, and Alternative/punk. And while I developed GREAT speed in my right hand and my powerchording is pretty good, I honestly have been opening up to a BETTER guitar playing. Listening to John Mayer (i love this guy's music, i believe he is the next big thing in music,), listening to Stevie Ray V., B.B. King, etc....

This has really changed the way I look at music and specially guitar playing, I'm writing my first CD (I'm a singer songwriter) and what's coming out of me is pop/rock/blusy songs (the singing melody is very pop, but with a lot of rockish/blues).

So, i'm learning new chords, and soloing (i was a rythm player mostly before) so, what are good chords and scales to get that rockish/blues melodies going?.Blues pentatonic my friend:

I-------------------------5-8-I
I---------------------5-8-----I
I---------------5-7-8---------I
I-----------5-7---------------I
I-----5-6-7-------------------I
I-5-8-------------------------I
A minor Blues scale

Also, the 12-bar blues rhythm is essential:
http://www.12bar.de/rhythm.php

[Tommi Inkila]

Hi Tommi,
on Monday I have ordered your Scenery Channel CD,
paid with PayPal.
On Thursday was the Cd in my mailbox.
Fast shipping to Germany, Payment without risk.
Very easy!
Very good, interesting music and good recorded.
It sounds great!!!
I heard it several times.
I hope you make more of your music in the future.

Greetings from Germany
Frank
Hey Frank!

I'm really glad to hear from you :) Thanks!!

I'm hoping to top our previous on our next album :thu:

[mrelusive]

tommi, what percentage of your album sales do you think come from harmony central? or from this thread alone?

[opultaM]

I really like my TC Electronic G-Major, and the Rocktron Expression gets good press as well. You can see in my signature how I employ the G-Major to be the brain of my rig and it switches channels on my F-100 as well. For me, the G-Major and its EQ/level options make the F-series a three channel beast.



Where did you get the TRS to 5 pin DIN cable? Axess?

[Tommi Inkila]

tommi, what percentage of your album sales do you think come from harmony central? or from this thread alone?
Hehe, 99% probably :lol:

I think this thread affects positively and I'm happy for that, but what's also great is that this thread is truly a great source of information. Thanks for that to everyone in the lounge :thu:

[BillB1960]

hey F-brothers..... i have a question for you........besides the F-series, what amps do you own??


i'm dying for a Diezel VH4 or Herbert!!

Crate VC2110R
Crate VC2110 (No R)
Line 6 Spider III 75

[Dann'sTheMan]

Where did you get the TRS to 5 pin DIN cable? Axess?


Hi opultaM,

Most of us, including hal9000, simply made our own - as it only costs a few bucks in parts. If you've ever used a soldering iron (and even if you haven't) it's very straight forward. Have you already checked out the info in post #2 of this thread?

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

hey F-brothers..... i have a question for you........besides the F-series, what amps do you own??


i'm dying for a Diezel VH4 or Herbert!!

Hi Joeytpg,

You've got a cool taste in amps. I liked both the VH4 and the Herbert, but I personally preferred the Einsteinn over them all. And no, I don't always favour the cheapest amp in a manufacturer's line up. :p

My other amps are a Fender Princeton Chorus - gigged that amp all over the place, a little Vox Brian May Deaccy 10 watter that my wife won for me, and I guess I should include the Crate Powerblock that I picked up for cheap earlier in the year. Oh, I also have a POD 2.3, that I use for flying gigs, and low brow gigs. ;)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

I am an old, grey headed, grey bearded fart that has been playin' blues rock, rock and metal type music for almost 50 years.

I have owned many fine guitars and amps.

I currently own several fine guitars and amps.

But I am blown away by my new F-30 !

With all knobs set on 12 o'clock, out of the box, it sounded great.

Five minutes tweaking and I have sounds to die for.

It has the tones that I have been looking for, for my entire playing career.

i am using a boss dd-3 and a boss rv-5 in the effects loop and that is all.

Clean, crunch, fluid lead tone. That's all I need and they're all there.

I also own a 2 channel DR, Stiletto Ace combo, Studio 22, and a few Marshalls.

This F-30 is now officially my "go to" amp. It sounds fine on the single speaker, through my 4x12 Mesa cab and miked up.

Doesn't matter whether I have a Strat, LP or a PRS plugged in, It sings.

I'll shut up now and leave you young guys alone but I just had to brag on this amp :)

otter

Hey otter,

It sounds like you know what you're looking for, and that you've found it in the F-series. I look forward to hearing more of your insight. :) A warm welcome to HCAF and the F-series brotherhood, :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Replying to otter5555 got me thinking..............

.....who in here plays blues? or Pop/blues? could someone gimme some nice blues scales and blues based chords that i can use to write some tunes?


I'm completely new to Blues, or to COOL ASS GUITAR for that matter, even tho i've been playing guitar for close to 10 years, I used to play mostly Metal, and Alternative/punk. And while I developed GREAT speed in my right hand and my powerchording is pretty good, I honestly have been opening up to a BETTER guitar playing. Listening to John Mayer (i love this guy's music, i believe he is the next big thing in music,), listening to Stevie Ray V., B.B. King, etc....

This has really changed the way I look at music and specially guitar playing, I'm writing my first CD (I'm a singer songwriter) and what's coming out of me is pop/rock/blusy songs (the singing melody is very pop, but with a lot of rockish/blues).

So, i'm learning new chords, and soloing (i was a rythm player mostly before) so, what are good chords and scales to get that rockish/blues melodies going?.

Hey Joeytpg,

Regarding the blues, I think one of the key hurdles in getting more sophisticated, is moving fluidly being the Major and Minor Pentatonic (and Blues) scales - often switching between them everytime the chord is changed for example. Hearing which one of the scales sounds best for the current chord in the progression is part of the art.

You probably know this, but a "simple" way to switch between Major and Minor Pentatonic is to move the scale shape up and down the neck by three frets. In the example that hal9000 highlighted, that scale can also be called C Major Pentatonic. To make it a C Minor Pentatonic, play the same shape three frets higher i.e. beginning 8---11. Play both of these scales over an A minor Blues, and make the decision which chords sound best with which scale, and then try to swap between the two as the chord dictates. Hope you have fun with it. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. For a little insight into how I use some of these ideas, check out the "Bluesy" video clip in my sig. :p

[opultaM]

Hi opultaM,

Most of us, including hal9000, simply made our own - as it only costs a few bucks in parts. If you've ever used a soldering iron (and even if you haven't) it's very straight forward. Have you already checked out the info in post #2 of this thread?

Big smiles,

Andy.

Thanks buddy, I'll take a look. Not in the market for one in the moment, but it'll be nice to know that if I ever am runnin ghtat type setup again, I can make my own

[Joeytpg]

Hey Andy! nice to hear from you again buddy. how's everything?

I've heard great things about the Powerblock, do you like it? How are you using it? as a Poweramp for the POD?

My girlfriend's brother wants to buy a Cab to hook his POD XT LIVE and i suggested the Crate Prowerblock because I've read it's very CLEAN (it doesn't color the sound)

[Will Cyrier]

Hey Andy! nice to hear from you again buddy. how's everything?

I've heard great things about the Powerblock, do you like it? How are you using it? as a Poweramp for the POD?

My girlfriend's brother wants to buy a Cab to hook his POD XT LIVE and i suggested the Crate Prowerblock because I've read it's very CLEAN (it doesn't color the sound)

Have him check out Atomic as well, just for more options...:poke:

[Joeytpg]

hey brothers.... i made a clip. This is one of the songs I'm working on for my album. It's a Blues tune, it's very raw, but you get the idea. I'm in the creative part of the album (writing it!) and I don't record much during this phase, It blocks my creativity, but I was testing something in Logic 8 and recorded this quickly.

It's just my F-50 (with the old Mesa tubes still) and y strat with EMG S/S/85 system (two single coils which sound very good actually.

hope you enjoy it.

Also, don't pay attention to the solo because it's not THE solo, just the general idea of how i want it to sound.

it's the first one "F-50 Blues"

http://www.soundclick.com/joeytpg

[joel3000]

Are there a lot of post deletions here?

I can't find some posts that I'm sure I submitted.

[Joeytpg]

joel3000, it's never happened to me. what was the post about?

[jdkornel]

Hey all, I remember reading this thread a long time ago, then I stopped visiting HC for a while but saw a link here from the boogie board and thought I'd venture back and I am glad I did. I used to be jkornel but I think that account was deleted or something as I couldn't log in, so i made a new account.

I am still rocking my F100 head and 3/4 back 212 after almost 4 years it still rocks. I have changed tubes a couple times and still run Mesa Boogie tubes in there (playing it safe I guess).

My questions are...

I have read about Hal's master volume mod using a cable and the effects loop, is this the same effect as running an attenuator? Can this be accomplished running my BOSS EQ pedal in the loop?

And most importantly I read all the time about the great tone you can get running a tube amp cranked up to drive the power tubes harder, can this be accomplished with the master volume mod? Or is an attenuator the way to go and if so which one ?

