Just got my tube amp...Put the tube in myself or take it to a tech?

[rnilson]

I just got in a mesa buster tube amp. The tubes were taken out for shipping. Can I just plug them in and go or do I need to take the amp to a tech?
thanks

I know nothing about tube amps.

[JMac4strngr]

It should be biased for that tube set, unless he sent you different tubes. I would plug'em in warm it up and give it a try, the suspense of having it there and not trying it out would kill me.

[rnilson]

Ok,
I plugged in the tubes and I get nothing...I can faintly hear the bass but no real out put. Did I do something wrong or is there something wrong with the amp?
The it is a mesa buster and the tubes are 6L6GC I noticed all of the power tubes had a black post in the middle of the plugs and one did not it was glass? Aww hell I hope this doesn't cost me a lot of money.

[JimmyM]

are you sure you have them seated in there well?

[rnilson]

Um...I think so. They all glow...Man I am incompetent here.

So it appears the pre-amp section is working but the power section is not.

When I turn the volume knob which is "gain" I can hear the volume increase although very quiet. The master volume does nothing. Very discouraging. Oh well, to the tech I go.

[JimmyM]

well recheck all your work and make sure the pre tubes are all in the right places. maybe you got one swapped around. if not, then you're above my scope.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by rnilson

I just got in a mesa buster tube amp. The tubes were taken out for shipping. Can I just plug them in and go or do I need to take the amp to a tech?
thanks

I know nothing about tube amps.

were they marked for placement.....if the amp is used ask the guy that packed it which is which,if new try customer service

[Ben Clarke]

Is it in standby?

[anderbass]

I'm pretty sure Busters have a speaker mute switch, try that.

[Staccato]

Standby mode will give you the silent treatment. A blown fuse will be on the troubleshooting list for most amps.

If it's the Bass 200 version, the manual does not show much in the way of troubleshooting. Calling their customer service tomorrow may provide more answers.

It's always a good idea to keep one or more of each type of tube in a secure, dry place. My approach is to swap a new tube for a suspect tube (same type) as one type of tube troubleshooting. That way, you may find a bad guy (tube) in there.

If it was me, I'd unplug the amp, and after making double sure the power cord is removed, make sure each tube is installed all the way by first removing it, looking at the pins, and second re-installing each. Perform this one tube at a time. As you've probably learned-it has been suggested that gently wiggling tubes (do not excessively wiggle when removing or replacing). When re-installing them, ensure that each tube is completely seated.

There is no bias adjustment on Mesa amps from what I've read...

[mcrracer]

Originally Posted by rnilson

Ok,
I plugged in the tubes and I get nothing...I can faintly hear the bass but no real out put. Did I do something wrong or is there something wrong with the amp?
The it is a mesa buster and the tubes are 6L6GC I noticed all of the power tubes had a black post in the middle of the plugs and one did not it was glass? Aww hell I hope this doesn't cost me a lot of money.

Are you sure you put the power tube with out the black post in properly?

[M0ses]

Tube amps can kill you, pal. I'd take it to a tech.

[Jazz Ad]

The title of this thread reads very dirty.

[MAMMOTHvolume]

Originally Posted by mcrracer

Are you sure you put the power tube with out the black post in properly?

this. Pull out the one with the broken guide pin does it work without it?

[rnilson]

Hmmm...

Thanks for all the suggetions.
Removed all the tubes...put them back.

Not on stand by or speaker mute.

Still only a faint sound from the pre but no power section.

I am bummed.

I hope there is nothing seriously wrong.
I think I will take it to a tech. I don't want to screw something up.

[HUnt49]

I miss my buster -- is this a combo? head? 15? 210?

Once you get it sorted it will treat you well.

[rnilson]

It is the head. I will be running it through a Mesa Powerhouse 115. I hope to add another 115 or a 210 in the future.

[rnilson]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

well recheck all your work and make sure the pre tubes are all in the right places. maybe you got one swapped around. if not, then you're above my scope.

I don't understand. All 3 pre tubes are the same kind and all the power tubes are the same kind....Does the order of they tubes matter? I ther a tube no 1,2,3 etc?

Also how do I make sure that the power tube without the guide post is put in right. I just lined it up so that the logo faceses the same as the other tubes.

I got an appointment to drop off the the amp tomorrow with the tech, but he thought it would take a week or two to get around to it. It is killing me not knowing what is wrong with my new amp. I feel like my kid is in the hospital with an un diagnosed disease.

[metalmariachi]

“the tubes are 6L6GC I noticed all of the power tubes had a black post in the middle of the plugs and one did not it was glass”

Dead give away, you probably have put the one without the index pin in with the wrong orientation.

Pull them out, and look at the one with out the center post. You will see where the index key was, at the break. Mark it with white or yellow on the side of the base.

Then align this mark up with the index key in the socket. That should work unless you hit the filament with the plate voltage.
If you did you will need new tubes.

It’s a pain but works.

MM

[Arrachion]

Do you have the guitar plugged into the amp?