BROKEN ROADSTER - HELP!!!

chavhunter · 04-25-2008, 06:40 PM

Quick background: last month the only roadster in the country was ex-demo, so i bought it on the understanding that when a new one came into the country 4 weeks later, the 2 amps would be swapped over.

The new one arrived yesterday, and the first chance Ive had to unpack it was today for a gig. I noticed the red webbing was still on the tubes (which I removed) so it hadnt been unpacked and checked by the shop, which they agreed they would do before they shipped it. In sound check the whole amp seemed to work fine, but then I found if Im on channel 2 and select 'Brit' mode I get constant REALLY loud crackling and no signal. Im gonna call the shop tomorrow to see what they can do, but does anyone have any suggestions on what the problem might be??

noodles · 04-25-2008, 07:19 PM

The Roadster and Road King both have a ton of options, and flipping the wrong switches can make it seem like everything is seriously wrong. First, make sure the FX switch on the back is set the same as the other channels. Have FX on, but with the loop set to bypass, and you'll get nothing. If the loop level knob is rolled all the way off, you'll also get nothing. I keep it dimed.

Next, check to make sure the problem isn't with the Recto tubes or power tube switching. Switch to a channel that you know works, and switch between the recto tracking and diode modes. Switch between 50 and 100 watt modes.

Now go back to the front. Cycle through the Clean and Fat modes on channel 2, just to make sure they work. Now switch to Brit mode. If everything is still dead, then odds are it is a bad switch. Keep in mind that if you get a pop when switching to channel 2, that this is normal. You don't hear it at louder volumes, since it gets buried.

chavhunter · 04-25-2008, 07:27 PM

Sounds like I already checked all of that: Absolutely every other mode/combination of settings is fine, but as soon as I switch to Brit mode the entire venue got deafened with continuous crackling. The same kind of sound as when a dodgy cable keeps cutting in and out, but non-stop and insanely loud.

noodles · 04-25-2008, 07:51 PM

Definitely sounds like the switch is bad. Since this is a new amp, you have access to Mesa's 5 year warranty. You just need to find a Mesa authorized service center in your area to take it to. It won't cost you a penny.

chavhunter · 04-25-2008, 07:58 PM

Cheers mate. I guessed it was maybe a wiring issue but a ew crew members tonight said it was probably a valve :s

noodles · 04-25-2008, 08:02 PM

It is most certainly not one of the tubes, or it would exibit it on every channel (for power tubes and phase tube), the channels that use that tube for a gain stage (preamp tubes), whenever using reverb (for the reverb tube), or whenever the loop is on (for the loop buffer tube).

Does it to do the same thing with Ch1/Tweed? If not, it's most certainly the switch.

chavhunter · 04-25-2008, 09:26 PM

Yeah, I tryed all the modes and tweed is absolutely fine so it must be the switch. At least I know what's wrong with it now! Just gotta find my nearest Mesa service place...

Just had an email from the guy at the shop and he's convinced its a valve fault

Apparently the UK Mesa distribution place are gonna ring me next week to try and work out exacty whats wrong.

chavhunter · 05-05-2008, 10:07 AM

Update: It got sent back to the distributors and they said it was a broken resistor. Not sure how it managed to get through Mesa quality control :s The place i bought it from now owe me a refund, but theyve just gone in to administration, what fun this shall be. On the plus side I managed to get hold of a brand new Roadster, so I do at least have a working amp!

InTheRavensName · 05-05-2008, 10:36 AM

hah, I've been stuck with a Flextone combo that won't save patches because of fucking Soundcontrol...Derby branch shut down, going to try Nottingham next week, and raise hell with head office if that's gone too!

noodles · 05-05-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chavhunter

Update: It got sent back to the distributors and they said it was a broken resistor. Not sure how it managed to get through Mesa quality control :s The place i bought it from now owe me a refund, but theyve just gone in to administration, what fun this shall be. On the plus side I managed to get hold of a brand new Roadster, so I do at least have a working amp!

For all you know, it could have been damaged somewhere between Mesa and you, since Mesa QC is better than just about anyone.

Good to know that this is working out for you. I figured it was something simple.

