American amp to Europe electric standards?

[edgaroviz]

Do you have to change any internal parts, or is a voltage converter is just as good?

[schecter5string]

my Hartke head comes with a European fuse assembly that needs to be swapped with the America one.

[4-string]

Depends on the amp. Some adjusts automatically (TC Electronic for example), some have an external voltage selector switch (Genz Benz), others have an internal jumper (at least some of the Markbass heads). And there are cases where you most likely will need a tech to do it.

[bmc]

Originally Posted by 4-string

Depends on the amp. Some adjusts automatically (TC Electronic for example), some have an external voltage selector switch (Genz Benz), others have an internal jumper (at least some of the Markbass heads). And there are cases where you most likely will need a tech to do it.

Well put.

The third route you can go is to buy a power transformer from a hardware store. They're heavy and a pain to carry, but they will convert from 110v to 210-230v.

It's encouraging to see more and more manufacturers making amps that can work with different voltages.

[bb5000]

If you choose not to use a step up/down transformer:

If the amp has a SPST Power switch you should change that to DPST, maybe not an issue with modern amps, but some US tube amp kits includes the "wrong" type of power switch that may leave the power transformer connected to the "hot" lead even when the Power Switch is OFF.
Also, mains fuse values are too high if you change from 115 to 230V and should generally be halved (for example from 4A to 2A).

[edgaroviz]

The amp in question is GK 700rb, and MB200.
Any idea what I'll have to do with these amps?

[will33]

Originally Posted by edgaroviz

The amp in question is GK 700rb, and MB200.
Any idea what I'll have to do with these amps?

I'd check with GK customer service on that one. The manuals all say they're setup for it but you might have to change an internal fuse or something.

[anotherlin]

Originally Posted by edgaroviz

The amp in question is GK 700rb, and MB200.
Any idea what I'll have to do with these amps?

On my RB700-II, there are markings on the PCB for 110v and 220v wirings. So it's probably possible to convert voltage. But you will have to remove the power amp/PSU PCB, unsolder and resolder the wires. This is no trivial operation for an end-user, but that's pretty easy for a qualified technician.

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by edgaroviz

Do you have to change any internal parts, or is a voltage converter is just as good?

Edgaroviz,
As mentioned above it's different with each different manufactures amp. Both my Walter Woods amps have a switch inside on of the cooling fins on the back of the amp. Flip the switch and you're good to go for most european voltages. The Eden WTX 550 automatically switches to match different voltages. An EA micro has internal jumpers that require a tech to go inside the amp and re configure, however EA showed Mike Arnopol how to do it himself.

Ric

[BassmanPaul]

Keep in mind that most stuff sold on the US market will only be covered under warranty in the US. By bypassing the GK distribution network in your country you are on your own if something goes wrong.