Ok here I bow thy head in shame. The JP-2C is fine.

[maddnotez]

I’m starting to think something is wrong with the amp I got.

Sounds killer at 10:00 but when I turn to noon or more it goes to shit. Sounds like it’s seriously struggling to get the gains. I’ve tried every setting imaginable and I’m just not getting it.

Fired up the Uber for the first time since I got the Mesa and the difference is large, the Bogner is definitely louder but I do think it’s 120w but also has no issues getting high gain at loud volumes like the Mesa does.

So yeah, is this a common thing? Or is something possibly wrong with my amp? I did get it open box and have not replaced the power tubes. Pre amp tube swap did nothing for me.

I know these amps are apples to oranges but it just made me think that I should not be struggling at all to get a high gain tone at a loud volume with the Mesa.

 

[LP Freak]

Power tubes would be my first guess

 

[Metal1977]

The problem you describe is exactly what i get if i set the bias too hot on my recto (with bias mod). It's really warm and great at low to medium volume but if i push it too loud (with a band), the sound will compress to a point that it will fall apart and sound bad. I set the bias just a couple mA more than stock and it's perfect.

Now the JP2C is probably like recto's and have a fixed bias stock. I don't remember the Mesa color codes for power tubes, but if the amp and power tubes are fine, your best bet should be to choose some power tubes with less breakup. You will be able to push your amp louder before you get any power amp saturation. For Metal and Mesa amps, i think less breakup from the power section is the way to go!

 

[maddnotez]

Ok cool thanks dudes.

I’ll have to look into the bias and tubes for this amp a little more. Would hate to have to return, such killer sounds (at low volumes lol)

 

[Metal1977]

Check for a color code printed on the base of your power tubes. It will tell you if it's for early or late breakup. Do you know which color is your power tubes?

 

[maddnotez]

Check for a color code printed on the base of your power tubes. It will tell you if it's for early or late breakup. Do you know which color is your power tubes?

It says 10 AC BLU and they are STR 440.

I can’t find anything on their site saying what color does what. They almost imply there’s no difference at all and then there’s the arguments online

Another can of worms but from what little info I’ve found, I do believe there would be a difference when it comes to volume and breakup.

 

[Metal1977]

I found that:
RED
"Headroom" available: Very High
Clipping: Low

YELLOW
"Headroom" available: High
Clipping: Low

GREEN
"Headroom" available: Medium High
Clipping: Medium

GREY
"Headroom" available: Medium High
Clipping: Medium

BLUE
"Headroom" available: Medium Low
Clipping: Medium High

 

[Metal1977]

I think we found the problem here, you have the power tubes that is for early breakup (Blue). That's why the sound falls apart when you push your amp louder.

 

[maddnotez]

Well then. I’m hoping you are correct

Giving me hope again for this amp

Makes sense and seems accurate. I’ll take 4 reds Alex.

 

[Candiria]

Did you buy the amp new? If so you have a 6 month warranty on tubes so I would contact Mesa and see if you can get a new set.

 

[maddnotez]

Did you buy the amp new? If so you have a 6 month warranty on tubes so I would contact Mesa and see if you can get a new set.

Open box at Sweetwater for a fair discount. I can return no problem if needed but I’m gonna call Mesa Monday.

Hoping it’s the tube thing. I guess maybe it was returned for a reason but the rep didn’t confirm either way. I wasn’t led to believe it was purely just an open box vs a used amp but Idk. I haven’t ever had issues buying used either way.

 

[Metal1977]

I think you should ask them at the same time, what color they think would be best for you?

It's a trade-off, maybe (yellow or green) would be a good compromise and you could have a warmer sound than (red) at lower volume too.

 

[steve_k]

Been playing the JP for a while now. I find it is not an extremely loud amp. You can run the masters at 12:00 and stay in the room with it. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Run some Mesa Greens or Blues in it if you need a bit more headroom.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

A: Sounds like a bad preamp tube somewhere... check first.

B: It is not a super loud amp... my Uber Blue is louder... my Herbert and Wizard MTL are much louder.

 

[maddnotez]

Yeah, after the last two replies I’m thinking maybe I’m just a Mesa noob.

It’s not a Bogner I get it but everyone says the Mesa is a gain monster so idk.

I’ve already replaced all preamp tubes with no help.

So today I got to play with the full band, at my house. Much better than the last room I was in with no bassist.

I was heard at 11:00 this time but I still wanted more and tbh what’s gonna happen when I’m in the previous room again?

Anyway the amp sits in the mix with a bassist way better than just me alone. Maybe that’s by design idk.

I’m used to ultra brutal gain and maybe I was expecting something different here.


There is still the fact that when I turn loud the tone becomes less pleasant. Less gain, much thicker (in a bad way)

But this is with my 2x12 and everyone is saying it’s not a loud amp so I definitely need to get my 412 here.

I will say when I added the ISP Vector it was a huge improvement. Sounded good today TBH but I shouldn’t need a crutch and I feel I should be able to get the same type of tone at low and high volume.



Idk what to say lol. Maybe I’m just an idiot and don’t know what a pro/touring musicians (like JP) amp is supposed to be like. On the other hand 90% of people I’ve talked to that have this amp label
It as a “gain monster” and that I should have zero issues with getting the volume and gain I need.

 

[paulyc]

Petrucci himself always has a Tube Screamer on his board, and didn’t Hetfield use the tc booster with his IIC+ ? And the Aphex parametric EQ ?

 

[Candiria]

Do you change your settings when pushing the volume up or do you leave them the same, and can you post your settings?

 

[cecilbag]

Do you change your settings when pushing the volume up or do you leave them the same, and can you post your settings?

That’s what I was going to say. Show us your settings and maybe it’s how
You have it set.

 

[GJgo]

Jumping in to see your settings.

The amp has a great volume taper so it doesn't have to be loud, but it can be.

Mine had greens. I wouldn't go hotter than that.

What cab are you playing through?

 

[Racerxrated]

Yeah, after the last two replies I’m thinking maybe I’m just a Mesa noob.

It’s not a Bogner I get it but everyone says the Mesa is a gain monster so idk.

I’ve already replaced all preamp tubes with no help.

So today I got to play with the full band, at my house. Much better than the last room I was in with no bassist.

I was heard at 11:00 this time but I still wanted more and tbh what’s gonna happen when I’m in the previous room again?

Anyway the amp sits in the mix with a bassist way better than just me alone. Maybe that’s by design idk.

I’m used to ultra brutal gain and maybe I was expecting something different here.


There is still the fact that when I turn loud the tone becomes less pleasant. Less gain, much thicker (in a bad way)

But this is with my 2x12 and everyone is saying it’s not a loud amp so I definitely need to get my 412 here.

I will say when I added the ISP Vector it was a huge improvement. Sounded good today TBH but I shouldn’t need a crutch and I feel I should be able to get the same type of tone at low and high volume.



Idk what to say lol. Maybe I’m just an idiot and don’t know what a pro/touring musicians (like JP) amp is supposed to be like. On the other hand 90% of people I’ve talked to that have this amp label
It as a “gain monster” and that I should have zero issues with getting the volume and gain I need.

After reading this, I'm thinking there's something wrong with it. It should have plenty of gain and that shouldn't change with more volume. I'd just return it. There are plenty JPs in the GC used section, try another and see. Or send it to Mesa for a checkup? Still under warranty...