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

[swanusa]

I got F-30 and man, is it LOUD or what? It's got real full sound and the distortion is really thick and great. I didn't expect such big sound out of such a small amp. Although I didn't find it as transparent as the KOT pedal that I use in front of Fender DRRI. Is there a link somewhere to the best settings for great sounds for F-30 apart from what's in the manual?

[Will Cyrier]

I got F-30 and man, is it LOUD or what? It's got real full sound and the distortion is really thick and great. I didn't expect such big sound out of such a small amp. Although I didn't find it as transparent as the KOT pedal that I use in front of Fender DRRI. Is there a link somewhere to the best settings for great sounds for F-30 apart from what's in the manual?

Try the audition settings on the first page of this thread. Andy (Dann'sTheMann) has them posted in the first post under all of the clips.

[swanusa]

This amp has confused me!! I really like it and now I feel like selling my Fender DRRI and the pedals (including KOT pedal). I just feel that the overdrive sounds very original (for blues, rock, classic rock, modern rock) compared to the pedals with DRRI. Am I wrong? Should I spend more time with my DRRI and compare harder?

Also, the cleans sound as good on this amp as the DRRI. What do you think?

This thread has 1 million views!!!! No wonder!

[swanusa]

1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Q28...e=channel_page

2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0JHF...eature=channel


Can you produce these tones with this amp? How (with or with out pedals)?

[pedrozepelim]

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.

How do you set it: with contour on or off?

[Dann'sTheMan]

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???

Hi ESPImperium,

Apologies for the delay in responding. I took the photos below before the weekend, but then got caught up with spoiling the Mrs on her birthday weekend, and then the office... :blah: :p

Anyway, here are the settings I use with my OCD and F-series clean channel. I also occasionally use it on the dirty channels with F-series gain turned down to about 9 o'clock.

The kind of tone I'm usually after is a light crunchy tone that turns down well from the guitar. I love the sounds I get with my strats (the Fender and the Charvel), but it's not bad with the PRS either. Hope it helps.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3723846623_a1a3e80cb9_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/3723847143_eedce19f3f_m.jpg

By the way, I've found a key trick with my OCD is not to overcook the Volume control. As soon as it goes past about 10.30~11 o'clock, it starts to lose its mojo to my ears. YMMV,

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hi Brothers,

Whilst I am posting piccies, here's an up to date shot of my main rig. I use an Axess GRX4 to switch between my vintage MXR Dynacomp or my Fulltone OCD; then into my Mesa F-50 with the G-Major in the FX loop (being used for both FX and of course the loop attenuation trick). Everything is controlled by my Behringer FCB1010 MIDI controller that configures the entire chain, including stomp boxes, amp channel and FX chain with a single stomp. Brings a smile to my face far too often. :p

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3725053282_7e0ae34e45.jpg

Big smiles,

Andy.

[tech21man]

Hello time to get technical...Does anybody know the topology of the f-series amps regarding their preamp?

My question: how many gain stages, how many of them before and after the tonestack? Type of tonestack is fender based if I remember well? blackface on the clean tweed style on the gain channel?

So...is it closer to the mark series amps(not tonewise, circuit wise...) (original boogie design as I regard it, evolved of a fender design?) or the rectifier (more "british" based in my book...)

The value of the tonestacks smith said was altered to "rectifier" values. Meaning? I don't think that this lends a recto-like voice, if the tonestack is based pre distortion circuit wise. Anyway. How do they compare(these values) to the mark series or studio-dc series...?

Third question: Is there any way to mod the fucking reverb pot so as to control the negative feedback level on this amp? I understand that the contour switch, does that exactly plus the V style (markIIc+ as smith calls it) type of curve, but I surely cannot hear in anyway the sizzle (which I like in my studio preamp) of the 6.6 khz almost dimed...I would like to control that...maybe altering the resistors or something that control the post eq effect?

Fourth question. Installing push pull pots in the eq positions and also controlling the frequency/q that they control)much like the pull deep, pull bright etc on mark/fender amps). Can it be done?

[tech21man]

Also I remember tommy inkila, used a marshall compressor with his f-50 for a time? I bought that pedal. Any experience of putting a compressor in the loop? Yeah yeah, compressors cleans front input. Don't care! I want to maybe use it as a solo function or alter the signal completely before the power amp. And compress whatever hi mid low I like with the emphasis knob after distortion...

[recto-robbie]

How do you set it: with contour on or off?



I very seldom use the contour switch although I probably should as there are great tones to be had there also.
I use OD pedals to boost and add some saturation. Mi Audio blues pro has been the best with this amp after tons of comparisons.

[angstboy]

Great thread!

Hope someone can help me. I have a F30 that needs repair. I talked to my local amp tech and he needs a schematic. We have both searched far and wide to no avail. Does anyone have one they would be willing to share?

Thanks!

[Will Cyrier]

Great thread!

Hope someone can help me. I have a F30 that needs repair. I talked to my local amp tech and he needs a schematic. We have both searched far and wide to no avail. Does anyone have one they would be willing to share?

Thanks!

Have you called MESA to see if it might still be under warranty? I didn't think mine was because it was bought used, but they still honored the factory warranty and fixed mine free of charge. I just had to pay to ship it down to Cali. You might give it a try. I've heard MESA is pretty tight-fisted with their schematics even with discontinued models.

[gabigabe]

hey guys, just picked up an F30

I notice a clicking noise when I switch channels... is that normal?

[Larcos_Unal]

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

[pamackie]

Would you guys say the high-gain voicings are Markish, Rectoish, or Marshallish?

[jammwill]

Hello everybody. I've had my F50 combo for about 3 yrs now, and I've always just run my effects inline into the amp input. However, I've always had to use distortion pedal's when using delay because using the amp's distortion with your delay before the amp's preamp sounds awful. Anyway, I'm wanting to try using the effects loop and run the delay after the amp's preamp. My only question is: since the F50's effects loop is a parallel loop will this work OK? I've always thought that the only way to really do this correctly is with a series loop...anybody have any experience using the F series parallel loop like this? Thanks,

James

[musicdog400]

Delay will work fine, you probably want to set your delay to 100% wet. EQ is where the problem comes in. It works, but won't have as much effect as the serial loop. There is a mod to make it serial.

[Goldwing]

THis is a matter of versatility for you mostly.. I think. I used my F50 with the loop as "serial" or 90% wet for almost 3 years. This last year I switched to stompboxes and I place my novaDelay in the loop. Set the mix of the delay at 100% and the mix of the amp to 50%, place a volume pedal after de delay to bring more delay to the final mix or less.

It works absolutely great, sounds so much better in my opinion that it worths a few shortcomings of this approach:

The PostPreamp EQ doesn't gonna work
You loose the option to boost the volume on the gain channel of the amp.

You can place an overdrive in the clean channel for rythms and set the gain channel in the amp louder or at solo levels.

IF you use the CONTOUR option for Rythms then I suggest to use an overdrive in the front in the TubeScreamer family to increase the midrange when you need solo's volume.

Something very very important is that your delay must have the hability to give you 100% wet signal and also is better if its designed to work at line levels (+4db). The NovaDelay, Boss DD-20 are great choices for this.

THe new NovaRepeater is better because it has the "kill dry" function that the novaDelay doesn't have. With this you can set the level of the delay in a way that allows you to place another fx in the loop like modulations without been affected by the volume pedal that I suggested early. I'm gonna solution this by using a BargeConcepts VB-jR to place my delay on it.

Hope it helps!

cheers!

[recto-robbie]

hey guys, just picked up an F30

I notice a clicking noise when I switch channels... is that normal?


Try stomping the switch on and off a few times, I believe this releases a charge of some sort that you are hearing.



