Amp smelling strange

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esppse

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Hey,

I've been recording with this Mesa transatlantic 1x12 for about 8 months now. I always set the master to 65% and use an attenuator.

Today something weird happened. I was using a tube pedal and hit the front end of the amp hard, but I'm not sure it caused this.

The amp started literally smelling like crap. I didn't see smoke, but for a moment, I thought I crapped myself... and realized it was the amp lol. It does not smell like electronics burning, nor dust since it's been in use for months weekly.

The sound was still normal, but I shut it off when I realized the amp was making that awful smell.

Does anyone know what might be the issue? Could it be the overloading of the preamp tubes? Or the power tubes/transformer? Or my Weber Mass attenuator? Is this a serious issue?
 
You cooked a resistor. Probably a screen grid resistor. They smell really nice :D
I would look, or have it, looked at.
 
This probably isn't the same issue as yours, but I recently had my amp retubed with Mesa tubes. The first several times I fired her up I noticed an odd smell, almost like something burning but not quite that. My wife noticed it, too. I'm pretty sure it was the ink that Mesa uses to brand their tubes. It's stopped now. It smelled odd, but it didn't smell, literally, like shit.
 
Hmm I'll have a look inside and report back, unless electrocution occurs, then I would not be able to respond.
 
esppse":3rzk3k2e said:
Hmm I'll have a look inside and report back, unless electrocution occurs, then I would not be able to respond.
Click to expand...
You may not be able to tell it smoked.
 
ymoe7.jpg


You can't get that "raw power tube distortion" unless you're melting things with an attenuator.
 
esppse":2zdjyuhy said:
Hey,

I've been recording with this Mesa transatlantic 1x12 for about 8 months now. I always set the master to 65% and use an attenuator.

Today something weird happened. I was using a tube pedal and hit the front end of the amp hard, but I'm not sure it caused this.

The amp started literally smelling like crap. I didn't see smoke, but for a moment, I thought I crapped myself... and realized it was the amp lol. It does not smell like electronics burning, nor dust since it's been in use for months weekly.

The sound was still normal, but I shut it off when I realized the amp was making that awful smell.

Does anyone know what might be the issue? Could it be the overloading of the preamp tubes? Or the power tubes/transformer? Or my Weber Mass attenuator? Is this a serious issue?
Click to expand...

i'm trying to figure out why your running it like that? the attenuator part....
 
The attenuator? I use that to a saturated response at a low volume. It sounds pretty nice compared to without it and no master cranked. Without it, the master has to stay at like 15% where I'm recording.

I've managed to take detailed pictures of it. I can't see any components that look toast.
 
i've never messed with one, are they non master volume amps?
 
With the transatlantic, theres a push pull pot. You can choose to have a High Cut, or Master Volume
 
the last 5 pics are the weber mass, ill use it with my Vibro king today to see its condition.
 
esppse":1fgt6y0h said:
Yeah I love that amp to death, but I don't want it to die :D
Click to expand...
Look at the screen resistors for the power tubes. I think they are next to the tube sockets and are the large greenish resistors. Put your nose next to them.
 
I have heard of the brown sound.

Could there be a brown smell amp?

Sorry :no: :confused: :aww: :cry:
 
You sure one of the roaches from your ash tray didn't fall down into her and start smoldering?


Just kidding :no:
 
glip22":2485jyvx said:
esppse":2485jyvx said:
Yeah I love that amp to death, but I don't want it to die :D
Click to expand...
Look at the screen resistors for the power tubes. I think they are next to the tube sockets and are the large greenish resistors. Put your nose next to them.
Click to expand...

I couldn't locate the large resistors you mention, I sniffed everywhere and did not smell anything. I think it may have dissipated. Should I turn it on again to see if the smell returns? I am hesitant to do that.

I've been recording all last night with the weber mass, that seems fine.
 
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