I'd say the forum shouldn't support random filetypes. PDF can have viruses. If you want to upload these, use one of the many cloud storage providers like Dropbox, Google Drive, MS One Drive etc and generate a link that allows access then post the link.
True.
True.
I haven't used Google Drive (intentionally) in years, so I don't know whether this will work, but here's a link for anyone curious:
I called Mesa yesterday, and got a call back from a guy named Chris in Nashville. He told me I'm looking at somewhere between $150 and $250 (I'm going to guess that means $250) for the repairs described in the TSB, plus whatever I spend to have UPS/FedEx hump the amp to and from California (probably another ~$100 or so.) The alternative is to drive it an hour or two to a local authorized repair shop, but I think that's more likely to go sideways and cost me more money. And Chris did say that Mesa would better able to go over the amp in full and get it sounding exactly as intended.
Meanwhile, GC has since refunded ~$245, so that nearly breaks even, apart from shipping. I just have to make up my mind whether to make the amp "right", or limp along as is. Not ready to part with it just yet.
I’d think probably each way given how expensive shipping has been the last few years.
Yeah, you're probably right. Mesa will apparently ship it back at their discounted rate of $40 (which is comparable to GC's shipping rate.) But I can see spending closer to $100 to get it there, adequately insured, etc.
In practical terms, I'm not all that concerned about either, really. I just don't want to sit on the amp until some Gibson bean-counter decides Mesa repairs ought to cost 4x what they currently do.I'd be most concerned with getting the LEDs restored vs. the onboard reverb
True, but the noise in question goes away if the reverb knob is dialed all the way down - even if the reverb/loop switch is flipped on. :)Reverb and FX Loop are linked on the TA-30 so you need one to have the other.
I hope not. That would bring me a couple bucks closer to this not having been an especially great deal lol.Just a thought. A pair of the power tubes could be getting weak and/or failing if
Full Power is that noisy.
A full retube might not be out of the question.
I already have - to the extent possible. The Express only has 2x EL84s, so I can only test replacing one pair at a time.
You’re unlucky. Out of 8 Mesas I’ve had, only one had issues, and that was due to physical damage.
I’m not sure it had to do we luck the t-verb was in the states and since Mesa uses a screen resistor as sorta as an extra fuse for tube shorts I call that wear item.
I still feel like this scenario would result in the 30W mode being noisier than the 15W mode, not quieter. But it's a moot point, really, since I misspoke above: they're all equally quiet if the reverb pot is turned down. (Well, today anyway...) I'm definitely dealing with induction between the transformer and the reverb tank, as described in the TSB.