And to the gent asking about using the effects loop. Just put all your modulation effects in the loop. Honostly after owning numerous different boogies over the years and spending countless hours on the Boogie board I still havent truelly found any reason for modding to serial. Ive always got great results using the stock parallel loop. I always run it at full 90%.
Only issue ive actually noticed with the parallel loop is some effects actually put out a certain amount of gain or boost which sometimes seems to overdrive the effects loop 12ax7 which in turn winds up making a motor boat sounding noise. All great effects but ran into issues with redwitch chorus, DLS chorus and delay. Moved on and never had any issues again.

[orangedrop]

Would you guys say the high-gain voicings are Markish, Rectoish, or Marshallish?

I would say Markish... Not anything like Marshall.. Recto 2 chan vintage High gain Kinda.

[orangedrop]

hey guys, just picked up an F30

I notice a clicking noise when I switch channels... is that normal?

My f-50 does the same thing. Only one time on the very first channel switch after I turn it on and start playing. Iv had it for 4 years and have had no problems. I would say its normal ops on this series.

My Recto does it to. But only with the reverb on. Bad tube or a reveb tank. I think.

[gabigabe]

My f-50 does the same thing. Only one time on the very first channel switch after I turn it on and start playing. Iv had it for 4 years and have had no problems. I would say its normal ops on this series.

My Recto does it to. But only with the reverb on. Bad tube or a reveb tank. I think.

I did some more googling using "pop" instead of "click" and found it to be commonplace on alot of mesa amps...

on some amps it seems to happen every time... on my amp it's sporadic... I guess it's just the nature of the amp

do you think if I take it to an amp tech they can tinker with it to make it go away or at least lessen the degree of popping?

btw, I just got it used... I was told the amp had new tubes but should I take the amp to a tech to get checked out for any maintenance that needs to be done? my first all-tube amp :confused:

[orangedrop]

I did some more googling using "pop" instead of "click" and found it to be commonplace on alot of mesa amps...

on some amps it seems to happen every time... on my amp it's sporadic... I guess it's just the nature of the amp

do you think if I take it to an amp tech they can tinker with it to make it go away or at least lessen the degree of popping?

btw, I just got it used... I was told the amp had new tubes but should I take the amp to a tech to get checked out for any maintenance that needs to be done? my first all-tube amp :confused:

I got my f-50 brand new and its always done it. I changed the tubes only once because I was getting a harmonic hum while playing. Only out of one power tube. You can sometimes tell when the tubes go bad by lightly taping on them while on. You will hear it rattle through the speaker.

The only other thing that Iv heard is the early rectos had a similar problem with the built in cord for the foot peddle. They changed it to 1/4 jack and fixed the problem. So mabie its a cord issue from being tugged at or wrapped up to tight. But Im not an amp tech. If your going to bring it to one try to find someone that knows mesa and has knowledge. Dont bring it to guitar center or Daddys, corp places hire not so great people. Hope I helped

[ESPImperium]

Hi ESPImperium,

Apologies for the delay in responding. I took the photos below before the weekend, but then got caught up with spoiling the Mrs on her birthday weekend, and then the office... :blah: :p

Anyway, here are the settings I use with my OCD and F-series clean channel. I also occasionally use it on the dirty channels with F-series gain turned down to about 9 o'clock.

The kind of tone I'm usually after is a light crunchy tone that turns down well from the guitar. I love the sounds I get with my strats (the Fender and the Charvel), but it's not bad with the PRS either. Hope it helps.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2616/3723846623_a1a3e80cb9_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/3723847143_eedce19f3f_m.jpg

By the way, I've found a key trick with my OCD is not to overcook the Volume control. As soon as it goes past about 10.30~11 o'clock, it starts to lose its mojo to my ears. YMMV,

Big smiles,

Andy.

Thanks for the input.

I have played arround with my OCD quite a bit and found something on my EC-1000VHB, but my new Les paul still has something lacking with the OCD, maybes the intended pickup swap i have planned will sort that out.

I am running my OCD at the full 18V it can go to, so tonally it will be diffrent to what most people have.

As long as i can get it to the point where i can use it as the bluesy sorta beyond OD, but not quite distortion tone im wanting ill be really happy.

[musicdog400]

be commonplace on alot of mesa amps...
Even my new Road King II did this. I could lessen the pop by clicking through all the channels before bringing it out of standby, but sometimes it was still there a little. This must be a hard thing to get right.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Would you guys say the high-gain voicings are Markish, Rectoish, or Marshallish?

Hi pamackie,

This description sums it up excellently imho: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showpost.php?p=35516136&postcount=10

Big smiles,

Andy.

[juerluom]

I've been proud owner of F-30 combo for 2,5 years. I recently wanted head instead of combo because it's easier in the studio.

So I purchased a used F-50 head even if I knew that it would sound different. I exchanged my F-30 combo for a new rectifier 2x12 cab for my F-50.

Now I'm having some problems with the sound.

f-50's clean channel is not clean. It starts to distort right after the preamp really opens (gain at 9 o'clock). Sound is quite ok for crunch, but I want some real cleans!!

Is it a feature of this amp or am I having some problems with the tubes or something?

I also noticed that dirty channel is even more muddy that I presumed, have to figure out something.

First, I'm going to change the pre ja power tubes and see what happens. At this moment I thinking of selling this amp right away.

Help me please!!

p.s Which brand do you use for 6L6 power tubes?

[tech21man]

Hi pamackie,

This description sums it up excellently imho: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showpost.php?p=35516136&postcount=10

Big smiles,

Andy.

Yeah but read the entire (small) thread to see why probably...Anyway. Anybody else having problems with their loops? I cannot seem to make it work with a multieffects unit...I was aiming for an all-in-one delay-post-eq-volume control-solo boost thing and for some reason IT DOESNT WORK! I mean I have the mix setting at 90%(full wet, ok so far) so in a sense I try to bring the mix to the multi effect...(boss gx-700 works great with a serial loop in other amps...I m gonna try my old pod xt one of thes days:confused:)

Next I have my patches for the multi effect to full mix for the post eq(effecting all the sound...) and 30% mix for the delay(so as to hear a part of it. what anybody would do with the mix knob of the amp if he was running only a delay pedal...) WTF? almost no sound at all. Worse in sound quality than the amp on its own when the effects are of and when engaging the patches, it slighlty changes....no punch either...Any ideas?

[Dann'sTheMan]

Yeah but read the entire (small) thread to see why probably...Anyway. Anybody else having problems with their loops? I cannot seem to make it work with a multieffects unit...I was aiming for an all-in-one delay-post-eq-volume control-solo boost thing and for some reason IT DOESNT WORK! I mean I have the mix setting at 90%(full wet, ok so far) so in a sense I try to bring the mix to the multi effect...(boss gx-700 works great with a serial loop in other amps...I m gonna try my old pod xt one of thes days:confused:)

Next I have my patches for the multi effect to full mix for the post eq(effecting all the sound...) and 30% mix for the delay(so as to hear a part of it. what anybody would do with the mix knob of the amp if he was running only a delay pedal...) WTF? almost no sound at all. Worse in sound quality than the amp on its own when the effects are of and when engaging the patches, it slighlty changes....no punch either...Any ideas?

Hi tech21man,

FastRedPonyCar gave no other explanation in the thread - it was his only post, and was imho an excellent description of the F-series voicing: warmth and smoothness of the Mark series but with the growl of the Recto. Like him, I love the F-series voicing, and like you I have my technical ideas as to why. :thu:

Anyway, regarding your FX loop issue - can your FX unit work with both consumer and pro line levels? The G-Major can, and I have no problems with mine in my loop, where I use it as an all-in-one delay-volume control-solo boost thing. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Yeah but read the entire (small) thread to see why probably...Anyway. Anybody else having problems with their loops? I cannot seem to make it work with a multieffects unit...I was aiming for an all-in-one delay-post-eq-volume control-solo boost thing and for some reason IT DOESNT WORK! I mean I have the mix setting at 90%(full wet, ok so far) so in a sense I try to bring the mix to the multi effect...(boss gx-700 works great with a serial loop in other amps...I m gonna try my old pod xt one of thes days:confused:)

Next I have my patches for the multi effect to full mix for the post eq(effecting all the sound...) and 30% mix for the delay(so as to hear a part of it. what anybody would do with the mix knob of the amp if he was running only a delay pedal...) WTF? almost no sound at all. Worse in sound quality than the amp on its own when the effects are of and when engaging the patches, it slighlty changes....no punch either...Any ideas?

