• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa M6 Carbine Mega Thread part 3:

#222
Matt Dean said:
I was running the amp at 4ohms... I don't know if this was a thermal issue as the amp failed within 20 min of being turned on. Also, it never came back on (I thought that with thermal issues, they would work after cooling down).

I live near Mesa, so I'll be paying them a visit later this morning... I'll keep this thread posted on outcomes.
Click to expand...
So it's still "out"? Depending on when you can get this trip done, maybe in the mean time, try removing and reinserting the fuse.
 
#223
Vic said:
So it's still "out"? Depending on when you can get this trip done, maybe in the mean time, try removing and reinserting the fuse.
Click to expand...

I actually did remove and re-insert the fuse during the first break of the gig. However, the power never went out; the amp powered up even though it produced zero volume. One interesting thing... usually the potentiometer made a crackling noise when moving through zero volume to first sound. Now, the potentiometer is silent.
 
#224
Matt Dean said:
I actually did remove and re-insert the fuse during the first break of the gig. However, the power never went out; the amp powered up even though it produced zero volume. One interesting thing... usually the potentiometer made a crackling noise when moving through zero volume to first sound. Now, the potentiometer is silent.
Click to expand...
OOOOooooohhhh... this is different from anything else I remember reading about. Any chance it's a rare case of a failed tube? It's an easy swap to find out.
 
#226
So, I just performed the tube swap (see obligatory amp guts shot) and.... nada, nothing, zip.

Now going to Mesa.
 

Attachments

  • amp guts.jpg
    amp guts.jpg
    59.6 KB · Views: 145
#227
I'm pretty sure the current version has a fan between the pcb that goes to all the pots, and the pcb bolted to the heat sink.
So, I don't think you have a current spec amp.
 
#228
Matt Dean said:
So, I just performed the tube swap (see perfunctory amp guts shot) and.... nada, nothing, zip.

Now going to Mesa.
Click to expand...
Yep. Just had to check... tube failures, especially preamp tubes, are really pretty rare, but just in case.

BTW, how much does your dog charge for tech bench time? ;) :D

:hiding:
 
#229
Vic said:
Yep. Just had to check... tube failures, especially preamp tubes, are really pretty rare, but just in case.

BTW, how much does your dog charge for tech bench time? ;) :D

:hiding:
Click to expand...

LOL... she's a pretty smart dog (German Shepard/Rottweiler mix), but since Mesa is only 15 min from my house, I thought I'd just let them deal with it.

According to Kris Dilbeck (customer service guru) I should be getting a call by Wednesday, with a pick-up date of this Thursday. (This is why I buy Mesa.)

It will be good to get the updates.

:cool:
 
#230
Matt Dean said:
According to Kris Dilbeck (customer service guru) I should be getting a call by Wednesday, with a pick-up date of this Thursday. (This is why I buy Mesa.)

It will be good to get the upgrades.

:cool:
Click to expand...
If you don't mind, I'd love to know what the problem ends up being.
 
#232
Jerry J said:
Just curious, has anyone with a newer version had this same type of problem?
Click to expand...
My Fathom had a shut down issue, but it came back for me. Still sent it off, they said it was a bad batch of fuse holders after all the heat stress tests that didn't show any problems. All I know is, it was solid when I got it back.
 
#233
Mine is a Carbine, with the updated cooling and case vents... and it crapped out on me Saturday after 3 songs

Wasnt even warm.....

I spoke to Mesa Support today.

They said it could be a bad tube, a short in the effects loop jacks (he told me to run a 1/4 inch jumper between the jacks to see if this rectifies the issue as a testing measure), or it could be something in the power section. He told me to call my local certified Mesa tech, which I did.... it will be going there Wed for a look-see.

Basically what happened to me was, 2 songs in, I noticed some notes 'dissappearing', like when a wireless cuts out.... then all of a sudden, 3rd song: NOTHING. Still had power, but no sound. Bypassed wireless and tuner, still nothing. Had to go to my Behringer Backup to get through the night... which is a HUGE show for us every year (halloween), needless to say, it freakin RUINED my night from the start to have that happen. Just can't recover the mojo of the evening when you are constantly worried about your gear in the back of your mind. I hate that feeling.


So whoever else has the same symptoms, and gets this solved, please post it.... PLEASE.... I wanna know what is causing this.. I love the amp - but It won't stay here long if I have to worry about reliabilty thats for sure.
 
#234
Vic said:
My Fathom had a shut down issue, but it came back for me. Still sent it off, they said it was a bad batch of fuse holders after all the heat stress tests that didn't show any problems. All I know is, it was solid when I got it back.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, Vic. Is the M6 your primary amp? or do you switch off with the others that you have?

Just after I got mine I pulled the fuse to look at it...just poking around. I re-installed it and got nothing when I tried to power it back up. I checked and found that I didn't get the fuse holder cap all the way seated. It seemed much more difficult to seat correctly than any other fuse holder I've dealt with in the past.
 
#235
shaboda said:
Mine is a Carbine, with the updated cooling and case vents... and it crapped out on me Saturday after 3 songs

Wasnt even warm.....

I spoke to Mesa Support today.

They said it could be a bad tube, a short in the effects loop jacks (he told me to run a 1/4 inch jumper between the jacks to see if this rectifies the issue as a testing measure), or it could be something in the power section. He told me to call my local certified Mesa tech, which I did.... it will be going there Wed for a look-see.

Basically what happened to me was, 2 songs in, I noticed some notes 'dissappearing', like when a wireless cuts out.... then all of a sudden, 3rd song: NOTHING. Still had power, but no sound. Bypassed wireless and tuner, still nothing. Had to go to my Behringer Backup to get through the night... which is a HUGE show for us every year (halloween), needless to say, it freakin RUINED my night from the start to have that happen. Just can't recover the mojo of the evening when you are constantly worried about your gear in the back of your mind. I hate that feeling.


So whoever else has the same symptoms, and gets this solved, please post it.... PLEASE.... I wanna know what is causing this.. I love the amp - but It won't stay here long if I have to worry about reliabilty thats for sure.
Click to expand...

shaboda, I know what you mean about ruining a gig for you when you have equipment issues. It really sux. I checked your holloween pix. It looked like a great gig. Too bad it got messed up.

We will all be looking forward to what the final outcome is and hopefully is will be a solid fix. At this point I have really grown attached to my M6.
 
#238
Jerry J said:
Thanks for the info, Vic. Is the M6 your primary amp? or do you switch off with the others that you have?
Click to expand...
I gigged it pretty heavily when I first got it back, but more recently I've been doing the tiny ultra-light amp thing. I'm thinking about taking it back out again tho, 'cause those little amps just don't seem to have quite the same dynamic punch as something like the M6.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back