Nov 20, 2009 7:04 PM
Possibility of effects unit blowing amp?
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I use the M13 with my Mesa Boogie Dual Rec, I was recording and I wanted to record some feedback for ambient noise tracks, so I switched on a delay and a reverb on the effects unit. For a second it was feeding back nicely, with the decay and mix controls turned up quite high on both effects, but it began to build and build, louder and louder (feedback loop?) until I had to hit the effects off. Instantly after my amp was noisy as hell, humming very loudly and making scratchy noises when I adjusted the knobs on the front of my amp. I hit the standby button off/on and there is a THUMP that is ridiculously loud coming from the speaker. I know for certain this isn't a speaker issue, it's either my amp (which has been sent in and diagnosed before when I experienced the same problem, they replaced my loaded power tube board because the screen capacitors were fried...but by what? After that it worked fine) or my effects pedal having some weird issue and loading my amp down when I use too much delay and reverb at the same time. On a timeline basis, there is a correlation because this never has happened before I owned the M13, and since I've had it this is the second time this has happened. When it does happen, it blows the loaded power tube board, the screen caps, the power tubes, and the diodes. Add to that the price for it to have the parts replaced at $100 an hour, the cost of parts, and the cost of shipping...it's a small fortune. I can't afford it this time, and I'm really frustrated. Ideas or suggestions? I'd be very greatful if a Line 6 tech employee would join in on this little discussion.
I can't see the M13 being directly responsible for blowing your amp or causing any other damage. The problem you have is more likely to be with the amp itself I think. The loud thump you hear when switching out of standby indicates an issue with the amp to me. Check your power tubes and biasing
The M13 feeds an instrument level output so it should not blow anything on your amp. I agree that this sounds like more of an issue with your amp but to be thorough can you tell us how you have everything connected?
Line6Miller
Yeah, I have the pedal in my amp's effects loop.
Guitar > Amp Input
M13 Input > Amp Send
M13 Output > Amp Return
That's literally it. The only thing I can think of is that when the feedback started getting louder and louder the amp drew more current, and the draw of the additional current messed up--perhaps blew--the power tubes due to excessive voltage. I have an integrated quad that is unique: 2 JJ KT77's in the outside sockets and 2 JJ6V6's in the inside sockets, this set was tested by Bob at Eurotubes and he gave me the instuctions for setting the biasing just right. Being that as it is though, the 6V6's are low draws. Maybe due to the fact that it is such a delicate balance of biasing, the additional current draw used to output the feedback as it built up threw things all out of wack? If that's the case then I geuss I should go back too matched quad, but even before I had a matched quad of KT88's, which are ridiculously powerful, and they were demolished in what may have been a similar manner.
There's not enough voltage going through the effects loop to blow an amp. Typically, load problems on the outputs is where the danger is. We suggest a return to your Mesa service center.
Line6Tony
Mesa Dual recto amps only support their tubes, and the Dual recto supports only KT77 (EL34) and/or KT66 (6L6). It sounds like the tubes situation is more likely the cause of the problem.
http://mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Rectifier_Series/Dual_Rectifier/dual_rectifier.html
See the following link for more information on connecting your Line 6 device to your amplifier:
POD: Connecting To Amps
http://line6.com/community/docs/DOC-4725
It's been a couple of days since we've heard from you. We're going to assume your question has been answered and close this thread. If you still have questions please feel free to open a new question with us and we will answer your questions accordingly. Thanks!
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