Hi tech21man,

First of all, FastRedPonyCar gave no other explanation in the thread; it was his only post, and I thought his explanation was excellent regarding the F-series' voicing: warmth and smoothness of the Mark but the growl of the Recto. Like him, I absolutely love the F-series voicing, and like you, I have my own technical ideas as to "why". :thu:

Speaking of technical - did you get my PM?

Anyway, regarding your FX loop issue. Do you know if your FX unit can operate at both Consumer and Professional line level? My G-Major can switch between them (-10dBV and +4dBu), and I have no problems in my F-50's loop (set at 90%) using it as an all-in-one delay-volume control-solo boost thing. :p In the past, I also happily used a ZOOM 9030 in the loop of my F-50 too. If your FX unit cannot switch: do you know whether it's happiest running at Consumer or Professional line level? :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hi Brothers,

It's been an age since I last posted any material on HCAF, but I've recently gotten around to reuploading all of my old F-50 clips and fixing the dead links in my signature.

Whilst uploading some video material onto YouTube, I remembered that I recently got hold of the DVD set for a couple of TV series I recorded with my Mesa F-50 a few years back. Although there's not too much in the way of dirtier tones (please check out my home recording links if you're intrigued by that (http://www.netmusicians.org/index.php?section=user&value=DannsTheMan)), hopefully you'll recognise some of those clean tones in the F-series that have won over many fans - me included.

It was a great project to be involved with, and I was lucky enough to work with some very talented singers and musicians. Everything was recorded live in a single take (only a train wreck would warrant the rare need for a second go at it) and over a two week period. It was pretty intense too as we had to learn and perform 2 songs per day (and all the songs for the 2nd season in the intervening weekend). Here are a few of my favourites, but you can check more of the clips (there are 21 clips uploaded from Season 1; I'll get around to uploading Season 2 soon) at: http://www.youtube.com/user/DannsTheMan#play/uploads

oeibduJdMYY
rz0llxEPNB8
LV2mNg1dtyQ

I've posted a dedicated thread to this at: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2390192 if you have any comments, tips, advice, questions, you'd like to throw in there. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

P.S. I really liked this one too - an acoustic clip, but a great vocal talent:
LJGvHXGBDL4

[orangedrop]

I've been proud owner of F-30 combo for 2,5 years. I recently wanted head instead of combo because it's easier in the studio.

So I purchased a used F-50 head even if I knew that it would sound different. I exchanged my F-30 combo for a new rectifier 2x12 cab for my F-50.

Now I'm having some problems with the sound.

f-50's clean channel is not clean. It starts to distort right after the preamp really opens (gain at 9 o'clock). Sound is quite ok for crunch, but I want some real cleans!!

Is it a feature of this amp or am I having some problems with the tubes or something?

I also noticed that dirty channel is even more muddy that I presumed, have to figure out something.

First, I'm going to change the pre ja power tubes and see what happens. At this moment I thinking of selling this amp right away.

Help me please!!

p.s Which brand do you use for 6L6 power tubes?

How I have my clean set at on chan 1.. gain pulled bright set at 11 o'clock. treb, 2 o'clock. mid, 9 o'clock. Bass 2 o'clock reverb 5 oclock.. sounds great no break up..

Mabie your tubes a no good.. SED 6l6gc winged c's are great im this amp. I have jj's for v 2,3,4 and a 1960 Raytheon ecc83 in v1.

[pedrozepelim]

Reverb on 5 o'clock??? does it sounds good?

[scrubmart]

I'm shopping for a distortion pedal for the f100 212. I will be playing it on the clean channel at lower volumes. This amp doesn't have great distortion without cranking it up. I have tried a Digitech Metal Master and a Boss Metal Core. I'm don't really like the tone, but I get a good crunch with the volume below 10%. I use it with the BBE Sonic Stomp which is a cool pedal. I don't like the effects loop, I go right into the front. Any suggestions?? I play Les Paul Studios, Strats, and a Schecter. I'm writing some Hard Rock stuff like System, KIllswitch, Disturbed, etc

[orangedrop]

Reverb on 5 o'clock??? does it sounds good?

Yes it does..

[tech21man]

I'm shopping for a distortion pedal for the f100 212. I will be playing it on the clean channel at lower volumes. This amp doesn't have great distortion without cranking it up. I have tried a Digitech Metal Master and a Boss Metal Core. I'm don't really like the tone, but I get a good crunch with the volume below 10%. I use it with the BBE Sonic Stomp which is a cool pedal. I don't like the effects loop, I go right into the front. Any suggestions?? I play Les Paul Studios, Strats, and a Schecter. I'm writing some Hard Rock stuff like System, KIllswitch, Disturbed, etc

If you want more saturated-tight distortion without beiing kinda fuzzy, maybe you should try the mix control fx loop "mod" that has been discussed over a million times over here! Point is, even a good transparent volume control device(pedal?) in your loop will allow you to
a) raise the master on the gain channel and then bring it down by the volume control in the loop and as a result

b) as sxitonoize pointed out you will be able to drive th preamp tubes harder. This is a good thing if you want to get another version of your sound and it will remind you the crancked up feel you get with your amp. This also happens with the dual caliber amps(same preamp design) because, it brings the 12ax7 that buffers the loop into play and as a result, contributes to the sound a bit.

Overall in my f-30 I find that it makes it darker(in a good way), tighter(in a better way!!!) but less open(wouldn't give a fuck when playing low volume-the point is to enjoy without ear ringing and neighbours annoyed), In other words I couldn't live without it...Great "mod" trick...!

[Surf-53]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has tried an MXR 10 or 6 band EQ in the mix and whether or not they like it?
Also what page is that mod on...is it in Hal's sig? I'm a little nervous about amp mods...pedals I'll mess with, but an 800 dollar amp??

[tech21man]

Yeah it is in his sig. The picture that shows two jacks, one sholdered in the loop. I contacted mesa boogie about probable damage to the amp and Cris Dilbek responded promptly that, no damage is to occur. Actually this is not a "mod" as in you change something compared to the factory value (e.g. a cap or resistor) but is essentially the same thing as putting a volume pedal in the loop.

About the mxr, I haven't tried it but everything I've tried so far(some multieffects like a boss gx-700, a zoom ps-02 a marshall compressor, and a pod xt (this I can't remember but I will try it again) in the loop with full wet( which is 90%) doesn't work properly and is driving me nuts, it throws a blanket on the amps sound...

A delay pedal will work fine, as you can control the mix from the loop(original sound and delay trailing) but an mxr-eq, you d'like to set the mix on to full(to change the sound in its whole, not a part of it mixed with the original...)! So far, the meffects eq patch does not work properly...Ang I just want to play heavy rythm with the contour and lead with a boosted non-contour gain channel...Damn...

But, many people here speak the best fot the mxr in the loop, and also the t.c. g major, for controlling overall channel volume and post eq settings!!! I leave the word to Hal and Andy.

My next step would be hijacking my studio preamp pulling the post-eq (or can I buy it direct from mesa as a part?Anybody?) and putting it in the place of the contour eq...just have to see how it also controls the pressence. That way I'll probably have controllable post-eq mesa style, and before the loop that will remain parallel. That, or I'll install a push pull pot for making the loop serial parallel on demand...

[tech21man]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtYU4nB7Jpc

Here's a video of an f-30 with a boss 7 band eq pedal in the loop...works for him. Maybe I should try one of those first!!!

