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Original message:17 days 8 hours 3 minutes ago

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Member: Chris Keithley

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Well, I just got a Mesa/Boogie F-50 off eBay, it was said to be in good shape and by just looking at it I cannot see anything wrong with it. This is only the second tube amp I've owned in my years of playing, the other only for a short time. I suppose it is possible this "problem" is normal but that is what I am trying to find out.

It seems to have problems with the channels, when I switch channels (from the amp's switch) it takes a 30 seconds or so to switch channels. For example when I switch from the clean channel it will still play in that 30 seconds but it takes that time for the distortion to come in. The thing that worries me the most is that while it was in the clean channel the distortion cut in for a moment then back out.

Thanks, I appreciate any help.

Reply:17 days 7 hours 44 minutes ago
Member: this dying soul

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hmmm

that doesn't sound right. usually any amp I've had, tube or otherwise switched channels in real time with no delays... sometimes a loud pop sound when you step on the switch would be heard but never a delay before the distorion engages/disengages.

I wish I knew what would cause that, but I can't. I'd ask someone in a music store or service shop about it and see what they say.

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Reply:17 days 7 hours 38 minutes ago
Member: Alex Koepp

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I don't really know anything about them but maybe it needs new preamp tubes?

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Reply:17 days 7 hours 30 minutes ago
Member: Father Dougal Maguire.

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Does this happen initially, or does it happen even after a couple of hours usage? Theres a lot of factors need eliminating to find the source so just to clear it up, this problem happens constantly and not just for short periods of time?

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Reply:17 days 7 hours 19 minutes ago
Member: Chris Keithley

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It was only after about 10 minutes, I was just testing the amp when it happened, I had turned it on, let it warm up for about 10 minutes, then I switched it out of standby and played for about another 10 before I had to leave.

Reply:17 days 7 hours 8 minutes ago
Member: Father Dougal Maguire.

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If it isn't happening non-stop then it isn't a switching mechanism fault on the front of the amp. It is sounding more like a tube issue to me, I would honestly contact Mesa direct as I hear they have an excellent customer service record. Well their customers are paying a lot of money usually so it figures they have to keep up the reputation and name.

But yeah, I would contact Mesa and even try 'The Boogie Board' and see if some of the members there could help as they would be more familiar with this amp.

PS, if you do get it working, enjoy it, man Mesa make one hell of an amp!!

EDIT: Well they do when they work....... :-)

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Reply:17 days 6 hours 31 minutes ago
Member: this dying soul

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I'd sever my left arm to get a mesa... of course, that also means I'm giving up my fret hand; so let's find another appendage...

ummm.... no my wife would divorce me for giving that up. ;)

hmmmm... legs are a no go also - gotta have something to stomp the pedals with and legs are very helpfull for allowing my wife to enjoy the previously considered appendage...

so the jury is in and as much as I'd like a Mesa Boogie, giving up limbs is going too far.

but seriously, I'd love to get a Mesa if I was ever to turn my music hobby into something that generated money.

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Reply:17 days 6 hours 16 minutes ago
Member: Father Dougal Maguire.

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Here's something I learned lately TDS.

I would gladly give up a finger on my picking hand for a Mesa, I thought about your dilemma and asked myself the same question. But where would I stop??

Ok, three toes for a Caparison Applehorn guitar? Sure. A fourth one? No thats taking the piss and if it was five I would fall over as the big toe aids balance.

Eventide H3000 Harmonizer? Maybe a knee-cap, or possibly the whole lower leg.

One testicle for a PRS Dragon? Sure!!!

The whole wang for Satch's rig? Hmmmmmm, I'd need a week to mull it over......

But I'd give up pretty much the whole lower half for a Squier Srat and Paul Gilberts talent.

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Reply:17 days 5 hours 8 minutes ago
Member: mkalevv

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I have an F-50 head and have never had this problem. I have no delay when switching and never heard of this. What about if you dont use the footswitch, you just use the toggle on the front of the amp? Still the same? It is probably internal and the most I have ever done to it is switch out preamp & power amp tubes. Sorry. I would recommend calling MESA direct. I did have to deal with them at one point and they were very helpful.

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