What cab to match a Mesa V12?

[baxter_x]

This is correct.

Do you guys still support that amp or is it really over?
I'm asking as I really miss that amp and I'm still tempted every time I see one for sale.

 

[agedhorse]

Do you guys still support that amp or is it really over?
I'm asking as I really miss that amp and I'm still tempted every time I see one for sale.

We will try, but it really depends on the type of failure and your willingness to pay for what generally ends up being an expensive repair (if it's parts that we can still get). That said, it was a very expensive amp, so it may be worth the risk.

As the risk increases, at some point we will probably be forced out of repairing these because we can burn up a lot of time on an unrepairable amp and the customer generally hesitates paying for the attempt.

It's not just the MOSFETs, but also quite a few mechanical and electro-mechanical parts, as those manufacturers phase out production (or go out of business).

 

[baxter_x]

@agedhorse, thank you once again for your inputs.
Since you just released a class D version of the famous 400+, I think it's definitely time for a class D version of this other fantastic amp the Titan was

With a better and more modern distortion however. I always had issues using it as it was always lost in the mix.

 

[BassDaddySky]

I was aware the V-12 is a hybrid mosfet/tube amp, but thank you for the heads up about parts availability.
My point was Mesa had given it the thumbs up and some fresh components. So should be good for a while yet.

My day job is vintage motorcycles, and yeah, some parts just aren't available anymore. And less every year.
Some things are upgradeable/replaceable without affecting the look or worth of a bike.
But sometimes hand winding a 6 volt generator or re-building an original magneto is outside of the customers budget.
"New old stock" parts become worth their weight in gold.
Seems like its the same thing for Amp repair and the boutique pedal guys.

 

[mikeswals]

The V12 is a beast, and I mean a BEAST!
I used to use mine with a Mesa PH810 cab in my old band, and even then those speakers were screamin. My drummer hated that rig he'd say it would shake him so bad.

So yeah, Mesa cabs or GK cabs would be my recommendation.
Ive always wanted to hear/try Barefaced cabs as I read good things about them... but I don't see them with anyone locally, and they're kinda pricey to order from UK.

 

[Kilroy Was Here]

Just got one of those myself off Reverb. Running it through a Genzler Uber 4x10 and it sounds like heaven. I also have a new GK 2x12 and 1x15 that I haven’t used with it yet but someday I’ll take a listen.
By the way @agedhorse, My Titan V12 came with the foot switch but not the cable. Is it just a standard 8 pin connector or is it a special type cable. I bought an 8 din Mesa cable for it but it doesn’t seem to want to mate up.

 

[BassDaddySky]

By the way @agedhorse, My Titan V12 came with the foot switch but not the cable. Is it just a standard 8 pin connector or is it a special type cable. I bought an 8 din Mesa cable for it but it doesn’t seem to want to mate up.

Its a seven pin cable

 

[Kilroy Was Here]

Its a seven pin cable

Thanks BassDaddy! I thought it was 8. I’ll try a 7! Thanks!!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Do you guys still support that amp or is it really over?
I'm asking as I really miss that amp and I'm still tempted every time I see one for sale.

Me too, but chose to not spend money on a future paperweight.

 

[baxter_x]

Me too, but chose to not spend money on a future paperweight.

That would actually be my nightmare.

 

[Overdiver]

Hi guys. Just finished repairing my Titan and am now absolutely sure that it will never be a paperweight! Mine had a blown mosfet but I think it's all good now. Have to test it properly before I can say I knew what I was doing...

My point: In case of mosfet failure etc., even if you couldn't get the power section working for a reasonable price tag, the preamp stuff is so good you could just run that to a separate amp ret in and enjoy life. That's my back up plan.

Oh yeah, the cab! Ph 8x10 all the way

 

[baxter_x]

Mine had a blown mosfet but I think it's all good now

Did you manage to find a spare MOSFET?

 

[rayzak]

I owned one for several years, and ran it through a sealed Berg 425(3-10/1-15 @800W). If I chose to, I could have blown that cab to the moon with the Titan.
Use your ears!! I really like the suggestion of a HPF. Amazing amp. Traded my Mesa 400+ for it, and never had any regrets. Just make sure to use a quality cab, and use common sense, and enjoy!!! BTW... my Berg still works fine.

 

[Overdiver]

Did you manage to find a spare MOSFET?

Took the shorted one out + one from the opposing P-side to maintain somekind of balance. I can report more after testing.

 

[baxter_x]

Took the shorted one out + one from the opposing P-side to maintain somekind of balance. I can report more after testing.

I guess this slightly reduces the power of the amp?

 

[agedhorse]

I guess this slightly reduces the power of the amp?

This greatly increases the likelihood of a catastrophic failure down the road. The definition of a hack repair.

This is also why I am reluctant to encourage buying used amps ;and speakers) without verifying that the components are correct, properly functioning and there are no hacked up repairs that might impact reliability.

 

[Overdiver]

After a short test it seems to be working just fine! Time will tell if the 10 + 10 mosfet power amp is reliable enough, but for now I’m very happy with the result. And didn’t have to send my only amp to some service center somewhere in europe (i live in Helsinki) and sell a kidney to pay for the bill. Hopefully I can now concentrate more on music instead of fixing stuff

 

[agedhorse]

Time will tell if you are lucky.

I know that it's not adequate, especially driving a 4 ohm load. If it was adequate, do you think we would have added the cost of 2 extra MOSFETs? Often, when they fail, the damage is really significant. You got lucky here too.

 

[Overdiver]

Time will tell if you are lucky.

I know that it's not adequate, especially driving a 4 ohm load. If it was adequate, do you think we would have added the cost of 2 extra MOSFETs? Often, when they fail, the damage is really significant. You got lucky here too.

I understand your point, I really do. Glad that fixing these isn’t rocket science, but potentially dangerous nevertheless. Gonna get a new set of mosfets when possible, this amp is worth taking care of IMO. Bought it 15 years ago and been using it every week, every show, every album. While figuring out this temporary solution I updated the main elkos and v+ fuse holder that was bent and broken. Otherwise all good in Titan-land. Let there be quality material to match the tone from this amp.

 

[agedhorse]

Almost certainly there was nothing wrong with the caps.

I suggest that you try to obtain genuine replacement MOSFETs in the correct Vgs range to replace only the defective one(s) and leave the rest alone.

Depending on the specific devices (there were at least 3 different vendors with these parts), it could be very difficult though.