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

[Ben.s]

Okay so i had a look on hotrox, shall i go for the JJ 6l6 quad with 4 12ax7's? That would come under £100..

[Mr Pricky]

Sorry Ben.s... I've been real busy lately, so havent been checkin here, I guess its all too late with regards to your gig, I hope everything worked out ok. JJ are a good safe bet from my experience anyways so you cant go wrong there (IMO). The preamp tubes can have a fairly pronounced effect on the sound so it may be a matter of swapping some around till you find one you like.

[Ben.s]

Okay, so the other night i went on hotrox and ordered 4 JJ 6l6's and 4 12ax7's and they came the next day :)
I decided sinse i had little time, id just go and change the whole lot and use the stock mesa's as spares. But when i was changing the preamp tubes, disaster! To keep them in place, a spring loaded metal casing needs to be pushed/screwed on the tube, and the last tube was tucked behind the OP transformer and really hard to get to, and in the process of pushing and shoving the glass nip and the top snapped off! :( It was obviously un usable now as there was a hole in the top. This was especially irritating because i so nearlly bought a set of 5 pre amp tubes just incase :P But i swapped the broken V1 for a JJ i put in another slot, and put a V3 mesa back into the V3 slot, then whacked in the power tubes without a hitch.
Anyway i gingerly powered it up and success, it sounded like a beaut. I love the sound of the JJ's, they are a bit more punchy than the mesa's and a little more aggressive, but still pretty smooth. Leads sounded great and it sounded great for my gig.
So other than my clumsyness, all round a good experience from hotrox.co.uk (managed next day delivery and i ordered at 5 o clock!) and JJ tubes (great value).

[hahavishnu]

You're only running the outside pair of tubes when in the 60W mode, so the inside pair will definitely last longer since they aren't being used. As long as you're moving the connection to one lower impedance (8>4) on the F-100's output, the outside pair being used will age as if the amp was running at full power. Make sense?

i am confused here.....is it necessary to switch to 4ohm when using the 60w switch on the F100 head?
the boys at TGP and the BOOGIE tech for UK say when switching down to 60w mode leave output impedance at 8ohms!
perhaps i am just misinterpreting your reply.

F100 head c/w 2x12 3/4 back boogie cab.
regards.john.

[mesafunkateer]

Gday folks,

I bought a Mesa F-50 last week… one helluva nice amp. However…

It decided to stop making any sound as I was playing today. Just cut out, no hum or anything. All the lights work, fuse is fine, powertubes are fine, and the pre-amp tubes look alright also…though I wouldn't mind swapping in some new ones just to make sure, unfortunately I don't have any spares on hand.

Any suggestions before I take it to a tech?

Cheers,
mesafunkateer

[fabien1959]

Gday folks,

I bought a Mesa F-50 last week… one helluva nice amp. However…

It decided to stop making any sound as I was playing today. Just cut out, no hum or anything. All the lights work, fuse is fine, powertubes are fine, and the pre-amp tubes look alright also…though I wouldn't mind swapping in some new ones just to make sure, unfortunately I don't have any spares on hand.

Any suggestions before I take it to a tech?

Cheers,
mesafunkateer

Check that you didn't flip the mute switch by accident.
Check your speaker connection. Do you have any spare cab or another combo with a speaker to test that.

It doesn't sound to me as a tube problem since tube rarely die without protesting sonically with loud pops or crackles before going.

Check also if you have a signal on the effect loop send and on the headphone output.

Fabien

[Ben.s]

Gday folks,

I bought a Mesa F-50 last week… one helluva nice amp. However…

It decided to stop making any sound as I was playing today. Just cut out, no hum or anything. All the lights work, fuse is fine, powertubes are fine, and the pre-amp tubes look alright also…though I wouldn't mind swapping in some new ones just to make sure, unfortunately I don't have any spares on hand.

Any suggestions before I take it to a tech?

Cheers,
mesafunkateer

When ever i have a problem, i start from the source. So, check your volume knob is up (sounds stupid but has happened a lot of times with me) if not check pickups (easiest way is to just switch guitars) if the problem persists, follow your signal chain. Check your cable by switching it, or, try a cable which you know works. Once you know you have a working cable use that one to go straight from your guitar to your amp. Still no luck, time to check the amp and cab setup. First thing i do is check the cab/head linkage is working so check that cable/connection (just swivel and jerk the connector a little to see if there are signs of life) Then of course check that the mute/recording switch isn't on. Then, which you have done, check the fuse. Then id say move onto tubes (never had to go this far :p) and tap the power tubes whilst they are on to check for noise to see if they are working. (also observe if they get hot when you play then you can tell its something other than the tubes) If they seem ok do the same with the pre tubes, perhaps swap V1 for V3 as a quick check. If you still have no luck take it to a tech because it may be a more complicated problem.
Hope theres some new possible solutions for you there :thu:

Good luck

[mnewb1]

I have had a used F-50 head for a couple months now. I'm not sure about its previous life but how often do you guys put in new tubes as a matter of regular maintenance?

[estring777]

Gday folks,

I bought a Mesa F-50 last week… one helluva nice amp. However…

It decided to stop making any sound as I was playing today. Just cut out, no hum or anything. All the lights work, fuse is fine, powertubes are fine, and the pre-amp tubes look alright also…though I wouldn't mind swapping in some new ones just to make sure, unfortunately I don't have any spares on hand.

Any suggestions before I take it to a tech?

Cheers,
mesafunkateer

I had the exact same problem..turned out to be V4. I know you said your tubes were good but how did you come to this conclusion without swapping them out?

[bdubbs]

I'm looking for an F-50 combo. Someone snatched one up before me on craigslist and I've wanted one since.

[hal9000]

i am confused here.....is it necessary to switch to 4ohm when using the 60w switch on the F100 head?
the boys at TGP and the BOOGIE tech for UK say when switching down to 60w mode leave output impedance at 8ohms!
perhaps i am just misinterpreting your reply.

F100 head c/w 2x12 3/4 back boogie cab.
regards.john.In 60W mode, the amplifier has twice the output impedance because only two of the four tubes are running, so to match the 8 Ohm cab speakers, they need to be in the 4 Ohm tap (which is now 8 Ohms). Perhaps the boys at TGP and the Boogie tech haven't read the manual? :)

[jdkornel]

In 60W mode, the amplifier has half the output impedance because only two of the four tubes are running, so to match the 8 Ohm cab speakers, they need to be in the 4 Ohm tap. Perhaps the boys at TGP and the Boogie tech haven't read the manual? :)

Is this in the Manual? I dont' remember seeing it. What effect does it have if you don't do this? I am going on 5 years with my F100 and 3/4 back 212 and I have always run at 60 watts and always used the 8ohm output. Am I shortening my tube life or hurting the amp or does it effect the tone?

I absolutly love the amp and tone and everything, that is why I have been using and gigging it for 5 years! But if I can make it better I will try this.

Thanks.

[Ben.s]

I'm confused too, if i'm running at 60watts, which combination will be best for tube life? At the moment im going 4 ohms to 4 ohms, am i still working the 2 outside tubes at full tilt?

[fabien1959]

In 60W mode, the amplifier has twice the output impedance because only two of the four tubes are running, so to match the 8 Ohm cab speakers, they need to be in the 4 Ohm tap (which is now 8 Ohms). Perhaps the boys at TGP and the Boogie tech haven't read the manual? :)

I couldn't find it in the F Series manual but this comes from the Nomad manual about the 50/100W switch found on the Nomad 100:

50 / 100 WATT : (Nomad 100 Only)
This is the 'half power' switch found only on the 100 watt Nomad. The two inside power tubes are put in a standby mode when the 50 watt position is selected reducing the RMS power to approximately 50 watts. This switch may be operated at any time during performance.

For optimum performance it is recommended that you change the speaker or cabinet from the 8 ohm to the 4 ohm jack when switching down to the 50 watt position. This ensures a proper impedance match by keeping the relative load the same. By doing so a brighter, bouncier response will appear
and the full 50 watts of power will be available to you.

If you prefer the fatter, darker nature of the speaker in the 8 ohm jack when in the 50 watt position you may feel free to use this scenario with no harm to the amplifier.

[bowen71]

Groove Tubes do have a scale for tubes:
blue/1-3: early distortion
white/4-7: normal distortion
red/8-10: late distortion, max clean headroom

When I used Groove Tubes (for my Nomad 45) I bought 'red 8' codes and it worked perfectly
And when I bought from Eurotube, I asked Bob for max headroom too and he picked up accordingly.

I always wondered how the color codes on Mesa tubes rated to each other. Like my amp had yellow tubes, is there a hotter color that would give my F-50 an earlier breakup? Then you could tune your amp by selecting different color tubes. But it seems like if you order tubes right from Mesa you don't get a choice.

[mrelusive]

I don't know if you guys read the other thread.. but my basement flooded and anything on the floor got covered with 4 inches of water. My f-50 footswitch was one of em. Haven't fired it up yet, but if the footswitch is busted, how hard is it to get a new one?

[Ben.s]

I don't know if you guys read the other thread.. but my basement flooded and anything on the floor got covered with 4 inches of water. My f-50 footswitch was one of em. Haven't fired it up yet, but if the footswitch is busted, how hard is it to get a new one?

Ebay probably you're best bet. Mesa footswitches are hard to come by even for amps that arent discontinued.

[mnewb1]

For the first time since I got this amp I had an intermittent crackling sound. This would occur whether the guitar was hooked up or not. It was in all channels becoming louder with higher gain. When it was crackling, the sound output would drop.

Is this the preamp? Looking at manual it suggests maybe the driver tube? is this the V4 preamp tube?

[mrelusive]

Ebay probably you're best bet. Mesa footswitches are hard to come by even for amps that arent discontinued.

crap. forgot that this thing was discontinued... hopefully i won't need to go this route.

[mnewb1]

Bump, anyone?

[estring777]

For the first time since I got this amp I had an intermittent crackling sound. This would occur whether the guitar was hooked up or not. It was in all channels becoming louder with higher gain. When it was crackling, the sound output would drop.

Is this the preamp? Looking at manual it suggests maybe the driver tube? is this the V4 preamp tube?

Sounds like tubes...only way to tell is replacing one by one...or all

[Will Cyrier]

For the first time since I got this amp I had an intermittent crackling sound. This would occur whether the guitar was hooked up or not. It was in all channels becoming louder with higher gain. When it was crackling, the sound output would drop.

Is this the preamp? Looking at manual it suggests maybe the driver tube? is this the V4 preamp tube?

I had this problem and it turned out to be cracked solder connections around the tubes. I mailed it to Mesa and they fixed it. But try new tubes first. BTW, mine cracked with the standby switch 'on'.

Will

[Will Cyrier]

I don't know if you guys read the other thread.. but my basement flooded and anything on the floor got covered with 4 inches of water. My f-50 footswitch was one of em. Haven't fired it up yet, but if the footswitch is busted, how hard is it to get a new one?

There isn't much to them. Let it dry and fire it up. I'll bet it works. Otherwise, call Mesa and/or check eBay/C.L.

[mnewb1]

I had this problem and it turned out to be cracked solder connections around the tubes. I mailed it to Mesa and they fixed it. But try new tubes first. BTW, mine cracked with the standby switch 'on'.

Will

Thanks

[mnewb1]

Tonight...DEAD!

ordered some preamp tubes from MESA

[jeffreyliu838]

Can someone explain the tonal differences in the F's, the DC's, and the Calibers? How much does a used DC2 usually go for? I remember seeing one for like 375 a while ago, but that's the only one I've ever seen.

Thanks.

[ESPImperium]

The place im getting a Bogner 1X12 Cab from (Replacing the wrong one they sent me) have just got in a F30, one of the last Mesa made, and as im looking for a 3 channel 30-50W short head, im thinking should i go for it???

Its either a Mesa F30 or a ENGL Screamer 50W Head. Im so torn as both are very close in price, £599 for the F30 and £629 for the ENGL.

[Ben.s]

The place im getting a Bogner 1X12 Cab from (Replacing the wrong one they sent me) have just got in a F30, one of the last Mesa made, and as im looking for a 3 channel 30-50W short head, im thinking should i go for it???

Its either a Mesa F30 or a ENGL Screamer 50W Head. Im so torn as both are very close in price, £599 for the F30 and £629 for the ENGL.

Go try them both, thats the only way to know really as they are quite similar amps i believe. But f series do pretty much anything well so i cant see how you can go wrong unless you don't like Mesa tone.

[-Juggernaut-]

Can I join in? I just traded for an F-50 head, should have it next week. :thu:

[mnewb1]

Back in action

[Nemesys]

Nice -- glad to hear you got it working!

[Ben.s]

Can I join in? I just traded for an F-50 head, should have it next week. :thu:

Sure :thu: Tell us how you like it!

[ESPImperium]

What would a F30 sound thru this cab:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ImperiumThroughTheAshes/Bogner1X12ClosedBackDualPorted-04.jpg

[andershoeg]

Hi guys. Long time since last post. In the beginning of this thread I contributed a little more than I have done the last...hmmm.... year or so??. Well, now I'm here, and just wanted to tell all you F-series-lovers that I finally ordered a MB Thiele C90 cab for my F-30 combo :-) I'm very excited, and can hardly wait to try this combination out! Trying to gather the members for a cover-band, and my idea is to use this small setup in this future cover-thing. I'm sure it will work out fine....with all the praise for exactly this combination of open back combo and closed back, front ported cab :-) To this, I will use a Carl Martin Quattro (also on its way).
Well, hope you all are doing fine with your F's! Almost sold mine a couple of months ago (!!!stupid me!), but found my mental balance again ;-)
B.r. andershoeg

[-Juggernaut-]

Got mine today.......

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i146/alien2402/F-50/DSCN0204.jpg



Wow....what a great amp, Dialed it in, not bad, not bad at all, threw a boost in front of it :eek: Fucking NICE!!! paired together with my Mako :love: sounds MASSIVE!

