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Mesa/Boogie Titan V12 megathread!

#921
So, I just finished my intro to the Mesa Big Block Titan V12...now I understand many comments better.

First, I plugged one (1) Active Bass into Input A. This allows access to Ch. 1 & Ch. 2 both of which have O.D. (still not clear on the first control Pull function, but I was using the really must have footswitch) each channel has Gain, Bass, Mid +/- & Sweep, Treble with a channel Master Volume. Then there is an OUTPUT Volume, as well as, the Solo (boost) level control. Mute.

Input B can be accessed IF you have another instrument. This accesses the same Ch. 1 & Ch. 2 settings. There is no independent simultaneous Input A+B or Ch. 1 + Ch. 2.

I found a fair amount of noise in the O.D. section without much breakup. This could be specific to the tubes in this amp.

It would take a minute to get yourself set up to be ready to roll. Once more familiar with everything, then likely much easier.

Sounded good. Authoritative. Present!
 
#922
PhatBottomBass1 said:
So, I just finished my intro to the Mesa Big Block Titan V12...now I understand many comments better.

First, I plugged one (1) Active Bass into Input A. This allows access to Ch. 1 & Ch. 2 both of which have O.D. (still not clear on the first control Pull function, but I was using the really must have footswitch) each channel has Gain, Bass, Mid +/- & Sweep, Treble with a channel Master Volume. Then there is an OUTPUT Volume, as well as, the Solo (boost) level control. Mute.

Input B can be accessed IF you have another instrument. This accesses the same Ch. 1 & Ch. 2 settings. There is no independent simultaneous Input A+B or Ch. 1 + Ch. 2.

I found a fair amount of noise in the O.D. section without much breakup. This could be specific to the tubes in this amp.

It would take a minute to get yourself set up to be ready to roll. Once more familiar with everything, then likely much easier.

Sounded good. Authoritative. Present!
Click to expand...


The amp has 4 tubes (see below):
mesa_titan_08-jpg.jpg

Essentially it not a two channel amp, it's a channel switcher. The right two tubes are always in the circuit, but there are separate controls for channel 1 and channel 2. When you switch channels you continue using the same tubes, but the controls are switched.

The left two tubes are only used when you engage the OD section of the active channel. My understanding is the OD section is essentially the same circuit as used in the V1 Bottle Rocket:
tbn:ANd9GcQYT7TQ3Li0ETskQ4pIZHAphEveY4DyzKOdtmBIwERSSNF1yl1EnrwEhdKSxiCuU_LG2E6gSXZ5oP0&usqp=CAc.png


The OD section of each channel has it's own Gain and Level controls. If you are not getting enough distortion, crank up the control labeled "O.D.". Next adjust the "O.D. Level" to balance the distorted sound in relation to your clean sound. If you run the O.D. Level too high you will get more noise. I would check this before worrying about the tubes.

If you still can't get enough OD, make sure the input pad is set to Passive.

Since this amp has multiple gain and level controls, you will have to experiment with gain staging to get the performance you want. I run the O.D. Level on my amp fairly high and set the O.D. control just below the point of breakup. Unfortunately with my amp this setting results in a slight amount of hum, but it's barely perceivable.

The O.D. switch has a "pull for on" function built into it. This is so you can get distortion without using the foot switch. AFAIK this switch should be in when you are using the footswitch. I could be wrong but I believe the front panel switch takes priority over the footswitch.

The OD circuit has a bit of a baked in sound; so it is darker, with more mids, and less extension in the sub bass range.
 
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#923
I just got off the phone with Rich @ Mesa. I had been told the transformer update had been done in 2013. No record of that update, but did have some updates done that were current at that time. I will play it again and check the SECV for the value listed. If that is OK (most likely not!) then I will check the O.D. again now having a better understanding of knob function.
 
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#924
I believe the amp was discontinued in 2011, so it's likely that factory updates done in 2013 would include everything.

I had mine updated in 2019 and they changed out the transformer and pretty much rebuilt the output section. They did not add or change the fan, or install a vented top panel which some people have reported. Mine actually sounded significantly better after the update. Unfortunately the original owner did not register the warranty, and the shop that originally sold it refused to provide documentation for the purchase date, so the update cost me almost $600 :eek:.
 
#925
Wasnex said:
I believe the amp was discontinued in 2011, so it's likely that factory updates done in 2013 would include everything.

I had mine updated in 2019 and they changed out the transformer and pretty much rebuilt the output section. They did not add or change the fan, or install a vented top panel which some people have reported. Mine actually sounded significantly better after the update. Unfortunately the original owner did not register the warranty, and the shop that originally sold it refused to provide documentation for the purchase date, so the update cost me almost $600 :eek:.
Click to expand...

