Ampeg SVT-VR chanal two problem

swampblack · #1 03-28-2010, 08:23 AM

Hi folks, i have a problem with my Ampeg SVT-VR (2009 designed in California, assembled in Vietnam. S / N EFXUT00035). Channel two has a terrible noise, especially at high frequencies and increases to go up the volume and / or go up the treble knob. If you connect in bridging channel 2 & 1, noise also affects the channel one with identical behavior.

I have uploaded a video to YouTube in which you can see what I'm talking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V9ENvC-6R4

I would appreciate any help. Thanks.

waleross · #2 03-28-2010, 09:01 AM

I have the same Ampeg VR amp and have experienced so much fan noise when I turn it on that it is in my closet with the door closed and the cords running from there. Mine is connected to (1) 410HLF cab. The fan noise and channel two noise is there. I have purchased the SvT CL(quiet amp in all aspects) due to the fact that this amp(the VR) is not going to be used right now. Channel two is much dirtier sounding than channel 1, maybe this is by design, I don’t know ….In anycase my problem is with the loud fan , I love the overall sound of the VR but the fan noise is a turn-off. Reviews on Harmony Central stated that in order to record the VR you had to move it out of the studio, so I knew the fan was a screamer, still the sound is worth the hassle. The CL was cheaper than the VR and maybe doesn’t sound like the vR but the overall quietness and fan design is better. Still, I am keeping the VR. I will explore the problems you have so well displayed in your YOUTube Video and get back to you with another post later in the day…………………………

derridiandrift · #3 03-28-2010, 09:22 AM

I had a VR for a weekend. I returned it for a refund. I chuckled (with you, not at you) when I watched your video. That fan noise brought back memories.

I can only help you narrow down the issue. I suggest that you return it to the place of purchase, given the fact that it's still under warranty. If, for some reason, you don't have warranty coverage, I suggest that you swap out the preamp tubes one at a time to see if that helps. I think your problem is in channel 2. The preamp tubes are behind the knobs. DONT OPEN THE BACK OF THE AMP! There are lethal voltages in there. Undo the four screws on the top/front of the box. The face-plate is attached to a chassis that can be described like a desk drawer. Slide that out and that there will be three 12AX7 tubes in there. Start with the one on the right. Swap it out and then fire the amp up again to see if it made a difference. If not, put the old tube back in and put the new one in the next socket.

I can't offer more help than that, but I'll share my story with you. My VR came from the store to my gig in the sealed box from Ampeg. We set it up in the backline and did the bias/balance adjustments per the manual. Right away I noticed the loud fan. After the show, when the venue was empty and I went back to the stage I noticed that the amp was noisy. When I got home I messed around with it for a few hours and decided that it was simply a quality control problem. I took the amp back. They sent it to a qualified repair place. It came back from the repair place quiet, but it had a new issue: it had very little dynamic range, such that it worked as long as you didn't lean into a note too hard, then it would go into full-on distortion like, like you'd stepped onto a fuzz pedal.

derridiandrift · #4 03-28-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waleross

I have purchased the SvT CL(quiet amp in all aspects) due to the fact that this amp(the VR) is not going to be used right now. Channel two is much dirtier sounding than channel 1, maybe this is by design, I don’t know ….In anycase my problem is with the loud fan , I love the overall sound of the VR but the fan noise is a turn-off.

+1 on the sound of the VR.

In terms of tone, when this amp is working properly, I find it to be the very best bass amplifier on the market. But I also feel very strongly that owners of this amp need to return them to LOUD if they develop problems. You're paying top dollar for the amp, and that price includes a warranty. If LOUD doesn't see amps coming back for repairs, they'll never know the extent of the problems.

I also own a CL. Great amp as well. Completely different from the VR or any vintage Ampeg, but a great amp nonetheless.

A couple of bands that hire me for local shows started to specifically request that I bring my SVT rig. I always felt that it was the best sounding gear I'd owned, but when non-bass players started to ask for it, I figured it was safe to unload everything else and forget about looking elsewhere.

My CL has been toured HEAVILY. I think it's about ten years old. It needed a bit of TLC recently, but now it's back to top form and sounding fantastic.

swampblack · #5 03-28-2010, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the quick responces, i'm going to get back the head if can't solve the problem. I take note of your comments and I continue having the eyes opened for the new entries.

waleross · #6 03-28-2010, 10:51 AM

You are correct the 2nd channel is wacked. Along with the loud fan, I'll call SamAsh tomorrow....Got it less than a month ago....Great posts from all......thanks again....and good luck ....