[jdkornel]

I did the seriew/parallel effect loop mod a few weeks ago, soldering the wires according to direction and pics I found here and it did wonders for my DL-4 in the loop. Sounds SOOO much better.

However I have found that if I try to play with nothing in the loop the volume goes in and out and the amp sounds like crap. Is this normal? It is an easy fix if I plug in my effects or just jumper the loop then all's well. But I wonder if I should have to do this or should it work with nothing in the loop???

Anyone have this experience???

[Will Cyrier]

I did the seriew/parallel effect loop mod a few weeks ago, soldering the wires according to direction and pics I found here and it did wonders for my DL-4 in the loop. Sounds SOOO much better.

However I have found that if I try to play with nothing in the loop the volume goes in and out and the amp sounds like crap. Is this normal? It is an easy fix if I plug in my effects or just jumper the loop then all's well. But I wonder if I should have to do this or should it work with nothing in the loop???

Anyone have this experience???

You guys really have me considering doing this for my DL4 (although I don't think it sounds bad with the parallel loop at 90%).

As far as your issue, have you figured it out yet? I would recheck your connections and make sure you have a good solder joint. Also, that unused wire--make sure it's taped off well and secure it somewhere away from the chasis and other electrical components. Other than that, I don't know what you should check. Let us know how it turns out.

Will

[ESPImperium]

My F30 has just started to get a bit of a intermittent hiss from it, it sometimes gets a hiss from it that gets loud, then it gets back to a quiet state again. It happens on all channels.

Do i have a tube on the way out??? should i change my tubes??? If so what should i go for???

[Dann'sTheMan]

My F30 has just started to get a bit of a intermittent hiss from it, it sometimes gets a hiss from it that gets loud, then it gets back to a quiet state again. It happens on all channels.

Do i have a tube on the way out??? should i change my tubes??? If so what should i go for???

Hi ESPImperium,

It probably is a tube problem (no guarantees of course). Do you know how long your current set of tubes have been in?

Regarding what to go for - check out the F-series pre-amp tube sets from www.watfordvalves.com (http://www.watfordvalves.com) - I've liked the standard set in my F-50; as for EL84 replacements, I'm not the best person to offer any advice. Perhaps the other 'brothers' have an opinion, and you can of course ask Watford Valves. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Surf-53]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has re-tubed their F 50 with Euro tubes high gain set and whether or not it has made a significant sound difference (obviously it will...but whether you liked it or not) and same question about changing the speaker...so I'll go obvious on you...swapping the Black Shadow for a V30??

Also, I know this is the F-Series lounge, but this is related. I am looking for an amp at the moment and for about 6 months now the F-50 has been top of my list. I am just in love with Tommy's tone (especially on Seven Miles To Go). I also love Andy Timmons' tone, Adam Jones' tone, and most of all...the tone I'm looking for above all others is Jason Shi's tone (ASG http://www.myspace.com/asgmusic) This is the tone I am dying for...and obviously I will not be able to afford the tone for under a thousand dollars (clearly a Les Paul strait into a dual rec with rack effects). With that in mind, what is the amp for me?

I have my price cap at about a thousand dollars right now...I'll look at anything, trust me. But what has really caught my interest as of late is the Mark IV (hahaha :p), the F-30/F-50, and the DC-5. Ahh to be young and chasing tones

[Surf-53]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has re-tubed their F 50 with Euro tubes high gain set and whether or not it has made a significant sound difference (obviously it will...but whether you liked it or not) and same question about changing the speaker...so I'll go obvious on you...swapping the Black Shadow for a V30??

Also, I know this is the F-Series lounge, but this is related. I am looking for an amp at the moment and for about 6 months now the F-50 has been top of my list. I am just in love with Tommy's tone (especially on Seven Miles To Go). I also love Andy Timmons' tone, Adam Jones' tone, and most of all...the tone I'm looking for above all others is Jason Shi's tone (ASG http://www.myspace.com/asgmusic) This is the tone I am dying for...and obviously I will not be able to afford the tone for under a thousand dollars (clearly a Les Paul strait into a dual rec with rack effects). With that in mind, what is the amp for me?

I have my price cap at about a thousand dollars right now...I'll look at anything, trust me. But what has really caught my interest as of late is the Mark IV (hahaha :p), the F-30/F-50, and the DC-5. Ahh to be young and chasing tones

[Surf-53]

And another way to phrase this would be is the F-50 combo the amp for me?

[lkdog]

I just made a nice deal for an F-50. All stock.

I cannot believe there is a thread that is 339 pages long on these amps.:thu:

Can't wait to give it a spin.

[ESPImperium]

Hi ESPImperium,

It probably is a tube problem (no guarantees of course). Do you know how long your current set of tubes have been in?

Regarding what to go for - check out the F-series pre-amp tube sets from www.watfordvalves.com (http://www.watfordvalves.com) - I've liked the standard set in my F-50; as for EL84 replacements, I'm not the best person to offer any advice. Perhaps the other 'brothers' have an opinion, and you can of course ask Watford Valves. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Thanks for the info.

The tubes that were in looked like they had been in the amp for literaly ages, posibly since they were in it since it left the factory.

Found a old set of Marshall EL84s that i bought they day before smoke bellowed from my old Laney VC15-110, and they solved the problem. But i am now looking for a good set of EL84s that will last me for a good year, as i understand that you should change the power tubes every 6-12 months and the pre amp tubes every 12-18 months.

All i need now is a good set of tubes, basically this:

V1 - A good clean sounding valve for the clean channel
V2 - A good couple of valves that give good saturation to the dirt
V3 & V4 - A good tube for the tube buffered effects loop and phase splitter stage

And a good set of EL84s that can handle a good clean sound all the way to the most saturation they can handle.

[lkdog]

I just picked up a used Mesa F-50 1X12 combo amp in very nice shape at a good price.
Powered it up and it sounds quite good out of the box without much tweaking.
Have never had a MEsa amp before.

Anyway-here is problem.

The previous owner had the power tubes replaced at Guitar Center. :facepalm:

The tubes they put in are Mesa branded EL 34 STR477's- not the stock replacement 6L6 STR-440, or 5881 STR-425 this amp calls for. :eek:
The EL 34's are for the a different Mesa amp-not the F-50 according to the MESA manual on the F-series.

What are my options here?

1) Replace tubes with 6L6's? If so-what would be good choice for this amp without breaking the bank?
2) Or is there some kind of converter that allows one to use either tubes that can be used in this amp?


Am I doing harm to the amp by running these?

I think I have read somewhere where it might damage the transformer over time to use the wrong tubes even though they may work? Not sure how long he has had these in there. I will ask.

I have tried some searches here in the MESA F-Series Lounge thread here-but it is hard to sort through now that it is 340 pages.


Anyway-any guidance here is appreciated.

Thanks.

[ESPImperium]

EL34s in a F30??? I think youre getting your EL34s and EL84s a little mixed up.

[lkdog]

EL34s in a F30??? I think youre getting your EL34s and EL84s a little mixed up.

You are right. I misread the manual.

Bottom line- My F-50 that I have has EL-34's in it that were sold to the previous owner by Guitar Center by mistake.

I guess I will just get some 6L6 tubes to put in it.
He states the map was never modified in anyway and he took them at their word and put the tubes in and it worked.

[Will Cyrier]

You are right. I misread the manual.

Bottom line- My F-50 that I have has EL-34's in it that were sold to the previous owner by Guitar Center by mistake.

I guess I will just get some 6L6 tubes to put in it.
He states the map was never modified in anyway and he took them at their word and put the tubes in and it worked.