[ESPImperium]

Can a Mesa F30 get into metal territory easily. What im meaning is Metallica, Lamb Of God, Dream Theater territory. Im also looking for it to do down tunings as well, say Arch Enemy and Chimaira styles as well, also a 7 string standard tunings as well.

Im looking at a New (one of the last ever made) F30 for £599, and feel that i cant tun a deal like that out my sight.

Its either that or i get a ENGL Screamer or a Mesa Express 5:25 and boost that.

[K-Bizzle]

My new F350. :rawk:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll303/astrocreep2003/ford_f-350-super-duty2005_r15.jpg

[-Juggernaut-]

Can a Mesa F30 get into metal territory easily. What im meaning is Metallica, Lamb Of God, Dream Theater territory. Im also looking for it to do down tunings as well, say Arch Enemy and Chimaira styles as well, also a 7 string standard tunings as well.

Im looking at a New (one of the last ever made) F30 for £599, and feel that i cant tun a deal like that out my sight.

Its either that or i get a ENGL Screamer or a Mesa Express 5:25 and boot that.



With a boost or eq in the loop......yes.

[ESPImperium]

Im shure that my SD-1 or my TS9 will be good enough to boost it, i dislike EQs, if anything id get a compressor and throw that in the loop as i prefer compressors over EQs.

[-Juggernaut-]

I just plugged a Bad Monkey into it and was getting some killer tones out of it. :thu:

[twolfe278]

Has anybody tried the tube sets from Captain Bob's on ebay in their F-50? Getting ready to do replacements and wondered if they were worth a darn. Looking for some that promote good clean sound.

Nice F350, is that debuting at NAMM? haha

T-Wolfe

[K-Bizzle]

Has anybody tried the tube sets from Captain Bob's on ebay in their F-50? Getting ready to do replacements and wondered if they were worth a darn. Looking for some that promote good clean sound.

Nice F350, is that debuting at NAMM? haha

T-Wolfe

Yeah I got the first, its a Proto that Mesa gave me.
Should be on tour (both as my amp and pulling the gear trailer) with me up until its debut at the Summer NAMM:thu:

[LaidBack95]

I don't know if I have done this yet, but I've had my F-50 for a little more than a year and I must have got one of the last off the line in 2007. It was also custom colors. Check it!
http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp339/LaidBack95/F-50.jpg

Oh yea, I am also looking into a volume pedal....what do you guys think of the Morley Little Alligator?

[ESPImperium]

Just put a 20% downpayment on the last F30 to enter the UK (According the shop), will be paying it off/trading stuff against it next week, so the week after as im gonna have to get it delivered as i just cant walk the 2 miles to the bus stop with the weight of it.

[kool98769]

Im shure that my SD-1 or my TS9 will be good enough to boost it, i dislike EQs, if anything id get a compressor and throw that in the loop as i prefer compressors over EQs.

O_o
compressors and EQ's do way different things.
Not to mention, that might hurt your amp cutting through the mix. When you have that much gain your signal is already compressed as hell.

[recto-robbie]

Hey guys, I recently picked up an F-30 combo. I've been considering swapping speakers around to see what I like best. After looking it over I noticed that my combo has front mounted speakers. I asked another forumite about his F-30 and he said his was rear mounted and mine must be modded. Again after looking it over I dont thin it has been modded.
There are no metal studs normally found on rear mounted cabs, nor are there any marks, holes or anything that would lead me to believe the combo originally had a rear mounted speaker.
Do you guys know if Boogie changed the way they made them?
Are there any noted benifits that you guys may have noticed having front or rear mounted speakers?
Do any of you know anything about this? Many thanks, Rob
P.S,, the speaker that came with it is the original v-30-8 ohm.

[andershoeg]

f30 combo here. front-mounted.

[recto-robbie]

thanks andershoeg

[andershoeg]

You're welcome.
Tried out my f30 combo today with my new MB Thiele cab.....WOW!! Can only recommend this combination to every F30-combo owner! ALOT more bass response, fuller sounding, and definitely feels louder! Great....why didn't I do this years ago....?? Well, now I did, and it's GREAT!!! (Thanks Dann'stheman for your heads up a couple of years ago ;) ).
B.r. andershoeg

[Will Cyrier]

Hey guys, I recently picked up an F-30 combo. I've been considering swapping speakers around to see what I like best. After looking it over I noticed that my combo has front mounted speakers. I asked another forumite about his F-30 and he said his was rear mounted and mine must be modded. Again after looking it over I dont thin it has been modded.
There are no metal studs normally found on rear mounted cabs, nor are there any marks, holes or anything that would lead me to believe the combo originally had a rear mounted speaker.
Do you guys know if Boogie changed the way they made them?
Are there any noted benifits that you guys may have noticed having front or rear mounted speakers?
Do any of you know anything about this? Many thanks, Rob
P.S,, the speaker that came with it is the original v-30-8 ohm.

Mine's front mounted with the same speaker.

[recto-robbie]

thanks again, I have another question for you guys.
This is my first f-30 and currently the only Mesa amp I own. In the past ive owned the f50 twice, rectoverb combo, stiletto deuce and thats about it.
Its been a while since owning the others and after playing the f30
I remembered just how hard it seems to pull off those sweet pinch harmonics that seem so effortless on other amps.
Do any of you guys notice this? I notice it especially on the F series but also on other Mesas. Is there a reason for this? Any suggestions other than to practice them more! Thanks
Not that I really need to but im usually boosting the front end with an RC or blues pro or something so its not a lack of gain, hell its a boogie, theres plenty of that.

[andershoeg]

Hmm...sorry recto-robbie, but I haven't got that problem.....Maybe changing the preamp tubes to some some other kind....don't know which ones, but some with some more upper harmonics could help? And maybe practice is the answer....that you know the best ;)
b.r. andershoeg

[ESPImperium]

Can someone take a picture of the F30s footswitch for me, and post the dimentions for it as well as im planning on where its gonna go on my floor.

[Caribou_Chris]

Hey folks, I have a F-50 combo for sale. Here is the link to the eBay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180324643601

I live in Canada but shipping to the USA & UK isn't a problem; I've bought and sold a lot of amps & guitars on eBay over the years.

Shoot me an e-mail or reply here if you're interested! Thanks eh!

[recto-robbie]

Can someone take a picture of the F30s footswitch for me, and post the dimentions for it as well as im planning on where its gonna go on my floor.




Here you go, dimensions are: 20 cm long
12 cm deep
5 1/2 cm at tallest point

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd134/stilettodeuce/DSC03579.jpg

[Rightofthedrums]

I don't know if I have done this yet, but I've had my F-50 for a little more than a year and I must have got one of the last off the line in 2007. It was also custom colors. Check it!
http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp339/LaidBack95/F-50.jpg

Oh yea, I am also looking into a volume pedal....what do you guys think of the Morley Little Alligator?

That looks great man. I love my Morley Little Alligator, go for it. http://n08f1226monm202.imageshacknow.info/img/1992/v09y0128shnr/redface.gif

[ESPImperium]

Here you go, dimensions are: 20 cm long
12 cm deep
5 1/2 cm at tallest point

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd134/stilettodeuce/DSC03579.jpg

Thank you so very much.

That will go verry nicely infront of my TU-2 and NS-2 2 pedal cluster i have.

I think im gonna go and get my F30 head tomorrow, if not then, Saturday for definate.

What i think im gonna do is go and trade all my stuff in and then tell the shop ill be back for it in about 2-3 hours as ive got some other buisness to deal with, go do that, get it done, then go and get my F30 and come home and plug it into my Bogner 1X12 cab and have a blast.

[ESPImperium]

Fucking hell, this little thing is a fucking tone machine with my Bogner 1X12 cab. Its the tone i have been searching for pretty much. Petrucci-eske, can do Metallica and will do drop tuning stuff very nicely.

Has a nice preamp gain structure, but start increasing the master a little, the dark art of poweramp distortion really comes out and makes the amp breathe and sound miles better. Takes a Boss SD-1 really well, and my CE-2 really shines thru this amp.

I have nailed the Dream theater In The Presence of Enemies tone with the settings im just about to show with the pics!!!

MXR Carbon Copy in the FX loop.

Anyways heres the pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ImperiumThroughTheAshes/MesaF30-01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ImperiumThroughTheAshes/MesaF30-02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ImperiumThroughTheAshes/MesaF30-03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ImperiumThroughTheAshes/MesaF30-04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/ImperiumThroughTheAshes/MesaF30-05.jpg

[Ben.s]

^ that head is so cute!!!

Get some clips up ;)

Congrats BTW :p:

[ESPImperium]

Entire stack is about 25.5 inches high, thats arround 65cm for those metric types out there.

All i need to get now is a rack effects processor that can take the switching system for this little rig, then i can more or less worry about nothing with it.

[recto-robbie]

Entire stack is about 25.5 inches high, thats arround 65cm for those metric types out there.

All i need to get now is a rack effects processor that can take the switching system for this little rig, then i can more or less worry about nothing with it.



Thats some funny stuff there, I used centimeters because I saw you were over in Scottland, always thought us Americans were the only ones using inches. I havent measured anything using centimeters since grade school 30 years ago.

[recto-robbie]

Heres my f30 setup now, ive had quite a few boogie amps over the years and actually think I settled on the f30. I love the thing. It sits on top of my recto 2x12 cab running all 3 speakers, its amazing. One of the best things I did to it was take some advise from someone else and put an
Eminence Private Jack in the combo, I started doubting the amp until I did this. Big improvement. The cab has an Eminence Wizard and EVM 12L in it.
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd134/stilettodeuce/DSC03580.jpg

[andershoeg]

Nice setup, recto-robbie! Have a 2x12" 3/4 back cab that I have used with my f30 combo. Now I have bought a MB Thiele cab. Even more bass response! And fits underneath the combo perfectly!!:) Looks like this:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/andershoeg/coversetup.jpg

B.r. andershoeg

[ESPImperium]

Thats some funny stuff there, I used centimeters because I saw you were over in Scottland, always thought us Americans were the only ones using inches. I havent measured anything using centimeters since grade school 30 years ago.

Thats the thing, im in the generation that can use either mesurement. I use Centimetires for measuring out things that need to be precice, but when you need a rough guestimation ill use feet and inches.

Ill have to get some updated rig pics today sometime as i spent 2 hours setting everything up on it yesterday.

[FreakOut]

is the F30 a good Amp for funk guitar work ?
basicaly I need a good rhythm clean and slight crunch. The dirty channel I would only be in use for solos or few rhythm parts.

I like the simple layout of the F-30 much but I'm not quite sure if this could be the right amp for me. I could buy one at a good price used - in the reviews most people say it is pretty dark voiced / mid heavy... not quite sure if this goes along with funk well ...

What do you guys think ?

[Ben.s]

is the F30 a good Amp for funk guitar work ?
basicaly I need a good rhythm clean and slight crunch. The dirty channel I would only be in use for solos or few rhythm parts.

I like the simple layout of the F-30 much but I'm not quite sure if this could be the right amp for me. I could buy one at a good price used - in the reviews most people say it is pretty dark voiced / mid heavy... not quite sure if this goes along with funk well ...

What do you guys think ?

I think it could be good, it has great cleans, some people compare it to the fender twins (thats a very gd comparison :p:)
If it is too dark or warm, the clean channel has a pull bright switch which could help you out.
No reason why the amp wouldnt suit you well.

[Dann'sTheMan]

is the F30 a good Amp for funk guitar work ?
basicaly I need a good rhythm clean and slight crunch. The dirty channel I would only be in use for solos or few rhythm parts.

I like the simple layout of the F-30 much but I'm not quite sure if this could be the right amp for me. I could buy one at a good price used - in the reviews most people say it is pretty dark voiced / mid heavy... not quite sure if this goes along with funk well ...

What do you guys think ?

Hi FreakOut,

and welcome to HCAF! :) Regarding the F-30, it's a beautiful amp - and I absolutely love the combo combined with a small ported cab like the Thiele as it sounds huge. The only caveat I'd warn about is that it's only about 22W RMS - so if you need your cleans loud for the funk that you play, you might run out of headroom. The F-50 or F-100 may better suit if you need more volume from your clean sounds... :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[guitarman1956]

Add another to the "brotherhood"....
Just bought an F50 combo (used but mint). It has a V30 and Mesa Tubes throughout. I'm also looking for a good deal on a 2x12 I can slide under her.

See ya around

[Scottyyy]

I wish I could find an F-30 in the UK for a decent price. :(

[Dann'sTheMan]

I wish I could find an F-30 in the UK for a decent price. :(

Hi Scottyyy,

I'm afraid that's one of the disadvantages and advantages of buying a Boogie in the UK. Due to their "boutique" status here, we pay through the nose for them, but they do hold on to their value. Even 20 year old Studio Calibers still cost a wedge.

If you can pull together the cash in these difficult times, I'd recommend it. You won't lose much/any if you decide the voicing is not for you. If however, it is your cuppa - you could be wearing a very big smile for a very long time (I certainly am! :p).

I hope you're able to join the brotherhood soon; and a big welcome to all the recent and not too recent brothers. I'm sorry I don't get much of an opportunity to post, but I do read this thread regularly, and all the tonal adventures with our F-series always make me smile. Keep on rockin' in the free world! :D

Big smiles,

Andy.

[-Juggernaut-]

entirely too loud for the camera, but you get the idea....


-7YowRfzofk

[Scottyyy]

Hi Scottyyy,

I'm afraid that's one of the disadvantages and advantages of buying a Boogie in the UK. Due to their "boutique" status here, we pay through the nose for them, but they do hold on to their value. Even 20 year old Studio Calibers still cost a wedge.

If you can pull together the cash in these difficult times, I'd recommend it. You won't lose much/any if you decide the voicing is not for you. If however, it is your cuppa - you could be wearing a very big smile for a very long time (I certainly am! :p).

