Markbass 800 tube head blew

[VitalToner]

I own a LM tube 800 head. I purchased it new at L&M little over 3 months ago. Loved it, thought it was fantastic for what it offers and hadn't even taken it out for real gigs yet but have taken it out to a few jams a handful of times. Anyways, just the other day i was using it for maybe 20min, pulled the master volume knob out to mute the amp unplugged the patch cable from the amp to plug it into a tuner quickly to tune up (new strings) as soon i i was done with the tuner and about to plug back into the amp not even touching the amp yet the amp just shuts off.

It was weird, i never saw that yet from any amp (bass or guitar). There was no loud pop or static coming from the speakers at all, its like it just decided to turn into a paper weight, and then it never decided to turn back on.

unplugged it from the outlet, tried different outlets, tried other amps plugged into the same outlets(they worked fine), took it to L&M and the guy showed me that the fuse was blown. I ask what could have caused this to happen, of course everything by this point is speculation and he gives me a few examples but i said that i always look after anything i buy that is for my music, the original sticker didn't even have a scratch on it.

So my big question is basically, has anyone else out there had the same issue and if so is it worth me keepin this amp or should i look for something a little more reliable. I would hate to be stuck with unreliable gear at any jam or gig or whatever i am using it for, especially for the price of this (but i do like the amp alot)?

[lunarpollen]

It could very well be that the amp functioned as designed in such an instance and prevented damage from occurring... Maybe there was some kind of freak power surge? Maybe it was just a bad or wrong fuse? Who knows... I would just try a new fuse and see if the same thing happens. If so, then that should be a strong case for replacement under warrantee...

[rimtism123]

Same thing happened to me but I had the 300 watt Little Mark II MOSFET. I contacted LM and they said it shuts down as a safety mechanism for the amp. But they said if it persists then to take it back. Sadly I took it back. It was a nice sounding amp.

[jelpo]

I have been gigging my LMT800 averaging about 3 to 4 (4hour) shows a month for a year and a half. I also practice and rehearse with it. No problems with it. My understanding from reading posts here is that Markbass amps are very reliable.

[Thornton Davis]

Have you checked out a Genz-Benz Shuttle 9.0 yet?

TD

[VitalToner]

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

It could very well be that the amp functioned as designed in such an instance and prevented damage from occurring... Maybe there was some kind of freak power surge? Maybe it was just a bad or wrong fuse? Who knows... I would just try a new fuse and see if the same thing happens. If so, then that should be a strong case for replacement under warrantee...

I'm hoping that maybe it was just a freak power surge and that the fuse just happened to blow. I hoping because i have grown fond of this amps tone and power, i have a promethean head as well and so far no problems at all, lets hope. For those who have had good luck with there own, i hope it don't crap out on you like mine did. That never good, when your gettin creative with your music and stuff just starts to not work. Only this and a behringer v-amp i had have screwed up on me and a line 6 pod xt (here and there with loading up the sounds)

[VitalToner]

never checked out the Genz Benz stuff, not that i hate them but i am looking else where for tones. If this amp turns out to give me problems i'm probably gonna part with it. No sense stayin with something if it just don't work.