Free (broken) Amps

[6foot5]

Saw an ad while browsing my local classifieds for 3 free guitar amps with "minor electrical issues" ;-] Anyways, since they were free and close to me I figured I couldn't lose and picked them up today and tested with my sister's guitar

I'm hoping they can be salvaged with relative ease and I can make some money to put toward a bass amp. I've uploaded videos to help illustrate their issues and if any of you could diagnose or tell me if they are a complete write off - not worth fixing - then I'll just toss them. Here's hoping for the best!

Vid 1 is amps 1 & 2. # 1 is a "Crate G10XL" & #2 a "Traynor Reverb Mate 40"

The Crate turns on, lights up, and amplifies the guitar but hisses and it also responds to volume being turned up and down as demonstrated. (The amplification of the guitar is minimal but I don't know if its the because its a small amp or a related issue)

The Traynor turns on, lights up and hums, doesn't recognize the guitar and doesn't respond to moving the volume knob.

Vid 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7pTHtmgVro

Vid 2 is a "Yorkville Stage 150G"

You can hear it turn on with a pop 50% of the time, the other 50, it is silent. If you listen closely the the video it only makes noise when I touch the metal where a knob is missing from it. (Grounding issue? I've no clue :P) Does not respond to guitar and turning of knobs, doesn't light up, completely silent while on.

Vid 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELM4DlhqzWE

Thanks in advance eh

[KramerBassFan]

Man, that model Crate amp is pretty much my favorite model fuzz pedal Ever.

Not lying...

[MIJ-VI]

Traynor TRM40 Reverb Mate Manual & Service Manual

[T-Bird]

Hi.

If someone donates something that's broken, the usual case is that a pro repair is not feasible. For an electronics enthusiast those amps can be "a nice workout", or a complete waste of time. 50/50 IME.

Unless You're familiar with safety requirements around mains voltage, I wouldn't recommend a DIY approach.

IME amps like that are easy enough to diagnose for repairability just with a multimeter, but if You want to actually repair them into reliable working condition, You'll need a bit more equipment and knowledge.

MIJ-VI Helped You with the service manual (schematics?) for the Traynor, the usual way when starting to diagnose an unfamiliar el. equipment. I suggest You do the same for the other two.

Regards
Sam

[WingKL]

The other thing you could do is to rip out the guts and build some simple single-ended tube amps using the donor chassis. This assumes you can build tube amps. Or you could give them to someone who actually can.

[gregoire1]

I know very little about electronics, but have had good success just openining it up and looking. If a circuit board is burned, I'd give up, but if everything looks good, try reseting all plugged in components, then reassemble and try it (it worked for my surround sound receiver). Input jacks get dirty and cause all kinds of problems (a one-sided open will hum like crazy).What have you got to loose? (as long as you unplug it first)

[Selta]

Originally Posted by gregoire1

What have you got to loose? (as long as you unplug it first)

Only your life if you don't know what you're doing - yes, even when unplugged.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by gregoire1

I know very little about electronics, but have had good success just openining it up and looking.

If You know what to look for, that's a solid approach, agreed.

Originally Posted by gregoire1

What have you got to loose? (as long as you unplug it first)

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Only your life if you don't know what you're doing - yes, even when unplugged.

^This.

Also, even a mild shock through Your nerves just in the right place, and You'll never play very well again.

Any el. appliance that may be left plugged in unattained is a fire hazard to a some degree. The ones with plenty of burning material like a cab even more so. Any DIY mistake that causes a fire is a costly one. IMHO anyway.

There's a good probability to electrify the chassis and to cause a shock to the user as well.


I'm not trying to discourage You from the DIY approach, hell no. I've been a die hard DIYer for over 30 years. To a point of illness, condition whatever one may want to call it. It's highly rewarding when successful, but quite annoying when something goes wrong and You are held responsible.

Regards
Sam