04-25-2008, 06:40 PM	#1
chavhunter ss.org Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 601 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: RG1527 w/ DiMarzios Rig: Mesa Roadster + 2x12 Thanked: 8	BROKEN ROADSTER - HELP!!! Quick background: last month the only roadster in the country was ex-demo, so i bought it on the understanding that when a new one came into the country 4 weeks later, the 2 amps would be swapped over. The new one arrived yesterday, and the first chance Ive had to unpack it was today for a gig. I noticed the red webbing was still on the tubes (which I removed) so it hadnt been unpacked and checked by the shop, which they agreed they would do before they shipped it. In sound check the whole amp seemed to work fine, but then I found if Im on channel 2 and select 'Brit' mode I get constant REALLY loud crackling and no signal. Im gonna call the shop tomorrow to see what they can do, but does anyone have any suggestions on what the problem might be?? Life is a waste of time, time is a waste of life. Get wasted all the time and you'll have the time of your life! R.I.P. Mr. Bag

04-25-2008, 07:19 PM	#2
noodles I'm your huckleberry • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 17,586 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: KxK V7 - The Emo Killer Rig: Roadster/GMaj/4x12 Thanked: 290	The Roadster and Road King both have a ton of options, and flipping the wrong switches can make it seem like everything is seriously wrong. First, make sure the FX switch on the back is set the same as the other channels. Have FX on, but with the loop set to bypass, and you'll get nothing. If the loop level knob is rolled all the way off, you'll also get nothing. I keep it dimed. Next, check to make sure the problem isn't with the Recto tubes or power tube switching. Switch to a channel that you know works, and switch between the recto tracking and diode modes. Switch between 50 and 100 watt modes. Now go back to the front. Cycle through the Clean and Fat modes on channel 2, just to make sure they work. Now switch to Brit mode. If everything is still dead, then odds are it is a bad switch. Keep in mind that if you get a pop when switching to channel 2, that this is normal. You don't hear it at louder volumes, since it gets buried. Noodles Division: American Metal without the suck. sales@kxkguitars.com "Somewhere along the way, the Straight Talk Express lost some wheels..." --Barack Obama on John McCain

04-25-2008, 09:26 PM	#7
chavhunter ss.org Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 601 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: RG1527 w/ DiMarzios Rig: Mesa Roadster + 2x12 Thanked: 8	Yeah, I tryed all the modes and tweed is absolutely fine so it must be the switch. At least I know what's wrong with it now! Just gotta find my nearest Mesa service place... Just had an email from the guy at the shop and he's convinced its a valve fault Apparently the UK Mesa distribution place are gonna ring me next week to try and work out exacty whats wrong. Last edited by chavhunter; 04-26-2008 at 09:46 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

05-05-2008, 10:36 AM	#9
InTheRavensName Metal Machine =) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Derby, UK Posts: 2,720 Real Name: Ross The Great Main Seven: 666 strings only Rig: POD XTLive Thanked: 7	hah, I've been stuck with a Flextone combo that won't save patches because of fucking Soundcontrol...Derby branch shut down, going to try Nottingham next week, and raise hell with head office if that's gone too! Sabaton

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04-25-2008, 07:27 PM	#3
chavhunter ss.org Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 601 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: RG1527 w/ DiMarzios Rig: Mesa Roadster + 2x12 Thanked: 8	Sounds like I already checked all of that: Absolutely every other mode/combination of settings is fine, but as soon as I switch to Brit mode the entire venue got deafened with continuous crackling. The same kind of sound as when a dodgy cable keeps cutting in and out, but non-stop and insanely loud.

04-25-2008, 07:51 PM	#4
noodles I'm your huckleberry • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 17,586 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: KxK V7 - The Emo Killer Rig: Roadster/GMaj/4x12 Thanked: 290	Definitely sounds like the switch is bad. Since this is a new amp, you have access to Mesa's 5 year warranty. You just need to find a Mesa authorized service center in your area to take it to. It won't cost you a penny.

04-25-2008, 07:58 PM	#5
chavhunter ss.org Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 601 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: RG1527 w/ DiMarzios Rig: Mesa Roadster + 2x12 Thanked: 8	Cheers mate. I guessed it was maybe a wiring issue but a ew crew members tonight said it was probably a valve :s

04-25-2008, 08:02 PM	#6
noodles I'm your huckleberry • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 17,586 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: KxK V7 - The Emo Killer Rig: Roadster/GMaj/4x12 Thanked: 290	It is most certainly not one of the tubes, or it would exibit it on every channel (for power tubes and phase tube), the channels that use that tube for a gain stage (preamp tubes), whenever using reverb (for the reverb tube), or whenever the loop is on (for the loop buffer tube). Does it to do the same thing with Ch1/Tweed? If not, it's most certainly the switch.

05-05-2008, 10:07 AM	#8
chavhunter ss.org Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 601 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: RG1527 w/ DiMarzios Rig: Mesa Roadster + 2x12 Thanked: 8	Update: It got sent back to the distributors and they said it was a broken resistor. Not sure how it managed to get through Mesa quality control :s The place i bought it from now owe me a refund, but theyve just gone in to administration, what fun this shall be. On the plus side I managed to get hold of a brand new Roadster, so I do at least have a working amp!

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BROKEN ROADSTER - HELP!!!