NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Heard from the amp tech today and the problem was some relay or something to do with channel switching. Luckily he had one and it's fixed now. He's not even charging me for the part, just for the bench time. I'm hoping I can pick it up tomorrow.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Anyone know if the DC-2 and DC-3 are the same size?

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Yes.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Thanks. I can buy a cover for a DC-3, so if they're the same size it'll work for the DC-2.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Got the amp back today and the switch works, but now the clean channel seems to have noise and distortion no matter what the setting. I replaced V1, but no change. I need to replace V4 and see if that helps otherwise it'll have to go back and get checked out again.

 

[dystrust]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Got the amp back today and the switch works, but now the clean channel seems to have noise and distortion no matter what the setting. I replaced V1, but no change. I need to replace V4 and see if that helps otherwise it'll have to go back and get checked out again.

If there are only four preamp tubes, V4 is the phase inverter which will affect both channels. Honestly it sounds like a problem in the switching circuit that's causing the lead channel to bleed across. Try changing the lead channel settings while on the clean channel and see if the distortion you hear changes.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

There's six pre amp tubes and according to the schematic V4 is only used on the clean channel. I changed it and it didn't change anything. I'll have to take it back.

 

[Adieu]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

I wish I knew more about it, like what the stock speaker is. There's no sticker on the back. Initial playing on the amp makes it seem like it's a very dark voiced speaker, but that may change when I get a chance to really turn the amp up and push the speaker. I am taking it to a local tech Wednesday just to get it all checked out and make sure it's good.

Thought it would be an MC90...might not be though

Mesa used to rebrand just about anything they used as "black shadow"... might be a jensen or an eminence even.

Modern Mesas only use V30s (edgier more metally rigs) and MC90s or a mix thereof though.

G12-65 is rumored to be a cool swap in that if you want something a bit different.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Doubtful you'd have a C-90 in 22-watt amp. It would be marked as such, as would a V-30. Factory speaker was probably the Black Shadow Vintage, as I posted earlier. Mesa would know.

There are online speaker code reference charts.

Bill

 

[Adieu]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Doubtful you'd have a C-90 in 22-watt amp. It would be marked as such, as would a V-30. Factory speaker was probably the Black Shadow Vintage, as I posted earlier. Mesa would know.

There are online speaker code reference charts.

Bill

Edited. Probably an Eminence in there.

Amp pic looked so minty I didnt realize it was from the days of yore

 

[Adieu]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

I've downloaded the manual and it helped, but there's still nothing on the tube layout and which is V1, V2, etc... so I'll have to contact Mesa. Taking the amp in today to have it gone through and figure out what the problem is with the lead channel.

On a good note...I've made a deal and am getting a "mint" Mesa Recto-Verb 25 combo this evening at an amazing price. SCORE!!!

How much are you scoring these beauties for?

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

I got the DC-2 for $250 (knowing there was possibly an issue with the lead channel) and got the Recto-Verb 25 combo for $750.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

G12-65 is rumored to be a cool swap in that if you want something a bit different.

I did hook up my 1X12 cab that has a WGS Liberator 80 in it to the amp and it sounded great on the lead channel. The Liberator 80 is a "beefier" version of the ET-65 which I believe is a copy of the G12-65. That liberator was a 16 ohm version, but I have another that's an 8 ohm version also. Once I get the amp fixed I'm taking the 8 ohm version and trying it in the amp.

 

[Ascension]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

I did hook up my 1X12 cab that has a WGS Liberator 80 in it to the amp and it sounded great on the lead channel. The Liberator 80 is a "beefier" version of the ET-65 which I believe is a copy of the G12-65. That liberator was a 16 ohm version, but I have another that's an 8 ohm version also. Once I get the amp fixed I'm taking the 8 ohm version and trying it in the amp.

That Liberator would be a good choice in that amp. I have been running a Subway Rocket for a while in a 1/10 have a WGS ET10 in it and run a WGS ET 90 in my 25 watt Zinky Velvet. Also run my Subway at times on my Blackstar 1/12 with a WGS Retro 30 in it and that speaker in particular in that cab really works well with the little Boogie! These 25 watt Boogie amps really seem to love the Mullard reissue EL 84's, had several different sets of power tubes in mine before the Mullards. Tried the Mullards this last round just to see how they sounded and am Really digging that power tube in this particular amp! Get that issue ironed out with the channel switching and you will love that little rig! Congrats on that one as those are really cool little amps!

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

When I tried it with the cab that had the Liberator in it there was a big boost in clarity, but it was also a closed back cab, so I'll see how it does in the combo once the amp is fixed. It really did sound good tho. Definitely more British in feel and aggressive yet still smooth. I wish they still made that speaker.

 

[Ascension]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

I think the ET 90 took that speakers place. Might want to try a Retro 30 in that particular amp as it has a nice British voicing and a little more sparkle in the top end. If you ever want to part with the DC 2 let me know.
I also have a .50 Cal + head BTW. Got to get it in the shop though suddenly lost power and lit the power tubes so some thing went in the bias circuit.
On your amp cover take a look at D2F covers. I own several of those custom covers now and have bought one for every new amp I have purchased since I found them. They are not cheap but if you play out often like I do and want to keep your amp in nice shape trust me here they are worth every penny!!

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

If I decide to sell the amp it'll have to be a local sale. I don't want to have to deal with boxing that thing up and shipping it. Lol!! I'll consider the retro 30 also thanks.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

Got the amp back for the second time now. Clean channel is clean, but the whole thing isn't anywhere near as loud as it was before and the tone is much brighter and thinner. This is becoming extremely frustrating.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

I seriously think my Boss Katana on the .5 watt setting can get just as loud as this amp now and with much better and thicker tone. I'll be calling the guy back again tomorrow. Ridiculous...

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NAD... One heck of a deal on a Mesa Studio Caliber

I figured out the problem. Somehow the recording mute switch was pushed in half way causing problems with the signal. After turning the switch off completely the amp was back to normal. I will say that the clean channel seems to have some hum to it, but I'll check and make sure it's not a pre amp tube. Maybe a worn out cap or two?