Thanks !
Jeremy

[Mrmot]

I have read about Hal's master volume mod using a cable and the effects loop, is this the same effect as running an attenuator? Can this be accomplished running my BOSS EQ pedal in the loop?

And most importantly I read all the time about the great tone you can get running a tube amp cranked up to drive the power tubes harder, can this be accomplished with the master volume mod? Or is an attenuator the way to go and if so which one ?

Thanks !
Jeremy

i think that this way you only lower the amount of signal which is coming from the preamp to poweramp and thus you're not pushing powertubes any more than normally. I believe that this is the same as would be putting a boss ge7 in loop and then controlling the level knob on the Boos, that's what i do too on my Studio.22+

attenuator wise, i can't help you, haven't ever used one

[joel3000]

joel3000, it's never happened to me. what was the post about?

I once posted a link to a non-music related product site. It was not OT. Post deleted.

I once used the name of the SF public transit agency and mentioned that I used to live near Kirk Hammett's (for sale) SF house, which was listed by address.

There is no sign of these posts now - at least they don't turn up when I search my name.

I've seen posters avoid using non-music related corporate names. Instead of
using the direct name, such as 7-11, they'll say something like I was down at the 8-12 buying a squishee and...

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey Andy! nice to hear from you again buddy. how's everything?

I've heard great things about the Powerblock, do you like it? How are you using it? as a Poweramp for the POD?

My girlfriend's brother wants to buy a Cab to hook his POD XT LIVE and i suggested the Crate Prowerblock because I've read it's very CLEAN (it doesn't color the sound)

Hi Joey,

I'm well. Hope you are too. :)

Regarding the Powerblock, I don't use it at all at the moment - I simply picked it up because it was a good price. If I get around to picking up the appropriate gear, I figure I may experiment in using it either in a Slave set up (Attenuator->FX Unit->PowerBlock->Speaker), or perhaps in a Wet/Dry/Wet set up (FX Send->G-Major->PowerBlock in Stereo-> Stereo Cabs + Combo speaker for dry sound). For the time being, it's just sitting in my music room waiting for a mission, :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

hey brothers.... i made a clip. This is one of the songs I'm working on for my album. It's a Blues tune, it's very raw, but you get the idea. I'm in the creative part of the album (writing it!) and I don't record much during this phase, It blocks my creativity, but I was testing something in Logic 8 and recorded this quickly.

It's just my F-50 (with the old Mesa tubes still) and y strat with EMG S/S/85 system (two single coils which sound very good actually.

hope you enjoy it.

Also, don't pay attention to the solo because it's not THE solo, just the general idea of how i want it to sound.

it's the first one "F-50 Blues"



http://www.soundclick.com/joeytpg (http://www.soundclick.com/joeytpg)

Sweet tone and production, my friend. Lovely bluesy chord progression with some great musical ideas too. I look forward to hearing the finished article, :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Joeytpg]

Thanks a lot Andy, means a lot coming from you man. :) It's not too polished, and the playing's not great, but I don't mind, it's just a quick clip.

I'm in the writing process like I said, so far I have like 11, 12 song ideas, but there are like 5 or 6 that I KNOW will end up in the record.

I'll post here as long as i have more songs and or clips. :)

[mrelusive]

started a thread over here (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1808466) with a rough demo i recorded earlier today as a present for the GF. Looking for suggestions on how to do it better and not give F-50s a bad name, heh.

[greg apocalypse]

guess what. I can officially hang in the F lounge now! ;)

new (to me) F-100 all paid off today!

[greg apocalypse]

*spam snip*


hello and fuck you! :phil:

[stevew14]

Hey Everybody,

I haven't posted here often, if at all, but I have an effects question that is also F-series specific. I hoped maybe someone here could help. I am running a few pedals in front of my F30, and several in the loop. I found that when I try to power the pedals in front of the amp and the ones in the loop with the same power supply, I get a very noticeable hum. If I use two different power supplies, all is well. I have tried a couple of different supplies,(one spot and gator) and had the same result with either. I just can't seem to get the before amp and loop stuff to get along.

I am curious if any other f-series owners have experienced this, or if maybe there is a fault with my amp. I called and talked to someone at Mesa about it. He really couldn't explain it, and said I might just have to use the two seperate supplies. Not a huge deal, but it would be nice to simplify.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

[1Knucklehead]

Hello All,

FNG Here. I just purchased a new g major and I had planned to purchase a midi foot switch later. Can I use the g major with the front buttons or do I have to use the footswitch for the unit to work? Thanks, Bill

[hal9000]

Hello All,

FNG Here. I just purchased a new g major and I had planned to purchase a midi foot switch later. Can I use the g major with the front buttons or do I have to use the footswitch for the unit to work? Thanks, BillYou can do everything from the G-Major's front panel, but I certainly wouldn't want to gig that way. :)

Do yourself a favor and read the manual for the G-Major if you haven't already. You should get a really good insight into what it can do and maybe learn some new things. As a general tip, I leave both the input and output knobs at 12:00 and adjust my overall level with the output knob from there. My clean master is usually at 11:00 (gain @ 12:00) where CH2's master is 10:00 (gain @ 1:00) for practice and gigs.

[1Knucklehead]

Thanks hal9000, I've been reading thru this thread and I sure appreciate all the info you provide to the forum. I'm assuming the "input and output knobs at 12" are the ones on the g major. And the "overall level" with my f50. I have been listening to what you and a few others said about the g major and thats what motivated me to buy the g major.
I'm planning to read the manual, (lots of info) at the moment I selected analog not digital, and no midi. But I'm not getting any fx. Thanks, Bill

[Iced Tea]

Not wanting to offend everyone but just a quick note that I have a pristine 2005 F50 combo for sale (which I am posting on the Amps for sale thread). Buying a house so need the $$ BUT NOT selling my F30!! so I will still be an F-series loving brother. :thu: WILL CONSIDER ANY SERIOUS OFFER. eBay sale has not started yet. Pics here:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze72kg5/blaynebsphotoalbum/id2.html

Thanks for your time!

[Mrmot]

hey guys, do your F-series amps have a metal rod(like on the pic below) or a metal grille in the back to protect the tubes?

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze72kg5/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/IMG_0332.JPG.w560h420.jpg


Iced Tea, i hope you don't me linking to your pic

[Iced Tea]

hey guys, do your F-series amps have a metal rod(like on the pic below) or a metal grille in the back to protect the tubes?

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze72kg5/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/IMG_0332.JPG.w560h420.jpg


Iced Tea, i hope you don't me linking to your pic

No problem Mrmot - anything for an F-series brother (except a free F50)! ;)

[greg apocalypse]

metal schtick on the hundy for me.

[otter5555]

"Hey otter5555, welcome to the F-brotherhood, stick around and read a little, you'll find A LOT of good stuff in this lounge.

F-series amps RULE the world. I LOVE my f-50!

by the way, post some pics and clips if you can.

You play tha' blues you say.........what do you like?? I'm getting into Blues, learning some blues pentatonics, etc."


heres a link to a short mp3 that i jammed over for a few minutes this afternoon.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=776643

Please be kind :)

i'm just an old fart with arthritic fingers.

i used my f-30, a boss rv5 and boss dd-3 in the effects loop
and my gibson sg guitar.



otter

[ShizzelDizzel]

Hey Everybody,

I haven't posted here often, if at all, but I have an effects question that is also F-series specific. I hoped maybe someone here could help. I am running a few pedals in front of my F30, and several in the loop. I found that when I try to power the pedals in front of the amp and the ones in the loop with the same power supply, I get a very noticeable hum. If I use two different power supplies, all is well. I have tried a couple of different supplies,(one spot and gator) and had the same result with either. I just can't seem to get the before amp and loop stuff to get along.

I am curious if any other f-series owners have experienced this, or if maybe there is a fault with my amp. I called and talked to someone at Mesa about it. He really couldn't explain it, and said I might just have to use the two seperate supplies. Not a huge deal, but it would be nice to simplify.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

My guess is you've created a ground loop. Basically you have created more than one path for the signal to return through ground. I suggest getting yourself a regulated power supply with isolated outputs such as the Pedal Power from Voodoo Labs.

[Will Cyrier]

hey guys, do your F-series amps have a metal rod(like on the pic below) or a metal grille in the back to protect the tubes?



I have a bar like the one in the pic on my F-30.

[robwl]

hey guys, do your F-series amps have a metal rod(like on the pic below) or a metal grille in the back to protect the tubes?

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze72kg5/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/IMG_0332.JPG.w560h420.jpg


Iced Tea, i hope you don't me linking to your pic

I just got a F-50 yesterday used lovin it so far... mine has a metal bar same as that picture.

[Dann'sTheMan]

hey guys, do your F-series amps have a metal rod(like on the pic below) or a metal grille in the back to protect the tubes?

