something wrong with my 5:25

[Homebake]

i own a mesa 5:25 combo, very good amp, not exactly the sound i'm looking for, but i'm not getting another amp for a long time so i use it.

anyway, for a long time, can't remember when, it's had this strange kind of ringing noise that happens when you play a loud note, like on the burn channel or if the clean channel is loud-ish. like if you strum an open chord on the clean channel, there will be this metallic ringing sound. it kind of sounds as if there's a loose screw vibrating against the speaker or something, but i don't think there is. it definitely sounds like some kind of vibration.

also, on the burn channel (highest gain channel) with gain around 70% and master volume on about 70% too, the sound is really horrible at low volumes. like, notes break up and crackle and stuff. i got it almost exactly 2 years ago and it gets used a lot and i was wondering if the tubes are starting to pack in.

this is my first tube amp and i'm not exactly in the know about all the specific of tubes. i looked at em today and they had a blue colouring to them at the back of the tubes. there's the normal amber kind of glow and then there's a blue-ish glow at the back of them which i understand can mean a few things, one of them being a tube breaking down.

i'm gonna take it in for a look but still, any info?

[nato101010]

Originally Posted by Homebake

also, on the burn channel (highest gain channel) with gain around 70% and master volume on about 70% too, the sound is really horrible at low volumes. like, notes break up and crackle and stuff.

This sounds like what my VOX did when I blew the speaker up in it. I'm wondering if you have done the same?

[cornstar70]

Blue tubes + microphonic, high pitched ringing sound means it's time to replace your tubes. Do this: tap the tubes while the amp is on and off standby. Use something hard like a pen or pencil and if you can replicate the microphonic sound, then it's definitely time to change them.

[speedy mcfeely]

Mesa has a 5 year warranty. First change tubes, then send back to Petaluma.

[SonicProvocateur]

Originally Posted by speedy mcfeely

Mesa has a 5 year warranty. First change tubes, then send back to Petaluma.

+1

Also go with cornstar70's recommendation of tapping the tubes to check for microphonics. This is a good indication of a tube crapping out. Worst case scenario is a leaking screen grid resistor on the power tube which could lead to an amp failure/blown tube, but since the Express line is EL84 powered, this is less likely. Change the tubes, and if it continues, send her back to Mike!

[Homebake]

would a broken/speaker be caused by playing the amp too hard or actual physical damage?

[SonicProvocateur]

Your Mesa should not have blown a speaker from wattage alone, it doesn't have the power and Mesa designs them incredibly well to withstand the rigors of high power abuse. It would only come from some sort of physical damage like maybe taking a blow from putting the footswitch in the back or something, etc.

[Homebake]

Originally Posted by SonicProvocateur

Your Mesa should not have blown a speaker from wattage alone, it doesn't have the power and Mesa designs them incredibly well to withstand the rigors of high power abuse. It would only come from some sort of physical damage like maybe taking a blow from putting the footswitch in the back or something, etc.

true. i do stuff a lot of crap in the back of it.

[screamndemon69]

The 5:25's are meant to break up at lower volumes, especially if you use the 5wtt setting, nature of the beast. I also say to tap the tubes just to be sure. I would recommend trying the Mesa 5:50, it might be more along the lines of what you are looking for. Good luck.

~Bones

[Homebake]

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

The 5:25's are meant to break up at lower volumes, especially if you use the 5wtt setting, nature of the beast. I also say to tap the tubes just to be sure. I would recommend trying the Mesa 5:50, it might be more along the lines of what you are looking for. Good luck.

~Bones

nah, i don't think this is meant to happen...

i played a mesa mark iv (?) combo amp the other day, i think it was like 100 watts. friekin' amazing, best tone of any amp i've ever played, unbelievable.

[SonicProvocateur]

Originally Posted by Homebake

nah, i don't think this is meant to happen...

i played a mesa mark iv (?) combo amp the other day, i think it was like 100 watts. friekin' amazing, best tone of any amp i've ever played, unbelievable.

I use a Mark III blue stripe and have been a Mesa dealer in the past. I'm still thinking your problem is tubes. I had a friend that had a Blue Angel that had some sort of weird problem with his reverb circuitry that made similar sounds to what you were describing, but thats a much more rare occurance. Id still suggest swapping tubes first, then resorting to factory repair second. The guys at Mesa are the best in the business. Friendly and second to none on know-how.

[shogun]

*facepalm*

mesa has telephone support for a reason, and the amp is under warranty......

[Homebake]

Originally Posted by shogun

*facepalm*

mesa has telephone support for a reason, and the amp is under warranty......

chill out man, i live in australia and there's nothing wrong with asking people for some opinions.

[Vim Fuego]

Originally Posted by Homebake

chill out man, i live in australia and there's nothing wrong with asking people for some opinions.

Absolutely, could be as simple as replacing tubes rather that calling support at $$ per minute!
Jim