I have a 2 channel dual rec connected to a boss footswitch (FS-5L) to change channels. They are connected by using a standard guitar cable. Everytime I change channels from the dist to clean I get a very short but noticable voume surge. It is not noticeable the other way around. So when I'm rocking out and go to play some cleans quietly it is distracting. Any thoughts??? By the way I only have had the amp a couple months and it has always done it as long as I've owned it. Plus I am only using 2 power tubes and 1 rec tube to make it 50 watts.

Why are you only using two power tubes and one rec tube? That is insane to me, there is only one reason you should be doing that, and that is if you have blown a tube, and don't have a spare. I think your amp will still be fifty watts if you are using two rec tubes, it still doesn't make any sense. If you want a fifty watt Mesa why didn't you just buy one instead? Do you have the right two tubes out? Power tubes are used in pairs, if you have four, then either the outer two should be out, or the inner two, that is the first and fourth, or the second and third. I wouldn't use the amp like that for too long man, seriously, get some new JJ/Tesla's in that thing right away, and don't forget the preamp tubes. You have a good dual rec., they don't make them like that anymore, take care of it and it will take care of you, seriously.
www.eurotubes.com

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Can't say much about the volume surge. But it is DEFINATELY OK to run it at 50 watts as long as you're doing it the right way. If you are following the manual (the manual even says it's fine) then youw ill have no problems.

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congratulations on coming off as an asshole. he's allowed to run his recto however he wants.

why didnt he buy a 50 watt recto if he sets his dual at 50 watts?
-single rectos (50 watts) dont have a rectifier tube.

there is NOT only one reason to do that. the main reason hes doing that, is exactly how he described. he wanted to run it with lower headroom. hes allowed to do that.

oh, and to top it off;
you never even bothered with what he was asking.

rockstar25:
i've heard of similar issues with the recto series...except it was popping, not volume swells. my guess is its a preamp tube issue: easy fix is to swap em around, see what happens. altough it could be a poweramp tube...my guess is no. easy way to diagnose is to get it retubed. if theres still a problem, take it to a reputable local tech and he should be able to fix it for you.

you might also want to try it with a different footswitch. mesa's are touchy...it might just not like your footswitch.

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I had a volume swell problem in my band master, it was preamp tube, so figure out which one it is and replace it

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I apologize for coming off like an asshole deadohiosky, I have never heard of a newer Mesa running like that. I don't think they half power switches for recs. He has a DUAL REC. it is 100 watts, it has 4 power tubes and 2 rectifier tubes, if you take out 2 power tubes that makes it 50 watts right? Single recs have 2 power tubes and a diode rectifier. An easy way to diagnose it is to put the other 2 power tubes in it. Like I said, if you wanted a 50 watt head why did you buy one that is 100 watt?
I don't think it is your preamp tubes, they don't cause power to fade like you are describing. I have had my Boogie for 16 years, I know every symptom there is, tube-for-tube replacement and a before-and-after comparison is often the most reliable test.
Chances are your power tubes are worn out when your amp starts sounding weak, lacks punch, makes funny noises, has its power fading up or down, or loses highs or lows, that is not my opinion, that is a FACT. 90% of all tube amp problems are in the tubes. If you replace one, then replace them ALL, even preamp tubes, and rec tubes. It might even be the footswitch. I hope this meets your approval deadohiosky.

Signs that your tubes may be deteriorating
1. Loss of highs or lows
2. Muddy chords
3. Poor balance in the output levels of various notes
4. Lacks punch
5. Makes funny noises
6. Amp starts sounding weak
7. Power fading up and down
8. No sustain, or fast decay

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the problem is more likely in the switching matrix. on those old 2-channel dual recs, they used light dependent resistors (LDR's) coupled with LED's to do the channel switching. my guess is that one of them has gone bad, and is behaving slowly. that is, when you switch channels, it takes more time for one to turn off than it takes for the other to turn on, and you get more volume for a brief moment. I have heard of this happening before, and it's not an uncommon problem. I would take the amp in to a tech to get it serviced, and they will probably tell you the same thing. as far as running the amp with two power tubes out, it's no problem. I do that on my peavey Triple-XXX. you just need to make sure the impedance is set properly... if you have a 16 ohm speaker, plug into the 8 ohm output or the 4 ohm output with an 8 ohm speaker.