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze72kg5/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/IMG_0332.JPG.w560h420.jpg


Iced Tea, i hope you don't me linking to your pic

European F-series amps (together with other amps from Boogie) have a metal grille at the back in order to meet more stringent EU Health & Safety regulations. The concern is that us poor guitarists can get our little fingers burnt by those nasty tubes - so a protective bar is not enough. Don't you just love how Health and Safety laws keep us safe for more guitaring? :cop:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Mrmot]

European F-series amps (together with other amps from Boogie) have a metal grille at the back in order to meet more stringent EU Health & Safety regulations. The concern is that us poor guitarists can get our little fingers burnt by those nasty tubes - so a protective bar is not enough. Don't you just love how Health and Safety laws keep us safe for more guitaring? :cop:

Big smiles,

Andy.

Thanks for clearing this up! I LOL'ed while reading this... :lol::lol:

[eddie.perez]

Hey Brothers,

I've been using my F-100 alot for over a year now. I think it's time to retube my whole amp. I was thinking of slapping on some groove tubes. I went to thier web site but they just have so many 12ax7's and 6L6's that i don't even know which ones to get. Are groove tubes good for the F series anyways, if so which ones would you guys recommend? :evil:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

[ShizzelDizzel]

Ok, so I've acquired a few new toys.

First off is a new Edwards John Sykes Les Paul, (have yet to play it through the F50). A G Major is on it's way. I'm looking for a Lexicon R1 to control the G Major .....they are hard to find for what I consider a reasonable price.

So I guess I'm still trying to decide on a cabinet. When I had the F50 combo years back, I loved the C90. I also loved that speaker in the Rectoverb. I'm looking for a 412 with C90's in it but it looks like Mesa has pretty much went with V30's in everything. So is my best bet an Avatar Vintage 412 with CL80's? What say you?

[bob sakamano]

does anyone else find their f-50 midrangey? i plug my f-50 into a 2x12 closed back avatar with v30s.

i cant, for the life of me, get the gain channels to be less midheavy, even channel 2+contour (almost independent of the mid knob's position)

i even tried the master volume/effects loop trick - the effects loop knob seems to just as sensitive as the master volume knob on channel 2 (goes from not that loud to really loud by barely turning the knob)

thats not to say i dont like the tone of channel 2, i just wish i could dial down the mids a little more. also, this channel doesnt palm mute very well, i get no thump

this sounds like a lot of bitching, but i do like the amp, there are just a few things i would like to improve...

[ShizzelDizzel]

An Eq out front or in the loop might do wonders for you.

[Sixtonoize]

does anyone else find their f-50 midrangey? i plug my f-50 into a 2x12 closed back avatar with v30s.

i cant, for the life of me, get the gain channels to be less midheavy, even channel 2+contour (almost independent of the mid knob's position)


I know exactly what you mean. The problem is that the F-series has all of the EQ pre-gain, and a distorted signal has an essentially flat frequency response.

With a Marshall-style tone stack (post-gain, pretty much standard on every modern amp, sans the Mark-series), even with the EQ controls flat, there is a significant scoop at 750hz, and a boost around 1500hz. Oddly enough, this is pretty close the the famous Mark-series V-shape graphic EQ. The F-series doesn't have a way to get this, so the mids tend to be overpowering.

I use a parametric EQ in the FX loop, set to 100% wet, with a 7db cut @700hz, a 3db boost @ 100hx, and a 3db boost @ 1200hz. This makes the amp MUCH more pleasant to my ears, without sounding "scooped" and "modern."

[bob sakamano]

An Eq out front or in the loop might do wonders for you.

im kind of embarassed that i didnt think of that. thanks :thu: i would really only need it on channel 2 though, which sort of sucks. the cleans on channel one are extremely close to those i can get on my super reverb

[bob sakamano]

I know exactly what you mean. The problem is that the F-series has all of the EQ pre-gain, and a distorted signal has an essentially flat frequency response.

With a Marshall-style tone stack (post-gain, pretty much standard on every modern amp, sans the Mark-series), even with the EQ controls flat, there is a significant scoop at 750hz, and a boost around 1500hz. Oddly enough, this is pretty close the the famous Mark-series V-shape graphic EQ. The F-series doesn't have a way to get this, so the mids tend to be overpowering.

I use a parametric EQ in the FX loop, set to 100% wet, with a 7db cut @700hz, a 3db boost @ 100hx, and a 3db boost @ 1200hz. This makes the amp MUCH more pleasant to my ears, without sounding "scooped" and "modern."

sweet tip, thanks for the settings - do you use a boss eq?

[ShizzelDizzel]

im kind of embarassed that i didnt think of that. thanks :thu: i would really only need it on channel 2 though, which sort of sucks. the cleans on channel one are extremely close to those i can get on my super reverb

You might be able to dial the eq on the clean channel to make up for whatever you change on the outboard eq.

[Lt_Core]

sweet tip, thanks for the settings - do you use a boss eq?

I use the MXR 10-band EQ. Love it in my F-50's loop. I give it a little mid-scoop, works great.

[mikeyen]

Just joined the club - got a F-30 that I'm really diggin. Just the right size and weight too. :)

Re: Bob's comment - I actually like the fact that it's mid-heavy (not as much low-mid than a Marshall, but more so than your average Boogie). Part of it might be personal preference, but part of it is that mids are usually what ends up cutting through the mix at a live gig. Most live tones that worked well for me would seem too "middy" by themselves, but sounds great in the mix. But then again, much of that also depends on the type of music you play and what other instruments are around, so YMMV.

Mike

[Sixtonoize]

sweet tip, thanks for the settings - do you use a boss eq?

I actually have a Kawai 8-channel parametric EQ (8 seperate 1-band EQs in 1 chassis) that I use. I've heard that the Boss units color the tone quite a bit. The Kawai certainly isn't the mist high-end piece of gear, but it's totally transparent.

Any EQ should work, though. They all do essentially the same thing.

Also, you should know that adding an EQ in front of the amp won't help that much. That just adds MORE pre-gain EQ, and what you really need is POST gain EQ.

Also re: Mikey

I'm usually a total midrange Nazi. I've never met an amp that I thought had too much, until I got my F-100. The problem that I had was that it was TOO present in the mix. It kind of stuck out, so I needed to smash it back a little bit to get it to sit correctly.

[hinrich]

Any EQ should work, though. They all do essentially the same thing.


I agree to that. I tried a Behringer EQ700 (US$45) and I definitely got more control, bringing the mid bands down 800 and 1.6k bands down cleaned it up nicely. Except for the wobbly sliders, it's apparently just as good as a BOSS GE-7.

On a side note: Hal, I returned the THD Hotplate because I couldn't justify the cost to make an F-30 combo in that price range sound better. I almost considered selling it then I emailed your effects loop / master volume trick to my lead guitarist. First of all, he said you're a GENIUS! He made a cable to your specs and I tried it last night. I only had 5 minutes to play with it and already I got beautiful distortion tones in channel 2 with my Les Paul. In fact I think it might have sounded better than with the Hotplate. It's like the F30 has a built in attenuator, it just needed that mod.

The only thing is though, I need to figure out what to do with my chorus and delay pedals. I haven't tried it out front yet but in the past I didn't have much luck mixing it with the overdrive pedals.

Anyway, thank you Hal, you're a generous man with your experience.

Hinrich

[Joeytpg]

hey brothers....I need someone that speaks German... I want to buy this John Mayer Strat but the website is in English and I don't understand shit.

hey Andy, where do you buy guitars online in Europe?

the link:

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=?SKU=GIT0011337-000&ProductUUID=0&JumpTo=OfferList#

[Joeytpg]

It's too hard buying like this.

Can anyone give me a good music store in Europe?

[Jeru]

Hello all,


I want to build a small-footprint footswitch for my F30. It'll either be one switch for just switching the channel, or a two button for channel/reverb.


I am sure that you gurus have got to have a diagram for which pins on that midi cable actuate which functions on the F30's footswitch, and probably someone's even got a schematic made. What say you?


I don't use the contour at all, so I'd probably have to either jumper two of the pins of the midi connector or leave them open..


(I guess Ideally it'd be two button.. However, I imagine I'd have to get some sort of 4-conductor cable to do that. Comments?)

[Sixtonoize]

I am sure that you gurus have got to have a diagram for which pins on that midi cable actuate which functions on the F30's footswitch, and probably someone's even got a schematic made. What say you?


We'd probably say to go and check out the very first page of posts in this thread...there lie all of the answers you seek


I don't use the contour at all, so I'd probably have to either jumper two of the pins of the midi connector or leave them open..


Correct. Leave them open. If that doesn't work, close them.


(I guess Ideally it'd be two button.. However, I imagine I'd have to get some sort of 4-conductor cable to do that. Comments?)

Incorrect. You'd need a 3-conductor cable - 2 signals, and a ground (common). OR, you could just use a standard MIDI 5-pin connector on your footswitch box, and use the existing cable, not wiring (or hard-wiring) the functions that you don't use.

[Dann'sTheMan]

I agree to that. I tried a Behringer EQ700 (US$45) and I definitely got more control, bringing the mid bands down 800 and 1.6k bands down cleaned it up nicely. Except for the wobbly sliders, it's apparently just as good as a BOSS GE-7.

