My Gallien Krueger 1001rb2 is dead

[Music_for_life]

I have a Gallien Krueger 1001rb2, I bought it 2 years ago from USA (It is 110 volts) . We are renting a rehearsal room where we rehearse with our own amps. The amp did not turn on and it had a bad smell.
I live in Argentina, here the electric current is 220 volts. I have a transformer to adapt the amp to 110 volts. There are chances other tried to use the amp and conected it directly to 220 volts.

So, I sent my amp to the official dealer of GK in Argentina. They repair GK amps every day and many for the same issue as mine.
They replaced the power supply and changed the fuses of the amp so it can work directly to 220 volts. They`ve said they could save all the amp instead the part of the tweeter.
Can this be possible?
They can ask for a spare part, but I will have to wait for 2 months and it costs 200 usd. Fortunately I don`t use the tweeter of the amp as I don`t have a GK cab.
Now I have to decide if I order the spare part of the tweeter. On friday I will have the amp, hopefully I will have the amp functioning as before. I never used the tweeter of the amp, I expect it will work as before, perhaps next year I will order the spare part.

If I have a Hartke xl cab without tweeter and the horn amp is damaged, this would not affect me. I am right??

How can I test if the amp is repaired well??? Could you tell some common flaws that can appear???If the knobs of the preamp work this mean is all ok??
The amp should have the same volume???

[anonymous02282011]

don't worry, you can probably get it fixed.

Next time don't let anyone else use it.

Don't plug it in again until you've taken it to be serviced.

[B-string]

Chances are good that it can be repaired. The painful part is the 1001RB II can be converted to 220volt operation with simple internal rewire and fuse replacement. You then would not have needed the external transformer.

[MIJ-VI]

Argentina

JAMESOUND S.A
TALCAHUANO 160
(1013) CAPITAL FEDERAL, BUENOS AIRES
TEL: (005411) 4372-1717
FAX: (005411) 5276-9851
ventas@jamesound.com.ar

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/dealers_int_arg.html

[Music_for_life]

Any?

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by Music_for_life

Any?

Perhaps someone at JAMESOUND S.A can recommend a good amp tech near where you live?

[jordy_on_bass]

Had this exact same problem with my 700RBII.

Open it up and find the glass fuse by the power supply input, take it out and check it. If the fuse has black residue, its blown and needs replacing. Chances are, thats all you will need to replace. Cost maybe a dollar or two.

Cheers,
Jordan

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by jordy_on_bass

Had this exact same problem with my 700RBII.

Open it up and find the glass fuse by the power supply input, take it out and check it. If the fuse has black residue, its blown and needs replacing. Chances are, thats all you will need to replace. Cost maybe a dollar or two.

Cheers,
Jordan

While hopefully this will prove to be the case, it would be prudent to examine the interior of the amp for any further sign of burnt components before powering it up again.

[jordy_on_bass]

MIJ-VI,

I dont think there would be any other problems with it, the fuse is located on the power supply circuit, therefore it blows before any other components would be effected. So at least take it out and have a look at it, wont hurt anything.

Plus, the GK is designed to not power up if there are any internal problems. So if the fuse isn't the problem and there is another internal problem, the amp simply wont power up.

cheers,
Jordan

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by jordy_on_bass

MIJ-VI,

I dont think there would be any other problems with it, the fuse is located on the power supply circuit, therefore it blows before any other components would be effected. So at least take it out and have a look at it, wont hurt anything.

Plus, the GK is designed to not power up if there are any internal problems. So if the fuse isn't the problem and there is another internal problem, the amp simply wont power up.

cheers,
Jordan

Is there an internal means of making that amp run on 220 volts?

[jordy_on_bass]

Unfortunately, no. You need to send it off to a GK certified technician in order for him to re-configure the power. I have the exact same situation with my GK700RBII, it is 110V and I use a transformer for it (Aussie power is 240V).

When I first got my GK, my mate plugged it directly into the wall not realising the issue of it being configured for american power. Apart from being pissed off that my mate was going to use it before I even got the chance, I asked another mate for advice on what may have happened and he said most likely the fuse. He was right, and it sounds like the same thing has happened with your GK i.e. somebody has plugged it directly into the wall and blown the fuse. Open it up, take out the glass fuse and have a look at it. If it is blackened, chances are thats what has blown and is producing the smell. An easy fix you can do yourself

cheers,
Jordan

[Music_for_life]

Originally Posted by jordy_on_bass

Unfortunately, no. You need to send it off to a GK certified technician in order for him to re-configure the power. I have the exact same situation with my GK700RBII, it is 110V and I use a transformer for it (Aussie power is 240V).

