So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

[Jeroen]

...and I don't really know what to think of it!
For 20 watts, it's surprisingly QUIET! I was expecting a lot more volume. I can crank the clean channel all the way, with both gain and master set to 10, and still have an acceptable home practice volume level - and a very unpleasant distortion. That's definitely NOT what I was hoping for, as I also want to be able to use this amp with my band once in a while. I also don't really like the lead channel, I was hoping for something less compressed, more open and above all more transparent. With the contour mode engaged, the amp gains some presence, compensating for this a bit, but it also gains a considerable amount of volume, making this mode virtually unusable under most circumstances. I am a bit disappointed, so far I don't think I'm buying this amp... :blackeye:

Anyone else here who has one who could tell me more? I'm blaming the amp now, but what if there's just something wrong, or if the tubes have had their fair share of a lifetime and need replacement? Please help me out, 'cause otherwise I'm gonna have to give this amp back to its rightful owner :no:

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

Those amps should be fairly loud, I would try some new power tubes. Mesa's are generally overbuilt, so I doubt that the OT is bad. It would be worth the effort to contact Eurotubes and buy a matched pair of JJ EL-84s to at least check and see if it can be brought back to life for a few bucks.

 

[TonyBar3]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

I'm with Bill 100% here. Replace with JJs, and crank to taste!

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

I have never played a quiet Mesa.
I sold my last Mesa partly because it was too loud!

I have played the Blues model, it's pretty sweet.

 

[lpmarshall]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

I'd replace the tubes. My Subway Rocket is a monster for being 20 watts. It needs new tubes as well, but they haven't been replaced in a couple years since its not my main amp any longer.

The distorted sounds can be compressed if you run the gain real high, but thats part of the reason I like the amp. Its a different sound then I get from my Marshall.

I used to use my Subway Rocket at large club shows unmic'd, running about 6-7. So there is something wrong here.

 

[Jeroen]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

I was already hoping the answer would be that simple
Thank you for confirming my suspicion! I will give it a try.

 

[Jeroen]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

Well... I've just changed the powertubes (not to JJ btw, I couldn't find those locally and wanted 'em quick, so I went with TAD), but it makes no difference at all. The amp is still awfully quiet. HELP! :yell:

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

sounds to me like it needs to be looked over by a tech. I've got a 25 watt DC-2 and man, that sucker is *freakin loud* !!! I can use it by itself at a gig and never worry about not having enough volume. It's an amp that I bought because it was a killer deal and I had planned on reselling it to make a little money but ended up keeping because it sounds so ungodly good!

Definitely have a highly qualified tech look at it.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

Does it have the original speaker?

 

[Jeroen]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

Does it have the original speaker?

Yessir! The original 10" Vintage Black Shadow is still in there.

 

[Jeroen]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

sounds to me like it needs to be looked over by a tech. I've got a 25 watt DC-2 and man, that sucker is *freakin loud* !!!

Yeah, I know the DC-2. They're cool too! A buddy of mine has one. He's having troubles with the contour mode though, when he switches it on he hears absolutely no difference to the regular lead mode. So there's another little Mesa in need of some professional help

 

[Jeroen]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

*bump*

 

[lpmarshall]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

I don't know what else to suggest other than taking it to a tech. Mine gets pretty friggin' loud.

 

[Jeroen]

Re: So my buddy brought along the Mesa Subway Rocket today...

I just tried changing the preamp tubes as well (still had four EHX 12AX7STR's laying around) but that didn't work out either. Luckily, the guy I borrowed the amp from works at a music store and they have an excellent tech. Not a Mesa certified tech, but there's no warranty on the amp anymore anyway so that's not really an issue, I guess. We'll see.