On a side note: Hal, I returned the THD Hotplate because I couldn't justify the cost to make an F-30 combo in that price range sound better. I almost considered selling it then I emailed your effects loop / master volume trick to my lead guitarist. First of all, he said you're a GENIUS! He made a cable to your specs and I tried it last night. I only had 5 minutes to play with it and already I got beautiful distortion tones in channel 2 with my Les Paul. In fact I think it might have sounded better than with the Hotplate. It's like the F30 has a built in attenuator, it just needed that mod.

The only thing is though, I need to figure out what to do with my chorus and delay pedals. I haven't tried it out front yet but in the past I didn't have much luck mixing it with the overdrive pedals.

Anyway, thank you Hal, you're a generous man with your experience.

Hinrich

Hi Hinrich,

Loop attenuation certainly works for many of the brothers here. :) If you want to continue to use your delay and chorus in the loop, then there are other ways of achieving loop attenuation. If either the delay or chorus pedal have a final output control, then use that to reduce the levels (this is essentially what hal9000 and I do with our G-Majors). Alternatively, you could use a simple volume pedal. Or, if you are up for a small project, you could build your own loop attenuator box for a few bucks in parts, and place it in the loop along with your pedals. For some excellent info on building such a project, check out hal's post (and the surrounding info)here (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=14611847#post14611847) :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Just joined the club - got a F-30 that I'm really diggin. Just the right size and weight too. :)

Re: Bob's comment - I actually like the fact that it's mid-heavy (not as much low-mid than a Marshall, but more so than your average Boogie). Part of it might be personal preference, but part of it is that mids are usually what ends up cutting through the mix at a live gig. Most live tones that worked well for me would seem too "middy" by themselves, but sounds great in the mix. But then again, much of that also depends on the type of music you play and what other instruments are around, so YMMV.

Mike

Welcome to the brotherhood, Mike!

Tell us more about the music you play. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

hey brothers....I need someone that speaks German... I want to buy this John Mayer Strat but the website is in English and I don't understand shit.

hey Andy, where do you buy guitars online in Europe?

the link:

http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/de_DE/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=?SKU=GIT0011337-000&ProductUUID=0&JumpTo=OfferList#


Hey Buddy,

I guess there are one or two advantages to having spent some time working in Germany. Here's the English version of the musicstore website: http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=?SKU=GIT0007773-001&ProductUUID=0&JumpTo=OfferList
http://www.musicstore.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/MusicStore-MusicStoreShop-Site/en_EN/-/EUR/ViewProductDetail-Start;pgid=?SKU=GIT0011337-000&ProductUUID=0&JumpTo=OfferList


You may also be interested in checking out www.thomann.de - highly recommended. :thu:

(Although a little pricier on the Jon Mayer strat: http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_john_mayer_signature_strat_sb_egitarre.htm )

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Will Cyrier]

Hi guys. I know this topic has been covered, but I don't have a lot of spare time to search through 272 pages of valuable information right now.

I have a DL4 and Flanger pedals that I like to run in the loop of my F-30. I would like some cheap attenuation. I have an Earnie-Ball VP, but it's heavy and takes up mucho floor space. I'm intriguied by this:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s82/willc_photo/hal9000FXLoopAttenuatorRevB.png

Essentially my question is: can I use this in a chain as follows?

FXsend-->Hal attenuation box-->Flanger Pedal-->DL4-->FXreturn

I'm also interested in EQ possibilities in place of the Hal attenuation box. What are your opinions on the MXR 10 band? Should I look into rack mount instead? I currently don't use rack effects so that may take me down a trail I'm not ready for....white rabbit ;)

For kicks here's a pic of my pedal rig:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s82/willc_photo/P3110005.jpg

The thing's a mess but gets the job done. :blah:

[hinrich]

Hi Hinrich,

Loop attenuation certainly works for many of the brothers here. :) If you want to continue to use your delay and chorus in the loop, then there are other ways of achieving loop attenuation. If either the delay or chorus pedal have a final output control, then use that to reduce the levels (this is essentially what hal9000 and I do with our G-Majors). Alternatively, you could use a simple volume pedal. Or, if you are up for a small project, you could build your own loop attenuator box for a few bucks in parts, and place it in the loop along with your pedals. For some excellent info on building such a project, check out hal's post (and the surrounding info)here (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=14611847#post14611847) :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Hey Andy

Thanks for the tip. I actually tried using the EQ in the loop and dropping the level slider. The sound was improved but even with the level slider all the way down, it was still a bit loud. But the tone was controlled nicely with the EQ. BUT, I didn't realize this until last night, I tried the EQ going straight into the amp and it sounded terrible. I think the distortion sounded better with the effects loop cable mod (no EQ) than with the EQ in the loop.

The saga continues...

[fxschx]

It's too hard buying like this.

Can anyone give me a good music store in Europe?

Hello,
my favorite online-shop is Musik-Schmidt in Frankfurt: http://www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/index.php
It is a great shop with a very good service and good prices.
My second is Thomann http://www.thomann.de/de/index.html
Very good prices and fast shipping.
www.musicstore.de in Cologne is not the best address in service.

Musik-Schmidt has shop-assistants who are good guitar-players and who love their job. You can see it also on the videos. For example http://62.80.2.62/0179_og6249_charvel_san_dimas.html

Greetings from Germany
Frank

[Will Cyrier]

If possible, run the TL and F-30 on the same outlet. Hopefully, that will avoid obvious ground loops. If the noise continues, you can use a cable to connect the TL to the FX return that has one side of the shield disconnected from the outer jacket of the connector.

So I sat in with a group earlier today and used my Tonelab SE into the effects return on my F-30. I had the "dummy" plug in the send side of the amp. Both the amp and the TLSE were on the same electrical circuit and I had a terrible buzz going on. My surge protector has an indicator light that showed a good ground connection. However, the stage is lit with residential can track lighting that are controlled by faders. I know these things are terribly noisy. Is there anything I can do differently in my setup to get rid of this buzz? Power conditioner? Ground lift adapter? Would the above quoted suggestion solve my problem? If so, I need help constructing such a cable as I'm kind of an electrical novice (I do have a soldering pencil though). Is instrument cable shielded?

The amplitude of the buzz changed when I rotated my body, but I can't stand in the same position the whole time; how exciting is that!? Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Will

[Will Cyrier]

Would something like this solve the issue?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Furman-SS6B-Surge-Block-?sku=181297

Will

[jdkornel]

WOW I finally got around to soldering an old jack and trying the loop attenuation on my F100 Head (w/ 212 cab). WOW that is fantastic much better than the buzzy distortion I am used to trying to play at night with the volume down low. This should help live too, sound guys are always telling me to turn down and they will put me in the monitors, which makes sense but it was sometimes at the sacrifice of great tone. This mod is so simple and fantastic !!!!

THANKS HAL and everyone else!!!

[hal9000]

So I sat in with a group earlier today and used my Tonelab SE into the effects return on my F-30. I had the "dummy" plug in the send side of the amp. Both the amp and the TLSE were on the same electrical circuit and I had a terrible buzz going on. My surge protector has an indicator light that showed a good ground connection. However, the stage is lit with residential can track lighting that are controlled by faders. I know these things are terribly noisy. Is there anything I can do differently in my setup to get rid of this buzz? Power conditioner? Ground lift adapter? Would the above quoted suggestion solve my problem? If so, I need help constructing such a cable as I'm kind of an electrical novice (I do have a soldering pencil though). Is instrument cable shielded?

The amplitude of the buzz changed when I rotated my body, but I can't stand in the same position the whole time; how exciting is that!? Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
WillHi Will. I'm sorry to hear you're having hum problems. In my experience, there are a couple of places to look right away:

1) Try your F-30, plugged straight in with your guitar and nothing in the loop. If you have hum, it's either conducted from the power line, or radiated from a noise source. So, turn your guitar's volume down to zero with the amp on and at gig volume. If the noise goes away, your guitar needs to be shielded better in the electronics cavity or maybe needs noise-canceling pickups. In my Strat I have Vintage Noiseless singles which sound great and are super quiet. If turning the guitar's volume down doesn't fix the noise, you're probably getting noise conducted down the power line. In this case, a power conditioner may help. IMO, the Furman PL8 II (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Furman-PL8-II-Power-Conditioner?sku=181301) like I use is the lowest tier of conditioners I would consider because it has both series and shunt surge protection and Furman has a good reputation. The only time a cable with one side's ground removed works is in a ground loop hum condition, which you shouldn't have since you're using one outlet.

2) If the noise isn't present at all with just the F-30 and guitar, then obviously your TSLE/FX loop connections are the culprit. Even though instrument cables are shielded, they don't kill noise completely, just attenuate it. So, if you have a really powerful noise source, you'll likely still hear it through the cables regardless of the quality.

