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Brand new m pulse 600 crackling like mad!!

B

bobsaver500

Jul 3, 2008
22
0
Europe
#1
:rollno:
Its only done 4 gigs, it started in Stockholm on friday night. I got to Helsinki on monday and called Mesa, they got their Finnish dealer to call me the next day and suggested I change the 2x 12ax7's (pre amp tubes) which I did and has not cured the problem. Anyone have any ideas?? I'm going back to Sweden next week where I bought the amp so hopefully they have another in the shop I can swap it with if they can't fix it.
Its the best amp I've ever used, so disappointed it bust so fast. I got a loan of a 400+ from a local bassist here in Helsinki but its not the 600 at all.
Cheers, just thought I'd let ya'll know, and if anyone has any suggestions in the meantime that would be great.

Ben
 
#2
The Mesa stuff (along with some other amps) sometimes has this issue due to the effect send jack getting stuck open (or something like that).

Take your cable and insert and pull out from the send and return jacks a few times with the amp off (I think it's just the send that's the issue, but what the heck). That will probably take care of the issue for you, and it most likely won't return.

It's a pretty common thing, and once you 'reseat' those jacks, you shouldn't have a problem.

K
 
#5
+1 that is what i would have suggested too.
I had a simlar problem with an Alembic F1X preamp.. One the jacks are reset i never had th eproblem agian.



KJung said:
The Mesa stuff (along with some other amps) sometimes has this issue due to the effect send jack getting stuck open (or something like that).

Take your cable and insert and pull out from the send and return jacks a few times with the amp off (I think it's just the send that's the issue, but what the heck). That will probably take care of the issue for you, and it most likely won't return.

It's a pretty common thing, and once you 'reseat' those jacks, you shouldn't have a problem.

K
Click to expand...
 
#7
Eric618 said:
Those amps had issues with the input jack. To verify if that's it, plug your bass directly into the effects return (NOT the send) jack. If it works okay, you localized your problem.
Click to expand...


Actually, the newer models (within the past two years or so) fixed that input jack issue. That had to do with a similar issue as the effects send jack (i.e., that when you don't use it regularly, it gets stuck in a partially 'open' position). They elminated the second padded input jack and replaced it with an 'active passive' switch, which took care of that issue (it was a clever redesign, since they just inserted the active passive switch into the same front panel hole that originally contained the second padded input jack).

I've heard a number of M600's that had that sort of crackling sound that sounds like a preamp tube going bad. A couple of ins and outs in the effects jacks, and all was good to go.
 
#8
KJung said:
Actually, the newer models (within the past two years or so) fixed that input jack issue. That had to do with a similar issue as the effects send jack (i.e., that when you don't use it regularly, it gets stuck in a partially 'open' position). They elminated the second padded input jack and replaced it with an 'active passive' switch, which took care of that issue (it was a clever redesign, since they just inserted the active passive switch into the same front panel hole that originally contained the second padded input jack).

I've heard a number of M600's that had that sort of crackling sound that sounds like a preamp tube going bad. A couple of ins and outs in the effects jacks, and all was good to go.
Click to expand...
Did not know that. Thanks for clarifying. :)
 
#10
Hey, just got the amp fixed, it was cap60 on the pcb. It was noy soldered correctly so that was the problem, now the footswith is not working, well actually the fx button, it keeps switching on and off. Apart from that its the best sounding thing I've played, just hope it survives my 150 gigs in 4 months in the french alps. Thanks again for your help guys, sometimes it IS their fault.
Ben
 
#11
Well woopy doo, it lasted one and a half gigs and has now died. The lights come on and the compressor light flickers when its on but there is no sound from the amp, tried cables and another amp and its defo my Mpulse. Five gigs and 3 breakdowns, the footswitch was faulty too. Mesa you have some explaining, I avoided NAMPEG for quality but so far its been a joke. I'm taking it back on Monday to get another one this time. Aaaargh, just hope the next one isn't jinxed. I play in the Frenc alps and getting it fixed there is not easy at all. Great amp but this one is a Tea break one.
 
#12
bobsaver500 said:
Well woopy doo, it lasted one and a half gigs and has now died. The lights come on and the compressor light flickers when its on but there is no sound from the amp, tried cables and another amp and its defo my Mpulse. Five gigs and 3 breakdowns, the footswitch was faulty too. Mesa you have some explaining, I avoided NAMPEG for quality but so far its been a joke. I'm taking it back on Monday to get another one this time. Aaaargh, just hope the next one isn't jinxed. I play in the Frenc alps and getting it fixed there is not easy at all. Great amp but this one is a Tea break one.
Click to expand...

Bummer. You rarely hear of these types of issues with Mesa. I guess every company can have a very small amount of 'lemons' due to a component being faulty. If they will give you a new one, you should be good to go.
 
#14
Well I got c60 replaced not just resoldered like before, I asked my old man an electronics engineer of some 35 years what he thought, and he's saying something else is likely causing it to overheat and as a result failing the joint. Fingers crossed it was a faulty cap. Will give it a kicking this evening if the neighbours will let me!
 
#15
:rollno:
Well, the Mesa was fine for about 15 gigs and now its died again, just like last time. I will be in touch with Mesa Europe or whoever it is on monday. They will have to give me a damn good reason not to demand my money back. Four breakdowns in 2 and a half months. Terrible, I still think I have a lemon of an amp. Using my Delta 600 in the meantime.
 
#16
I had a soldering problem with my Demeter Pre-amp because it was one of the first produced after the switch from lead to silver solder, which requires a much higher melting temperature and doesn't adhere as well as the lead solder did. Needless to say, I think it might have been a crack in the circuit board that when vibrated or knocked would "crackle and pop" like you've been discribing. Trust me, I know, I wanted to rip my head off with the thing too, but god damn it was worth it in the end. I don't think it'd be an issue of solder with your amp because that was close to two years ago now, but being handmade instead of machined tends to bring out subtle issues like this, I'm sure it'll all go well, Mesa loves (and most likely in the world's economy now), needs your business! From what it sounds like though, it could be just a hairline fracture in the circuit board that really can't be replaced without a new one, but who am I know to know amp diagnostics, I'm just a 20 year old who loves me some sweet tone! Anywho, good luck!
 
#17
Well, I'm very surprised. I put a new set of Russian preamp valves in my Mesa and its back to life!! Hopefully it will keep going now.
By the way, does anyone know why my mesa diesel 1516be cab sounds much better when I just plug the amp into the bottom half(ie the 15" 8ohm EV on its own), but when I use the full range (4ohm) socket with the eden 10" and the 2x6" the bottom end is rubbish!! Confused??!!?
 

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