Got my boogie buster today

geddyfan · #1 09-02-2011, 07:20 PM

Got my 2x10 buster combo today sounds good but a little dirtier than I expected. It has been retubed with JJ's any way to tell if they're the higher gain 6l6's. It's not nearly as clean as my 400+. It also pops once in a while I'm afraid it's going back

geddyfan · #2 09-02-2011, 07:54 PM

anybody?

scotch · #3 09-02-2011, 08:01 PM

Busters are typically very clean in comparison to other tube amps. Popping sounds & distortion, I'm guessing it needs new tubes!

chaosMK · #4 09-02-2011, 11:15 PM

Power tubes shouldnt be ODing unless you are pushing pretty serious volume, maybe it's the pre + active bass?

geddyfan · #5 09-03-2011, 05:52 AM

Its not seriously dirty just a mild breakup but the popping concerns me more. I bought it from GC out of state so shipping wasn't cheap they said it was in good condition What a pain. I do like the tone i think I might swap 6 tubes from my 400+ plus to see if that helps.

scotch · #6 09-03-2011, 06:07 AM

Be sure to check the preamp tubes as well! 8 out of 10 times, the most noise comes from the first gain stage in a tube circuit.

geddyfan · #7 09-03-2011, 06:25 AM

Can bad tubes cause popping ? It was picking up a radio station last night. My walkabout scout used to do that but only in one particular place and with only one of my basses. I'd sure have to replace the tubes I overpaid for the amp as it is. ouch

stingray56funk · #8 09-03-2011, 06:44 AM

Bad preamp tubes can cause a lot of stuff. Try what Scotch said and switch the first gain stage preamp tube.

geddyfan · #9 09-03-2011, 06:59 AM

I have a 12au7 here how would that work

scotch · #10 09-03-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geddyfan

I have a 12au7 here how would that work

It's going to significantly reduce your preamp gain.

So, if preamp clipping was causing the distortion - problem solved! HOWEVER, if your power tubes are losing life, you'll end up pushing them harder for adequate volume & likely exacerbate the problem if that's the issue.

jastacey · #11 09-03-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Be sure to check the preamp tubes as well! 8 out of 10 times, the most noise comes from the first gain stage in a tube circuit.

+1 .... I'd might add, that just get one 12AX7 that is known to be noise free, and start to change out each tube, with the known good one, you'll find the noisy one, sooner or later, as to the power tubes I believe the Mesa's are not biased too aggressively, but after you find the noisy preamp tube , you might want to have a tech scope the amp to see what the amp is actually doing .... one question are you using an active bass?

RickenBoogie · #12 09-03-2011, 07:28 AM

OP, do you know where it came from? I mean, which GC? I ask because I sold my Buster 210 combo to GC in Dallas, and it was 100% working beautifully, and had just been re-tubed with JJ's in the power section. Might need to have it checked over, something could've rattled in shipping. I have the old tubes, as well as the repair bill from my tech, if you're interested. Hope it works out.

geddyfan · #13 09-03-2011, 07:54 AM

It came from Dallas so it must have been yours. JJ tubes in the power section. Not too many of those around. Were the pre amp tubes changed as well.Well maybe not, it came from farmers branch texas. I love the tone so I'm gonna have to play with it some more. Re guarding the pops I've also had amps pop from the electrical circuit they're plugged in to.

anderbass · #14 09-03-2011, 10:55 AM

As an easy test, you could plug your bass directly into the Effects return jack. This will bypass the preamp section so It wouldnt play as loud, but If you no longer heard any of the popping sounds (and it sounded cleaner) you could be fairly certain your problem was in your preamp section.

geddyfan · #15 09-03-2011, 11:19 AM

I'll give that a try but I haven;t heard any noise today. I hate intermittent problems !

RickenBoogie · #16 09-03-2011, 11:21 AM

Yes, Farmers Branch is it- so awesome, my Buster went to a TBer. No, did NOT change preamp tubes, as they were still fine, just the 6 JJ power tubes. Also, new mini switches, all of them, and new ribbon cable from graphic eq. It *was* in 100% perfect shape when GC got it, so maybe a quick check up by an amp tech, and should be back to perfect. Should sound clean, punchy, and LOUD. Can get some grit with gain past noon-1 o clock-ish, but not like full on grind. Awesome amp, hope it gets fixed up and working for you.

runmikeyrun · #17 09-03-2011, 12:02 PM

try cleaning the tube sockets first. If it was working fine before one or more of the tubes might have shifted a little in the socket. Don't start replacing tubes until you've cleaned the sockets. I will add that you should use the RIGHT cleaner! Don't just use any old stuff

geddyfan · #18 09-03-2011, 12:48 PM

The gain at noon it starts getting a little gritty depending on the bass I'm playing. Some of my basses are overwound a bit so they break up early. The amp has great tone I love Mesa amps. I'm goin to play with it a while and see if it needs to be checked over by my tech.

KramerBassFan · #19 09-03-2011, 01:01 PM

Make sure all of the preamp tubes are fully down in their sockets - sometimes they can be halfway in their sockets, and not making a good contact.

geddyfan · #20 09-03-2011, 01:24 PM

i'll be sure to check that also