[sum_ugly_man]

hi folks new member here, with a couple of questions about the f series

i usually play a lot of different genres, from zeppelin to muddy waters, from hendrix to pantera, and even some really heavy stuff. i know the f series has a really nice clean tone but can it handle really high gain without a pedal? by that i mean will i be able to get the pantera or a hardcore distortion out of the amp?

im not aiming for the f-30, even though it is a mighty fine amp, i like the 50/100 better because of the 6L6 tubes.

one more question, i know that the f series is discontinued, but which other amp from mesa can handle the things i listed above?
oh yeah one more thing, i currently have an esp ex-50 but i am going to be getting an ec-400 with emg 81/60
thank you ~ rob

[Joeytpg]

Hey guys, a question to the brothers using POD XT LIVE or POD XT PRO as a secondary rig.

I've been thinking about adding a Pod Xt Live or Pro. It delivers more sounds specially if I'm recording. Also it's always good to have a backup rig.

I'm torn between the POD XT LIVE or THE PRO, what are de differences really? If i buy the the Pro, can I run it through the F-50 speaker? without the F-50 Preamp kicking in (basically using the F-50 Speaker as a Cab)

thanks guys.

[Will Cyrier]

Hi Will. I'm sorry to hear you're having hum problems. In my experience, there are a couple of places to look right away:

1) Try your F-30, plugged straight in with your guitar and nothing in the loop. If you have hum, it's either conducted from the power line, or radiated from a noise source. So, turn your guitar's volume down to zero with the amp on and at gig volume. If the noise goes away, your guitar needs to be shielded better in the electronics cavity or maybe needs noise-canceling pickups. In my Strat I have Vintage Noiseless singles which sound great and are super quiet. If turning the guitar's volume down doesn't fix the noise, you're probably getting noise conducted down the power line. In this case, a power conditioner may help. IMO, the Furman PL8 II (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Furman-PL8-II-Power-Conditioner?sku=181301) like I use is the lowest tier of conditioners I would consider because it has both series and shunt surge protection and Furman has a good reputation. The only time a cable with one side's ground removed works is in a ground loop hum condition, which you shouldn't have since you're using one outlet.

2) If the noise isn't present at all with just the F-30 and guitar, then obviously your TSLE/FX loop connections are the culprit. Even though instrument cables are shielded, they don't kill noise completely, just attenuate it. So, if you have a really powerful noise source, you'll likely still hear it through the cables regardless of the quality.

Thanks,

I remember the noise going away as I turned down my guitar's volume knob. I was using my single coil neck pickup most of the night because my humbucker sounded pretty thin for the rhythm work I was doing. They're both Seymore's, but I know the single isn't a noiseless type.

So I'm thinking of improving the shielding in my electronics cavity and at the same time, plopping a new noiseless single in the neck position. Any recommendations? I like a good bluesy tone. I really only need one unless it will clash with the JB-4 hum-bucker I have in the bridge position now.

As far as the cavity shielding, I have some grey goop painted in there right now and then a stock piece of foil on the pickguard directly above the pot cavity. I've heard of guys doing the entire backside of the pickguard. What are your suggestions?

[joel3000]

I want to put castors on my f50 combo.

I bought some Ernie Balls but discovered they would require a lot
of drilling of the cabinet (5 holes per castor, one of them ~ 1/2 inch).

Is there a way to get castors on there that doesn't require so much
drilling.

If I use the Mesa casters can I avoid it?

[triumph7]

I want to put castors on my f50 combo.

I bought some Ernie Balls but discovered they would require a lot
of drilling of the cabinet (5 holes per castor, one of them ~ 1/2 inch).

Is there a way to get castors on there that doesn't require so much
drilling.

If I use the Mesa casters can I avoid it?

Does the F50 have the four aluminum blocks at the corners like my F100? If so you should be able to get castors that slide right into the blocks.

[twolfe278]

Think i might have a blown speaker, but I remember somebody talking about a rattle that developed after a while in their F-50 combo that sounded like a blown speaker. Anybody know where that rattle is located before I take my F-50 to dealer? It sounds a lot like the speaker, but i want to check before I drive 50 miles. Thanks.
T-Wolfe

[Torh]

As far as the cavity shielding, I have some grey goop painted in there right now and then a stock piece of foil on the pickguard directly above the pot cavity. I've heard of guys doing the entire backside of the pickguard.

It's definitely preferable covering the whole pickguard. You can get heavy duty adhesive copper from monetallums.com. Alternatively, you can see what Callaham can offer. I have an aluminium plate that I fixed to the backside of my Strat's pickguard..

As for shielding in general, I'd suggest you head over to seymourduncan.com/forum, and use the search function for info about shielding a guitar. There are tons of good advises there..

[AXEL276]

Even just using plain heavy aluminum foil which is what I have under all my guitars pickguards makes a big difference. But if your getting hum thru your amp, just hold your hand on the pickguard. If the hum doesn't go away it's probably not coming from the guitar unless you have a bad component.

[stevew14]

Do any of you know if all the F series combos have the speaker mounted from the front? I just picked up a Weber Beam Blocker to try with my F 30, and was surprised to see the way it was mounted. I never really looked before. I removed two screws, and put the BB in place, replaced the screws and tightened snugly, but hopefully not too tight.

I remember reading here that at least one or two others have installed these but don't remember anything about the speakers being front loaded. I don't think it can really hurt anything, but is there anything I may be overlooking? Anyone who knows and cares to reply would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

[beyondthislife]

I had a similar question about the Weber Beam Blocker. Is it easy to install? Does it come with directions? If not, how would I install it?

I also had a question or two about the homemade attenuation mods. For the two plug solution on the first page diagram are you guys suggesting that I buy two 1/4" jacks by themselves and just solder the necessary points together? If so, where would I buy those 1/4" jacks?

[Will Cyrier]

I had a similar question about the Weber Beam Blocker. Is it easy to install? Does it come with directions? If not, how would I install it?

I also had a question or two about the homemade attenuation mods. For the two plug solution on the first page diagram are you guys suggesting that I buy two 1/4" jacks by themselves and just solder the necessary points together? If so, where would I buy those 1/4" jacks?

I'd try Radio Shack if you have them in your area. However I went there recently and they didn't most of the "electronics" stuff I was looking for. On the internet, I found these guys recently: http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&CAT_ID=39&ObjectGroup_ID=99

Good luck!

[Tommi Inkila]

Think i might have a blown speaker, but I remember somebody talking about a rattle that developed after a while in their F-50 combo that sounded like a blown speaker. Anybody know where that rattle is located before I take my F-50 to dealer? It sounds a lot like the speaker, but i want to check before I drive 50 miles. Thanks.
T-Wolfe
I don't remember exactly that conversation, but other common solutions are problems with tubes (though these rattles are normally quite loud) and of course the guitar cable going bad...

does anyone remember what was the case?

[jdkornel]

I had a similar question about the Weber Beam Blocker. Is it easy to install? Does it come with directions? If not, how would I install it?

I also had a question or two about the homemade attenuation mods. For the two plug solution on the first page diagram are you guys suggesting that I buy two 1/4" jacks by themselves and just solder the necessary points together? If so, where would I buy those 1/4" jacks?

Yes, just one soldered point is all it takes. As for plugs, I had an old Peavey 20' guitar cord that was shorted out, so I stripped off the shrinkwrap at the plugs and cut the wire and un soldered the wire from the plug and had my 2 plugs for zero cost, plus a little bit of wire to do the one connection.

I was skeptical but I can tell you I love playing the amp even more since doing this! The tone is way better that ever and having one control over both channel volumes is great!

[beyondthislife]

Well, I went to radio shack today and they had a pack with two 1/4" jacks so I'll get to that soon. The attenuation will be nice.

[robwl]

I want to put castors on my f50 combo.

I bought some Ernie Balls but discovered they would require a lot
of drilling of the cabinet (5 holes per castor, one of them ~ 1/2 inch).

Is there a way to get castors on there that doesn't require so much
drilling.

If I use the Mesa casters can I avoid it?

It's not "that" heavy. I use one of those luggage carrier cart to transport it long distances and just lift it on and off from there. I also like to avoid drilling holes.

[robwl]

by that i mean will i be able to get the pantera or a hardcore distortion out of the amp?
It gets pretty heavy, you can get pretty close but I don't think you'll quite get that far.

one more question, i know that the f series is discontinued, but which other amp from mesa can handle the things i listed above?
oh yeah one more thing, i currently have an esp ex-50 but i am going to be getting an ec-400 with emg 81/60
thank you ~ rob
I'm thinking the new Express 5:25 and 5:50 are probably the replacements for the F series. I haven't played them to say for sure though. They are supposed to be switchable 5 Watt Class A to 25/50 Watts, with selectable modes for each channel... Clean/Crunch and Blues/Burn, then a contour switch deal on top of that. Other than that, it kind of looks like a F-series amp with extra switches and a adjustable contour.

The other option if you could afford it is to go with the Road King... which pretty much gives you everything in one nice box.

[Joeytpg]

Ok guys, I need some tips on getting the F-50 to work with a POD XT LIVE I'll be buying in the next few day.

I wanna do several stuff, and I need a few tips on HOW TO achieve it.