The dude that sold him the tubes needs to be fired. You can use EL-84's in a 6L6 socket if you use a converter such as "Yellow Jackets." http://www.thdelectronics.com/pdf/yj.pdf . I have no personal experience with these but I know a guy that uses them in a Fender Bassman Reissue without problems. But if you're going to buy something, I would just get what the amp calls for...6L6's!!!! I hope Guitar Center heard me scream that :p

Oh, and congratulations on the new amp and welcome to the forum!

Will


Edit: How would an EL-34 or 84 even fit in a 6L6 socket? I thought the pin configurations were completely different....hmmm...

2nd Edit: I did some reading and it seems EL-34's are an okay swap for 6L6, more mids, and more compression. I read they also have a little more headroom as well. Whether or not they are okay for your amp (fixed bias stuff...etc.) I can't say. http://musicscene.org/forums/p/3031/27276.aspx

[davetcan]

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???

Not sure what kind of sound you're looking for. I was using my V2 OCD on the clean channel for this clip. I'm not much of a player and the recording is not exactly great but you'll get the idea. I really like the combination but I'm a classic rock guy, as opposed to metal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZcmqo5g9fQ&feature=channel_page

I'm really pleased with this little amp. :thu:

[hahavishnu]

my f100 head ,bought new,has been left sitting around the bedroom unused......when i now switch the amp on and engage the amps reverb there is a distortion sound from the amp(in clean ch) which comes and goes
what gives?...it has not done this b4

[Will Cyrier]

my f100 head ,bought new,has been left sitting around the bedroom unused......when i now switch the amp on and engage the amps reverb there is a distortion sound from the amp(in clean ch) which comes and goes
what gives?...it has not done this b4

How do the connections look for the reverb send and return? Is either of them loose?

[hahavishnu]

How do the connections look for the reverb send and return? Is either of them loose?

eh?....reverb send and return?

[Will Cyrier]

eh?....reverb send and return?

If you look at the underside of the amp chassis, you should see two RCA type plugs/connectors that connect the reverb tank to the amp. I believe they're on the right side of the amp as viewed from the back, next to the transformer. Check those out and see if they're loose or not.

Will

[bobbyswamp]

Not sure what kind of sound you're looking for. I was using my V2 OCD on the clean channel for this clip. I'm not much of a player and the recording is not exactly great but you'll get the idea. I really like the combination but I'm a classic rock guy, as opposed to metal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZcmqo5g9fQ&feature=channel_page

I'm really pleased with this little amp. :thu:

Don't sell yourself short, davetcan. That was a great performance. Nice guitar work, man. And the tone on that amp/guitar combo is nice.

I have found that my F-30 takes pedals extremely well. Although I actually love the gain channels on my F-30, I find that adding pedals gives me more flexibility. If forum member ESPImperium is having trouble with the OCD, I too wonder what tone he's after. I have an Xotic AC Booster and the thing is a great match. I also stomp on my Wampler Super Plextortion for even more overdrive/distortion choices. I put up a youtube to demonstrate, but the audio is kinda lame.

The F-30 is my Holy Grail of amps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWHvnLWVT4g

[tech21man]

Don't sell yourself short, davetcan. That was a great performance. Nice guitar work, man. And the tone on that amp/guitar combo is nice.

I have found that my F-30 takes pedals extremely well. Although I actually love the gain channels on my F-30, I find that adding pedals gives me more flexibility. If forum member ESPImperium is having trouble with the OCD, I too wonder what tone he's after. I have an Xotic AC Booster and the thing is a great match. I also stomp on my Wampler Super Plextortion for even more overdrive/distortion choices. I put up a youtube to demonstrate, but the audio is kinda lame.

The F-30 is my Holy Grail of amps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWHvnLWVT4g

That's great. I first bought my f-30 as an intermediate stop to probably a real mark. I also thought that because I bought it at a good price I could most probably sell it for a bit more...But it kind grew me on me so much, that if I ever buy a mark or anything else it would be as an addition and not to replace a lesser unit as the f-30 is "considered" to be...Anyway I found a deal to sell it for much more than what I bought it for and guess what: I could not part with it. Now I'm searching for thieles to expand it as a quarter stack...

Sometimes I also use an epiphone, but I found that it really comes alive with somewhat brighter guitars like fender-teles in particular...

[davetcan]

Don't sell yourself short, davetcan. That was a great performance. Nice guitar work, man. And the tone on that amp/guitar combo is nice.

I have found that my F-30 takes pedals extremely well. Although I actually love the gain channels on my F-30, I find that adding pedals gives me more flexibility. If forum member ESPImperium is having trouble with the OCD, I too wonder what tone he's after. I have an Xotic AC Booster and the thing is a great match. I also stomp on my Wampler Super Plextortion for even more overdrive/distortion choices. I put up a youtube to demonstrate, but the audio is kinda lame.

The F-30 is my Holy Grail of amps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWHvnLWVT4g

That's a great clip. :thu:

I used to have a Super Plextortion but found that my OCD and Keeley Rat covered much of the same ground and I actually preferred the heavier OD tones on the Rat.

Your OD channel settings on the F-30 look pretty much exactly like mine btw. :)

edit: Bobby, just listening to some of the Galaxies stuff. WOW. Love it. "Love has Found me" reminds me a bit of Blue Rodeo.

[fabien1959]

Hi all,

I've got a tech question about the infamous parallel to serial fx loop mod that I plan to make on my F50.
Now this is the normal loop:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x268/fabien1959/Amp%20project/normal.jpg
This is the classic mod taking the mix pot out of the circuit:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x268/fabien1959/Amp%20project/option1.jpg
This is a variant I found on the Mesa forum. It leaves the mix pot in the circuit as a level return:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x268/fabien1959/Amp%20project/option2.jpg
Now this is HAL9000 cable solution:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x268/fabien1959/Amp%20project/hal9000F-SeriesMixPotMasterRevB.jpg
the principle beeing to ground the loop signal via the mix pot acting as a master volume.

The question is: is the variant correct (without grounding the signal or should the third pot log put to ground (like on the cable version) as in here:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x268/fabien1959/Amp%20project/option3.jpg

I hope I'm beeing clear enough.

Cheers
Fabien

[bobbyswamp]

That's great. I first bought my f-30 as an intermediate stop to probably a real mark. I also thought that because I bought it at a good price I could most probably sell it for a bit more...But it kind grew me on me so much, that if I ever buy a mark or anything else it would be as an addition and not to replace a lesser unit as the f-30 is "considered" to be...Anyway I found a deal to sell it for much more than what I bought it for and guess what: I could not part with it. Now I'm searching for thieles to expand it as a quarter stack...

Sometimes I also use an epiphone, but I found that it really comes alive with somewhat brighter guitars like fender-teles in particular...

Great story! You could've made a profit and yet you kept her. Actually, I totally get that.

Before I pulled the trigger and bought my F-30, I read a review here at HC by a guy stating that the amp has this amazing ability to bring out the character in any guitar. Its true. I have found that to be an absolute magical thing about this amp. It makes any guitar, from a low end, beater guitar to a higher end model sound amazing.

I agree with you about how it loves Teles. But my fave guitar through mine is my SG.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5827/dscn4358a.jpg

I've used my F-30 to drive a 4X12 cab, and the fricking thing gets so loud that it moves furniture.

Unbelievable...

[bobbyswamp]

That's a great clip. :thu:

I used to have a Super Plextortion but found that my OCD and Keeley Rat covered much of the same ground and I actually preferred the heavier OD tones on the Rat.

Your OD channel settings on the F-30 look pretty much exactly like mine btw. :)

edit: Bobby, just listening to some of the Galaxies stuff. WOW. Love it. "Love has Found me" reminds me a bit of Blue Rodeo.

Thanks for the kind words. Blue Rodeo is a high compliment. Plus, I'm the same age as those guys...!

I have a Fulltone FD2-MOSFET that I love, but I have heard great things about this OCD pedal that you recommend.

hmmm. I gotta try one...

[tech21man]

Great story! You could've made a profit and yet you kept her. Actually, I totally get that.

