Failing Preamp Tube(s) and Noisy Crackle on Mesa Express 5:25

Did anybody else have the same problem with their tube amp? On this Mesa Express 5:25 (1x10") it turned out to be one (or more of the) preamp tubes that was (were) failing. Spurred by the advice of bchamorro (see below) I replaced the Chinese Mesa tubes with some Russian 12AX7 I had lying around, for positions V1-V4. Seemed to be mostly the drive channel, not so much the clean channel, so it was most likely V1 or V2. Now I ave "thrown" in a replacement kit of Slovak JJ tubes from Eurotubes. Problem solved, me thinks!!! Back to the nice and warm Mesa touch.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mesa
• express
• 5:25
• boogie
• intermittent
• problem
• failing
• preamp
• tube
• crackle
• warranty

[scarsonmybed]

oh finally a mesa that sound like a distorted fender lol

[bjornkom]

@scarsonmybed Yo dude LOL!!! That's hilarious for real, oh boy! (No sarcasm!)

In the end, I sold this Mesa Express and did not look back. The gain just sounded too fizzy/farty. Just bought a Mesa Mini Rectifier head, not a bad sounding rectifier midget.

[bjornkom]

Saw that Mesa video, now replacing the original 12Ax7's with some Russian preamp tubes I have for back-up, thanks!

[bjornkom]

Thanks man, but wouldn't that affect both channels equally?

[scarsonmybed]

@bjornkom My Mesa it's 12" speaker, never had any trouble, if it's not the footswitch that i just can't use because it breaks the sound all the time. Stay Mesa! We are the next midget generation!

[LesterPaul01]

yep, just like my fender twin. The crackle isn't as smooth as yours. Mine sounds like someone is frying an egg.

[bchamorro]

Could be a bad preamp tube. Start the troubleshooting process.

Search "Mesa Boogie Troubleshooting" on youtube. They have a video up that shows you how to do this.