Ampeg SVT-CL *pop*, repair thoughts?

thudstaff23 · #1 06-24-2010, 10:09 AM

I'm taking an Ampeg SVT-CL in for a look today with a trusted Amp repair technician here in the area. I am confident they'll be able to diagnose and fix the problem, but I wanted to ask a couple questions first:

1) This amp is still under warranty. Will I break the warranty by taking care of this myself and not shipping it directly back to Ampeg? I have 3 gigs in the near future and have zero time for this amp to be out of service.

2) This one is to ask if anyone has experience what happened to this amp. I warmed up the amp for a good 45 minutes prior to firing up the main. The green light came on when I turned it on, but within seconds made a loud *POP* which was followed by the power light quickly flashing between green and red.

Does anyone have a clue what that might be? Thanks for listening to my problem.

bassplayer7770 · #2 06-24-2010, 10:21 AM

Probably a stupid question, but did you have it plugged into a cab?

johnk_10 · #3 06-24-2010, 10:21 AM

sounds like you had one or more output tube(s) go down to me. and replacing an output tube or two, and re biasing it, shouldn't void the warranty.

thudstaff23 · #4 06-24-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer7770

Probably a stupid question, but did you have it plugged into a cab?

It was plugged into its regular cab - an Ampeg 810, with its standard Speakon connection. No funny business in-between practices or anything like that.

thudstaff23 · #5 06-24-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

sounds like you had one or more output tube(s) go down to me. and replacing an output tube or two, and re biasing it, shouldn't void the warranty.

That's good news. I don't think that would be too expensive to fix either.

coreyfyfe · #6 06-24-2010, 10:31 AM

You don't have to ship back to ampeg, just find your local ampeg-certified repair tech. You're lucky, LOUD is based in/around Seattle so you should have plenty of techs around you.

If it was an audible pop, that would be a spark, no? Could be arcing in a tube, flash over of some component, maybe some other things. I'm not tech. Definitely can't nail it down. Best of luck.

**jmattbassplaya** · #7 06-24-2010, 10:32 AM

I`d still call to be sure.