Before I pulled the trigger and bought my F-30, I read a review here at HC by a guy stating that the amp has this amazing ability to bring out the character in any guitar. Its true. I have found that to be an absolute magical thing about this amp. It makes any guitar, from a low end, beater guitar to a higher end model sound amazing.

I agree with you about how it loves Teles. But my fave guitar through mine is my SG.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5827/dscn4358a.jpg

I've used my F-30 to drive a 4X12 cab, and the fricking thing gets so loud that it moves furniture.

Unbelievable...

Man I get you!!! I just remember my trying a greco p-90 equipped though, sg. It was fantastic.
I'm thinking of buying a used f-100 head at some point. My next stop will probably be a thiele cab, and my only complaint from the f-30, is that it's EL84 power tubes get too dirty too fast for clean loud parts. It is its nature and I love it for dirtier parts. I read the guitarist review, for the f-30. It said that not as american as the f-50, or as vocal sounding, it had a stiffer bass response and a woodier midrange. That, is a really really good thing for my uses. I do have a bass player for that you know, and too much bass and I lose definition and fast muted riffing...

My thinking is: The f-100 head for clean parts with maximum headroom, the f-30 for heavy rythm, with contour on, and bass cut and the f-100 head for lead, on the gain channel WITHOUT contour, more bass full gain, (more fluid) and above all more db's than the rythm sound on the f-30. They'll be driving either v30 ported and open backs 112 or a v30 and a thiele cab...In addition my studio preamp and a jmp-1 will probably give differnet, markish and marshallish flavors...Above all, this rig is based around the f-30 which will probably be my grab n go rehearshal/home/small live combo with or without the thiele. What do you think?

[fabien1959]

Thanks for the kind words. Blue Rodeo is a high compliment. Plus, I'm the same age as those guys...!

I have a Fulltone FD2-MOSFET that I love, but I have heard great things about this OCD pedal that you recommend.

hmmm. I gotta try one...
I just bought an OCD and love it with my Suhr Pro S1. The fat tone of the OCD adds just enough body to the SC of the Suhr where the FD2 remained a bit thin and middy.

FD2 is really a tube screamer, the OCD is definitely something else, more creamy.

My bass player liked it too at rehearshal yesterday!
My horn section didn't notice, for them my pedalboard is just gear-snob-GAS toys!... Now they might have a small point here... tiny... sometimes...:facepalm:

[bobbyswamp]

I just bought an OCD and love it with my Suhr Pro S1. The fat tone of the OCD adds just enough body to the SC of the Suhr where the FD2 remained a bit thin and middy.

FD2 is really a tube screamer, the OCD is definitely something else, more creamy.

My bass player liked it too at rehearshal yesterday!
My horn section didn't notice, for them my pedalboard is just gear-snob-GAS toys!... Now they might have a small point here... tiny... sometimes...:facepalm:

Yeah, horn players laugh at stomp boxes!

I agree the FD2 has a "tube screamer" tone to it. Each guitar has a different voice thru it. I think I will check out the OCD for that creamier tone that's missing from the FD2...

Also, I just checked out your myspace site. Nice solo on LITTLE SHOES. Great tone, great feel!!!

[tech21man]

Greetings!!!

I remembered, hal9000 silent recording setup.
I don't agree fully with his tactic. Sounds right in theory but has a few what ifs. I also remembered, tommy inkila tried it but was not overly satisfied.

Anyway, it goes like this:

Theory was, to get the whole interaction, preamp-negative feedback-power amp kicking tubes screaming orgasmic thing he used the thd attenuator, then the line out(power amp signal enhanced) then to a v30 cab sim on the pod xt. Well, I am not really sure about the cab signal thingy on the pod...

Ok so the pod xt does not have THE top a/d converters(it is quite old and surpsassed, digitally speaking) and it has a sample rate of 44,1 khz. But also it never ever mentions, where the "power amp" emulation happens. Actually I noticed this: whenever I bridged a real preamp into the pod xt running only the cab sim, the signal was, neutralized in a way. Like the pod added its own character and even...power amp character. Not so far away the pod has it's own, jmp-1 marshall preamp emulation and never mentions a power amp? still it sounds good as it if had one. My preamps kinda lost their "airy" sound, and got podotomized.

Not so the fact with the revalver programm. Damn!!! Download the demo just for fun (in the peavey vypyr web site). Get the send jack of your f-amp into the pc.!!! (line in). With the mute switch on please...Then select an empty patch and insert specifically a power amp module, then, a cabinet module.

Now, in the pod xt the sound with only the cab module, was like the revalvers, power amp+cab module, and also, smaller, less transparent, not so pleasant(not bad in any sense though!!!).

In the revalver, you can switch off the power amp module and just hear preamp +cab.Sounds good enough. But you can mate it to whatever power amp you like!!!6505 for crisppy harder sounds. Recto for smoother. In the recto with el84 (the revalver is the tweakers dream...) I tottaly aped my f-30 sound!!! Select A V-30 cabinet or a fane alnico or an EVM12L on axis, with and some without mic!!! I kinda think it is the coolest toy of all times with a juicy, big sound even on headphones, 2 a.m. at night. Just run it in a good pc that supports 96khz sample rate...

It is a hassle to DI the sound to a pc all the time, but in my oppinion is worth it and let's you experiment A LOT. By the way the valveking power amp sucks and the jcm-900 power amp with 6L6 sounds clouded kinda like the real thing!!!

Next experiment will be, a 6505 preamp from the revalver into the return jack of my f-30 power amp...

[mrelusive]

^^

hmmm.... i might hafta try me some of this....

[fabien1959]

Yeah, horn players laugh at stomp boxes!

I agree the FD2 has a "tube screamer" tone to it. Each guitar has a different voice thru it. I think I will check out the OCD for that creamier tone that's missing from the FD2...

Also, I just checked out your myspace site. Nice solo on LITTLE SHOES. Great tone, great feel!!!
Thanks a lot lot for the kind word!

[tlchase68]

This has probably been discussed at some point...But, here goes. Do you prefer to mic your F-series amps (specifically the F-30) or use the line out through the PA when you play small venues (clubs/bars).

I've owned my F-30 for a few years now, but I have never played a gig with it...Thanks!

[tech21man]

This has probably been discussed at some point...But, here goes. Do you prefer to mic your F-series amps (specifically the F-30) or use the line out through the PA when you play small venues (clubs/bars).

I've owned my F-30 for a few years now, but I have never played a gig with it...Thanks!

I've only played 2 gigs with my f-30 (but I'll use it more often!), one mic'ed the other DI (last minute thing) The DI worked very good!!! But it seems really ugly and hazy through monitors or headphones. Still it went pretty good though...Try it out!

[fabien1959]

This has probably been discussed at some point...But, here goes. Do you prefer to mic your F-series amps (specifically the F-30) or use the line out through the PA when you play small venues (clubs/bars).

I've owned my F-30 for a few years now, but I have never played a gig with it...Thanks!
I'd use a mic. The line out is good enough for emergency but a mic or a DI with cab sim like H&K Red Box or even the Behringer G100 will give better results.

[tlchase68]

I was leaning toward using a mic this time around. When I first started playing out, my rig consisted of a Mesa DC-5 (what a powerhouse) with an Intellifex LTD through the FX Loop; then it went DI to the PA. I was really pretty clueless...Listening to some old recordings, my tone was horrible!

Anyway, that was several years ago, and I've not played with a band for a while. Since then (thanks to HC), I have learned a lot about gear, good tone, etc. However, it's mostly theory as far as live situations are concerned.