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I'm pretty sure you're only reciting a bunch of non-pertinant information you've read on message boards. He has mentioned nothing about weak tone or anything to indicate a failing or poor functioning tube in the power sections.

If you didn't know that one could cut the tubes and impedence properly, as suggested in the owner's manual I'm highly doubting you know every tube symptom.

As previously answered and ignored by you, if 50 watter does not have the option of having a tube rectifier it is stuck with being only a diode rec. With a 100 watter one has the option of switching between tube and SS rectifiers.

Also, can a 50 watt Single Rec easily become a 100 watter by adding 2 power tubes? No. Different band and playing situations require amps.

Back to the topic at hand:
One thing to check out is the pots on your lead channel. I've had 2 friends with JCM900s who have had a similar problem with an oppoisite effect. When switching, the lead channel would be really quiet and then increase to proper volume. After going through sets of tubes, checking componants and sending to techs it turned out to be a $20 repair.

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I've heard this to be common on boogies. And attack me before you attack him about the 50 watt mod called pulling tubes. Plus you were all to quick to say it's a tube problem and suggest JJs, which is basically advetisement. Not everyone is perfect. And I don't go around throwing what tubes I use unless otherwise asked.

I'll agree with taking it to a tech. Some may be right though, that it's the footswitch. I'm using the same one accually, it was to tie me over. My Rectifier 2 channel footswitch has arrived though, I just need the time to pick it up and I'll tell you. If I'm still having the same problem. I think it's the way the clean channel is though. If you notice when switching from Vintage to clean, there is an increase in volume, even though you have the same settings. I hope you the best of luck in finding out. Mine doesn't bother me, but maybe a footswitch might help

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Having owned several Mesa/Boogies, I've never seen this to be a problem. I would say change the pedal. I've owned a few 2 channel Recto's, and never had any problem of the sort. If that don't cure it, try changing preamp tubes. Contrary to what some say, the preamp tubes will cause a difference in volume. The tube to try is the V2 or V3 position. Swap a couple around, and see if the problem persists. If so, take it to a tech.

For the record, JJs aren't an advertisement. They are a recommendation because they just sound better in a Recto. That's simple truth. Dog me if you want, but this is my opinion. The JJ E34Ls sound great in a Recto. Lots of low end, and the highs of an EL34.

People who don't own a Recto, (or haven't) can't say sh!t, since they don't know. Their opinions mean **** to me, since they are lame**** assholes mostly.

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I love how opinionated you are to the point of where it's supposed to be truth. The problems with the world today.


I'll have a footswitch and test this tomorrow

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Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

Meh....

I'm an opinionated asshole. Put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

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Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott 1966-2004
Rest In Peace. :'(

2007 Schecter C-1 Classic
Mesa Dual Rectifier
Mesa Recto 4x12
Carvin UH5000 wireless system
Digitech Valve FX processor
Behringer FCB1010

Mikey's Rig

Proud member of the MESA family

Mesa is weird. Took four months for a freaken footswitch. I can't say it fixes the problem. Seems less, but I'm also running the Groove Tube that came with the head, cause I was gonna sell it, I should change it back to EIs. Thats what I use anyways. I'll see what happens than, but I think this is there because of that clean "boost" when you switch from vintage to clean on the switch on the back.

Reason I say mesa is weird, is cause I got a 15 foot cord with the footswitch. This is a two channel, and all it takes is a quarter inch plug.

Honest opinion, take it to a tech, and see what they have to say.

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ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

On second thought, take a look in your owner's manual, and find out which preamp tube controls the clean channel. Since the preamp is set up in cascading gain style, I'm thinking it should be the V1 or V2 position. At any rate, it will be one of the V1, V2, or V3 tubes you should change.

A bad preamp tube will cause a volume swell, because it's not holding voltage properly.

__________________
Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott 1966-2004
Rest In Peace. :'(

2007 Schecter C-1 Classic
Mesa Dual Rectifier
Mesa Recto 4x12
Carvin UH5000 wireless system
Digitech Valve FX processor
Behringer FCB1010

Mikey's Rig

Proud member of the MESA family