1- How to use the POD XT LIVE amps with the f-50 running only as a "cab".

What I want is to be able to run the amps without the F-50 preamp. Can this be done? or do I need to run it through the Clean Channel?

2- How to use the POD effects with my F-50?

3- How to make my 2 channel F-50 into a 3 channel ???

thanks a lot buddies.

[mikeyen]

Ok guys, I need some tips on getting the F-50 to work with a POD XT LIVE I'll be buying in the next few day.

I wanna do several stuff, and I need a few tips on HOW TO achieve it.

1- How to use the POD XT LIVE amps with the f-50 running only as a "cab".

What I want is to be able to run the amps without the F-50 preamp. Can this be done? or do I need to run it through the Clean Channel?

2- How to use the POD effects with my F-50?

3- How to make my 2 channel F-50 into a 3 channel ???

thanks a lot buddies.

Just plug the XT's main out into the F-50's FX Return, and make sure you disable any mic and cab simulation in your patches, since you already have a cab, and are presumably going to mic the cab as well. You'll also need to re-adjust your settings a bit, since the poweramp is going to color the sound slightly.

I haven't tried the XT with the F-30 personally, but I've used my GT-8 with the F-30 with VERY good results. I can get my GT-8 + F-30 setup to sound practically indistinguishable to the F-30 alone, with the added benefit of multiple presets, and far fewer cables in between the floorboard and the F-30.

Mike

[mikeyen]

Welcome to the brotherhood, Mike!

Tell us more about the music you play. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Oh hey man, just saw this.

I play mostly classic and hard rock on my own time. Don't play out as much as I used to, and only at church when I do. F-30 works out well - covers all my bases, and is super easy to lug around.

I do have a Beam Blocker and a MiniMASS that I use with the F-30, as I did with my previous amps. I don't crank the F-30 super hard or anything, but just to the point of ever so slight compression in the poweramp section - the clean notes are still clean, but "fatter" sounding.

As mentioned in the last post, I actually have the GT-8 straight into the poweramp for the most part, and I managed to get it to sound almost identical to the F-30 by itself, except I have four channels setup instead of two, and fewer cables to run (no foots witch either).

It's a cool amp, and this thread definitely helped when I was still researching it. You guys rock! :)

Mike

[Joeytpg]

hey mikeyen, thanks for the reply..... I don't have a Cab. My F-50 is a Combo.

Can i still run the XTL through the F-50 as a cab? (using only the Combo speaker?

[mikeyen]

hey mikeyen, thanks for the reply..... I don't have a Cab. My F-50 is a Combo.

Can i still run the XTL through the F-50 as a cab? (using only the Combo speaker?

Yep - a combo is nothing more than a cab with the amp attached to it, as opposed to separately like a head.

Mike

[hal9000]

Ok guys, I need some tips on getting the F-50 to work with a POD XT LIVE I'll be buying in the next few day.

I wanna do several stuff, and I need a few tips on HOW TO achieve it.

1- How to use the POD XT LIVE amps with the f-50 running only as a "cab".

What I want is to be able to run the amps without the F-50 preamp. Can this be done? or do I need to run it through the Clean Channel?

2- How to use the POD effects with my F-50?

3- How to make my 2 channel F-50 into a 3 channel ???

thanks a lot buddies.1) You need a dummy cable into the FX Send jack to disconnect the preamp. A cable you're not using will work perfectly fine. Simply insert it into the FX Send jack and nothing else (The cable will dangle). You could also just buy a 1/4" plug. As Mike already said, to use the F-50 as a power amp, just plug the output of the PODxt Live set for line level into the FX Return of the F-50. The FX loop should be set to maximum mix. Turn off all the cab/mic/air sims because you'll be using a real guitar speaker.

2) To use the PODxt Live is an FX processor, plug the FX send into the XTL's input, and the XTL's output set for line level plugs into the F-50's FX Return. FX mix is really your call, but I prefer to run it at max mix. You may also like to engage the pad on the XTL's input in case the F-50's send level it too hot. You need to turn off the amp, cab and mic sims to utilize the FX in the XTL properly.

To use the PODxt Live as a pedal board to drive the front of your amp, do this: guitar>XTL IN>XTL OUT>F-50. This way you get all the stomp boxes that the XTL offers and they will drive the F-50 nicely. I would explore the Uni-Vibe, flanger, phaser and some other interesting mod effects out front in addition to the normal drive effects.

3) The XTL was not my first choice for this particular task, but it can be done. Basically, you need to set an FX patch for Contour on the XTL for -3 dB overall level compared to regular channel 2. So, if channel 2 is set in patch 1 for an output level of -4 dB. Patch 2 in contour should be set for an output level of -4-3 = -7 dB. The reason of the 3 dB difference is that contour adds roughly 3 dB of level to the output of the amp, so you're just making that up. You can also set the pedal's minimum volume for 50% (-3 dB) and roll it back whenever you switch to contour.

Good Luck!

[Joeytpg]

Hey Neil thanks a lot bud!

by the way.. do you have the metal pack ? would you mind posting a clip of the Herbert model ?? :)

[Joeytpg]

OH SHIT..... I just got my new tubes from TubeAmDoctor.....i ordered the ones Tommi recommended me......

All I have to say is OH SHIT..... the sound is SOO sweet..... tommi dude, my F-50 came alive! SPECIALLY the clean channel..... I noticed the improvement in the OD channel, but man, the most difference is in the clean channel. :o I'll post a clip soon.

[mikeyen]

1) You need a dummy cable into the FX Send jack to disconnect the preamp.

You do? I've been running straight into the FX Return from the GT-8, and it's worked fine. I'll have to see what a dummy cable in the FX Send does when I get home tonight...

Mike

[hal9000]

You do? I've been running straight into the FX Return from the GT-8, and it's worked fine. I'll have to see what a dummy cable in the FX Send does when I get home tonight...

MikeYou don't have to put the cable in, but you'll get a lot better frequency response especially in the high end. When I first used my XTL without the dummy cable I was disappointed because it sounded like a blanket was over the speakers. When I put in the dummy cable, all the high end came back.

[hal9000]

Hey Neil thanks a lot bud!

by the way.. do you have the metal pack ? would you mind posting a clip of the Herbert model ?? :)You're welcome. I don't have the XTL anymore. I use a Vox Tonelab instead which I prefer. I do have a Toneport UX-2 which could be equipped with the model you're talking about, but I use that for recording either through the mic or line ports.

[mudbuddy11]

does anyone have experience with the ts9 and the digitech bad monkey? is the bad monkey digitech's answer to the ts9? How do they compare. I can get a bad monkey for way way cheaper than a ts9 or 808, but what do you think? I love the tone of the f50, and I want to maximize its sound. I've seen a lot of people rave about the bad monkey here, but I'm not so sure of digitech's sound coloration. I have the digitech echo pedal and have a hard time getting as good of sound as my marshall echohead.

[Will Cyrier]

I have a TS9 and would like to mod it to an 808 personally. I don't think anything (Digitech) can reproduce the original. The TS9 sounds sweet with my F-30. If I had the cash, I'd buy an 808...or mod my TS9.

[Joeytpg]

where can you get the TS9 to 808 mod?

[Will Cyrier]

I would send mine to this guy-- http://www.analogman.com/

Here's the direct like to the Tube Screamer Page: http://analogman.com/ts9.htm

He also sells moded pedals and makes his own effects.

I know there are others out there that do this, but I liked what I saw here so I quit looking.

Hope that helps,
Will

[Nexus555]

Hello my fellow F series brothers! I just purchased an F-50 series head on ebay! I should be getting it Monday. This could almost be considered a repost, because I posted about this in the amp section today, but I would love advice from fellow F Series users! I'm so glad I was directed to this thread.

I have some questions. The head comes with 6L6 Groove tubes (though original Mesa preamp tubes.) How do these differ from Mesa tubes? What sort of tones will I be getting out of these tubes? Would you guys recommend me getting Mesa tubes for either use or backup and to hear the original sounds? Any other tubes that are recommended for varying tones?

I do not have a cab yet. What cab do you guys recommend for this head? I was thinking Mesa Boogie brand, but others recommend Avatar. I was wanting a 2 x 12 cabinet. Any further or more specific recommendations (Mesa brand and others welcome.)

Here's another question that appeared in the other thread. I will not have a cab for a few months!! I know this sucks! My fiance would freak out if I spent more money right now than I already have! I was thinking about temporarily using headphones. In the auction it states Record / Headphone out. Is there a speaker mute/silencing feature to protect the amplifier when using headphones and no speakers? I want to use headphones until I get a cab, however I do not want to risk damaging my F-50!

Another question. I also have a Peavy 12' monitor speaker. I do not know the Ohm/watt rating yet, I will look when I get home later. Could I use this temporarily if the ratings check out okay? I know I won't get true tonage out of this speaker, but mainly so I can play. I also have a Peavy PA system, but that is at my fathers house and I don't feel like getting it. However if I brought it over, could I run it through a 12'' Speaker/horn PA speaker?