I want to make sure all my ducks are in a row...I'm currently building a board for my stomp boxes...Here’s my rig…

Fender Deluxe Plus Strat (with Bill Lawrence pup's:280-280-298) --> TU-2 --> NS-2 (NS-2 Loop --> Modded Dynacomp or Mote Allums CS-3 --> Keeley Rat --> Monte's MT-2 -->) --> Keeley CE-2 --> F-30

I also have a DD-2, DE-7 with Sniper mod, CE-3 w/ mods...I will probably leave some of my pedals off the board. Do you guys use the FX Loop for Delay or EQ, or run everything through the front...Just weighing options...Thanks!

[Will Cyrier]

I was leaning toward using a mic this time around. When I first started playing out, my rig consisted of a Mesa DC-5 (what a powerhouse) with an Intellifex LTD through the FX Loop; then it went DI to the PA. I was really pretty clueless...Listening to some old recordings, my tone was horrible!

Anyway, that was several years ago, and I've not played with a band for a while. Since then (thanks to HC), I have learned a lot about gear, good tone, etc. However, it's mostly theory as far as live situations are concerned.

I want to make sure all my ducks are in a row...I'm currently building a board for my stomp boxes...Here’s my rig…

Fender Deluxe Plus Strat (with Bill Lawrence pup's:280-280-298) --> TU-2 --> NS-2 (NS-2 Loop --> Modded Dynacomp or Mote Allums CS-3 --> Keeley Rat --> Monte's MT-2 -->) --> Keeley CE-2 --> F-30

I also have a DD-2, DE-7 with Sniper mod, CE-3 w/ mods...I will probably leave some of my pedals off the board. Do you guys use the FX Loop for Delay or EQ, or run everything through the front...Just weighing options...Thanks!

I run my delay in my loop, but it's kind of a hassle because I have to run two more cables to my pedal board. It sounds more balanced when you switch between the two (three) channels.

[fabien1959]

... Do you guys use the FX Loop for Delay or EQ, or run everything through the front...Just weighing options...Thanks!
Modulation and time based effects should be post gain so if your gain comes from the amp I'd put them in the loop.
The EQ is another story, before or after gain has different effect so it's up to you

[tlchase68]

BTW, I recently purchased some JJ's from Eurotubes to address a hiss/hum issue on my clean channel...I also hope to make the gain a little less harsh (flubby, if that's a word) when cranked.

I haven't made the change over yet, because I'm looking for a non-lube contact cleaner to use in the sockets...The local Radio Shack only had one can and the clerk wasn't very knowledable about the product...I'd hate to fry my amp!

[tech21man]

Funny. I read a report in the boogie board and many people claimed that mesa's recent tubes are jj rebranded. Chinese of course. I would like to hear if the tube swap had a prolific change!

[tlchase68]

That's interesting...I didn't know that!

I based my decision on an email exchange with the kind folks at Eurotubes, testimonials, and reviews on HC...I'll keep you posted on the results.

[bobbyswamp]

Man I get you!!! I just remember my trying a greco p-90 equipped though, sg. It was fantastic.
I'm thinking of buying a used f-100 head at some point. My next stop will probably be a thiele cab, and my only complaint from the f-30, is that it's EL84 power tubes get too dirty too fast for clean loud parts. It is its nature and I love it for dirtier parts. I read the guitarist review, for the f-30. It said that not as american as the f-50, or as vocal sounding, it had a stiffer bass response and a woodier midrange. That, is a really really good thing for my uses. I do have a bass player for that you know, and too much bass and I lose definition and fast muted riffing...

My thinking is: The f-100 head for clean parts with maximum headroom, the f-30 for heavy rythm, with contour on, and bass cut and the f-100 head for lead, on the gain channel WITHOUT contour, more bass full gain, (more fluid) and above all more db's than the rythm sound on the f-30. They'll be driving either v30 ported and open backs 112 or a v30 and a thiele cab...In addition my studio preamp and a jmp-1 will probably give differnet, markish and marshallish flavors...Above all, this rig is based around the f-30 which will probably be my grab n go rehearshal/home/small live combo with or without the thiele. What do you think?

Sorry I missed your post here! Dude, a P-90 equipped SG would be my dream guitar. I gotta get one some day...

Anyway, I have considered getting a similar that set up you are discussing here with the F-100 for cleans. However, I have never played through an F-100. I spotted a used one at Sam Ash a few months ago, man I wish I'd given it a ride. Oh well...

My F-30 is my absolute golden, go-to amp for all my live and studio work stuff. It does it all, and it takes pedals EXTREMELY well. I could use a bit more clean headroom, but overall, I love it. For pedals, I've got some Wamplers, Xotic, Zvez and Fulltones that are incredible with the F-30. They give me a ton of overdrive/distortion choices now. And through them all, the F-30 drives them with consistent, unique voices. I should post some more youtube vids, but the sound never comes across that good with my camera...

[fxschx]

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130333888233&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

[bobbyswamp]

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130333888233&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Ich kann nicht lesen Deutsch! Welche Änderungen vorgenommen wurden?

[mrelusive]

Any trick for making my f-50's clean channel really shine? I use a mahogany-bodied guitar with two humbuckers... I have coil-taps, a boost and a compressor pedal at my disposal as well...

I'm in a cover band and i'd like to be able to do some nice strumming without having to switch guitars between songs. We have "crazy little thing called love" "don't stand so close to me" and "no rain" in our set so i find myself in need of a clean setting that'll still fit well in different clean contexts.

[Goldwing]

PUll bright option. I used with my strat when I play some Floyd Stuff for a more mid-treble sound that its needed because of the Hiwatts amps that Gilmour use.

I also use that option with my PRS. THe EQ in the F50 is really great. Don't be shy in trying extreme Eq's..

[mrelusive]

will it be different since i'm in a basement with a cement floor and a couple cement walls? I mean, am i gonna have to compensate when i haul my rig to a club to play? Would hanging some blankets or taking it outside in an open space help?

I can get it to sound great for single-note arpeggiated stuff, but the acoustic-style strumming tends to sound a lil harsh to my ears. I don't mind a lil bit of breakup, but i'm talking about that spanky snap that you get when a strum seems too overpowering to the ears instead of pleasant like a mellow acoustic guitar...

maybe i'm just afraid of the loudness in volume or maybe it's just ringin weird because of the acoustic environment...

[dulcetpine]

Whats up kids... I haven't posted in here in a while, but I figured you all may be interested in a project I am about to start. I am building a new cabinet for my f-100 amp head. It am using poplar because I love the grain and showing of the occasional green color, and I finally have gotten comfortable enough with my hand cut dovetailing to build this cab. I am going to photograph the process which I will be starting very soon (waiting for a new dovetail saw).

I am doing this because the black cab looks out of place on my tweed 2x12 cabinet, and I just love custom amps, so why not? I will transfer the handle from the amp, but eventually I'd like to replace that with a brown leather one, as well as change the amp knobs... but that is for later. I hope it comes out as nice as I think it could... we'll see.

[mrelusive]

ooooh... you gonna get some wicker-chair-lookin material for the grill as well? mark series style?

[dulcetpine]

ooooh... you gonna get some wicker-chair-lookin material for the grill as well? mark series style?

No, i have an amazing piece of poplar on which the grain radiates out from the center that i am going to use as the front piece. The uniqueness of the pattern made me want to alter my original design, which was to have the wicker on the front so that you could see the tubes glowing... but nature persuaded me otherwise...

--I am also messing with the dimensions, it is a massive head... it seems as they they just took the 2x12 combo and cut it down vertically but left the depth...

[SnowStorm]

Hey guys, can the F-50 do bedroom levels ok? I know it's probably loud as hell but can it be tamed for bedroom practices?

[mrelusive]

oh yeah, i had mine in an apartment for a couple years. no complaints!

[YannickChampagn]

Hey guys, can the F-50 do bedroom levels ok? I know it's probably loud as hell but can it be tamed for bedroom practices?

Look for the volume pot or pedal in the fx loop trick that is somewhere in the early pages of this thread.