I hope you're able to join the brotherhood soon; and a big welcome to all the recent and not too recent brothers. I'm sorry I don't get much of an opportunity to post, but I do read this thread regularly, and all the tonal adventures with our F-series always make me smile. Keep on rockin' in the free world! :D

Big smiles,

Andy.

Thank you sir. :)

I'm going to keep an eye out on eBay and these forums for a UK based F30, however I really can't see them being priced too well. Fortunately, I have a lot of American friends and I'm sure I can persuade one of them to import me one from America. I see they go for $500-600 quite often on eBay, that on top of the $100-200 shipping cost to the UK, it would work out quite reasonable. Certainly less expensive than the £900-1000 I have seen them go for over here.

Are there any disadvantages to having an American amp imported into the UK? I know the US use a different voltage. (110v as opposed to our 220 or 240v, right?)

[Ben.s]

Scottyyy - Deffinatly keep an eye out on ebay, especially now as some people will be looking for a bit of extra cash that they can get their hands on. Thats how i got an F100 with a flightcase for £500!

Nice clip Juggernaught :)

[Rightofthedrums]

Nice setup, recto-robbie! Have a 2x12" 3/4 back cab that I have used with my f30 combo. Now I have bought a MB Thiele cab. Even more bass response! And fits underneath the combo perfectly!!:) Looks like this:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i145/andershoeg/coversetup.jpghttp://n08f1226monm202.imageshacknow.info/img/1992/v09j0102exnz/_.png

B.r. andershoeg

Is that a carvin?

[Scottyyy]

Scottyyy - Deffinatly keep an eye out on ebay, especially now as some people will be looking for a bit of extra cash that they can get their hands on. Thats how i got an F100 with a flightcase for £500!

Nice clip Juggernaught :)

Whoa, awesome deal.

I've got a saved search so I'll get emailed when one appears on eBay. Hopefully I'll have one soon.

[andershoeg]

Is that a carvin?

No, it's a Patrick Eggle "Berlin Plus", UK guitar, build 1993. Humbuckers w. split-coils. Extremely versatile guitar! PRS-kind-of-guitar :) Love it!

[Dann'sTheMan]

Scottyyy - Deffinatly keep an eye out on ebay, especially now as some people will be looking for a bit of extra cash that they can get their hands on. Thats how i got an F100 with a flightcase for £500!

Nice clip Juggernaught :)

Brilliant deal! Well done Ben.s. :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Ben.s]

Brilliant deal! Well done Ben.s. :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.

cheers! I felt a bit bad, the guy toured with it and really didnt want to give it up, especially for that price i bet!

[hahavishnu]

hi folks :)
bunch of questions...:(

i read on here all the time 'bout mods to the f series loops, my 1st question is; would my unmodded loop work ok with a mxr 6 band in there and what results could i expect in comparsion to the series mod?

could someone please explain how to set up the mxr in the loop?

i have also noticed much talk about the need for an eq in the f series;is this "need" for the gain channel only, or does the clean channel benefit from the mxr too?
thanks bros.john

f100 head 2x12 3/4 back cab.les paul special,les paul std and a host of far too expensive pedals

ps i aint ever used a loop

[Scottyyy]

So, here's what I plan to do.

Win a bid for an F30 on eBay US - $600
Either have the seller ship it me in the UK or have it sent to one of my American friends list, then shipped to me. $150 according to the USPS site (45 pound package to the UK) (http://ircalc.usps.gov/IntlMailServices.aspx?Country=10150&M=2&P=45&O=0&sd=1)
Possible import duty - $60-100

So that's $850 at most. Which by todays exchange rate is £587.

Now that begs the question, is there an amp readily available in the UK for £587 that's better than the F30? Even if there is, I'd still probably get the F30. :p

[mynameistaken]

hi folks :)
bunch of questions...:(

i read on here all the time 'bout mods to the f series loops, my 1st question is; would my unmodded loop work ok with a mxr 6 band in there and what results could i expect in comparsion to the series mod?

could someone please explain how to set up the mxr in the loop?

i have also noticed much talk about the need for an eq in the f series;is this "need" for the gain channel only, or does the clean channel benefit from the mxr too?
thanks bros.john

f100 head 2x12 3/4 back cab.les paul special,les paul std and a host of far too expensive pedals

ps i aint ever used a loop

they say aint in Scotland?

For me the EQ is more of a necessity when playing at lower volumes (bedroom levels). The mids need a boost to fill out the sound. Also it depends on your cab. My 1x12 needs a slight cut at about 200Hz and a boost at around 1.2Khz but my 2x12 doesn't really need any EQ at all.

Definitely use your loop for delays, chorus, verb etc. The serial mod is more beneficial if you use a lot of digital effects or if you have a volume pedal in the loop. Its easy and its reversible. If all you use is an analog EQ I doubt you will notice a difference with the mod.

[hahavishnu]

thanks bro.
"they say aint in Scotland?"..been hangin' 'round these pages too long!
if i put an eq in the loop do i set it to the full 90% on the amp?

ps och aye the noo
crivens
helpmaboab
jings
hootsmon

some scots for y'all. :)
john.

oh yeh....does the little 6 band mxr work ok in the loop with no issues?

[mynameistaken]

if i put an eq in the loop do i set it to the full 90% on the amp?


Yes


oh yeh....does the little 6 band mxr work ok in the loop with no issues?

should be fine. i run a GE7, MXR carbon copy and a TR2 with no issues.

[recto-robbie]

Hello all,,, no better place than this for something in the F series.

Im looking to buy a Mesa Cordura cover for the F30 combo. You know the one that comes with the amp. If you have an extra or want to sell yours please let me know, Ill take it. Many thanks

[-Juggernaut-]

Hey Guys..... FYI.

My F-50 is for sale.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2238413

[Will Cyrier]

Hey Guys..... FYI.

My F-50 is for sale.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2238413

I wish I had some extra cash lying around......

[-Juggernaut-]

Wish I didn't need to sell it.... but I need to replace a computer more than I need an extra amp, and my Mako is going NOWHERE.

[Rightofthedrums]

I wish I had some extra cash lying around......http://n08f1226monm202.imageshacknow.info/img/1831/v09j0102exnz/_.png

Ughh don't we all? I want to buy it. :cry:

[Ben.s]

Wish I didn't need to sell it.... but I need to replace a computer more than I need an extra amp, and my Mako is going NOWHERE.

Im trying to find a Mako, where did you get yours?

[ibanezplayer470]

Just got an F-30 off ebay, brand new with a 5 year warranty. Figured this was the right place for me!

[-Juggernaut-]

Im trying to find a Mako, where did you get yours?

I traded a guy here on HC for it..... :thu:

[Ben.s]

Ah lucky man. I'm searching the whole of britain to try and track one down :P

[ibanezplayer470]

Anyone have any good Slash settings for an F-30?

[opultaM]

Hey guys, been a while.

Question: I'd like to switch my F100 head's channels with a switcher that uses quarter inch jacks. That means I'll need a custom cable made, and I know a coupe places to ask. But I assume they'll need a schematic of the footswitch so they can wire the quarter inch cable to the channel switching function of the F's pin cable (and not the reverb or contour switch).

Im not finding one out there. Any one know where I can get?

[mynameistaken]

Hey guys, been a while.

Question: I'd like to switch my F100 head's channels with a switcher that uses quarter inch jacks. That means I'll need a custom cable made, and I know a coupe places to ask. But I assume they'll need a schematic of the footswitch so they can wire the quarter inch cable to the channel switching function of the F's pin cable (and not the reverb or contour switch).

Im not finding one out there. Any one know where I can get?

i checked into that once. try this place.

http://best-tronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BMI&Product_Code=JCSW-18&Attributes=Yes&Quantity=1

[Dann'sTheMan]

i checked into that once. try this place.

http://best-tronics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BMI&Product_Code=JCSW-18&Attributes=Yes&Quantity=1

Interesting find :thu: The information required is also in the 2nd post of this thread. The best-tronics site posts pretty much the same info, but adds in how they wire the TS connector. I personally think it would be cool if the best-tronics site had copy and pasted the info from our thread - maybe via a custom order. Good to know the info is still helping out F-series owners. Good luck with your project too, opultaM, :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Crunchtime]

...

[opultaM]

Thanks guys. Andy, did you make your custom cable yourself or have it made? If you had it made, how much did that set you back? I'm sure it depends on what type of cable.

[iamrobk]

Hey guys, I am strongly considering buying an F-50 (used, of course). Right now I use a GT-10 since I am at college, and have a Blues Jr. at home. I want to sell the Blues Jr and get the F-50. Sucks I have to wait until i go home for Spring Break before I can sell it and start seriously looking on ebay and craigslist :(

[Will Cyrier]

Hey guys, I am strongly considering buying an F-50 (used, of course). Right now I use a GT-10 since I am at college, and have a Blues Jr. at home. I want to sell the Blues Jr and get the F-50. Sucks I have to wait until i go home for Spring Break before I can sell it and start seriously looking on ebay and craigslist :(

I know about selling one thing to get something else but I would recommend keeping the Blues Jr. as a backup rig. I'm not saying that Mesa is unreliable, but things can happen with any amp that may require repair. If you don't gig too much than this might not be an issue for you. I actually picked up a used Blues Jr. last year after my F-30 went to the shop because it sucked not having an amp around to jam with for the week or two my F was in the shop. Either way, I hope you find an F-50. Someone on this forum has one for sale (just the head). Look back a page or two and you'll find it.

Will

[iamrobk]

I know about selling one thing to get something else but I would recommend keeping the Blues Jr. as a backup rig. I'm not saying that Mesa is unreliable, but things can happen with any amp that may require repair. If you don't gig too much than this might not be an issue for you. I actually picked up a used Blues Jr. last year after my F-30 went to the shop because it sucked not having an amp around to jam with for the week or two my F was in the shop. Either way, I hope you find an F-50. Someone on this forum has one for sale (just the head). Look back a page or two and you'll find it.

Will

I certainly understand your point, but since I have my GT-10, I think I am good in terms of a back-up. Plus, I have never really liked the Blues Jr. much anyway (I was still a very new player when i got it, and have never really got it to sound "good" especially overdriven). However, thank you for the perspective!

[YannickChampagn]

Hey guys,


Im a proud new owner of a F50 combo, have been for a few weeks now, and I have a problem getting just the tone I want out of it.

Im looking to get more of a mid boost out of it but the eq stack isnt quite getting me there.

Should I:

A. Swap the stock speaker with a V30 for a mid hump emphasis?
B. Change the tubes for som ething that might favor the mids? Suggestions?
C. Use a boost pedal of some sort to tighten it up etc (was a suggestion from a friend, but its the low gain tones I cant get the mids out of)
D. Buy a eq pedal and throw it in the loop or upfront to get the sound Im looking for?


Im a student on a tight budget, so I dont want to spend more than I have to, so take that into consideration.

THanks.

[Surf-53]

hey guys...sorry im kinda new to this forum and thread in general...but anyways i dont know if somewhere within these 102 pages if someone has already asked this or not..but i was wondering why the f-30s on ebay are going for up to $200-$300 more then the f-50s. is there a fundamental difference in tone besides (im assuming at least) the f-50 having more low end push and of course more volume (more wattage)

and also from reading the first page i have learned alot about this amp and different recording techniques and settings for EQing...i want to thank you guys so much. its been great help for me. and tommy your sound clips are awesome and your posts on the john petrucci forums have made me want to join the f-series brotherhood

[ibanezplayer470]

hey guys...sorry im kinda new to this forum and thread in general...but anyways i dont know if somewhere within these 102 pages if someone has already asked this or not..but i was wondering why the f-30s on ebay are going for up to $200-$300 more then the f-50s. is there a fundamental difference in tone besides (im assuming at least) the f-50 having more low end push and of course more volume (more wattage)

and also from reading the first page i have learned alot about this amp and different recording techniques and settings for EQing...i want to thank you guys so much. its been great help for me. and tommy your sound clips are awesome and your posts on the john petrucci forums have made me want to join the f-series brotherhood

actually, if you watch for a bit, most of the f-30's that arent started at a ridiculously high price end up selling around 600,while the f-50's go for 6-800. The f-50's have more headroom, and have a more modern sound with the 6l6's (not entirely sure about that tube) but the f-30's have el-84's. the el-84s are a little more vintage/british voiced and break up a little sooner. I have an f-30 and I love it, does everything from fantastic clean to a recto-ish distortion. I have not played an f-50.

[mynameistaken]

Has anybody tried to hook up a reverb pedal up in place of the reverb tank? You would need an rca cable on one side and 1/4 on the other. Actually 2. Is there any risk of damaging the amp?

edit: ok, i tried it... too much signal with a pedal and just distorts badly.

[opultaM]

Has anybody tried to hook up a reverb pedal up in place of the reverb tank? You would need an rca cable on one side and 1/4 on the other. Actually 2. Is there any risk of damaging the amp?

edit: ok, i tried it... too much signal with a pedal and just distorts badly.

what about other types of pedals? I asked about this a while back but nobody seems to have done it. Is it just a matter of line level/inst level?

