Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

[jrbowen81]

For some reason, my Mesa Dual Rectifier Maverick 2x12 combo has a strange hum on the Rhythm channel. It becomes more pronounced as the master volume is turned up. The Lead channel does not have this problem whatsoever.

I'm having a hard time getting anyone around here to have a look at it, but I've been told that it may just be a filter cap or something of that nature that just needs replacing. I eventually want to sell it, not that I don't like the amp, but I have greater needs at the moment. This humming problem is really a bummer and it's making this thing impossible to sell. I really need to get it fixed. Any input you guys have would be helpful. Thanks!

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[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

Take a good look at the owner's manual; you can find it on their website. Check the tube function chart; try subbing a tube known to be good...I'm thinking it might be an issue with one of the tubes dedicated to the clean channel. There is also a little metal plaque in the back of the amp that shows tube functions.

The other thing I notice is in your settings of the clean channel. You are running the channel Master very high in relationship to the Output Level. Remember that the channel master also functions as the level send to the efx loop, and the Output Level acts as the efx return. If you are running efx in the loop, you may need to readjust these settings. Again check the manual. Usually you'll want to have some balance in these controls.

If you are still getting hum, do call the Mesa Tech Support. They are great to work with, and they should be able to give you more tips.

One other thing I will mention. Personally, I don't need a lot of gain, but I find that using a very slight clean boost in front of my Maverick is a very good thing. My DOD FX-10 is always on, and if I need more, I can hammer it with a overdrive or distortion. The Maverick does not have as mch gain as most Mesas. I love mine, a great amp...an AC-30 killer!

Oh, and remember that the Clean channel midrange knob is a bit different too. It works as a normal mid control from 0-4, like 0-10 on a Fender amp. But above 4 it starts adding gain to the clean channel. Experiment with this control...it can take you from Fender cleans to Vox chime to Plexiglass crunch...all in the Clean channel.

Let me know if I can help. Good luck.

Bill

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

Hey, thanks Bill! I appreciate the input. As far as the way the knobs are set in this photo, I can't remember what I was trying to achieve there. Haha... But I seemed to get the same hum with a variety of settings. It's been in my stepdad's music store for months now and he plays on it once in a while. He opened it up the other day and said he cleaned up some of the traces on the circuit board. He told me that it took the noise down a bit, but it's still there.

The character of the hum is a bit odd to my ears. It's a very low pitch hum, at least IMO.


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[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

Btw...at you using the tube rectifier or the diodes?

Bill

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

Btw...at you using the tube rectifier or the diodes?

Bill

I haven't played on it in months since it's been sitting in my stepdad's store, but back when I was, I switched back and forth between the two to hear the difference. Same humming either way.


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[jrbowen81]

Re: Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

TTT


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[Rebelbluesman]

Re: Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

It's going to be the middle preamp tube, I've had that humming on the clean channel that gets louder as you increase the volume but the lead channel would be dead silent. It's a 60 cycle hum, if it were a fast type hum then it would most likely be a filter cap. I've had a couple of the Mavericks do that and it was always the same preamp,tube, second one from V1.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Maverick Rhythm channel problem

Good to know!

Bill