Chronicles of a Mesa Boogie Fillmore 50 combo

[gearJunkie]

Knock knock?






Who's there?

 

[gearJunkie]

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Fillmore.
Filmore who?
Fillmore tone playing a Boogie.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Fillmore.
Filmore who?
Fillmore tone playing a Boogie.

 

[gearJunkie]

No kids, so more like "Hey, uncle?"

 

[gearJunkie]

First look...

It has a ballistic nylon pocket with a velcro closure flap. Cool, unless it's directly under the output transformer making it extremely difficult to retrieve the footswitch and cable. Thank you, Gibson

 

[FuzzyAce]

That is one sharp looking amp right there. Love everything about it. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[spawnofthesith]

love that color, congrats!!!

 

[gearJunkie]

New thread title says it all.

Played the amp for around 90 minutes yesterday without issue. I powered it on this morning and only whisper quiet output with gain & master volume maxed (both channels).

I tested all cables, so no issue there. Power tubes are glowing, and verified signal through the preamp is good (via fx loop send).

Plugging my Hx Stomp into the fx loop return (bypassing preamp) gives even less than whisper quiet output.

Contacted retailer for next steps.

Any troubleshooting ideas?

 

[paisleywookiee]

New thread title says it all.

Played the amp for around 90 minutes yesterday without issue. I powered it on this morning and only whisper quiet output with gain & master volume maxed (both channels).

I tested all cables, so no issue there. Power tubes are glowing, and verified signal through the preamp is good (via fx loop send).

Plugging my Hx Stomp into the fx loop return (bypassing preamp) gives even less than whisper quiet output.

Contacted retailer for next steps.

Any troubleshooting ideas?

Can you swap the power tubes? I know you have the Mark. Maybe see which 12AX7 leads the loop return?

 

[la szum]

Power tubes can glow and still be shit. Can you pull them out and reseat them? Amp off.

 

[metropolis_4]

First look...

View attachment 13551

It has a ballistic nylon pocket with a velcro closure flap. Cool, unless it's directly under the output transformer making it extremely difficult to retrieve the footswitch and cable. Thank you, Gibson

They were doing that before Gibson. My local shop still had it stuffed in there on their floor models. I pointed out to them that it made the amp sound terrible and they might want to remove it.

I love the look of that blue with the wicker grill!

 

[la szum]

I had to replace the Power Tubes in my Fillmore 50.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Boo! Hope it's something simple

 

[gearJunkie]

Thank you @paisleywookiee & @la szum. Great suggestions.

Fortunately I have a decent collection of moderately used 6L6s and new 12AX7s I keep for backup.

Just to make sure I know they are working tubes, I think I'll pull a pair from my recently retubed 2:Ninety.

Stay tuned

 

[paisleywookiee]

Thank you @paisleywookiee & @la szum. Great suggestions.

Fortunately I have a decent collection of moderately used 6L6s and new 12AX7s I keep for backup.

Just to make sure I know they are working tubes, I think I'll pull a pair from my recently retubed 2:Ninety.

Stay tuned

I hope that’s all it is, but if not Mesa will take care of you, and/or hopefully the store you got it from.

 

[gearJunkie]

I hope that’s all it is, but if not Mesa will take care of you, and/or hopefully the store you got it from.

I already spoke to the retailer. They are aware and their amp repair guy should be calling me on Monday morning since he doesn't work weekends.

Going to swap out tubes after I eat my lunch.

 

[Frodebro]

I would lean heavily on it being a bad tube. Mesa is stringent on their quality control, and the tubes are the weak link in the circuit.

 

[gearJunkie]

Well, I swapped a known working pair of 6L6s, but no dice.

Now going to swap out the V4 & V5 preamp tubes that handle the effects loop and reverb tank send and return gain stages. Hopefully that will remedy the situation.

 

[gearJunkie]

Look at all the tubes I've hoarded over the. past several decades.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Sorry bout your troubles with a brand new Mesa dude! (Love the look and especially the pointer knobs though!)

I guess the silver lining is, if you're going to have a problem with something, it's best that it rears up during your warranty period.