3 week old Mesa Dual Rectifier crackling sound

[MrBails]

See video for the noise which started yesterday. When I pull the guitar cable out of the amp the noise gets quieter but does not disappear completely. The noise is audible in all 3 channels but gets louder in the distorted channels. In the video the volume is very low and the noise gets very loud as volume gets turned up. Any ideas?

https://youtu.be/4QtbLBUIT3c

[lowell]

First thing ...and its simple. Pull the preamp tube closest to the input jack. Then report back on the noise and whether or not the controls have any effect. Or if the noise goes away. If it goes away or is reduced try a new tube. Either way you've narrowed down the issue to that stage in the circuit.

[Tom Phillips]

My first thought, if your amp is only three weeks old, is to return it for warranty service.
It's best to put the responsibility on the manufacturer where it belongs and avoid doing something that will void the warranty.

[Jazz P Bass]

Plus, if the repair is made by an Authorized shop, chances are a form will be filled out citing the serial # & the issue.

If Mesa has any brains, this info can be used to resolve any current or future issues such as this one.

It may be caused by a fluke part failure, incorrect part, manufacturing snaffu or any number of things.

Then again, it may be a failing tube.

[Chuck H]

I agree that the warranty is the best avenue. Unless it's not available for some reason. Is it possible this is one of those cases where the owner was all hot for his new amp and immediately started plugging in a bunch of different V1 tubes to find the one that sounds best.?. NOS tubes even? If this is the case then try a known good tube first. If that doesn't work it's possible that a solder pad could have been compromised on that tube mounted socket.

[MrBails]

I agree that the warranty is the best avenue. Unless it's not available for some reason. Is it possible this is one of those cases where the owner was all hot for his new amp and immediately started plugging in a bunch of different V1 tubes to find the one that sounds best.?. NOS tubes even? If this is the case then try a known good tube first. If that doesn't work it's possible that a solder pad could have been compromised on that tube mounted socket.

I haven't touched any of the tubes. I'm new to tube amps so I wouldn't dare mess with any of that. I will take the advice and bring it back to the dealer. Hopefully they will stand behind the product.

Thanks everyone for the input. I will keep the thread updated with what I find out.

[MrBails]

Turns out the amp is completely fine. Took it to the dealer and it's quiet as a mouse. We determined there something going on with the power in the room I am playing the amp. When I connect the amp to another outlet in my house it's quiet and the noise it gone.

Any ideas how to clean up current that is coming out of a wall plug?

[Chuck H]

I wouldn't expect one noisy wall plug in the house. More likely there's something in the room, in the floor or wall of the room or just above the room that is emitting a large EMF. You could check this by running a long extension cord from the suspect socket to a known good room.

[Tom Phillips]

...You could check this by running a long extension cord from the suspect socket to a known good room.

Yep. You could move the amp around after it was connected to the long extension cord and use it as sniffer. Might be able to find the source of the noise that way.

[Chuck H]

The noise gets louder when the guitar is plugged in. That's EMF fo shizzle. Like Tom said. I suppose you could plug your guitar into the amp and use the guitar as a tracer also. Guitars weigh less than amps

[warpedmusician]

One thing: an outlet can be faulty and not affect the others upstream, but affect all others downstream. The receptacles are daisy chained for each breaker and are tied to the lighting as well. A tested can be bought from stores with a home improvement department to ensure the outlet is working correctly. Televisions, computers, lamps, and other devices upstream can affect the noise on the line. As a last effort, surge protectors with power conditioning are now being manufactured. You can even get a decent one at Walmart or Target in the Audio/Video Accessories area.