• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa D-800 rattles (internally) when loud

Feef3412

Guest
Apr 30, 2020
89
89
Just a quick question - and I think I've found a band-aid solution - but just want to throw this out there in case there's more that I need to worry about. It's a 2020 model, and therefore still under the 5-year transferrable warranty. I have a GK Neo IV 1x15, and I set the head directly on top of the cab. At higher volumes (EQ set flat), there is an internal buzz / rattle. I can tap on the top / bottom of the head and hear the same metal-on-metal rattle, and have tightened all of the external screws. Solution: I've set it on top of a cushion and bungeed it to the cab (and also put the head on the floor next to the cab). Problem solved. Simply something loose internally, or probably a commonality amongst lightweight heads and powerful cabs? Just curious.
 
It's possible that somebody overtightened the cover screws and maybe damaged the threads which prevent the screw from fully seating and pulling the cover down. That's about the only thing that I can think of.
 
Correct - but seems that tapping on top / bottom at a certain corner elicits a small amount of rattle. I'm overthinking it - just wanted to make sure this wasn't a problem that would lead to major issues later on.
Not sure I'd call it a day on this. If you get an acoustic rattle sound taping on the chassis (i am assuming you are moderately tapping and not hammering on it), and since it is under warranty, I would consider having it looked at by authorized Mesa service. If it were to get worse over the next couple years you might find yourself on the hook for repair costs once the warranty expires.
 
Not sure I'd call it a day on this. If you get an acoustic rattle sound taping on the chassis (i am assuming you are moderately tapping and not hammering on it), and since it is under warranty, I would consider having it looked at by authorized Mesa service. If it were to get worse over the next couple years you might find yourself on the hook for repair costs once the warranty expires.

To clarify, I do not think his amp is covered by a transferable warranty because that program ended in early 2019.

He's always welcome to send it in, either to the factory or my R&D lab for service if necessary. He can message me for details on the service program.
 
I would pop the cover off and turn the amp upside down over a towel. There could be a metallic UFO in there waiting to become part of a circuit. I have seen this before in PCs and the marriage of UFO and SMD components usually doesn't end well.
 
My D800 was doing this. I took all the screws out that was holding the top cover on. Checked the internals. Nothing was loose. Put the cover back on and tightened all the screws down evenly. Rattle was gone.
Just did this exact thing. Except there were a few loose screws that I tightened up (nothing terrible). Closed it up...voila.
 
It's generally not a big issue, but we do see it where somebody over-tightens the screws and pulls up a little aluminum which then prevents the truncated flat head screw from seating. This is right before they strip them.