Tim1 · #7 03-28-2010, 12:30 PM

When I purchased my Vietnam VR a year ago I initially purchased a CL but returned it on the same day because of a fan noise issue. They sent a VR back which has been silent and run perfectly from day one, and to my ears is a marginally superior amp to the CL.It is entirely possible that a faulty fan batch may have been used in production. Certainly I would not think that putting in a quiet fan would be a big issue and it surprises me that Loud did not change the supplier for this item. I am also a little unsure of the reliability of the supplied tubes as I had to replace a preamp tube recently. Ampeg has a five year warranty in the USA so simply ship it back and you should be fine. My VR is the finest amp I have owned in 35 years of working, I would buy another in a blink.

swampblack · #8 03-28-2010, 08:21 PM

No problem mate. I've read from some expert in the SVT-VR here, in the forum. People like "Jonk_10" or "Rickett Customs" could have something to say about this. I hope they will see the post and it's possible they may help us.

Jerrold Tiers · #9 03-28-2010, 09:00 PM

When production moved offshore after the SLM years, a number of fans changed from quieter US ones and selected offshore types to generic "little zingers" made "elsewhere".

As for the channel noise issue... what you have is a warranty problem......... USE your warranty, and make it clear that as a working musician, you don't want to be waiting with no amp for very long......

JimmyM · #10 03-28-2010, 09:07 PM

ya, it's a warranty problem, but it also sounds like a bad preamp tube, which shouldn't be a big deal and could save you a lot of time if you fix it yourself. besides, those pre tubes in there could use changing anyway.

btw, imho the better way to go when jumping channels is to use a splitter, not physically jump channel 1 to 2.

Rickett Customs · #11 03-29-2010, 05:43 AM

Swampblack, Jerrold is the man.......I believe him to be the "one" in TB, to talk to about Ampeg...... JohnK would be another one, cause I'm not an amp tech.

MAMMOTHvolume · #12 03-29-2010, 05:53 AM

are the preamp valves shielded? putting a shield over the first valve of the second channel should help reduce noise. Also your never going to hear that noise over your playing. The amps gonna be very loud at that point!

swampblack · #13 03-29-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ya, it's a warranty problem, but it also sounds like a bad preamp tube, which shouldn't be a big deal and could save you a lot of time if you fix it yourself. besides, those pre tubes in there could use changing anyway.

btw, imho the better way to go when jumping channels is to use a splitter, not physically jump channel 1 to 2.

I have change between channel one's and channel two's tubes and the problem persists. On the other hand i have used a "MORLEY A-B-Y" switcher and it's true, it help with the bridging issue but when i switch off channel two in the Morley, it leave the signal like a unplugged cable and it sound worse. Maybe with a better switcher...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickett Customs

Swampblack, Jerrold is the man.......I believe him to be the "one" in TB, to talk to about Ampeg...... JohnK would be another one, cause I'm not an amp tech.

Ok Thanks Rickett

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerrold Tiers

When production moved offshore after the SLM years, a number of fans changed from quieter US ones and selected offshore types to generic "little zingers" made "elsewhere".

As for the channel noise issue... what you have is a warranty problem......... USE your warranty, and make it clear that as a working musician, you don't want to be waiting with no amp for very long......

Ok, I have just to send de head to Germany where the technical support is in Europe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

are the preamp valves shielded? putting a shield over the first valve of the second channel should help reduce noise. Also your never going to hear that noise over your playing. The amps gonna be very loud at that point!

I don't know what you mean with shielded, how it's done? and yes, the noise is not very apracialbe while the band is playing, but our songs have quiet parts and then the noise appears.

waleross · #14 03-29-2010, 01:38 PM

Hello again this is my third post on this thread. I sent the Ampeg VR back and ordered a Heritage CL (backordered). I only had the VR for 25 days and that was all it took to sent it back. If I bought it used that would be one thing but I paid $2200 new for it and no way was I going to keep it. No problem with SamAsh. The lesson is why keep something you're not 100% satisified with? I want to thank this thread and the members that stirred me up to take the correct action......................

swampblack · #15 03-29-2010, 07:46 PM

I haven't tested a heritage (because it's imposible to see one here yet XD) but it looks like "pata negra" (top quality) as we say here in Spain. I wish you the best with it, tell us when you get.

derridiandrift · #16 03-29-2010, 08:03 PM

Waleross, if you haven't paid for the Heritage CL yet, or if you can hold off, you might want to consider buying a used CL that was made in the US. It will be cheaper by at least half than an new Heritage CL, and aside from the premium tubes, I'm not sure how different it will be from the old SLM era domestic manufactured units.

Rocky · #17 04-02-2010, 11:05 PM

Waleross,
Did they give you any indication how long it will take to get the Heritage? I am considering ordering one with an 810 cab for some summer festivals, and would like to know what the wait time is.

waleross · #18 04-03-2010, 12:21 AM

I'll let you know what the time of delivery for the Heritage Head is.........Great posts on this thread ...................thanks

JimmyM · #19 04-03-2010, 12:42 AM

i'm more interested in the cab than the head, but i am definitely interested. the timing for the heritage stuff makes me wonder if they're using the new eminence legend b810 speakers. i'd bet dollars to donuts that the reason they have a new svt speaker is because of the heritage line.

waleross · #20 04-07-2010, 07:03 PM

SamAsh Person said that the Heritage would be in stock in 3 weeks or by the end of April......