Frustrated with my Mesa mark IV

[BABMusic]

Andy at Revamp fixed the problem I had with my Mark IV. It's too bad he closed up his shop permanently. He was not only good, but he charged a very reasonable price.

If my IV starts having a ton of problems, it will be time to just buy something newer.

 

[Techdeth]

Sucks to hear your amp is giving you fits .

 

[skoora]

Ship it back, ask him to replace everything he didn’t replace the first time around. Maybe he’ll give you a discount.

Either way though, remember that you’re asking him to fix a specific problem, not “change some parts.” You’re only “changing some parts” on the recommendation of someone you’re trusting to be an expert. I don’t care who it is, Mike B or not, if they don’t fix the problem you pay them to fix, then they didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. It’s not your fault they couldn’t properly diagnose the issue the first time around.

This can get to me with a lot of techs in any field. When you’re paying someone you expect the highest level of testing and due diligence and often get less than what you would do yourself if you just had the tools and knowledge. Can’t speak for Mike B. but I think a lot of these guys have so much backlog they’re trying to move through a repair fairly fast, which isn’t what you’re paying for. I don’t care how much you got, when you get to mine, especially if it’s heat related or takes a minute to show, I expect some patience and planning. You’re charging me the same whether you can get to it tomorrow or three weeks from now.
I know though, people can be seriously budget minded and techs can suggest pro-active things that a customer will say no to, but you should at least have the amp come back with the problem fixed.

I would definitely try and capture a problem like this on video if at all possible.

 

[Smash]

I love the way mesas sound. I have never bought one because they have sooo much extra shit going on that is not necessary. They should make a single channel recto with quality components and none of the weird gimmicky shit.

I almost got the badlander, the biggest detractor was a built in IR... Why the fuck would I want that on a tube amp?

 

[Chris6870]

This can get to me with a lot of techs in any field. When you’re paying someone you expect the highest level of testing and due diligence and often get less than what you would do yourself if you just had the tools and knowledge. Can’t speak for Mike B. but I think a lot of these guys have so much backlog they’re trying to move through a repair fairly fast, which isn’t what you’re paying for. I don’t care how much you got, when you get to mine, especially if it’s heat related or takes a minute to show, I expect some patience and planning. You’re charging me the same whether you can get to it tomorrow or three weeks from now.
I know though, people can be seriously budget minded and techs can suggest pro-active things that a customer will say no to, but you should at least have the amp come back with the problem fixed.

I would definitely try and capture a problem like this on video if at all possible.

I can fix almost anything. I can rebuild an engine an entire car for that matter. Plumbing electrical drywall whatever. What bugs me is I can't fix this fuckin amp myself.

 

[shadow]

I can fix almost anything. I can rebuild an engine an entire car for that matter. Plumbing electrical drywall whatever. What bugs me is I can't fix this fuckin amp myself.

seems like with your past electrical duties, time and patience, you actually can. If you really wanted to take the time. That, or fork out the dough, or sell dirt cheap for parts.

 

[skoora]

I can fix almost anything. I can rebuild an engine an entire car for that matter. Plumbing electrical drywall whatever. What bugs me is I can't fix this fuckin amp myself.

I have a guy here in Atlanta who works on Mesa, worked on two of mine. He used to help with amp design at Orange. I’ll DM his contact info, in case it’s a reasonable option re : shipping concerns etc. Good guy, easy going, no attitude. Been happy with his work so far.
I know he’s worked on Mark IV’s too.
Being Mesa didn’t get it done I might feel them out for a deal on a re-do as well.

 

[Dale B]

Deeply sorry you’re experiencing such troubles with this one amp.

You had the amp in front of the likely one ideal person capable to do the job and opted for a cheaper option - which isn’t turning out to be the cheaper option after all. When someone experienced recommends something, I understand the sticker shock and money doesn’t grow on trees, but you’re back to square one having spent time and money with no change.

I’d asked him to go through it top to bottom and whatever the bill becomes is what’s necessary for that particular amp. Otherwise you’re left with no alternatives and the peace of mind is worth more than the complete repair bill because you can use the repair to maintain value at resale.

Yep, that's the unfortunate reality. If MikeB has it in front of him, you had better let him do what's needed if you have the money. They're not cheap to repair either.

 

[TooMuchGear]

Word is Mike will be stepping down at the end of 2025. If you don't already have an RMA, chances are he'll never get to it.

 

[Chris6870]

Word is Mike will be stepping down at the end of 2025. If you don't already have an RMA, chances are he'll never get to it.

I emailed last week and have not heard back yet. Probably will ebay it as is and just move on.

 

[TooMuchGear]

I emailed last week and have not heard back yet. Probably will ebay it as is and just move on.

Earlier this year I saw a Mk4 chassis sold on ebay. Thought about buying it for parts. The seller was in Puerto Rico. Wonder what the story was on that!

 

[japetus]

I love Mesa amps, but unless it's a newer model or you have full documentation of service from Mesa...local dealers aren't even interested in dealing with them anymore. It's a slippery slope for sure.

 

[BABMusic]

Slightly related to this thread, but I discovered that the presence knob pulled out, actually sounds great with my new V30s. It never sounded good with the Greenbacks I was using. I always had to keep the presence not pulled, which did sound good with the GBs. With my GBs, the smoothness became too much, which is weird to say.

 

[Chris6870]

Word is Mike will be stepping down at the end of 2025. If you don't already have an RMA, chances are he'll never get to it.

I was told they are backed up and only taking in warranty work unless approved by Mike. Then a few days later I got an email saying Mike agreed to take it in so I got an RMA and it's on it's way there.

 

[TooMuchGear]

I was told they are backed up and only taking in warranty work unless approved by Mike. Then a few days later I got an email saying Mike agreed to take it in so I got an RMA and it's on it's way there.

The Turn of a Friendly Card..

 

[Fusionbear]

Sounds like LDR's on the fritz... Glad Mike B. approved it...

 

[Telesavales]

I've always thought they were a little cloudy sounding