svt-vr FAIL!

pachius · #1 07-21-2010, 01:30 PM

so last weekend was our bands first cd release. (myspace.com/tachdemusic)

we hit the stage and that`s when I noticed that I hadn't turn on the amp yet. I hit the power switch and left it on in standby for 3 minutes. when I decided to turn it on the little red light didn't turn green. no sound would come out of the speakers. I turned it off and connected the power cord to another outlet, turn it on standby for like 2 minutes and the same thing happened. for a moment I thought the place was really cold and the tubes were not warm enough to power on or something. we decided to cover the back of the amp with a rag we found and after 5 minutes it turned on.

so the show starts behind shedule and in the first 50 seconds of the first song it dies out again. then after 3 minutes she turned on again. the rest of the gig was just like that. the amp turns off and on inconsistently the rest of the show and I feel like an ass.

its pretty weak and unacceptable that such and expensive piece of gear failed in such a crucial moment.

any comments or speculations on what happened?

hasbeen · #2 07-21-2010, 01:37 PM

I understand your frustration but, this can and does happen with any brand of amp on occasion.

Question- when the amp was working, did the volume sound "normal"? How old is the amp? Have you tried the amp since then, at another venue/location?

punkrocko · #3 07-21-2010, 01:38 PM

I don't think it's a good idea to put a SVT in standby until after it's warmed up.

OneWayPunk · #4 07-21-2010, 01:38 PM

The SVT VR shuts off when the line voltage from the wall is low. I'm not sure exactly what voltage it considers low but I know it's not very forgiving. You can have this feature bypassed by any decent tech.

hasbeen · #5 07-21-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneWayPunk

The SVT VR shuts off when the line voltage from the wall is low. I'm not sure exactly what voltage it considers low but I know it's not very forgiving. You can have this feature bypassed by any decent tech.

that's why I was asking about trying it in a different venue above.

christw · #6 07-21-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkrocko

I don't think it's a good idea to put a SVT in standby until after it's warmed up.

The whole concept of leaving it in standby mode is to warm it up.

diechris · #7 07-21-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkrocko

I don't think it's a good idea to put a SVT in standby until after it's warmed up.

This is the first I've heard if that... What reasons are backing that statement?

Selta · #8 07-21-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkrocko

I don't think it's a good idea to put a SVT in standby until after it's warmed up.

hasbeen · #9 07-21-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diechris

This is the first I've heard if that... What reasons are backing that statement?

I think he just mis-typed......meant to say "take it out of standby..."

nysbob · #10 07-21-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkrocko

I don't think it's a good idea to put a SVT in standby until after it's warmed up.

Well, you think wrong.

I would be surprised if the OP's problem is not in fact due to the AC power. I believe there are mods that will bypass that whole business and make the amp more true to the original design....

JimmyM · #11 07-21-2010, 02:41 PM

yep, 112v is the cutoff voltage. but there is a relay that easily be bypassed so that never happens again:

http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/SVT-VR.html

pretty stupid of ampeg to let that one get out, but it's easily fixed and i believe their cs guy said it won't void the warranty if you do it. even if it does, just restore it and nobody will be the wiser

Nightlyraider · #12 07-21-2010, 02:48 PM

Where is it warm enough to play but cold enough to freeze the tubes?

pachius · #13 07-21-2010, 05:56 PM

thanks a lot for all the information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

Question- when the amp was working, did the volume sound "normal"? How old is the amp? Have you tried the amp since then, at another venue/location?

the volume sounded normal. I bought the amp like 6 moths ago from a guy who had it for over a year. I did try the amp and it worked perfectly but I haven't tried it in another venue.

Ive head from other people that the venue where I was playing that night has some electrical issues.

Thanks a lot for posting that info Jimmy. I`m going to look into that.

johnk_10 · #14 07-21-2010, 06:02 PM

as Jimmy stated, this SVT-VR problem has been solved quite a while ago. mine did it once, but after i bypassed the standby relay circuit, it has been perfect.

hasbeen · #15 07-21-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pachius

thanks a lot for all the information.

the volume sounded normal. I bought the amp like 6 moths ago from a guy who had it for over a year. I did try the amp and it worked perfectly but I haven't tried it in another venue.

Ive head from other people that the venue where I was playing that night has some electrical issues.

Thanks a lot for posting that info Jimmy. I`m going to look into that.

I'd try it at another location....I think it is a power supply issue.

Friendly tip- maybe change the title of the thread. From a manufacturer's perspective, I'm sensitive to a fellow company getting bad press if it isn't their issue.

hrgiger · #16 07-21-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hasbeen

I'd try it at another location....I think it is a power supply issue.

Friendly tip- maybe change the title of the thread. From a manufacturer's perspective, I'm sensitive to a fellow company getting bad press if it isn't their issue.

well sounds to me like it is their issue. I mean what gigging musician wouldn't be hesitant to purchase an expensive amp if he knew with full disclosure that good ole "110" volts wouldn't be enough to even use the amp? let alone that it might cut on and off during a crucial gig...

"Hey there's nothing wrong with the amp, did you ensure that your power plant is working up to capacity and that all of the line transformers are operating properly? That's where the problem is...not in the amp."

johnk_10 · #17 07-21-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrgiger

well sounds to me like it is their issue. I mean what gigging musician wouldn't be hesitant to purchase an expensive amp if he knew with full disclosure that good ole "110" volts wouldn't be enough to even use the amp? let alone that it might cut on and off during a crucial gig...

+1!

JimmyM · #18 07-21-2010, 11:08 PM

roger, i get what you're saying, but any amp should be able to keep working when power supplied isn't consistent. so in this case, as big an ampeg fan as i am, i would have to give it a "fail," too.

agreatheight · #19 07-21-2010, 11:25 PM

Sorry about the gig, busted amps are no fun. I agree about the power issue, get the fix done by a tech.

On the positive side, I dig the song on your myspace page - great dynamics, good stuff!

hasbeen · #20 07-22-2010, 04:16 AM

OK guys....fair enough, I'll bow out. I'm just coming from the standpoint that amp mfg's can't control power sources.