When I first got my GK, my mate plugged it directly into the wall not realising the issue of it being configured for american power. Apart from being pissed off that my mate was going to use it before I even got the chance, I asked another mate for advice on what may have happened and he said most likely the fuse. He was right, and it sounds like the same thing has happened with your GK i.e. somebody has plugged it directly into the wall and blown the fuse. Open it up, take out the glass fuse and have a look at it. If it is blackened, chances are thats what has blown and is producing the smell. An easy fix you can do yourself

cheers,
Jordan

In case that is the problem, when fixed the amp should sound perfect as before?

[jordy_on_bass]

music_for_life,

If whats happened with your amp is the same as what happened to mine (plugged directly into the wrong power by somebody who used it without knowin they needed the transformer), then yes it will work just as it did before. Just make sure that you take the fuse with you so the electrical store staff can get the right fuse for you. It has a number on one end of the fuse, so it might be an idea to write it down in case you lose the fuse.
For example, mine said T8A240V. Which basically means 'Timed blow 8 amp 240V'.

The fuses are located on the power supply so that any large surges in the electrical current wont damage the internal components, just fry the fuse. Like I said, take it out and have a look at it. If the glass has black residue on it, you need a new fuse. No need to take it to a technician who will charge you $50-$100 to change a $2 fuse. Easy job to do by yourself, doesnt take an electrician to do it.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Jordan

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by jordy_on_bass

MIJ-VI,

I dont think there would be any other problems with it, the fuse is located on the power supply circuit, therefore it blows before any other components would be effected. So at least take it out and have a look at it, wont hurt anything.

Plus, the GK is designed to not power up if there are any internal problems. So if the fuse isn't the problem and there is another internal problem, the amp simply wont power up.

cheers,
Jordan

Jordy while I love your optimism I think you forgot the burned smell. That indicates damaged components. A 120V amp with a slow blow fuse will dump double the normal voltages into the amp for the length of time it takes for something to fail enough to blow the fuse. Damage can occur in microseconds.

OP, as advised get the amp to a tech and see just what can be salvaged from this situation. Good luck.

Paul

[jordy_on_bass]

Paul,

If there are damaged components, it is my understanding that the GK wont power up properly, the light remains red and the horns stay muted until the problem is fixed. So, if there is internal damage, then it shouldnt work - right?

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by B-string

Chances are good that it can be repaired. The painful part is the 1001RB II can be converted to 220volt operation with simple internal rewire and fuse replacement. You then would not have needed the external transformer.

Yup - nearly anything can be tweaked to 220. Just gotta do it.

Take it to good shop and ask them to hook you up. And the repair might just be a fuse - you never know!

[B-string]

The 700RB II and the 1001RB II both have universal transformers and can be wired for 100V, 130V or 230V internally. The only part needed is a new fuse. The 700RB (mark I) and 1001RB (mark I) require a new power transformer.
Don't rely completely on the protect circuit if it was hooked up to the wrong mains. The protect circuit could have seen damage as well? You have to open the case to replace the fuse anyway, if nothing "looks" cooked, try a new fuse.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by jordy_on_bass

Paul,

If there are damaged components, it is my understanding that the GK wont power up properly, the light remains red and the horns stay muted until the problem is fixed. So, if there is internal damage, then it shouldnt work - right?

As B-String advised you cannot tell what damage has be caused until you look into it. You might have got lucky but that doesn't mean that others will. In all honesty I really hope you are right and the amp survived the abuse. If it did it's a testament to RAG's company.

Whatever, the OP must take the amp to a competent tech and get advice about what may or may not be wrong. If he just replaces the fuse and plugs it in, as you did, he could cause even more damage.

Paul

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

As B-String advised you cannot tell what damage has be caused until you look into it. You might have got lucky but that doesn't mean that others will. In all honesty I really hope you are right and the amp survived the abuse. If it did it's a testament to RAG's company.

Whatever, the OP must take the amp to a competent tech and get advice about what may or may not be wrong. If he just replaces the fuse and plugs it in, as you did, he could cause even more damage.

Paul

+1.
IME, a blown fuse rarely gives off much of a burnt smell if any. the fuse is encapulated in glass and when the element burns, it's still in its glass envelope, and it's such a tiny amount of metal that burns when it blows all you sually hear is a small 'pop'. IMO, judging by his description of the symptoms, the OP's amp has more than a blown fuse to look into.

[MIJ-VI]

Hi Music_for_life.

Update?..