[Surf-53]

actually, if you watch for a bit, most of the f-30's that arent started at a ridiculously high price end up selling around 600,while the f-50's go for 6-800. The f-50's have more headroom, and have a more modern sound with the 6l6's (not entirely sure about that tube) but the f-30's have el-84's. the el-84s are a little more vintage/british voiced and break up a little sooner. I have an f-30 and I love it, does everything from fantastic clean to a recto-ish distortion. I have not played an f-50.

oh ok that makes sense. because i was wondering the fundamental difference. and that makes sense with the 6l6s having more of a modern sound. but you say you like your f-30. and yeah ive read that they are recto-esque but with maybe slightly less distortion. which still wouldnt bother me..seeing as the dual recs have like enough distortion to satisfy dimebag. :lol:
but if you want a general idea of the tone im aiming for: ASG if you havnt heard of them..idk
maybe kill em all era metallica..and thrash thrash thrash
any stoner metal bands in general
and i definately like tommy's sound clips and scenery channel's stuff so im assuming an f-50 would suit my needs quite well

[andershoeg]

F30's CAN get some mean distorted sounds! No doubt! But it is NOT a recto! Reco'ish....well I would say both can do some very metal'ish sounds, but the recto wins in this department IMO. I do have both a single recto, and an f30. Different amps for different things. Now i play some cover-music...the f30 wins in this department! That being said; I love both amps :)
b.r. andershoeg

[mynameistaken]

what about other types of pedals? I asked about this a while back but nobody seems to have done it. Is it just a matter of line level/inst level?

maybe a pedal with a volume knob and turned WAY down. i found this on a random reverb tank.

"10 ohm input, 2,575 ohm output"

[hahavishnu]

i thought they were all done.....but "guitar guitar" glasgow has a brand new f50 combo for sale.i have noticed a few new ones showing up 'round the uk!

hope this info helps a bro in need out.
john.

[ibanezplayer470]

i thought they were all done.....but "guitar guitar" glasgow has a brand new f50 combo for sale.i have noticed a few new ones showing up 'round the uk!

hope this info helps a bro in need out.
john.

I actually got my f-30 on Feb. 1st this year brand new on ebay from a store that was selling old inventory (got it for $624 w/ 5 year warranty!) ... so yeah, there are still a few new ones floating around.

[ibanezplayer470]

anyone have any good santana type settings for their f-series amp? Specifically an F-30, but I'd be interested in seeing what people are doing for their f-50's and 100's

[sglider]

If anybody's interested I'm selling my F50 combo. I love the amp, but its just way too much amp for what I need. I'll probably kick myself for this later, but oh well. Here's a link to my craigslist posting: http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/msg/1064279517.html
Thanks, I've enjoyed reading all the info and advice on this page!

[ibanezplayer470]

what kind of speaker would you put in a 2x12 cab to be used in combination with the v30 in an f-30? Right now i am thinking either greenbacks or v-30's, but i am open to cheaper suggestions. I play RHCP/Ozzy/Zeppelin/GNR/Alter bridge type stuff, if that helps/

[RyGy]

Hey guys,


Im a proud new owner of a F50 combo, have been for a few weeks now, and I have a problem getting just the tone I want out of it.

Im looking to get more of a mid boost out of it but the eq stack isnt quite getting me there.

Should I:

A. Swap the stock speaker with a V30 for a mid hump emphasis?
B. Change the tubes for som ething that might favor the mids? Suggestions?
C. Use a boost pedal of some sort to tighten it up etc (was a suggestion from a friend, but its the low gain tones I cant get the mids out of)
D. Buy a eq pedal and throw it in the loop or upfront to get the sound Im looking for?


Im a student on a tight budget, so I dont want to spend more than I have to, so take that into consideration.

THanks.

I would put an EQ in the loop first to see where that can get you. From there I would look at a speaker swap. The F series amps have the EQ before the gain so its effect is a bit limited. If you put the EQ in the loop you will be able to tweak the character of the distortion with the amps EQ then change the overall sound with the EQ in the loop.

Speaker swaps can be hit or miss. It is hard to get it right the first time, and it can get to be quite expensive in a hurry I have gone through about 10-15 different speakers to find the ones that I like.

[Goldwing]

I recently change my setup, and I encourage evryone to try the loop at 50% and place a delay 100% on it.

The tone is hughe and a lot better than running the loop at 90%. For those who own a G-Major you could try with other post-distortion effects also.. but this is the setup for what the F50 was designed for.. and the sound is a lot better..

Why? because only the 50% of your tone gets converted to digital..the other 50% remains unalterated.

I recommend to at least you try this guys... yes.. you loose the capacity of putting a post EQ pedal and a boost in the loop, but the earnings in tone are hughe and you can always substitute this issues with a little tweaking and pedals in front of (dependign of cours of the type of music you are playing)

cheers!!

[JDM31181]

Hey everybody, new to the site and new to Mesa Boogie and I recently bought a F-50 used with a V-30 speaker in it. Love the amp, really haven't dialed it in yet, but I know Ill get there with more tweaking.

I know I'm going to get crap for having a MT2 Metal Zone in there, it sounds like balls. I used a Marshall MG 250DFX before my Mesa and it sounded alright then, but now it sounds like poo on the Mesa and im trying to dial it in.
My issue is, I live in an a apartment, so I really cant turn it up. So I think I might do the volume pedal in the loop deal and see how that works and get rid of the Metal Zone.

Setup:
Zakk Wylde Epi Les Paul---> Cry Baby Wah---> Metal Zone---> Amp, (loop) OC3 Octave Pedal--->Tuner

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7418/mesa.tif

[LaidBack95]

Yo JDM, try ditching the Metal Zone and pick up an overdrive to push the preamp tubes harder at low volumes. Also, don't ignore the Contour channel. It's a beast. I leave mine all on the time.

[JDM31181]

Yo JDM, try ditching the Metal Zone and pick up an overdrive to push the preamp tubes harder at low volumes. Also, don't ignore the Contour channel. It's a beast. I leave mine all on the time.
Tell me about it, I keep hearing all these badass heavy Recto style tones from all these F-50 clips and I'm jealous. Definitely love the contour, but I kind of wish I could control the volume level and even it out with the dirty channel.

[ESPImperium]

i thought they were all done.....but "guitar guitar" glasgow has a brand new f50 combo for sale.i have noticed a few new ones showing up 'round the uk!

hope this info helps a bro in need out.
john.

Guess where my F30 head came from??? My good friends at GuitarGuitar Glasgow.

[JDM31181]

F-50 Problem, my Effects Loop hums annoyingly to the point that I cant use it because my tone keeps getting sucked. Now I tried using a Ibanez LS10 Loop Controller and that thing still sucks my tone to the point that I need to find a solution to this problem. My tone sucking issues are really evident in the Contour channel but not to sure about the clean channel. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this and get my tone back? --- Thanks

[opultaM]

I guess this is really a question for Andy, but...

I was on here a month ago talking about getting a custom cable for my F so that i can switch channels from a looper/switcher i ordered (this (http://www.loop-master.com/product_info.php?products_id=167&osCsid=c3b7d5ni2p6g14uqm0sp0mg6g0)). So I went to an amp repair store with my footswitch cable to ask about getting a custom cable with quarter inch on one end and 5pin on the other. I brought in the list of pin functions from post 2 in this thread.

He said i would need to bring me the amp and footswitch too and he may need to mod the amp. He mentioned the LED in the Mesa footswitch and that it needs that signal to function properly.

Does this sound right? Should it be that complicated? Gonna call another shop tomorrow, but i figured it can't hurt to ask here.

[DisplacedLogic]

So I stumbled across this page after ordering a Mesa F-50 head... And the amount of information here is UNREAL!! I'm looking forward to reading through here and starting some of these mods so I can get what I'm looking for out of this amp. Thanks for everything guys!

[Will Cyrier]

So I stumbled across this page after ordering a Mesa F-50 head... And the amount of information here is UNREAL!! I'm looking forward to reading through here and starting some of these mods so I can get what I'm looking for out of this amp. Thanks for everything guys!

Welcome! I've had my F-30 for a couple of years now and still love it...even more so than the day I brought it home.

[tech21man]

hello!despite my tech21 username-marriagesaver homage I also own an f-30 and a mesa boogie studio preamp.I also have a mesa triaxis currently. I am reading through the first pages but can't exactly find info for my "problem" or have the time to read through the whole thread that fast!

So far everybody knows that the loop is serial and goes to 90%(? why. anyway). And several have run effects, post eq and sutch in the loop with success.

I am currently running the studio preamp direct in the loop, full(90%) wet so as to utilize my combo as a power amp+speaker for my preamps. I haven't tried the triaxis yet. Even though the studio preamp works great in home/low volume situations(and I do mean great as in mark IIc+ vintage style high gain even in low volume great) I tried it in a band rehearsal and it sounded really awfull....

My preamp is old and maybe needs retubbing or well, refurbishing.


Does anyone ever used an f-series with an external preamp just to amplify as I did in a live gig or band context with good results? Is it the loop's fault for certain?


Or should I try and remedy my preamp that plays beuatifully in low volume situation?

I' d love to be able to play with my band and the studio-preamp-triaxis f-30 "combo".

[hal9000]

hello!despite my tech21 username-marriagesaver homage I also own an f-30 and a mesa boogie studio preamp.I also have a mesa triaxis currently. I am reading through the first pages but can't exactly find info for my "problem" or have the time to read through the whole thread that fast!

So far everybody knows that the loop is serial and goes to 90%(? why. anyway). And several have run effects, post eq and sutch in the loop with success.

I am currently running the studio preamp direct in the loop, full(90%) wet so as to utilize my combo as a power amp+speaker for my preamps. I haven't tried the triaxis yet. Even though the studio preamp works great in home/low volume situations(and I do mean great as in mark IIc+ vintage style high gain even in low volume great) I tried it in a band rehearsal and it sounded really awfull....

My preamp is old and maybe needs retubbing or well, refurbishing.


Does anyone ever used an f-series with an external preamp just to amplify as I did in a live gig or band context with good results? Is it the loop's fault for certain?


Or should I try and remedy my preamp that plays beuatifully in low volume situation?

I' d love to be able to play with my band and the studio-preamp-triaxis f-30 "combo".Stick a short guitar or speaker cable in the FX Send jack (and into nothing else) which will disconnect the preamp and make everything sound better. I've run tons of preamps, modelers, etc. through my F-100 using a 1/4" plug and the amp has performed admirably.

The loop only goes to parallel because of the circuit design. It wouldn't be hard at all to substitute a push-pull pot for the FX loop mix control to take the loop from parallel to series. Of course, when you put an unterminated plug in the FX send jack, the preamp is totally disconnected anyway so you're getting the same functionality as tube power amplifier.

[tech21man]

thanks! I will give it a go. I only played it with the studio preamp in the return plug. By the way I crancked the f-30 in a band context for the first time! I liked the thumping quality even though it's a small open back combo. But...and it's a big but.

The other guitarist played a fender evil twin(red knob variety) and...firstly our lead eq behaved entirely the same way(expected). Secondly whatever the f-30 could do the evil twin did it exactly the same way, which I didn't expect, same gain, character and and added pressence if needed(no such sonic quality for the f-30 unfortunately). I am thinking to disconnect the reverb tank so as to try to utilize the reverb knob as a pressence knob. Could it work?

A great detail:The other guitarist was running 2 1x12 brunetti closed back 16-ohm vintage 30 equipped cabinets, I m guessing in parallel. Still the f-30 did have the same thump if needed, volume (he was playing with 2 6L6s) and cut very well. And got rid of the -certainly not good for any reason for my taste- recto "quality" that the amp has with gain maxed in lower volumes. Maybe my ears, maybe the speaker that got pushed or the sound absorption in the studio but the sound got "markier". Damn that fender was good though...so alike! Heavy rythm and you couldn't tell 6L6's or EL84's. We tried the same guitar through the amps to verify it.

By the way we both played with various settings and liked the crancked mids no treble no bass the most!!! Nevertheless dimed treble and the others to zero gave the amp a more cutting although somewhat thinner quality. We both played humbucker equipped guitars.

[hal9000]

I guess this is really a question for Andy, but...

I was on here a month ago talking about getting a custom cable for my F so that i can switch channels from a looper/switcher i ordered (this (http://www.loop-master.com/product_info.php?products_id=167&osCsid=c3b7d5ni2p6g14uqm0sp0mg6g0)). So I went to an amp repair store with my footswitch cable to ask about getting a custom cable with quarter inch on one end and 5pin on the other. I brought in the list of pin functions from post 2 in this thread.

He said i would need to bring me the amp and footswitch too and he may need to mod the amp. He mentioned the LED in the Mesa footswitch and that it needs that signal to function properly.

Does this sound right? Should it be that complicated? Gonna call another shop tomorrow, but i figured it can't hurt to ask here.All you need is a custom cable, there is no need for the footswitch. In the same way, you can change modes on the front of the amp with the mini toggle without the footswitch. I built a custom cable for my G-Major to switch channels on my F-100 and it works great.

[hal9000]

So I stumbled across this page after ordering a Mesa F-50 head... And the amount of information here is UNREAL!! I'm looking forward to reading through here and starting some of these mods so I can get what I'm looking for out of this amp. Thanks for everything guys!Welcome to the F-series Brotherhood and HCAF! :)

[jdkornel]

Question about speaker load and impedence and stuff I don't really understand !!!

I have an F-100 head if I am going to run in 60watt mode (only 2 tubes) into a 4x12 cabinet that is rated at 8ohms ... is this safe? Should I be using the 8ohm output? or the 4ohm???


THANKS.

[hal9000]

Question about speaker load and impedence and stuff I don't really understand !!!

I have an F-100 head if I am going to run in 60watt mode (only 2 tubes) into a 4x12 cabinet that is rated at 8ohms ... is this safe? Should I be using the 8ohm output? or the 4ohm???


THANKS.In 60 W mode, plug an 8 Ohm load into either one of the 4 Ohm jacks per the manual. It's not only safe, it's a matched impedance.

[jdkornel]

In 60 W mode, plug an 8 Ohm load into either one of the 4 Ohm jacks per the manual. It's not only safe, it's a matched impedance.

Thanks Hal, That is what I thought but I wasn't certain. I downloaded the manual but couldn't find it in there?

THANKS.

[tech21man]

I was thniking of trying the f-30 thiele ported cab combination. In page 100 somehting hal9000 gave it a go and had good results. What makes me wonder is if it would be better to throw the v30 in the thiele cab and the c-90 in the combo...why? cause I've also noticed that in the roadking cabinets mesa also keeps the c-90 semi open and the v30 closed back and also somebody also tried swapping the v30 with a c-90 and got good results...

