Mesa Tremoverb Clips

[FourT6and2]

I've have mine for about 20 years and no issues. I found online a few years back, where they gave the 'serial#-range" of the ones who might get lDR issues. If the s/n wasn't in that range, it wouldn't have any ldr problems. Luckily mine wasn't

What is that serial range?

 

[Techdeth]

Yeah the M6 sounded better to me too

I ran m8s through mine and it was was AIC Dirt tone all night . Regret selling

 

[FourT6and2]

I ran m8s through mine and it was was AIC Dirt tone all night . Regret selling

I wouldn't immediately think of AIC when talking about the Lundgren M series because it was designed for Frederick Thorendal. When I think of AIC, I think of chewy '90s rock, not stop-on-a-dime down-tuned Swedish metal. But I suppose it depends on a lot of other things in the signal chain.

 

[Techdeth]

I wouldn't immediately think of AIC when talking about the Lundgren M series because it was designed for Frederick Thorendal. When I think of AIC, I think of chewy '90s rock, not stop-on-a-dime down-tuned Swedish metal. But I suppose it depends on a lot of other things in the signal chain.

Well it can do it . It dependse on the amp . I use them for everthing about . They are just a cleaner tighter passive pick up is all . I can use them for stoner rick and get fat sludgy tones still with it . It can do meshugah tight but don’t have to . I find it very moldable

 

[ericb]

What is that serial range?

Well I just did a quick google search and this was the 1st and 2nd things that popped up:

Serial numbers indicate that your Trem-O-Verb is likely to have LDR (light-dependent resistor) issues, which are common on amps between serial numbers
R-04500 - R-06500 and around R-12000, causing channel switching problems. Common symptoms include a specific channel not working or intermittent issues. (That was AI)

and:

I do know for a fact that serial # 4,500 - 6,500 and models in the 120,000 range have LDR issues. I called MESA and they told me those are the ones with LDR issues.

They also said that nothing was changed soundwise over the TOV's run (1993 - 2002) and the only changes were power related (power cord, LDRs, etc). They also said everyone praising early ones is just internet BS. (This was from a guy on TGP)

 

[cardinal]

What is that serial range?

This was the TSB they issued. Doesn't say a serial number range

TECH BULLETIN: "Tremoverb" Update
*NOTE: This update does not apply to very early units
having a 120ohm, 10W sandblock resistor near pwr transformer.
The "Tremoverb" amplifier has two 47-ohm, 1/4-watt resistors
(one is located mext to the pair of relays and is connected
to LDR #3 - Location 26-E on diagram below. The other is
next to and connected to LDR #13 - location 14-B below).
Please replace both of these 47-ohm resistors with 220-ohm, 1/2 watt resistors.
Also, the 68-ohm resistor that is connected to LDR's 11 & 12
(location 14-C below) should be increased to 360-ohms.
Finally, please REPLACE LDR's #3 (type 5C4/2), #11 (5C9), #12 (5C9) and #13 (5C4).

*NOTE: LDR's manufactured by "VACTEC"
(has 3 lines of print on top) are more reliable
than LDR's made by "SILONIX" (has single 4-
digit number). If you encounter an amp having
several "SILONIX" LDR's, please call
Mesa/Boogie to arrange a factory repair

 

[ericb]

Well it can do it . It dependse on the amp . I use them for everthing about . They are just a cleaner tighter passive pick up is all . I can use them for stoner rick and get fat sludgy tones still with it . It can do meshugah tight but don’t have to . I find it very moldable

While not my amp I use the most at all, Tremoverbs are really versatile, mesh with pedals really well, and can be used for most styles of music. I have no doubt your pickups/style etc would sound like AIC thru them. . I saw Incubus in concert 2 years ago, AND 20 years prior to that, and MIke Einziger used Tremoverbs both times and always sounds amazing. Soundgarden used them when I saw them many years back as well. Anyway, it's a cool amp for sure, and a chameleon

 

[RedPlated]

Tremoverbs sound cool but they seem to have more issues than any other recto, at least in my experience.

The early Tverbs have this issue the most. I don’t know the date ranges.

Holy-diver’s Trem had bad LDR’s when I modded it. The replacement LDR’s can be inconsistent apparently and finding them isn’t always easy. I chose to covert his amp with modern Omron 12vdc relays. I needed two of them and an AC to 12vdc conversion unit to make it all work. But at least I knew it’d have reliable switching from now on. Of course, there’s about 30 more LDR’s in the amp but they were fine at that time.

The other issue with Trem-o-verbs is the damn signal bleed through. It’s terrible. With the master at zero, there’s still plenty of volume. It’s from the reverb/ trem circuit bleeding signal. I have been bypassing that circuit on the and it cleans up the bleed through significantly.

There’s a couple value differences in a Tverb over a standard Dual Rec if you look at a schematic. But nothing earth shattering. I attribute the difference in sound to the reverb/ tremolo circuit in the signal path. For me, nothing beats a good Rev G triple for cost and performance.

It’s funny cause a Rev F is like 98% the same as a G. Maybe 99%. I know some used different transformers, but man they’re close. I don’t care for any stock recto personally. I’m not a big boost pedal guy (probably my loss) so that doesn’t help.