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Mesa M6 Carbine Mega Thread part 3:

#761
Here is a SIMPLE photo journal I made as I replaced my 12ax7 preamp tube in my M6. As the guys here said, it was VERY EASY and took maybe 15 mins, of which the majority of time was removing / putting back the 20 or so tiny chasis screws.

1. Buy a 12ax7 tube. I could've gone to Mesa across the freeway from me, but it's Sunday and they're closed. I like the hi-fi of Ruby Tubes anyway, so it's all good. Thanks Tall Toad Music here in Petaluma !!
2. Remove all the little screws on THREE sides of the outer chasis - the TOP, and both LEFT and RIGHT. When removing the side screws, it's easier to turn it up on it's side as seen in the photo.
3. Gently rock the tube as you lift. It takes little pressure.
4. Replace with a new tube - Make sure to line up the pins. It's easy because there is a big gap to insure proper insertion.
5. Replace top and screws
6. Plug in and get ready to ROCK !!!

As for my original problem of getting clicking, clattering, volume dips, and just a mess, this SOLVED IT !!!! For a mere $15 bucks, I am back up and running !!!

rubytube12ax7001.jpg

rubytube12ax7002.jpg

TubereplacementonM6Carbine002.jpg

TubereplacementonM6Carbine003.jpg

TubereplacementonM6Carbine004.jpg

TubereplacementonM6Carbine006.jpg

TubereplacementonM6Carbine007.jpg

TubereplacementonM6Carbine008.jpg

TubereplacementonM6Carbine009.jpg
 
#763
wong99 said:
Tubes last maybe three times longer if you wear gloves and do not touch them when installing. The oil residue from your skin cause the tubes to heat (just like halogen bulbs) and burn out more quickly.
Click to expand...

See, I just learned something new !! I have zero tech experience. But, if I can change a tube , then anyone can.
Thanks Wong !! Next time I will do it the right way - the Wong way :hiding:
 
#764
IME, most tubes fail from vibration or gas leak.
I've never seen glass freak out and melt like a halogen bulb does from skin oil.

Not saying it can't happen, but, I've not personally seen it.

Certainly nothing wrong with keeping the oil off; most tubes come wrapped in tissue paper you can use to this end.
 
#767
Having been building tube amps for around 10 years, and using tubes since quite a while before that, I'm 100% certain that this statement is false.

Fingerprints are an issue because of the much higher temperatures that halogen bulbs operate at, combined with the fact that the envelopes are made of fused quartz.

From wikipedia: "Any surface contamination, notably the oil from human fingertips, can damage the quartz envelope when it is heated. Contaminants will create a hot spot on the bulb surface when the lamp is turned on. This extreme, localized heat causes the quartz to change from its vitreous form into a weaker, crystalline form that leaks gas. This weakening may also cause the bulb to form a bubble, weakening it and leading to its explosion."

Tubes (esp preamp tubes) never reach normal operating temperatures that high, and are also made of glass. (Your average 12AX7 is dissipating about 1W of thermal energy from the plate and about 2.8W from the heater...)

wong99 said:
Tubes last maybe three times longer if you wear gloves and do not touch them when installing. The oil residue from your skin cause the tubes to heat (just like halogen bulbs) and burn out more quickly.
Click to expand...
 
#771
I've been using my "old" head for just about 4 weeks while my M6 is in for service. Man do I miss the M6. They called yesterday and said its done, some burn in and play testing, the it's shipped back to me.

In its absence I missed it so much I went to a store that sells Mesa gear just to see if it really did sound as good as it did in my mind. I played an M6 thru a Mesa 4x10 . What a nice pair. I use a berg AE 4x10 but the all Mesa rig sounded killer too.
 
#772
mesaboogiebass said:
A quick update,

The amp went back to Mesa UK, they gave me a call to tell me the amp has failed and needs to be replaced again.

I can't fault there customer service though, they sent me a loan amp, Mpulse 360, until my new M6 arrives in a couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

Another update:

I recieved the new amp last week, Mesa build date 6/6/12. Shipped straight from Mesa to UK.
All looks and sounds good.
Strange this is they seem to have removed the effects bypass switch, there is no graphic or switch............ must be the latest design.
Can't say i ever used it, so i won't miss it.
Thanks
Mesaboogiebass
 
#774
mb94952 said:
I took the M6 to a "show" aka paid open jam last night. It worked for four hours straight with ZERO issues !!! :hyper:
Click to expand...

That's got to be some kind of record for an M6!
4 hours straight is astounding.
I sold my M6. Got really tired of dealing with its "issues".
Calling Mesa was always dreadful. The people there seem particularly unpleasant in a snobbish sort of way.
You would think that they would be just a bit more humble given that their products lack reliability. Maybe they have just become weary of all the phone calls and repairs.
 
#775
Well...^^^^that's certainly one opinion.
Your experience is certainly different than mine.

My M9 has been running solidly for years, and Mesa customer service was always polite, courteous, and effective, for me.
 
#776
To add to what Chef said, I love my M6.

Please don't take my "... I Played for 4 hours straight with no issues" comment out of context.

I wasn't being cynical. What happened was I had changed the preamp tube by myself for the first time to see if it fixed a problem and it did. I was happy with the result.

In the past, I played my M6 nightly for over a year and never a problem. Then I sold it because I needed the money. When I had the dough again, I bought another one.

I have never had a problem with Mesa gear in the past. (Knock on wood).
I consider changing a tube like getting your oil changed in your car ; it's considered maintenance and doesn't fall into the problem category.
 
#777
Chef said:
Well...^^^^that's certainly one opinion.
Your experience is certainly different than mine.

My M9 has been running solidly for years, and Mesa customer service was always polite, courteous, and effective, for me.
Click to expand...

Me too,
I have had issues with my M6, but Mesa couldn't have been more friendly and responsive.
I only called them to ask about the upgrades on my Fathom and they sent me a brand new M6.
 
#780
Just had a show last night.

Garz custom bass
Mesa M6 Carbine head
GK Neo 410 cab

Result was piano tone !! Man, crystal clear and very musical.
The GK Neo really compliments the M6 Carbine well.
I'm so happy with my tone.

It was like Phil Lesh's and Jonas Hellborg's tone combined. Unforgiving, so I was sure to play the right notes ;) (most of the time)
 

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