Then again I cpuld also try an eminence delta pro 12 an evm clone...Does anybody ever played an f-30 or f-series with an evm or closed v30?

[Atheris]

wow... i bought an F-100 from a friend a couple months back and just found this thread - awesome to say the least.

i do have a question though... in my last mesa i ran KT-66's in lieu of 6L6's. if i'm in the 60 watt mode, can i just put two in there instead of buying 4? i've never owned a 100 watt amp so i'm sorry if that's a dumb question.

on a side note i love this amp... i've never really head such differnces in the tonality of my guitars. i play a gibson 61 SG reissue mainly, plus a fender american tele amonst others.

[hinrich]

For those of you who went from F30 to F50, were you happy about your decision? I may have an opportunity to do a straight trade, I've never played a 50 before so I'm wondering if it's worth it.

[DisplacedLogic]

Well, I have yet to get my F-50 in, however, I feel more and more confident with it's abilites, however, I have a slight problem now. I got an amazing deal on an Avatar 2x12 with Hellatone 60's... But the head is black and the cab is red w/ wheat... Has anyone retolexed their F-50 or seen if the grill cloth on the front can be switched out?

[opultaM]

All you need is a custom cable, there is no need for the footswitch. In the same way, you can change modes on the front of the amp with the mini toggle without the footswitch. I built a custom cable for my G-Major to switch channels on my F-100 and it works great.

I thought so... I think he just wanted al the stuff so he could understand what the heck he was doing. I probably didn't explain it that well.

Either way, I'm gonna get the amp modded for a 1/4 cable to switch channels. He said less than $100 and the amp would retain all its current functionality. I figure, this way I don't have to worry about custom cables (especially if one breaks) and now if i ever decide to go midi again, i'm all set.

[tech21man]

allright...I've just played for fun with my f-30 and a 4x12 marshall cabinet. nothing special justo a plain avt closed back. that was a pleasant surpsrise...

They were both 8 ohms so it was easy to connect them in parallel tp the two 4-0hms inputs.
I could clearly hear the original character of the f-30, but the sound was more full bodied and with a tighter bottom end or in simple words, the way it should be!!!
I left the 4x12 do the gorund coupling thing and raised the f-30 to hear it more clearly.

And another thing, the preamp "problem" that I had was "solved" by simply running it straight to the clean channel and adding the f-30 s eq for further tone shpaing possibilities including the pull bright knob...great sounds...for anyone with a preamp and an f-series I would definately say that it's worth to try and experiment with this approach...

[jdkornel]

F-100 re-birth ...

I have had my F-100 head for over 5 years and have played, recorded, and gigged hundred of gigs with it faithfully and to this day still LOVE that amp. I have been playing it throught the Mesa 3/4 back 212 with Black Shodow 90's. Like I say no issues, and I love that amp.

Well as I have been playing larger venues and more rock type music I decided I would try it out with a 4x12. I found an older Mesa oversize recto cab in mint condition for a great price so I picked it up.

WOW :eek: What an amazing difference! It totaly opened up the amp more than I imagined. It is a fuller more well rounded tone, very smooth with the V-30's. Filled up the bottom end and mids and took out some of the upper end harshness that I had with the 212. I am in love all over again. Can't wait to play a gig with this new rig

p.s. it looks badass too the F-100 head on top the big 'ol 412 ROCKS

[Will Cyrier]

Well, I have yet to get my F-50 in, however, I feel more and more confident with it's abilites, however, I have a slight problem now. I got an amazing deal on an Avatar 2x12 with Hellatone 60's... But the head is black and the cab is red w/ wheat... Has anyone retolexed their F-50 or seen if the grill cloth on the front can be switched out?

Swapping out the grill cloth should be no problem. My F-30 just has 4 phillips screws holding it to the cabinet. Good luck!

[DisplacedLogic]

Sweet. I pick the amp and cab up on Friday. Gotta love 14 hour work days... I'll get pics up when I get it unpacked. And yes, the guitar will be in the pic, too.

[Larcos_Unal]

Greeting Gents,

Popping my cherry here in this great thread! I've actually started reading it from the beginning and I'm up to around page 40 haha, I've got a long way to go! I've been wanting an all tube 1x12 Mesa for a while and thought about going with the Express 5:25 and other options but this thread sealed the deal and I decided on the F series.

I bought an F-30 off of craigslist last week (b-day present from me!) along with a hotplate and I am very pleased with the tone through my Les Paul. Great buttery lead tones and sweet singing sustain, just as I've always wanted. My only gripe is that even though I'm running an eq through the loop, I'm still looking for a little extra drive to really push the tubes and give me a little extra gain for metal rhythm playing.

Rather than going through all 300+ pages I thought I'd stop lurking and join the fun! What overdrive pedals do you guys recommend? I'm looking for something inexpensive, any ideas???

Thanks in advance!

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2699/014q.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4680/016b.jpg

[DisplacedLogic]

Do you like your hotplate?

[Larcos_Unal]

I do, it's pretty much a necessity if you live in an apartment or condo. The tone is pretty true even at -16db.

[Will Cyrier]

Larcos,

While I don't play much metal, I've been very pleased with the sound of a Tubescreamer pushing the hi gain and contour channels of my F-30. I like the sound of the TS9 by Ibanez. I keep the gain on the mesa between 12 and 3 (for metal) and the OD pedal boosts it nicely for creamy, hi gain solo work. I just got a boss blues driver that I like to use on the clean channel for light break up sounds, but I haven't tried it in front of high gain.

Welcome to the forum. Is this your first tube amp?

[Larcos_Unal]

Yeah man, first all tube amp. My last amp was a Marshall valvestate and though it had a single tube in the pre section, it does not compare to the F-30.

I've got a guy on craigslist looking to trade me an SD-1 for my metal zone straight up. I'm gonna do it, I figure it'll be like adding another channel to the mesa. After trying the contour channel, marshall and metal zone distortions sound absolutely grating. I've been looking for this thick tone for a while and I finally found it, it's just that sometimes you want to see what it would sound like with even more gain!!! LOL

Frankly I don't do metal much anymore, mostly play rock, hard rock and blues. But it's nice to reminisce...

[DisplacedLogic]

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs008.snc1/2859_69774871819_502091819_2168265_4659491_n.jpg
PRS Tremonti in Vintage Natural
Mesa F-50 Head
Avatar 2x12 w/ Hellatone 60's
FTW

I have yet to REALLY open this thing up (apartment), which saddens me. I can, however, tell a HUGE difference between the ValveKing (which I got rid of for this beast) and the F-50. I love it! And I'll have to admit, the Contour channel gives a great rhythm, but put an OD infront of the normal drive channel, and you'll have yourself one great solo tone. :)

[Robotechnology]

Leaving the F-Series fold but, still keeping some Mesa's. Check out the for sale amps thread for my F-100 Head with road case at a great deal or pm/email me: sixstringguitars@aol.com

[DisplacedLogic]

So, I was able crank my amp, but I realize that I have a slight issue. Does anyone else get a lot of static once the master gets above 12?

[Tommi Inkila]

Hi bros!

I just wanted to stop by and tell that the F50 is still kicking. I've been somewhat out of music business for six months since I'm finishing my studies.

I have lots of stuff planned, some pop-material with female vocals, mainstream project with Mikko from SC, guitar shred and Scenery Channel progepic. I don't know how I pull that through and what amps I will use. Nowadays I like to choose the tones based on the material I'm working on. The problem is student budget combined with need of multiple amps. Hopefully that will change soon.

Anyway, I'm happy to see that the lounge still exists! :)

[Will Cyrier]

So, I was able crank my amp, but I realize that I have a slight issue. Does anyone else get a lot of static once the master gets above 12?

It's probably your eardrums flapping in their canal! :) Seriously though, I haven't experienced this with my combo. Do you have another cabinet you could check it against to rule that out? Good luck.

Will

[Larcos_Unal]

I can't even imagine the F-30 at 12 o'clock man, that's insane.

[jdkornel]

I have had the F-100 and 4x12 up to about 10 o'clock .. the only static I heard was every part of my house vibrating !!!

[Will Cyrier]

I have had the F-100 and 4x12 up to about 10 o'clock .. the only static I heard was every part of my house vibrating !!!

:thu:

[robysath]

What is this strange large screw sticking out of the inside of my F-30 combo? Anyone else have this? What it for?
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4756/dsc00196s.th.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00196s.jpg)

[mynameistaken]

What is this strange large screw sticking out of the inside of my F-30 combo? Anyone else have this? What it for?
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4756/dsc00196s.th.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00196s.jpg)

It is used to brace the chassis in the cabinet. A measure to prevent rattles due to speaker vibrations.

[DisplacedLogic]

You know, that static may have very well been my ear drums being destroyed. I loved it, though!! No other cab. Just me and my Avatar :( Oh well, it's still amazing.

[Ben.s]

You know, that static may have very well been my ear drums being destroyed. I loved it, though!! No other cab. Just me and my Avatar :( Oh well, it's still amazing.

Crazy isnt it :P About a year ago, my f100 with its marshall 1960a went full, that was insane.

[Larcos_Unal]

Hey gents, quick update...

Still loving the F-30! Traded a busted up Metal Zone for a DS-1 and now I've got the amount of smooth heavy gain I was looking for. Quick question, anyone have experience with Black Shadow speakers in the F-30?

Kinda wondering if it's worth making the change...

[robysath]

How does the gain/distortion of the F-30 compare to a Solo Rectifier? I'm looking for as much dirt as I can find for metal and thought rectifier may be the better way to go. But if my F-30 can produce just as much gain then I may as well stick with it than spending way more $$ for the rectifier and a cab.

[jrico216]

Hey everybody.........greate site!

I love my f-50, but need advice in two areas.

1) How can I get a tighter sound on all three channels? It just seems like the response isn't there when trying to play snappy leads and tight rhythms.

2) My amp starts sounding sloppy at the 10:00 o'clock position. Any suggestions?

I play a gibson sg and a fender strat.
Tube screamer and a vox wha.

Thanks,
Joe

[Larcos_Unal]

How does the gain/distortion of the F-30 compare to a Solo Rectifier? I'm looking for as much dirt as I can find for metal and thought rectifier may be the better way to go. But if my F-30 can produce just as much gain then I may as well stick with it than spending way more $$ for the rectifier and a cab.



You're not gonna get anywhere near as much gain as a recto series, but you can add an OD pedal in front of the contour distortion to really push the tubes. I'm getting a pretty sweet metal tone right now, add an EQ in the loop for extra tone sculpting and you're in business.

[robysath]

Cool, thanks Larcos_Unal.

[opultaM]

taking my f100 in to get modded tomorrow. Gonna get a quarter inch jack installed for channel switching. That way i can use a looper to switch. hopefully won't cost more than around $100

[Dann'sTheMan]

taking my f100 in to get modded tomorrow. Gonna get a quarter inch jack installed for channel switching. That way i can use a looper to switch. hopefully won't cost more than around $100

Hi opultaM,

Have you considered just getting a custom cable made up that would plug into the F-100's footswitch socket, and provide three quarter inch sockets for channel switching, contour and reverb? You'd be able to use your looper in the same way, there'd be no risk to your amp (or resale value if that matters to you), and it should be cheaper too. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey everybody.........greate site!

I love my f-50, but need advice in two areas.

1) How can I get a tighter sound on all three channels? It just seems like the response isn't there when trying to play snappy leads and tight rhythms.

2) My amp starts sounding sloppy at the 10:00 o'clock position. Any suggestions?

I play a gibson sg and a fender strat.
Tube screamer and a vox wha.

Thanks,
Joe

Hi Joe,

What are your settings? With Fender type tone stacks like the F-series, you should avoid dumping too much bass into the pre-amp. Have you tried rolling the Bass control back to 9 o'clock (I often have Mids on 3 o'clock, and Treble on 9 o'clock)? Bass can be added back in after the tone stack either with the Contour switch, or via an EQ in the FX loop. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[opultaM]

Hi opultaM,

Have you considered just getting a custom cable made up that would plug into the F-100's footswitch socket, and provide three quarter inch sockets for channel switching, contour and reverb? You'd be able to use your looper in the same way, there'd be no risk to your amp (or resale value if that matters to you), and it should be cheaper too. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Andy,

Yes I had considered it. However, all the amp techs around me seem to have no idea what I'm talking about when I explain how to do it. I even conveyed the wiring scheme from post 2 in this thread. Idunno, they just didn't get it.

In the end I decided on the jack, since I don't use the contour or reverb, and I really do hate plugging that cable into the underside of the F at every gig. Also, the input seems to be wearing...I've had some shorts on the footswitch the past few gigs.

In terms of price, I would have wanted a backup made as well. So the cost would have approached mod pricing anyway. And now I can use any old cable to switch.

Thanks for the suggestion tho!

[davetcan]

Hi everyone, new F-30 owner here, bought it mint and used for the ridiculous price of $600 Canadian or about $490 US. That may be normal in the States but these things are rare up here. It will go nicely with my LSS head and cab.

Really like the cleans so far and in fact don't mind the OD channel but I'd like to get a bit more control over it. Just wondering if anyone had changed pots or tubes to tame it a little. It seems like it's either "off" or "full on" with not much in between Everything happens in about a 2 degree rotation. It may already be covered in this thread but I can't find it. Thanks in advance. :thu:

[Larcos_Unal]

Quick update,

Replaced the regular mesa 12AX7 in V1 with a Tung-Sol and I have to say I'm really impressed! The bottom is tighter, the tone is slightly brighter and the cleans are still beautiful. I'm gonna experiment with an Electro Harmonix in V2 as I've heard that they are high gain tubes.

Love to tinker!!!!!