Also when I do get a cab, does a THD hotplate work well with this amp? I want to get sweet tones at bedroom levels for practicing.

Please, whatever is safest for my amp, let me know. If anything sounds risky, let me know. The last thing I want is burnt fuses, circuits, etc.

A little background before I end my post. I play a 1976 Custom Les Paul with fretless wonder. I have been playing 7 years. I am not in a band, but a few friends of mine are thinking of the idea. I play pretty much original chord progression and free improvisation solos. I do know other band's songs, like Pink Floyd, some Zeppelin, some metallica, some country, a whole spectrum. I'm mainly improv myself though and create original stuff. I also have a Boss GT-8 effects processor.

Thanks for the questions, I'm sure that I will have more later!!

[Tommi Inkila]

OH SHIT..... I just got my new tubes from TubeAmDoctor.....i ordered the ones Tommi recommended me......

All I have to say is OH SHIT..... the sound is SOO sweet..... tommi dude, my F-50 came alive! SPECIALLY the clean channel..... I noticed the improvement in the OD channel, but man, the most difference is in the clean channel. :o I'll post a clip soon.
Good to hear that they are kicking!

I actually ordered new set for myself... I'll change them in for the recording sessions in January.

[Joeytpg]

yeah dude...it's amazing.... If you could have seen my face when i turned on the amp after replacing the tubes, i was :O

awesome choice in tubes.

I can't wait so hear my new guitars with this amps/tubes (just got an Edwards Goldtop with P90s of course, and a John Mayer Sig Strat!)

hihihi nice xmass gift I got! :D (actually my mom bought me one and i bought the other.... hihi my mom rules, specially since I'm 26 y/o and my mom STILL gives me KICK ASS Bday/xmass presents! :P

[mudbuddy11]

I'm personally thinking of a Keeley modded ts9.... anologman is probably just as good, huh?

[Will Cyrier]

Honestly I haven't looked into the Keeley mod. I was pretty impressed with Analogman and the reviews I saw here regarding his mods. I think it was like $45 for the basic TS9--->808 mod and you can add on other options at your heart's content. I was also impressed with the turnaround...1 to 2 days in most cases.


How do you like your MXR 10-band Mudbuddy?

[Sixtonoize]

Hello my fellow F series brothers! I just purchased an F-50 series head on ebay!

Congratulations! I'd say that you made a wise decision.


I do not have a cab yet. What cab do you guys recommend for this head? I was thinking Mesa Boogie brand, but others recommend Avatar. I was wanting a 2 x 12 cabinet. Any further or more specific recommendations (Mesa brand and others welcome.)

I have the F-100 combo, and it has V-30s in it. I think that these sound good, but I'd prefer something less efficient and present. The F-series (and Mesa gear in general) is stupidly powerful, so you simply don't need speakers with 100db efficiencies. I really like it through my Carvin 4x12 cabinet (with Carvin British-Series speakers...I believe that they're Greenback copies)


Here's another question that appeared in the other thread. I will not have a cab for a few months!! I know this sucks! My fiance would freak out if I spent more money right now than I already have! I was thinking about temporarily using headphones. In the auction it states Record / Headphone out. Is there a speaker mute/silencing feature to protect the amplifier when using headphones and no speakers? I want to use headphones until I get a cab, however I do not want to risk damaging my F-50!

There is in fact a mute switch, that allows silent playing/recording, without risk to the amplifier.


Another question. I also have a Peavy 12' monitor speaker. I do not know the Ohm/watt rating yet, I will look when I get home later. Could I use this temporarily if the ratings check out okay? I know I won't get true tonage out of this speaker, but mainly so I can play. I also have a Peavy PA system, but that is at my fathers house and I don't feel like getting it. However if I brought it over, could I run it through a 12'' Speaker/horn PA speaker?


You'll be fine, as long as you know the impedance of the speaker. A horn doesn't figure into impedance calcs, so running into a PA speaker of the proper impedance will feel, to the amp, like running into a regular guitar cab. Mesas are notoriously robust amps, so even mismatching impedance isn't a big deal, but try to get it close (ex.: running a 16-ohm speaker into the 8-ohm output won't hurt anything)


Also when I do get a cab, does a THD hotplate work well with this amp? I want to get sweet tones at bedroom levels for practicing.


I don't think that a Hotplate is what you need. The F-series already sounds pretty good quiet, and a Hotplate isn't really designed for bedroom levels. They're most useful (and sound the best) when used to take the edge (8-12 db) off of the full-scale assault of a fully-cranked tube amp (think managing gig volume levels).


Thanks for the questions, I'm sure that I will have more later!!

You've come to the right place.

[Joeytpg]

Hey guys I just found out my BOSS Distortion Pedal (DS1) has the input jack kind of fucked.... so, I could get it fixed but honestly, I've been thinking about adding a new OD pedal to my arsenal.

I like the Fulltone Fulldrive II pedal, but there's the TS9 and the 808, or a TS9 with the 808 mod...... I've searched and the Fulltone is around 200 bucks.... :S There's the Boss Blues Drive, but I don't know if it's good.

What am I looking for in this pedal??..... well I want that blues dirty overdriven tone....

So which one would you recommend that'll play well with the F-50?

[lovED]

I use a guyatone OD-2 with my F-100 head.
It works for blues on the clean.
serious rock on the overdrive with the contour.
lovED

[lovED]

Hey all!
The name is ED.
I own a Mesa/Boogie F-100 head.
I guess this makes me a part of the crew?
I play hardcore music/metal. This amp cranks it.
I'm currently using a Marshall 4x12 cab 100watts 8ohm Not sure of the speakers.
It sounds great. It's just not doing it for me. What affordable yet proffesional cabs do you guys recommend?
Also this thing has got the most awkward footswitch set up.
What do you guys recommend. I'm thinking about taking the little holder out of the back. and putting the footswitch on my pedalboard.
lovED

[mudbuddy11]

I love my mxr 10 band... I have the mids scooped to try to get that old paf sound out of my 490/498s.

I've also been thinking of keeleys moded boss blues driver... it sounds so cool. I was going to get the blues driver, then I got this amp, and I've been happy with most of the sound I can get with just the amp. I go back and forth, no pedals, more pedals, no pedals, ah maybe I'll get myself the modded blues driver and the ts9 to 808 mod for myself for christmas.

[Will Cyrier]

I know exactly what you mean about the pedal mathematics. I've been really inspired lately with just my TS-9 in front and my DL4 in the loop.

[joel3000]

It's not "that" heavy. I use one of those luggage carrier cart to transport it long distances and just lift it on and off from there. I also like to avoid drilling holes.

Yeah. I'm starting to think that's the best answer.

I think the casters the store sold me were for a 4x12 or something big like that.

[Tommi Inkila]

Hey all!
The name is ED.
I own a Mesa/Boogie F-100 head.
I guess this makes me a part of the crew?
I play hardcore music/metal. This amp cranks it.
I'm currently using a Marshall 4x12 cab 100watts 8ohm Not sure of the speakers.
It sounds great. It's just not doing it for me. What affordable yet proffesional cabs do you guys recommend?
Also this thing has got the most awkward footswitch set up.
What do you guys recommend. I'm thinking about taking the little holder out of the back. and putting the footswitch on my pedalboard.
lovED
Welcome aboard!

For metal tones I'd say that anything with vintage30's goes (as long as the box isn't made of "paper"). Good and confirmed manufacturers are Mesa, Hughes&Kettner, Orange and Avatar (really nice pricepoint). Also, Marshall have pretty good vintage30-cabs.

I'm using my midi pedal and G-major to change the channels on the amp... I don't have a good image of the original footswitch but your idea sounds pretty convincing :)

[Joeytpg]

hey tommi why don't you upload a video of your band playing live? or at least some rehearsals? I'd like tosee you guys play.

[Tommi Inkila]

hey tommi why don't you upload a video of your band playing live? or at least some rehearsals? I'd like tosee you guys play.
We've been thinking doing that many times. Last time we were on studio the camera blew... and once the cameras working at the time we were filming with two cameras a bigger live gig, the recorded guitar track was basicly overloaded with digital distortion. That material may be salvageable by doing some studio overdubs for the guitar. In any case we are planning at least to video some of the upcoming studio sessions. Hopefully the camera can handle it this time :lol:

[lovED]

Sweet. That's what I was thinking. I've been looking for an Orange cab. I have some strange attraction to them. I've used the Marshall 1960s. I think it's overdone with Mesa heads. If I have a dollar for everytime I saw a Dual rectifier with a 1960. I'd probably have a good hundred bucks the, I'd be a hundred bucks closer to an orange cab.
lovED

[Joeytpg]

guys I've gotten to a conclusion today.....

The F-series BY ITSELF (without a Boost) can't do ALL kinds of metal.

It can do the progressive metal ala Scenery Channel, etc.....but it can't do the 80's metal ala Metallica Justice...... it's just too loose.

How is the EQ in the loop done? maybe this will fix it.