I made one out of a spare vol pot from a parts guitar and broken pedal's enclosure, and it sure helped the bedroom/apartment level tone. It allows you to crank the masters on each preamp without hitting the poweramp section too hard. Huge improvement over stock.


Also, I heard that some have changed the master volume pots to a linear pot so you dont have that dramatic volume jump from 7oclock to ten oclock, basically so its more consistant. Fender and mesa are known for putting this style of pot in so it seems like the amps volume will never stop increasing when you're on the showroom floor, but they're too sensitive to tweak at lower volumes.

my two cents

[tech21man]

I agree 100% about the volume control. The loop level thing? I can't exactly understand what it is doing? I "feel" there is soms phasing stuff going ine there but sounds great!!! More compressed and cutting. Either way, even in full mix it still is a parallel loop...Maybe the tube that drives the loop gets slammed? Still it compresses in a good way.

[tech21man]

I am looking for a lead sound, for my f-30. What do I mean by that?

For starters, I gig it mice'd or unmiced or even unmiced direct out...

I tend to finsh my work very late so the meaning soundcheck properly is somewhat of a luxury...The f-30 has preoven THE grab n go solution for me.

But even though you can plug n play, using clean, for...clean (somewhat!Those el84 can't wait to be pounded...marshall the compressor donated some headroom...), channel 2 for rythm and contour for lead, I don't like it. People in the audience do!!! I got compliments I did not expect!!!

Still I would prefer to have clean for clean and contour for heavy rythm. I like it that way! Which leaves the lead sound...

My thought is put a pedal on the clean channel with appropriate gain (as the clean channel tends to break up) and a delay pedal after it and...there you go!!! That leaves the loop free for other uses as is volume control...

Any suggestions? I would like for the pedals to have a good, bypassed sound...either true bypass, or buffered in the tech21 fashion (which actually colours and enhances the bypass signal somewhat...). Maybe a "hot" overdrive in combination with the break up of the el84? A full on disotrtion sound like the MI tube zone? A small multieffects with delay on it (saves the tap dancing...just a patch) like the zoom g2 (which I find really interesting...)

Has anyone tried it???

[cr8ed2worship]

I have a Mesa F50 (head version). I am using a Boss GT8 effects unit with the amp, but I am not using the built in preamps on the unit. I am only using the individual effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, OD). I am using the 4-cable method setup with the amp (Send on the effects loop of the Boss GT8 goes to the Input on the Mesa F50, the Send on the effects look of the Mesa F50 then goes to the Return on the effects loop on the Boss GT8, then the Output on the Boss GT8 goes to the Return on the effects look of the Mesa F50). I have the effects loop on the Mesa F50 turned up all the way.

When I have things setup the way I outlined above, I have no problem on Channel 2 getting distortion when I raise the Gain on that channel to 9-o'clock. However if I do not use the effects loop on the Mesa F50 or the effects loop on the Boss GT8, and just hook straight out of the Boss GT8's Output and straight into the Input on the Mesa F50, I have to turn up the Gain on Channel 2 to around 3-o'clock to get any distortion. Anyone know why?

Thanks for your help.

[guitaruboy]

hey guys
am i not being realistic?
i'm trying to sell my F-50 head because i'm looking to move to a 1x12 combo
but nobody seems to be biting. i've bee posting on craigslist with a price of $800 OBO and the only offer i've gotten is for $600
i need enough to a combo, looking at a traynor 50w or a fendersupersonic or a mesa combo

anyways
am i uniformed or is madison just not the place to be selling mesa's?

[estring777]

$800 seems a bit much. I bought mine 3 years ago for $650. Its also the nature of the amp and the fact that its not well known outside of hardcore Mesa fans. Unless someone is doing their research they probably arent going to be convinced that the F50 is the amp for them, many have not even heard of it.
Drop the price and attach some review links.

[hal9000]

I have a Mesa F50 (head version). I am using a Boss GT8 effects unit with the amp, but I am not using the built in preamps on the unit. I am only using the individual effects (EQ, Chorus, Delay, OD). I am using the 4-cable method setup with the amp (Send on the effects loop of the Boss GT8 goes to the Input on the Mesa F50, the Send on the effects look of the Mesa F50 then goes to the Return on the effects loop on the Boss GT8, then the Output on the Boss GT8 goes to the Return on the effects look of the Mesa F50). I have the effects loop on the Mesa F50 turned up all the way.

When I have things setup the way I outlined above, I have no problem on Channel 2 getting distortion when I raise the Gain on that channel to 9-o'clock. However if I do not use the effects loop on the Mesa F50 or the effects loop on the Boss GT8, and just hook straight out of the Boss GT8's Output and straight into the Input on the Mesa F50, I have to turn up the Gain on Channel 2 to around 3-o'clock to get any distortion. Anyone know why?

Thanks for your help.Welcome to HCAF and the F-series Brotherhood! :)

I think your problem stems from the output level and possibly impedance of the GT-8 into the F-50's input. If you turn down your guitar's volume control, you'll note the same result in that you need more gain on CH2 to get distortion. Therefore, I would suggest adjusting the output of the GT8 to compensate for its position in the chain.

[glow]

Hi everybody!

I've been using my F50 combo for over two years, and I'm really grateful for all the improssive amount of info found in this thread.

Sadly I had a quite enraging experience last weekend: I took it to a concert (first time with the F50, I had only been using it at rehearsal until then). I hook everything up, proceed to switch it on, aaaaaaaaand: the fucking thing wouldn't make a sound!! :mad: I wanted to kick it right away, but would've probably only hurt myself.
The amp has always been handled with care since I bought it new, I put new tubes in 6 months ago.
Back at home I tried to figure out what the problem might be, rechecked the cables I used, made sure the speaker is working etc... everything seems to be fine.
Now, when I plug in the guitar, turn the Volume and Master up, still nothing is coming out of the speaker, but I can hear a very faint rattling and buzzing sound that seems to be coming from inside the chassis. It keeps "ringing" until I mute the strings. I haven't opened the chassis, as I wouldn't know what to look for unless there was some obvious damage...

I know that diagnosing is difficult via the internet, but has anyone experienced similar things? Any ideas what to look for apart from what I've done?

Thanks in advance, any help is very much apreciated!

[mrelusive]

did you accidentally flip the "speaker mute" switch on the back of the amp?

[glow]

did you accidentally flip the "speaker mute" switch on the back of the amp?

Thanks!

Well, that would've been some classic fail! ;)
I already thought of this (although only after a while :facepalm: ), unfortunately the switch is in the correct position...

What to do.....?

[Will Cyrier]

What to do.....?

Have you checked the speaker cable? Check that it is plugged into the speaker out jack, but also check the leads where the cable connects to the speaker. Maybe stashing the power chord or foot switch chord knocked one of the connections loose.

Otherwise, I would take it to a tech or authorized service facility. Or better yet, call Mesa and ask them directly. Maybe the amp is still under warranty. Don't open up the chassis unless you know what you are doing. The stored voltages in there could kill you (even when it's unplugged).

Will

[Goldwing]

I have this crazy idea of replacing the mix pot in the parallel loop with a jack that allows to change the mix with an expression pedal like the Roland EV-5.

Does anyone here ever tried to do this?

cheers!

[NDRU]

My thought is put a pedal on the clean channel with appropriate gain (as the clean channel tends to break up) and a delay pedal after it and...there you go!!! That leaves the loop free for other uses as is volume control...

Has anyone tried it???

I don't quite see what you mean with the delay pedal. Or are you really talking about some kind of overdrive (appropriate gain)?

I've never really been happy with channel 2 (or contour) on my F30. I use a Sparkledrive, which is basically a tube screamer and it sounds okay on channel 1. But the F30 is finicky, I hate the sound of the OCD through it.

[Grinder72]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone tell me where i can get the (T 1 A) 250V slo blo tubes on line? My supply is running out and the guy on ebay i used to get them from has called it a day. I've problems getting them where I live.

Cheers.