[Crack Hitler]

Hi everyone, new F-30 owner here, bought it mint and used for the ridiculous price of $600 Canadian or about $490 US. That may be normal in the States but these things are rare up here. It will go nicely with my LSS head and cab.

Really like the cleans so far and in fact don't mind the OD channel but I'd like to get a bit more control over it. Just wondering if anyone had changed pots or tubes to tame it a little. It seems like it's either "off" or "full on" with not much in between Everything happens in about a 2 degree rotation. It may already be covered in this thread but I can't find it. Thanks in advance. :thu:

I just picked one up myself, also in mint condition, still under factory warranty, c/w footswitch, and cover. I paid $699 Canadian, so not quite a good a deal as you got, but still a fair price.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/zeegler/MESABOOGIEF-30.jpg

[de_loused]

Hello everyone, as much as I don't want to, I'm selling my F-100 combo. My job isn't giving me hours and I have bills to pay. If anyone is interested in it, it is freshly tubed and in great condition. If you need any additional information just send me a message. Thanks!

[robysath]

Is it just my F-30 or does anyone else also find that the record/headphones out does not sound very good? I'm comparing to the Line 6 A.I.R. stuff I've heard so I may have been spoiled by that.

[Will Cyrier]

Is it just my F-30 or does anyone else also find that the record/headphones out does not sound very good? I'm comparing to the Line 6 A.I.R. stuff I've heard so I may have been spoiled by that.

I don't think mine sounds good just using headphones either.

[newyorkjames]

I bought my F-50 new in October 2005 and have been visiting this site ever since. Always intelligent and insightful, the posts have given me valuable information about my amplifier. It is certainly a great amp and I've spent many pleasant hours playing away and admiring the incredible sound. I decided it was time to post you a thank you for your valuable information. I am not a professional player but not half bad either. I'm a blues player mostly. Your posts have been quite helpful. I am attaching an image of the amp (if I do it correctly) the finish is zinc bronco and I believe the grill fabric is called pewter. I play an ES335 from 1973, a PRS 20th anniversary Custom 24 from 2005 and a Strat customized by Roger Sadowski here in New York from about 1983. Cheers to you. ~James

[ibanezplayer470]

Is it just my F-30 or does anyone else also find that the record/headphones out does not sound very good? I'm comparing to the Line 6 A.I.R. stuff I've heard so I may have been spoiled by that.
mesas arent really designed to be played through headphones. If you need to record, just mic it.

[robysath]

mesas arent really designed to be played through headphones. If you need to record, just mic it.

cool.

[Will Cyrier]

I bought my F-50 new in October 2005 and have been visiting this site ever since. Always intelligent and insightful, the posts have given me valuable information about my amplifier. It is certainly a great amp and I've spent many pleasant hours playing away and admiring the incredible sound. I decided it was time to post you a thank you for your valuable information. I am not a professional player but not half bad either. I'm a blues player mostly. Your posts have been quite helpful. I am attaching an image of the amp (if I do it correctly) the finish is zinc bronco and I believe the grill fabric is called pewter. I play an ES335 from 1973, a PRS 20th anniversary Custom 24 from 2005 and a Strat customized by Roger Sadowski here in New York from about 1983. Cheers to you. ~James


Hey James, welcome to the site. That's a sweet looking F-50 you've got there. My dad just gave me his 1983 Fender Strat a couple of months ago. Does yours have the input jack on the pickguard and only one volume and one tone knob?

Will

[newyorkjames]

Hi Will, many thanks. No, my strat has the one volume and 2 tone controls and input jack below the pickguard. I mixed up my guitar birthdays. My Martin MC-28 (which I forgot to mention) is from 1983. The strat is from 1985. It was a pretty early Japanese model with a very good neck. Roger had a deal with EMG at the time. They made custom pickups for him. When you crank up the second tone control it boosts the midrange of the pickup. Very nice. He routed out a little space behind the input jack for the 9 volt battery and installed a 5 position toggle. It was a pretty new thing back then. I find myself playing the PRS and 335 much more though. I like the big humbucker sound. The PRS is a real beauty (pristeen contruction) and the sound is incredible. That split coil thing they do is very nice, a little bit strat-like in one position and a little bit tele-like in another position. The humbuckers are clean and strong, the tone pots sensitive. Of course the 335 is magnificent. The 2 volume and tone controls make for some very nice combo sounds with the switch in the middle. Those controls are something you might miss just a little bit in the PRS custom 24 which has just one volume and one tone, but it makes up for that in other ways. Cheers!

[Sebman]

Hi everybody,

This is my very first post ever on this forum, I sure was one happy camper when I stumbled across this thread...

I recently bought a second-hand F-50 in Belgium (paid 1.000€) and have been playing it for about two months now with our band, rehearsals as well as gigs. Previously, I played on a Peavey classic (great amp btw,though very noisy). I play on it with a regular USA strat.

So far, I haven't been overwhelmed with joy unfortunately, but I keep optimistic ;)

Here' s why:

The overall sound is muffled, not bright at all, especially on the gain channel. I also have to roll back the bass pot way back (+/- 9 o'clock), otherwise it tends to "woosh" (resonate?) very loudly when I play certain notes, e.g. 13/14/15th frets on the E-string. Standing in front of the amp, it's only annoying, but standing in other angles that woosh tends to drown out all other instruments (my other band members hate the amp for this reason especially, because it really hurts their ears).

First time I played it, I noticed one of the poweramp tubes was down, so I replaced both with EHX tubes, hoping that that would solve the problem. It's plays a hell of lot louder since then, but the overall sound didn't really improve that much and the woosh stayed.

Does anybody recognise these problems?

I really hope it is fixable. I will have sell the amp otherwise, because at this moment, it just doesn't work for me...

Thank you guys! and keep it up, this a great forum

[Dann'sTheMan]

Is it just my F-30 or does anyone else also find that the record/headphones out does not sound very good? I'm comparing to the Line 6 A.I.R. stuff I've heard so I may have been spoiled by that.

Hi robysath,

Have you ever tried putting your F-30's record/headphones out through some Cab simulators (on your computer say)? I've heard some encouraging things about such a set up. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

I bought my F-50 new in October 2005 and have been visiting this site ever since. Always intelligent and insightful, the posts have given me valuable information about my amplifier. It is certainly a great amp and I've spent many pleasant hours playing away and admiring the incredible sound. I decided it was time to post you a thank you for your valuable information. I am not a professional player but not half bad either. I'm a blues player mostly. Your posts have been quite helpful. I am attaching an image of the amp (if I do it correctly) the finish is zinc bronco and I believe the grill fabric is called pewter. I play an ES335 from 1973, a PRS 20th anniversary Custom 24 from 2005 and a Strat customized by Roger Sadowski here in New York from about 1983. Cheers to you. ~James

Hi James,

and welcome to the brotherhood! :) I like your taste in gear - PRS, Strat etc. through a Mesa F-50! :thu: I'm pleased the info in this thread has been useful - the guys in the brotherhood are some of the most helpful on Harmony Central, and possibly even the internet. :p

Thanks for sharing your pics - feel free to share some snaps of your guitars too, and clips if you have them? :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hi everybody,

This is my very first post ever on this forum, I sure was one happy camper when I stumbled across this thread...

I recently bought a second-hand F-50 in Belgium (paid 1.000€) and have been playing it for about two months now with our band, rehearsals as well as gigs. Previously, I played on a Peavey classic (great amp btw,though very noisy). I play on it with a regular USA strat.

So far, I haven't been overwhelmed with joy unfortunately, but I keep optimistic ;)

Here' s why:

The overall sound is muffled, not bright at all, especially on the gain channel. I also have to roll back the bass pot way back (+/- 3 o'clock), otherwise it tends to "woosh" (resonate?) very loudly when I play certain notes, e.g. 13/14/15th frets on the E-string. Standing in front of the amp, it's only annoying, but standing in other angles that woosh tends to drown out all other instruments (my other band members hate the amp for this reason especially, because it really hurts their ears).

First time I played it, I noticed one of the poweramp tubes was down, so I replaced both with EHX tubes, hoping that that would solve the problem. It's plays a hell of lot louder since then, but the overall sound didn't really improve that much and the woosh stayed.

Does anybody recognise these problems?

I really hope it is fixable. I will have sell the amp otherwise, because at this moment, it just doesn't work for me...

Thank you guys! and keep it up, this a great forum

Hi Sebman,

I'd suggest trying a known good set of pre-amp tubes also, but if that doesn't work I'd recommend taking your amp to see a tech. There may be no telling how long the amp was played with one Power Tube down, but it's not a very healthy thing to do. Furthermore the symptoms you describe are not typical of the F-series. I'd certainly recommend hearing the F-series functioning normally before deciding that it's not the amp for you. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Sebman]

Thanks Andy, I will try that!

And I'm not giving up that easily :-)

[newyorkjames]

Andy,
Thanks for your response and generous welcome. You've been a big contributor and help to me here. I agree with you completely regarding the brotherhood here and their knowledge. Everyone's input has been extraordinary! A big book on the subject would not have been more helpful. I will try to create some clips. I've learned here how to record with an SM57 and will give it a try soon. My guitars have never sounded better than they have through the F-50 and that's the truth. I play better because of this amp. When I played in bands many years ago it was always difficult for me to get a consistent good tone, from an amp, in different settings. This amp sounds good every time. Thanks for everything. ~James

[Larcos_Unal]

I've been playing with an eq pedal in the loop and I've got to say it's helped quite a bit. My F-30 (all F series from what I hear) has a ridiculous amount of midrange, even with the contour switch engaged. Eq'ing in the loop with the traditional "V" setting has allowed me to get some good metal chunk tones and an increased bass response.

I've only got the bass on the amp around 10 o'clock and I'm boosting it with the eq, good stuff!!

[mrelusive]

Where do y'all usually have your bass knob set? I use a Bad Monkey in front of the amp with some of the bass cut (not much) and i barely have my bass knob up at all. Not even to 9 o'clock most times. Seems like this thing has a TON of bass at low volumes. I tend to bring up the bass knob when i'm cranking the amp a bit, but i was just curious if that was the norm.

i'm talking the contour channel with an all-mahogany guitar as well. My Yamaha is twice as thick as my SG, and tends to seem more bassy as well.

[Sixtonoize]

When I had my F-100, I always kept the bass at 0 on the Lead/contour Channel

[wooten]

Around 10 o'clock for me. I have to keep the mid and treble at zero on contour or it sounds like tin foil.

[tech21man]

Hal9000 this question is for you:

I would like you to be as precise and sure for stating if the mix master mod can be potentially harmful to my f-30 over time due to the impendance mismatch(jacks to effects loop)???

I have read the first 240 pages of this thread and I kinda remember somewhere stating something. I've already emailed mesa about this, I don't want to stop using it as I like the sound(in my home). I don't use it in the studio. I'm saving for an effects unit anyway but this is not an option right now...

If you re not sure, is there any affordable pedal that you surely know that will compensate for the volume trick???

[tech21man]

Another thing that I don't understand is why if I put the two jacks as described(that do "attenuate" the volume) there is a profound lack of reverb on both channels??? When I take them out, the reverb seems much more lush and spatial.

[MajorSakk]

Hey All,

Great posts! Looking to buy either a F-30 or F-50, am leaning towards the 50 - I can't find one nearby to play, so will be purchasing without playing/hearing one(with the exception of the posted clips, which sound *amazing*). I keep reading how loud the 50 (and 30 for that matter) can be - my question is do you really have to drive them to uncomfortable levels (without hearing protection) to get the great tones I've been hearing?

Thanks!

[hal9000]

Hal9000 this question is for you:

I would like you to be as precise and sure for stating if the mix master mod can be potentially harmful to my f-30 over time due to the impendance mismatch(jacks to effects loop)???

I have read the first 240 pages of this thread and I kinda remember somewhere stating something. I've already emailed mesa about this, I don't want to stop using it as I like the sound(in my home). I don't use it in the studio. I'm saving for an effects unit anyway but this is not an option right now...

If you re not sure, is there any affordable pedal that you surely know that will compensate for the volume trick???It's perfectly safe. The only time you have to worry about impedance mismatch causing a problem is when the signal being passed has a lot of power like in the case of a speaker output. High impedance loops like the F-series can take just about anything and the only degradation will be to the sound if the impedance isn't properly matched.

[mrelusive]

Hey All,

Great posts! Looking to buy either a F-30 or F-50, am leaning towards the 50 - I can't find one nearby to play, so will be purchasing without playing/hearing one(with the exception of the posted clips, which sound *amazing*). I keep reading how loud the 50 (and 30 for that matter) can be - my question is do you really have to drive them to uncomfortable levels (without hearing protection) to get the great tones I've been hearing?

Thanks!

Depends on what you mean by the great tones you've been hearing. Really agressive stuff? hard rock stuff? But as general rule, nah, not really. I lived in apartments for the first few years that i had mine. F-50 head, 4x12 cab... bedroom levels... great tone. For more agressive stuff, i used a Bad Monkey to boost it, sometimes an EQ in the loop. Trash city, bro.

Never got the chance to really open it up until recently, and then i felt like i didn't need the boost as much to tighten it up.

As for plain hard/modern rock tones, I've never needed much volume to get a good live or recorded sound out of the f-50. I've even used the direct out and some cab sims and gotten great tone without barely any sound comin out of the speaker cab. The thing to remember is that you'll have to adjust your EQ settings depending on your volume.

[tech21man]

cool...but what about the reverb weakening???
I've done everything as described about the jacks...am I missing something???

[MajorSakk]

Depends on what you mean by the great tones you've been hearing. Really agressive stuff? hard rock stuff? But as general rule, nah, not really. I lived in apartments for the first few years that i had mine. F-50 head, 4x12 cab... bedroom levels... great tone. For more agressive stuff, i used a Bad Monkey to boost it, sometimes an EQ in the loop. Trash city, bro.