[lovED]

I use a Wylde OD now with the contour channel gain at noon.
It's tight, crunchy, best metal tone i've heard.
lovED

[Sixtonoize]

guys I've gotten to a conclusion today.....

The F-series BY ITSELF (without a Boost) can't do ALL kinds of metal.

It can do the progressive metal ala Scenery Channel, etc.....but it can't do the 80's metal ala Metallica Justice...... it's just too loose.

How is the EQ in the loop done? maybe this will fix it.

The only thing that I don't like about the F-series is that there's no post-gain EQ. In any modern amp, most, if not all, of the EQ is post-gain (Marshalls, Mesa DRs, Soldano, Bogner, etc), and they all use a Marshall-style tone stack.

Then end result is an EQ curve where (with all of the knobs flat) there is a slight boost (like 3db) around 100 hz, a cut around 750 hz (about 8-12db), and a boost around 1100 hz (like 3-5db).

If you've played a Mark-series, you'll recognize these as the standard V-shaped graphic positions that everyone uses.

To effectively use an EQ in the loop, set it to the curve that I've described, with the loop 100% wet. Then, start out with the OPPOSITE eq curve on the amp's tone stack. By boosting the mids and cutting the bass pre-gain, you'll get a much tighter, chunkier tone, and it works a LOT better for metal.

Also, by tweaking the pre-gain EQ, you can get a MUCH wider range of tonal voicings than you can with an amp w/o pre-EQ, because you can actually shape the color of the distortion.

[Foorever]

No F Series (not enough money :(), but I have a DC3 on it's way. It's a DC-3 head. Am I welcome here? =D hehe

[Joeytpg]

Of course buddy. But you gotta post clips and/or videos of that little beast so we can check it out!

[lovED]

Hey everyone. Just a few questions. I've got the F-100 head. Sometimes it sounds super beast and other times it doesn't on both the clean and lead channels. I really dont understand what the deal is. I dunno if something's up with the power situation or if it's the tubes. I don't know if it ready to be retubed the person I bought it from said it was recently tubed. When I do retube it, what should I look for?
lovED

[ShizzelDizzel]

Might need a fresh set of power tubes depending on how many hours are on them. Of course, it could just be that tube phenomenon of sometimes they sound like you want them to and other times they don't.

[opultaM]

Sweet. That's what I was thinking. I've been looking for an Orange cab. I have some strange attraction to them. I've used the Marshall 1960s. I think it's overdone with Mesa heads. If I have a dollar for everytime I saw a Dual rectifier with a 1960. I'd probably have a good hundred bucks the, I'd be a hundred bucks closer to an orange cab.
lovED


I had a 1960 JCM 800 Lead 4X12 for the longest time and it was really starting to grate on me. I think about ten pages back on this thread you can see where I just got fedup with the harsh sound the F100 produced through that cabinet. I switched over to a Roadking Cab (openback C90's, closedback v30's) and have not had a complaint since.

[opultaM]

Oh, and FYI I recently made a big guitar switch. I had been playing a USA Schecter Sunset 7 with humbuckers. Real shredder guitar with some huge smooth tone.

Now? I play a USA Strat Deluxe...SINGLE COIL...

It took me a bit of playing with my F100 but I'm really happy with the tones I'm getting from the Strat into it. I had been extremely happy with the tones I was getting from the Schecter, but it was just pretty limiting in what styles sounded good through it. The Strat can do so much more, and the F works for it wonderfully. I have much more "vintage" tones going now, but it still hauls for the heavy stuff. It may not be that super smooth humbucker fatness, but I find myself preferring a bit of character in my full on distortion tone.

[lovED]

I have a 1989 Fender American. It does sound sick through it. I wish I could afford a Road-King. I dunno. I need a cab that'll handle it. Maybe a recto cab......i've got my mind set on an orange. I dunno. I like the v-30's it's just the marshall is cosmetically blah......
lovED

[Foorever]

Of course buddy. But you gotta post clips and/or videos of that little beast so we can check it out!

They'll be a comin. I'll report back asap.

Take it easy

[Joeytpg]

As it's listed in my sig. I have a strat, but it's got EMGs.....they sound PRETTY good..... (both single coils) and the 85, well....it's an 85 hb I LOVE IT (some people don't but, oh well).

But a Strat with the Strat pickups is ANOTHER thing...... I'm waiting for my John Mayer sig. strat, and I KNOW, that it'll turn my F-50 into another thing completely. I've seen a couple of youtube videos with the F-50/100 being played through a strat and it's SWEET....sound VERY VERY fenderish.

I got a Goldtop (P90s) on the way too, and that should be even more interesting soundwise! :D

[Tweak88]

MESA F-30 owners attention

I'm looking for some help from you, if you don't mind...

I'm considering a Mesa Boggie F-30 and I wanted to know if it's possible to conect it to an external speaker... anyone knows?

in the F-50 there's a jack conected to a speaker out (the jack coming from the speaker of the combo). I get the impression that I can unplug that and plug it into a standard cab...
is it possible?

But I can't find any rear pics of the F-30, so anyone knows if that's possible in the F-30?

here's a pic of the f-50

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Out_of%20_Production/F-Series/F-50/F-50CloseUp/F-50-rearLgr2.jpg

Thank you

[pedrozepelim]

Yes it is!

The back of the F50 is the same as the F30.

MESA F-30 owners attention

I'm looking for some help from you, if you don't mind...

I'm considering a Mesa Boggie F-30 and I wanted to know if it's possible to conect it to an external speaker... anyone knows?

in the F-50 there's a jack conected to a speaker out (the jack coming from the speaker of the combo). I get the impression that I can unplug that and plug it into a standard cab...
is it possible?

But I can't find any rear pics of the F-30, so anyone knows if that's possible in the F-30?

here's a pic of the f-50

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Out_of%20_Production/F-Series/F-50/F-50CloseUp/F-50-rearLgr2.jpg

Thank you

[Tweak88]

I'm thinking of buying one.

I was looking for a rectifier-type distortion you know?
but i didn't want to buy a head+cab because it's not practical to move arround. i know the rectoverb and tremoverb but they're a bit expensive and i can't find them used (in europe).

do you think i could get that high-gain distortion like nickelback/avenged sevenfold?

I'd appreciate your help. thank you

[Joeytpg]

Hell yeah. I believe the F-50 sounds more Rectoish than the F-30 due to it's Modern sound (more american if I may say so)

They'll both sound amazing.

By the way, the F-series amps are a mix between the Recto aggressive voicing and the liquid sounds the Mark series have, if you know what I mean.

It's very interesting to me at least, because when you play rythm you FEEL as if it's a baby Recto, but as soon as you play a single note or a lead, the Mark Series steps in immediately! without doing a thing! (no boost, no anything), it's like magic. pretty weird and awesome if you ask me

[lovED]

I play hardcore/rock with my F-100 head the thing i've notice about the F-series gain is, it's edgy but not too edgy. I keep wondering if it's not enough for me but, myself and everyone thinks it sounds amazing either way. People who know nothing about guitar tones tell me it's the best they've heard. So it's not a matter of wether it's enough to me.......it just sounds good.
lovED

[lovED]

Well put Joeytpg.
lovED

[Joeytpg]

I play hardcore/rock with my F-100 head the thing i've notice about the F-series gain is, it's edgy but not too edgy. I keep wondering if it's not enough for me but, myself and everyone thinks it sounds amazing either way. People who know nothing about guitar tones tell me it's the best they've heard. So it's not a matter of wether it's enough to me.......it just sounds good.
lovED



You know loveD, I'll have to agree with you, SOMETIMES if feels as if I need something more.....specially in the gain department. If i were a metal player through and through, I'd either boost it, or have another amp. I love this little beast for Rock, Hard rock but for metal I feel it's somewhat loose. (I don't like the rectos THAT much, so I guess that's the reason) I prefer tighter amps.

But since I mostly play pop/blues/rock/Hard Rock it works perfectly.

I just bought a POD XT LIVE for my BROOTAL playing (for fun really, not giging)

[Will Cyrier]

I love the cleans I get out of my F-30. I remember a guy coming up to me after a gig and telling me, "That's the best clean tone I've ever heard!" I was pretty stoked. I wouldn't totally agree with him, but it is pretty stinkin' sweet sounding. The OD channel is great too!

[lovED]

The F-Series all together is notorious for the clean tones.
I really don't know if the music I play is in need of anymore gain.
The F-100 really does push some air i'll give it that it's got balls and its very HEAVY (pun intended (the thing weighs a ton)).
I've been using a Zakk Wylde OD in front of the contour on the F-100... i've been having problems though. In another thread I started a lot of people were telling me that less gain is more. I've played with the gain at Noon, 11, 10.....I really just don't know. I don't like the rectos either....I don't need anything tighter. I have a NS-2/ EQ combo for that......I just really don't know. I think I really am falling in love with the F-series. It's very complimenting to may playing styles and is very diverse. I guess I just have to find the right thing to put in front of it. It's just so freaking loud I have no time to experiment aside from practice. Please help.
lovED