Rich said he did not believe that they had identified the transformer issue in 2013 and therefore no record of replacement. The estimate is $300-$650 (but could be more) plus S/H to and from Mesa in Petaluma, CA. The amp is 33 lbs plus sturdy packaging.
 
#926
PhatBottomBass1 said:
Rich said he did not believe that they had identified the transformer issue in 2013 and therefore no record of replacement.
Click to expand...

This posts suggests they were replacing the transformer in 2013, and possibly earlier: Mesa/Boogie Titan V12 megathread!

This posts suggests they were replacing the transformer by 2011.

Hopefully the transformer is labeled with a P/N. The work order for my Titan says it's an M2000 transformer, and I believe the Mesa P/N is 561700.
 
#927
None of the numbering you mention was given to me by Rich, specifically. The SECV # is what was asked for to identify the transformer as having been replaced. Now, the totality of Mesa Boogies record keeping could be at issue. Also, while not being a field warranty issue. It's not beyond the realm of reason that someone could get it done by a field technician. But, I would expect Mesa to frown on that.

I'll know tomorrow...
 
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#930
PhatBottomBass1 said:
Hello Team,

The amp transformer question was addressed last night in an email with a picture.
View attachment 4392830
SECV 55 is the CORRECT number Rich @ Mesa asked about. (65 or 85 is a NO GO!)

The amp in question has had the transformer replaced. If my eyes are seeing this correctly?
Click to expand...

That matches the P/N I provide above (561700), and the SECV voltage is exactly what Mesa said the proper transformer should have. Not sure what you are questioning.
 
#931
Wasnex said:
That matches the P/N I provide above (561700), and the SECV voltage is exactly what Mesa said the proper transformer should have. Not sure what you are questioning.
Click to expand...

Your eyes maybe better than mine. I was asking for confirmation that you see "55" as I was not 100% sure as "65" could be possible due to focus and camera angle.

Mesa made no mention to me regarding the other number.
 
#932
PhatBottomBass1 said:
Your eyes maybe better than mine. I was asking for confirmation that you see "55" as I was not 100% sure as "65" could be possible due to focus and camera angle.
Click to expand...

Here is what I see:
"P/N: 32785(561700)" Last six digits matche the P/N on my invoice, but apparently there were different voltages (see M2000 schematic below).

"PRI: 0-100-117V AC 50/60hz" I believe this is the transformer for both US and Japanese markets. The transformer primary can be tapped for either 100V or 117V, and it works at both 50 and 60hz.

"SEC: 55V AC -0 -55V AC 4A" AFAIK this matches the SECV Mesa told you to look for. This is a center tapped secondary winding.

"18V AC 1A" Another secondary winding.

Part of the last line is a bit blurry, but I read "370V AC" and either 6 or 8 mA. Another secondary winding.

Here is a snip for a M2000 power supply schematic I found

upload_2021-9-3_4-50-4.png



The (bottom) domestic PT has the same 561700 P/N, but the center tapped secondary voltage appears to be higher than the updated Titan transformer. As I mentioned, my invoice identifies the transformer as "Xfmr M2000 US/Japan".

Voltages on the M2000 schematic:
66 -0 -66 (higher than yours)
18 (same as yours)
370 (same as yours)

As far as I remember, the M2000 had lots of problems, so it would not surprise me if they changed the transformer specs. IMHO it seems strange to continue using the same P/N though.
 
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#935
Cheers V12 enthusiasts...

I have decided to buy a different amp and wanted to let the greater community know about this particular WELL CARED FOR V12 being available.

Black Face - all known updates, FS & Cable.

Basement player, Nice matching 2 x PH115 and Head Case. Selling a la carte.

Matt @ Picker's Supply 800-830-4669

Super nice guy, very helpful and a cool vintage guitar store in Fredericksburg, VA.

He knows Lindey Fralin!

Someone should jump on this amp!!
 
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#938
Just had my first gig with my new-to-me V12 (thanks to PhatBottomBass1 for the head up that his was for sale)! What an amazing amp. It reminds me very much of my beloved mPulse 600, but with more heft to the tone and more power. For me, the mPulse is a bit underpowered at 8 ohms, but the Titan handles that use case with ease. And the distortion channel is killer. These days, I usually gig with either a W’s-800 or TT-800, but the V12 will get its share if the gus for sure!
 
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#939
s_wood said:
Just had my first gig with my new-to-me V12 (thanks to PhatBottomBass1 for the head up that his was for sale)! What an amazing amp. It reminds me very much of my beloved mPulse 600, but with more heft to the tone and more power. For me, the mPulse is a bit underpowered at 8 ohms, but the Titan handles that use case with ease. And the distortion channel is killer. These days, I usually gig with either a W’s-800 or TT-800, but the V12 will get its share if the gus for sure!
Click to expand...

Just to clarify again. It was NOT mine, but glad you were able to talk with the store and make it happen!
 

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