Never got the chance to really open it up until recently, and then i felt like i didn't need the boost as much to tighten it up.

As for plain hard/modern rock tones, I've never needed much volume to get a good live or recorded sound out of the f-50. I've even used the direct out and some cab sims and gotten great tone without barely any sound comin out of the speaker cab. The thing to remember is that you'll have to adjust your EQ settings depending on your volume.

Thanks for the quick reply! By great tones I mean all the clips posted on this site (from clean to agressive)... Great info - I do believe I will be pressing the 'Buy it Now' button on eBay for a F-50 in a few short minutes :thu:

BTW - I'm a long time bass player who's just picked up a couple of guitars (Fender Deluxe Ash Strat and a Les Paul Std Plus), just got the Gibson at the GC and was playing thru a Triple Rectifier there. Sounded *incredible*, had me thinking, "wow, what a GREAT sounding guitar". Got home, plugged it into my solid state and had an "oh..." moment. So the only way to rectify (so to speak) the issue was to get a Mesa. Been doing a lot of reading and from what I've seen the F series is the way to go. I actually live 10 miles from Petaluma, going to head up there sometime to see if I can take a look at the Mesa facility ...

[Will Cyrier]

I think you're gonna be happy with an F-50!

Thanks for the quick reply! By great tones I mean all the clips posted on this site (from clean to agressive)... Great info - I do believe I will be pressing the 'Buy it Now' button on eBay for a F-50 in a few short minutes :thu:

BTW - I'm a long time bass player who's just picked up a couple of guitars (Fender Deluxe Ash Strat and a Les Paul Std Plus), just got the Gibson at the GC and was playing thru a Triple Rectifier there. Sounded *incredible*, had me thinking, "wow, what a GREAT sounding guitar". Got home, plugged it into my solid state and had an "oh..." moment. So the only way to rectify (so to speak) the issue was to get a Mesa. Been doing a lot of reading and from what I've seen the F series is the way to go. I actually live 10 miles from Petaluma, going to head up there sometime to see if I can take a look at the Mesa facility ...

[tech21man]

I just read that hal said that the contour just shifts bass and treble into the v shape and doesn't affect the quality of the distortion. Well I guess that's kinda wrong. Smith said that it also changes the negative feedback on the power amp(can't exactly remember it's on the known article "designing the f-50")?

Anyway it certainly changes the feel and that alone is enough. Also it's kinda like it's faster and less sluggish on the attack.

Hey hal9000 have you thought why the reverb seems to fade with the mix master mod of yours and comes back after taking the jacks out. Does it have to do with the mix function circuit wise?

[pedrozepelim]

I give up: I can't get an overdriven tone that I like from the drive channel.
With the "contour on" sounds harsh and like the sound is coming from a pipe, and without the "contour" gets very mufled, even with the treble on full.
I think I'll use the clean channel just as a platform for OD pedals.

[tech21man]

really???what kind of gain style are you after???have you tried anorthodox for the typical amp eq settings???

Like treble all the way down, mids full, bass all the way down and gain before noon according to your pickups???
the more you "boost" a band the more gain comes...Man I hate pedals through a clean channel as a distortion device, I even put triaxis in the clean channel as an experiment and guess what? the sound got smaller and compressed...in a bad way. The f-series are quite verstatile but full gain gets you to a tone that's little affected by the eq section, you're gonna find better luck perhaps with a post eq in the loop???

[Larcos_Unal]

really???what kind of gain style are you after???have you tried anorthodox for the typical amp eq settings???

Like treble all the way down, mids full, bass all the way down and gain before noon according to your pickups???
the more you "boost" a band the more gain comes...Man I hate pedals through a clean channel as a distortion device, I even put triaxis in the clean channel as an experiment and guess what? the sound got smaller and compressed...in a bad way. The f-series are quite verstatile but full gain gets you to a tone that's little affected by the eq section, you're gonna find better luck perhaps with a post eq in the loop???

eq in the loop is almost a necessity for F series amps.

[pedrozepelim]

really???what kind of gain style are you after???have you tried anorthodox for the typical amp eq settings???

Like treble all the way down, mids full, bass all the way down and gain before noon according to your pickups???
the more you "boost" a band the more gain comes...Man I hate pedals through a clean channel as a distortion device, I even put triaxis in the clean channel as an experiment and guess what? the sound got smaller and compressed...in a bad way. The f-series are quite verstatile but full gain gets you to a tone that's little affected by the eq section, you're gonna find better luck perhaps with a post eq in the loop???

This is the setting without the Contour, trying to get a blues tone out of single coils:
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8638/img1139a.jpg

This is the setting with the Contour, trying to get an Andy Timmons tone:
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/418/img1140b.jpg

[ledvedder]

Wow, this thread is super long. I have a possible deal going for an F-50 head. Just looking for some opinions. Is it even possible to get a Marshally, VH type of tone out of this. Sorry, but I've never played a Mesa amp.

[hal9000]

Wow, this thread is super long. I have a possible deal going for an F-50 head. Just looking for some opinions. Is it even possible to get a Marshally, VH type of tone out of this. Sorry, but I've never played a Mesa amp.If VH and Marshall is your goal, you're not going to find it in the F-series. You may have luck with a good pedal on the clean channel, but nothing native to the F-series sounds anything like a Marshall. The closest I've come is using a Treble Boosters into CH2 with the gain around 9:00.

What other qualities are you looking for in an amp?

[tech21man]

This is the setting without the Contour, trying to get a blues tone out of single coils:
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8638/img1139a.jpg

This is the setting with the Contour, trying to get an Andy Timmons tone:
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/418/img1140b.jpg

How about trying to add a lot of gain, but reduce your volume knob on the guitar? It usually works for me in taking away some shrillness...

Another thing I particularly enjoy is putting the damn bass control to zero...or just barely to let some sound thorough from it. Mids above noon makes the sound fuller to my ears by the way!!! Maybe a bb xotic booster preamp or what its name, could be a good solution, he's using them!!!check youtube...

[tech21man]

Come on a bit more posts and ss-posse will be second place heh heh!!!

[ledvedder]

If VH and Marshall is your goal, you're not going to find it in the F-series. You may have luck with a good pedal on the clean channel, but nothing native to the F-series sounds anything like a Marshall. The closest I've come is using a Treble Boosters into CH2 with the gain around 9:00.

What other qualities are you looking for in an amp?

I'm really just a big fan of that classic mid to high gain rock sound. Lots of mids. I occasionally like to go a little heavier (old Metallica, sometimes Tool).

[ShizzelDizzel]

I'm really just a big fan of that classic mid to high gain rock sound. Lots of mids. I occasionally like to go a little heavier (old Metallica, sometimes Tool).


DSL50 for you.

[Dann'sTheMan]

This is the setting without the Contour, trying to get a blues tone out of single coils:
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8638/img1139a.jpg

This is the setting with the Contour, trying to get an Andy Timmons tone:
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/418/img1140b.jpg

Hi pedrozepelim,

In my opinion, your Master Volume knob is too low - in my experience, it needs to be at least on 9 o'clock, preferably 10 o'clock. This way the shrillness starts to smooth out, and the amp's voice is fully developed.

As you can imagine, this is incredibly loud - however, you can tame the volume levels either in the FX loop (check out hal9000's really simple method for quickly trying this out), or with a traditional attenuator. I use my G-Major for loop attenuation, and I'm thrilled with the range of tones I get at sensible volume levels - fwiw, I run my Master Volume at about 1 o'clock! :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. I need to get around to finding a new host for my sound clips (a few of the video clips are working though), but I have a few blues and solo tones that may be in the direction you're looking for.

[pedrozepelim]

Hi pedrozepelim,

In my opinion, your Master Volume knob is too low - in my experience, it needs to be at least on 9 o'clock, preferably 10 o'clock. This way the shrillness starts to smooth out, and the amp's voice is fully developed.

As you can imagine, this is incredibly loud - however, you can tame the volume levels either in the FX loop (check out hal9000's really simple method for quickly trying this out), or with a traditional attenuator. I use my G-Major for loop attenuation, and I'm thrilled with the range of tones I get at sensible volume levels - fwiw, I run my Master Volume at about 1 o'clock! :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. I need to get around to finding a new host for my sound clips (a few of the video clips are working though), but I have a few blues and solo tones that may be in the direction you're looking for.

The problem is I'm a bedroom player, Dan.
Can't have the master up.
You are an Adventist too, right?

[JDM31181]

Thought that I would contribute something and see what you peeps think. Here is a picture of my new effects and a setting that I think gets a little close to Adam Jones' Lateralus sound. The sound setting is not supposed to sound exactly like Adam Jones VH4 but I think could go for a good interpretation. Tell me what y'all think about my settings, unfortunately as you can see I really can't turn up my amp because I live in an apartment. So you peeps who can turn it up, tell me if it sounds good. LOL

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6520/image047.th.jpg (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image047.jpg)

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9048/image048d.th.jpg (http://img34.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image048d.jpg)

[tech21man]

The problem is I'm a bedroom player, Dan.
Can't have the master up.
You are an Adventist too, right?

I can't remember if you have the f-30 or the f-50. In the f-30 situation the master volume pot behaves I think different than the f-50? It goes from silence to unneighboorHOOD friendly levels in a mm turn...

I think they used linear pots to make the amp seem louder than it really is. Fender does it all the time even in their solid state amps and certainly on amps such as the twin and blues deluxe that I used...

In this case, the mix master volume mod, will give you a better control over your amp volume wise and as sixtonoize pointed out, will drive the fx loop 12ax7 even harder for a more saturated sound...That said, I like the way my f-30 sounds with this trick but I must say that if I was after more soulful, mellower tones I would not use it all with the f-30. On its own without this trick is much more mellower and liquidy(damn guitarist orology...).

Maybe a blues driver 2 or similar could add that little grind in lower levels to bring the sound closer to the video you're hearing in mesas website home page? I'd like to try that...

F-series amps rule the world...silently.


Cab question. I want to add another cab as a "gift" to my beloved f-30...

8 ohm. I've tried marshall 4x12(never like any of em!) brunnetti 112 wide v30 loaded...great but expensive...

In greece we have the thiele cab that andershoeg bought and dannstheman praised but is way too expensive...(think 589 euros or at least 700$!!!) we also have a similar (bass reflex port closed back heavier construction) engl e112v at 450$ and last a framus 8-ohm 212 v30 loaded

(like in this vid

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2308245

with the blackstar...)

for 350$...

Anybody ever tried one of these with their f? I know joeytpg has the framus and liked it...

[tech21man]

Oh yeah we also have tube town cab thiele speced with an original ev-112L at 400 euros!

That last one I had forgot...but boogies and EV seem to have a lot of history...
Anybody ever tried one of those with his/her f-series?

[Dann'sTheMan]

The problem is I'm a bedroom player, Dan.
Can't have the master up.
You are an Adventist too, right?

That's not a problem, pedrozepelim. :p The whole point of my post was to highlight that you can have the Master up, without having the associated Volume. My music room is next to my kids' bedrooms, and I often play late at night with great "bedroom level" tones. Try the various loop tricks and see. :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. Yep, I'm an Adventist. Did you work it out from one of the gospel videos, or did you recognise me somewhere? :o

[pedrozepelim]

That's not a problem, pedrozepelim. :p The whole point of my post was to highlight that you can have the Master up, without having the associated Volume. My music room is next to my kids' bedrooms, and I often play late at night with great "bedroom level" tones. Try the various loop tricks and see. :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. Yep, I'm an Adventist. Did you work it out from one of the gospel videos, or did you recognise me somewhere? :o

From the gospel videos. I'm also an adventist!

[Dann'sTheMan]

From the gospel videos. I'm also an adventist!

Wow - fancy running into you here! :D I do occasionally get some Adventists recognise me from a pit band I played in for a Dwight Nelson satellite TV series. Really good to have another Christian in the Lounge. What kind of music do you play, and where abouts are you based?

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Goldwing]

Hi!.

Just wonder if anyone have tried the tristand with his combo F-series amp?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--TRISTANDBACK

I need one stand and for reasons of import fees this is seems the best for the money..

[Will Cyrier]

Hi!.

Just wonder if anyone have tried the tristand with his combo F-series amp?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--TRISTANDBACK

I need one stand and for reasons of import fees this is seems the best for the money..

I personally would be nervous with only one contact point. I use the following for my F-30 and it works great!

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-Floding-Tiltback-Amp-Stand?sku=450727

They have a larger version for 2x12 combos too.

It's probably a little less portable than the tristand, but solid. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps!

Will

[ejkennedy]

QUICK. How much is a new F-100 2x12 combo?!?

[Ben.s]

QUICK. How much is a new F-100 2x12 combo?!?

Well i'm afraid they are discontinued, however if you find a shop that still has one in, they go new for around £1500-£1600.
Sorry, don't know US prices if that's what you're after.

[Atheris]

Well i'm afraid they are discontinued, however if you find a shop that still has one in, they go new for around £1500-£1600.
Sorry, don't know US prices if that's what you're after.

i bought mine like-new for $800 USD here in the states. it's awesome....


it's interesting hearing all the different settings people use. i find that i get my favorite sounds by using mostly the midrange knob but using very little treble (9 or 10 o'clock) and NO bass, or maybe just a touch. the mid knob is usually way way up there though on both the clean and the gain channels.

