Mesa Boogie M3 Carbine-No speaker output

[griffhk]

I have owned a M3 Carbine for just over a year. It's been a great amp, but I now have the issue of no output to the speaker cab.
I've checked the pre amp tube, fuse, cables, cab but still no output. The input and D.I. output work fine.
I've tried with a few other cabs and cables, but I'm at a loss here. It just decided to stop working one day.
Any help or advice is welcome on this problem.

 

[MesaBoogie]

grifhk - I see you are in Hong Kong, so troubleshooting this over the phone is not likely. Can you try something for me? Please try plugging your instrument into the effects return, and see if you have any signal. Also, when you say you checked the preamp tube - does that mean you've swapped a new 12AX7 into both positions? Thanks!

 

[griffhk]

Hello. Sorry for the late reply.
I tried what you suggested and I do have a signal. The problem seems to be from the main speaker outputs. Neither one of them has a proper signal. I do hear something, but it's only a faint distortion sound.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Find a good amp tech. Honestly, it's always the best idea. Hope you get it sorted, great amp.

 

[Zooberwerx]

grifhk - I see you are in Hong Kong, so troubleshooting this over the phone is not likely. Can you try something for me? Please try plugging your instrument into the effects return, and see if you have any signal. Also, when you say you checked the preamp tube - does that mean you've swapped a new 12AX7 into both positions? Thanks!

Excellent...rule out the simple stuff first. Corruption of the FX loop is a fairly common malady. The fact you're hearing something from the speakers is a promising sign. Try running a T/S > T/S instrument cable betweenst the FX send and return inputs or any other jack that has the potential for disrupting the signal path. You may want to insert and remove the 1/4" vigorously a couple of times. Haven't read the manual but mute jacks can also be suspect.

Riis

 

[griffhk]

Hello.
Just tried that aswell, but still no luck.
The speaker output seems to be completely knocked out. When I try to plug the feed from the amp speaker out to another amp, I just get a buzzing noise and very low sound, almost inaudible.

 

[MesaBoogie]

griffhk,

If you've tried troubleshooting the tubes, as well running a jumper from the fx send to the fx return, plugging your bass directly into the fx return, new cables, cabs, etc - I'd recommend contacting your distributor to see about diagnosis/repair.

Tom Lee Music Co., Ltd. 11/F Silvercord Tower 1 30 Canton Rd Kowloon
Contact Tel +85 2 2737 7688
Fax +85 2 2730 3573
Email [email protected]

 

[Crabby]

Wow this is great service from Mesa! I am always impressed to see a response from a company rep on a forum like this. I'm sure whatever has gone wrong is easily repaired by a qualified service center

 

[griffhk]

Yep. Mesa is my choice from now on. My amp may be knackered at the moment, but it's still the best I've had and the feedback from them is cool. The problem I have is that my local dealer in HK is very slow and if there are any parts needed, it takes months. I have to use a Line 6 for now and it's killing me.

 

[MesaBoogie]

griffhk

Please keep me posted on how things go - I'm here to assist in any way!

 

[donahue]

Good thread. My M3 was doing the same thing today; fading out. It was the effects loop. I turned the bypass off and it came to life. Then I did the 'ol in-out with the effects loop jacks, turned the bypass switch back on and good to go. It pays to do a search on TB. Heck, I lurked for 5 years here before I finally caved and joined.