Mesa experts wanted! (vintage?) Tremoverb content!

[Blitzie]

Hey guys-

So I saw this on the GC used site last week and was curious. I ended up getting a really good deal (or at least I think so) and it just showed up today. I was really surprised to see what I actually got.

Now, I'm reading up about the secret "mojo" of the TOVs with these pointer style knobs. I'm curious about what the deal with this is. What were the years they made these that are considered the best and why are these pointer knobbed TOVs sought after?

I plugged it in but I had to keep it really low, like bedroom low, so I don't know how it sounds yet. It sounds good and the combo of the tremolo and the reverb is EXCELLENT. I can't wait to get it a little louder tomorrow morning.

Can anyone fill me in? I tried to attach pictures but only one would upload

 

[fek]

The Tverb might be one of my favorite amps of all time. Mine didn't have the pointer knobs but I do remember reading something about some minor difference back in the day. From what I remember, the non pointer knobs were supposed to have something extra. I chalked it up to internet rumor though.

It has been a while since I had mine so I can't help much with your questions but nice score!

 

[rlord1974]

The urban legend is that the earlier versions WITH pointer knobs and an attached power cord were the ones with the mojo. I had one that I purchased new in the early 90's and gigged with it for around 15 years and really liked it. I did have an opportunity to try it side by side with another, newer model without the pointers and attached power cord and, at the time, I thought mine sounded better. In hindsight, the differences could have been due to tube brand, age and biasing discrepancies across the two heads. Who knows?

I do still miss my Tremoverb. It was an amazing, solid as a rock amp. They sound great.

 

[siggy14]

The early ones have issues with the LDR's, make sure to get them replaced. I do not remember all the facts but go over to grail tone and do a search there is a lot of information over there. And all tremoverbs sound killer no matter what year.

 

[Blitzie]

I need some help!

So I got to open the amp up a little louder today and I'm having a weird issue. When I'm using the second channel on the modern setting, I can hear a little of the clean channel as well. Like, if you were to palm mute the low E on the clean channel. I can hear that with equal parts distortion.

I'm confused. Any ideas?

the clean channel is having the same problem. It's making a "popping" sound as I play and the volume is cutting out a little. I'm guessing a preamp tube but I'm not sure.

 

[jimbanzini]

It's odd that you can hear the clean channel blended w/ the OD channel as it's impossible on that amp. The circuit switches out cathode bypass caps for the clean and tone stacks for orange and red - it's all the same circuitry, no independent clean channel to blend.

Have you tried swapping tubes? Does it happen at lower volumes as well? Do you have the loop engaged?

 

[Blitzie]

I haven't tried swapping tubes, I don't have any extras lying around. It does it at all volumes and yes, the loop is engaged. I haven't tried without the loop engaged yet.

I pulled out the chassis last night and I did notice that one of the rectifier tubes made a shaky sound like when a lightbulb has gone bad. As if there is something loose inside. I don't trust it, so I pulled it out. I haven't used the amp since, I have to find a replacement.

Could that be the problem? Also, is it safe to the run the amp with only one rectifier tube?

 

[siggy14]

I haven't tried swapping tubes, I don't have any extras lying around. It does it at all volumes and yes, the loop is engaged. I haven't tried without the loop engaged yet.

I pulled out the chassis last night and I did notice that one of the rectifier tubes made a shaky sound like when a lightbulb has gone bad. As if there is something loose inside. I don't trust it, so I pulled it out. I haven't used the amp since, I have to find a replacement.

Could that be the problem? Also, is it safe to the run the amp with only one rectifier tube?

Just bypass using the rectifier tubes and see if the noise is still there.

 

[dead-pan]

My 1994 has clean bleed through too if I don't have the right tube in the reverb driver.

A bit annoying, play with the amp all the way down and increase the reverb and the bleed through will get louder if the problem is the same as mine. With the volume turned up and the reverb down it is not really noticeable. Sometimes I like the effect it has as it can clean the tone up some.

 

[jlb32]

The early Trem-o-verbs had the chrome knobs with the dimples and attached power cord. They were also wrapped in smooth leather, not the textured tolex. Here's a pic of my '94 T-Verb.

 

[Blitzie]

My 1994 has clean bleed through too if I don't have the right tube in the reverb driver.

A bit annoying, play with the amp all the way down and increase the reverb and the bleed through will get louder if the problem is the same as mine. With the volume turned up and the reverb down it is not really noticeable. Sometimes I like the effect it has as it can clean the tone up some.

Hey, I think my problem is similar. The bleed through stopped happening when I turned the reverb off on the dirty channel. The more I turned it up, the louder the bleed got.

How did you remedy your problem?

 

[dead-pan]

Trying every 12ax7 I could find in the reverb driver, I think it was v5...you can find out for sure jn the manual on mesa's site.

 

[mooncobra]

I had a early tremoverb, I think a 94? it was orange leather and it sounded great. it was a 2 x 12 combo and I miss it. sold it to a friend for about 500 bucks in 98 or 99. he was hurting for an amp so I kicked him a deal. I miss it though.

 

[jimbanzini]

My 1994 has clean bleed through too if I don't have the right tube in the reverb driver.

A bit annoying, play with the amp all the way down and increase the reverb and the bleed through will get louder if the problem is the same as mine. With the volume turned up and the reverb down it is not really noticeable. Sometimes I like the effect it has as it can clean the tone up some.

Hey, I think my problem is similar. The bleed through stopped happening when I turned the reverb off on the dirty channel. The more I turned it up, the louder the bleed got.

How did you remedy your problem?

It's not a bleed, there is no dedicated clean channel on that amp. All 2 channel Rectos are really one channel amps that swap gain and tone controls for channel swtiching.

If you notice the problem only when you use reverb then you most likely have a problem with the LDR switching in the reverb section.

 

[dead-pan]

I have contacted Mesa support a few times and they suggested the tube swap. It does fix it with the right one.