[LaidBack95]

Thought that I would contribute something and see what you peeps think. Here is a picture of my new effects and a setting that I think gets a little close to Adam Jones' Lateralus sound. The sound setting is not supposed to sound exactly like Adam Jones VH4 but I think could go for a good interpretation. Tell me what y'all think about my settings, unfortunately as you can see I really can't turn up my amp because I live in an apartment. So you peeps who can turn it up, tell me if it sounds good. LOL

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6520/image047.th.jpg (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image047.jpg)

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9048/image048d.th.jpg (http://img34.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image048d.jpg)

Your overdrive settings are pretty much identical to mine and yes, "cranked" (volume at 10 o'clock or higher) it does an AMAZING Adam Jones impersonation for not be a Diezel VH4 and Marshall Superbass running in stereo :thu:

[Surf-53]

hey guys, i was wondering if anywhere on this thread tommy posted his settings he used on Seven Miles To Go, because I love his tone on that song (:

Also, thank you for the post on Adam Jones' tone, because I love that tone too, and its hard to get even with alot of fiddling

[jdkornel]

I finally got the guts to open up my F100 head and do the Parallel to Series mod to my loop ... WOW. Why didn't I do this years ago! My DL-4 sounds so much better and my levels when I turn on effects seem more stable. I highly recommend taking the 20 minutes to do this simple mod to your F-series!

I am looking to pick up an M-13 soon so I am sure it will sounds so much better now that I have done this mod.

[Will Cyrier]

I finally got the guts to open up my F100 head and do the Parallel to Series mod to my loop ... WOW. Why didn't I do this years ago! My DL-4 sounds so much better and my levels when I turn on effects seem more stable. I highly recommend taking the 20 minutes to do this simple mod to your F-series!

I am looking to pick up an M-13 soon so I am sure it will sounds so much better now that I have done this mod.

Thanks for sharing. This is encouraging because I use a DL-4 as well and am always looking to improve my sound.

I was thinking it would be cool to add a small toggle switch that will let a person select parallel or series. I'm holding out till my warranty expires on my amp before I do this.

I wonder how the series mod affects an amp modeler going into the effects return? Would one still need to put a plug into the FX send to get good tone?

Will

[scrubmart]

I am shopping for a 2x12 cabinet to run with my F100 212 combo. I have V 30s in the combo and want to get some speakers for the extension cabinet to give me a kick ass hard rock / metal tone. I have found a couple empty cabs for sale. 1 is a Mesa 2 x 12 and then the Avatar cabs which I can choose any combination of 2 Celestions or Hellatones. There is also a Soldano cab listed right now with V 30s. I have heard great things about Soldano cabs, but I would pull out the V30s.
Don't get me wrong, I love the V30s, but I want to add some texture with a different set of speakers.
The F100 has 2 extension outs. (Except for the 8 OHM that I use for the main combo speakers) Both are 4 OHM. It says "Run with 2 8 OHM speakers"
So does that mean I cannot get a 2 x 12 cab with 16 OHM speakers?

Thanks in advance for any advice!!!!!!

[pamackie]

f-50 vs mrak V.

Your thoughts?

[swanusa]

What cabinet to go with F-50 head? I like John Mayer (gravity, bigger than my body, etc.), Andy Timmons kind of tones. Sweet distortion and soft cleans. Don't like harsh cleans like on the express 5:25 or 5:50.

[LaidBack95]

f-50 vs mrak V.

Your thoughts?

Well for versatility, I would go with the Mark V. True, the F series is highly versatile, but you can't really beat the what, 9 different modes, power "selectability", ability to swap 6L6 and EL34, GEQ with a preset for each channel along with manual use, diode or tube rectifier and foot switchable effects loop.

But if you want to pay less than half of what the Mark V costs, go with the F-50.

[hahavishnu]

could i expect a GOOD sound with a TECH 21 RVB (reverb) and a 6 band MXR in the loop of my F100 WITHOUT the series mod?

i don't expect i will be adding anything else to the loop other than the mxr and tech 21

[musicdog400]

I would say yes. The EQ will still work with the parallel loop, it will just have a reduced effect on the sound.

[Dann'sTheMan]

I am shopping for a 2x12 cabinet to run with my F100 212 combo. I have V 30s in the combo and want to get some speakers for the extension cabinet to give me a kick ass hard rock / metal tone. I have found a couple empty cabs for sale. 1 is a Mesa 2 x 12 and then the Avatar cabs which I can choose any combination of 2 Celestions or Hellatones. There is also a Soldano cab listed right now with V 30s. I have heard great things about Soldano cabs, but I would pull out the V30s.
Don't get me wrong, I love the V30s, but I want to add some texture with a different set of speakers.
The F100 has 2 extension outs. (Except for the 8 OHM that I use for the main combo speakers) Both are 4 OHM. It says "Run with 2 8 OHM speakers"
So does that mean I cannot get a 2 x 12 cab with 16 OHM speakers?

Thanks in advance for any advice!!!!!!

Hi scrubmart,

The two 4 Ohm sockets are for use with two 8 Ohm speaker loads. If you have a 2 x 12 cab with 2 16 Ohm speakers in, if they are wired in parallel, then combined they will represent an 8 Ohm speaker load. You could plug this into one of the 4 Ohm sockets, and your combo's speaker lead into the other 4 Ohm socket. :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

f-50 vs mrak V.

Your thoughts?

FWIW, I chose the F-50 over the Mark IV (both amps were within budget), and over the Nomad series (that looked great on paper).

Now I love the way the Mark V looks on paper, and I can't wait to try one. Mesa don't make bad amps, and I have no doubt the Mark V rocks. Whether it would be enough to lure me away from my F-50 remains to be seen - I've been happy with my tone and rig for years, so it would have to be very special... Randall is pretty talented though, so I'd never say never - right now though, my GAS is about a Yamaha MIDI controller, a sweet PJB Bass amp, and possibly a Nylon string guitar, :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

What cabinet to go with F-50 head? I like John Mayer (gravity, bigger than my body, etc.), Andy Timmons kind of tones. Sweet distortion and soft cleans. Don't like harsh cleans like on the express 5:25 or 5:50.

Hi swanusa,

You might want to try an open backed cabinet for your clean tones - the Road King cabs have options for open and closed back. The clean channel reacts beautifully to a clean boost - getting really dynamic and round - I use a vintage MXR Dynacomp in my rig but any nice compressor should do. I also recommend getting the Master Volumes up past 10 o'clock for the amp's fully developed voice (use the loop attenuation tricks described in this thread to keep your overall volume under control) for both clean and distortion sounds. Speaking of distortion sounds, don't overlook the Lead channel without Contour - there are some great sweet tones in there too (just get that Master Volume up - I run mine at 1 o'clock). :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[mrelusive]

Hi scrubmart,

The two 4 Ohm sockets are for use with two 8 Ohm speaker loads. If you have a 2 x 12 cab with 2 16 Ohm speakers in, if they are wired in parallel, then combined they will represent an 8 Ohm speaker load. You could plug this into one of the 4 Ohm sockets, and your combo's speaker lead into the other 4 Ohm socket. :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.

so if i have an 8 ohm 4x12 and a 16 ohm 2x12... can i use em both? daisy chain em?

[Dann'sTheMan]

so if i have an 8 ohm 4x12 and a 16 ohm 2x12... can i use em both? daisy chain em?

Hi mrelusive,

With a 8 Ohm and 16 Ohm load see example 7 on page 26 of the User Manual (http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/F-Series.pdf). You can't achieve a "correct" match, but you cannot connect up what Mesa describe as a "safe mismatch". :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[mrelusive]

Hi mrelusive,

With a 8 Ohm and 16 Ohm load see example 7 on page 26 of the User Manual (http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/F-Series.pdf). You can't achieve a "correct" match, but you cannot connect up what Mesa describe as a "safe mismatch". :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.
the manual! It's so obvious now... why didn't I think of that? :facepalm:

[swanusa]

Hi swanusa,

You might want to try an open backed cabinet for your clean tones - the Road King cabs have options for open and closed back. The clean channel reacts beautifully to a clean boost - getting really dynamic and round - I use a vintage MXR Dynacomp in my rig but any nice compressor should do. I also recommend getting the Master Volumes up past 10 o'clock for the amp's fully developed voice (use the loop attenuation tricks described in this thread to keep your overall volume under control) for both clean and distortion sounds. Speaking of distortion sounds, don't overlook the Lead channel without Contour - there are some great sweet tones in there too (just get that Master Volume up - I run mine at 1 o'clock). :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Hey Andy, thanks so much! I ended up getting a F-30 combo instead. I hope I have made the right decision. I wanted a light compact amp in good condition. I found F-30 in good condition for a reasonable price which will fit in my bag to carry overseas when I travel. Does the master volume trick apply to F-30 as well? Do you know what page the trick is on? There's so many posts for this thread! Oh and I also wanted to know if I can make this combo into a head.

[Dann'sTheMan]

the manual! It's so obvious now... why didn't I think of that? :facepalm:

:p :D

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. I should have typed, "but you can connect up what Mesa describe as a "safe mismatch". A manual didn't help my flash of brilliance there... :o

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey Andy, thanks so much! I ended up getting a F-30 combo instead. I hope I have made the right decision. I wanted a light compact amp in good condition. I found F-30 in good condition for a reasonable price which will fit in my bag to carry overseas when I travel. Does the master volume trick apply to F-30 as well? Do you know what page the trick is on? There's so many posts for this thread! Oh and I also wanted to know if I can make this combo into a head.

Hi swanusa,

Yep the master volume trick works with the F-30 - just look for any post by hal9000: he has a diagram of it in his signature. However, if you need to use your FX loop, you can use the volume control of the last unit in the chain to turn down the overall volume (I use my G-Major for this). As usual with this trick, you should run your Channel Masters on the front of the amp up high (I run mine around 11 - 1 o'clock). :)

And yes, you can make the combo into a head - both models use exactly the same chassis. You can order a head shell from Mesa (apparently quite expensive); try to find a used one; or even make your own (if you have the time and skillz) :p

BTW, if you ever get a chance to try your F-30 combo with the Mesa Thiele 1x12 cab, I highly recommend it as one of the best sounding "small" rigs I've ever heard. :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[swanusa]

Awesome! Thanks Andy!

[swanusa]

Hey Andy, I can't understand the trick. 1k pot 25k pot or whatever that is, it is making me feel like smoking pot! lol. I'm not a hardware kind of guy. Will a guitar tech be able to help me with this?

[Will Cyrier]

Hey Swan,

I used 10k pots for my volume attenuator pedal FWIW. Sounds great! :thu:

Will

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey Andy, I can't understand the trick. 1k pot 25k pot or whatever that is, it is making me feel like smoking pot! lol. I'm not a hardware kind of guy. Will a guitar tech be able to help me with this?

Hi swanusa,

The simplest way to try the trick is with two old guitar leads:

* Stick one of the guitar leads into the FX Send socket
* Stick the other guitar lead into the FX Return socket - but this time on the other end of that lead, wrap some conductive kitchen foil around the jack so that the tip and sleeve are connected (use an elastic band to secure it).
* Finally adjust the FX Mix pot <- this will now be functioning as your overall Master. Turn the volume down on this Pot, and turn up the Channel Masters on the front of the amp.

If you like the results, then later on, you can try a more permanent solution e.g. adding a volume pedal or FX processor into the loop. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. What I've described is equivalent to the two plug solution that hal9000 describes here:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000F-SeriesMixPotMasterRevB.jpg

[hahavishnu]

i am looking for some tips/settings for getting the best LOUD/CLEAN rhythm sound with a les paul......i was thinking of the bass and gain settings....how do you set yours?

F100 head 2x12 3/4 back cab

[hahavishnu]

me again...

i bought my F100 head new about 18 months ago and in that time it has been left unused, been using a smaller amp at home

thing is when i switched it on today there was a distortion sound when i used the reverb on the clean channel.it went away after some usage but made a comeback a short while later

is this a valve issue,you think it will "sort itself out?"

[ESPImperium]

Anyone have a Fulltone OCD and a Mesa F series??? Im having a hard time getting a decent sound from the OCD on the clean channel, any suggestions???

[musicdog400]

any suggestions???
I had good luck with a Digitech Tone Driver (TS9 / TS808 clone) and the clean channel. Fine tuning with an EQ in between the OCD and amp might help.

[recto-robbie]

Anyone have a Fulltone OCD and a Mesa F series??? Im having a hard time getting a decent sound from the OCD on the clean channel, any suggestions???


Yes, I actually had two of them,,, sold both and much happier now.

Not sure how your trying to use it, but if you are using it to boost the gain channel 2 then look no further than the Mi Audio Blues Pro. This pedal works well with every amp ive had including mesa, f30, f50, stiletto deuce, rectoverb and 5:25. It just meshes in right to me with the Mesa's

[recto-robbie]

Hey gents, I havent been on the F-lounge in a while and thought I would share a new with you,, at least its new for me. Probably been talked about a bunch of times already on this lengthy thread.
Anyways I currently own a F30 combo and run it on top of a 3/4 back 1x12 mesa cab using its speaker and the f30 speaker, very nice match .
Anyways one thing that has always kind of bugged me about the f30 and previous f50's ive owned in the past was the fairly unusable gain knob on channel two. Meaning, once the knob is up to about 10 oclock there really doesnt seem to be much added gain wise, maybe a touch more saturation.
I got the bright idea to try a NOS 5751 in v2 and found that the gain knob had a wider usable range. I wound up trying a NOS JAN 12ay7 in v2 and low and behold,, I can get different levels of noticable gain from barely on to about 3 oclock. The lower gain 12ay7 seems to be a bit less gainy than say the 12ax7 but honostly in this amp, the 12ay7 can still get up to screaming levels. It also can provide for some awsome lighter gain blusy sounding stuff if need be. The postive is you have a much wider gain spectrum than with the 12ax7 in v2. Try it, unless you only play the brutalz, you may find that its an awsome change up that can be swapped back and forth easily in a minute.

[jdkornel]

So I plugged in the F100 head at rehearsal the other night and half way through the first tune there was nothing? Then it came back but sounded muffled, and went back to normal and then cut out again.

switched to half power and same situation. So I swapped the outside power tubes to the inside and tried again ... again cut out after a few minutes.

Any ideas ... bad pre-tube? Bad power tube? something else?

just glad it wasn't a gig !!! Let me know if you have any ideas on this.