Would you buy blown/needs work equipment for cheap? Peavey cab/Carvin head.

Diesel Kilgore · #1 11-05-2012, 01:48 PM

A friend of mine is trying to unload his blown head and funky cab for 90 bucks. The cab is a Peavey with 1 15 and the speaker is in good shape. But the amp inputs are crap. So it would need to be re-wired. This, to me, is probably the best part of the deal cause I could have it working in a couple hours.

The other part of the deal is a Carvin head that is toasty. Powers on but does nothing. I am sorry I dont have any model #s. It was rather a quick convo about it and I didnt get any more info. I could get it from him if I asked. I have seen and heard this setup when it was all working and it was a booming setup. I would like to have it if its all fixable.

Would the Peavey cab be worth it alone once fixed? Is the head something fixable on my own? Or should I do the deal for the cab and look elsewhere for an amp? I could probably get the cab cheaper if I only bought that. He's a good friend so he would deal. He just wants the stuff gone and I dont mind investing a little money to get things working. But im leary about the head. Dont want it if its gonna be a PITA. Thanks all.

lowfreq33 · #2 11-05-2012, 01:55 PM

The cab is probably worth it on it's own, if indeed the speaker is good. The head thrown in, you'll just have to take it to a tech and see. If it powers up that's a good sign. Could just need a new output jack.

jeff7bass · #3 11-05-2012, 01:56 PM

If you're a fixer-upper, then it might be worth it. Otherwise when I see the word "unload" it usually means CRAP!!

bolophonic · #4 11-05-2012, 01:57 PM

No, and I have found that it is next to impossible to even give away broken gear these days.

Diesel Kilgore · #5 11-05-2012, 02:02 PM

The speaker on the cab works. The amp input jacks need to be shimmy and shammed when inserting the cable to find a 'sweet spot'. Ive seen him do it before and it was a ghetto rig when the head worked.

I figure a re-wire and some new jacks would fix it right up.

BassmanPaul · #6 11-05-2012, 03:38 PM

If you feel that you have the skills required to repair this equipment then go for it. The OP is a little confusing.

The cabinet, the driver is working but the input jacks are faulty? That's a simple fix. At worst a pair of new jacks and the job's done.

The amp is a different matter. If it powers on then the power supply and output stage would be expected to be working. It could be a simple matter of dirty, corroded jacks. Even the effects loop jacks could be the problem. As do many others, Carvin use ribbon cables to connect between different boards within the amp. This amp could possibly be a victim of dirty corroded connectors at the ends of these cables.

Those are my thoughts but the final decision is whether you would risk wasting money if you are unable to make repairs.

will33 · #7 11-05-2012, 04:01 PM

The speaker jacks are easy, good fixerupper there.

The amp I'd try to spend a little time with before purchase. Try to find out if it's just cleaning and connection reseating that might do it. Or if not, use effects loop to see if you can get any signal either out of the pre section/DI or into the power section to try to isolate the problem and at least get some idea of the damage.

Beware that some power transistors may be obsolete and unavailable should you need them.

Constantly blowing fuses is one sign of a cooked transformer or power transistors in SS amps although there aren't many hard and fast rules to point you toward problems without the aid of a real tech.

At a bare minimum, make sure you can get schematics for the amp.

Some carvins are known for the ribbon cables inside coming loose. Easy fix there, but you don't know if that's the problem.

I'm basically saying I take shots at broken gear, but couldn't really in good conscience tell somebody else to take a shot at it.

Unless it's a simple known problem, or an old tube amp, broken SS amps should cost either nothing or very close to nothing.......no more than a case of beer.

Diesel Kilgore · #8 11-05-2012, 07:02 PM

The only problem with the cab are the inpout jacks. Something I can handle myself no doubt. The amp I dont know. But I found out what im looking at maybe you guys can tell me if its worth it.

Cab: Peavey 115 BX BW

Amp: Carvin R1000

Andyman001 · #9 11-05-2012, 07:16 PM

From some quick web searching, I would pick it up, but that is me

Worldeeeter · #10 11-05-2012, 07:24 PM

Nope!

Diesel Kilgore · #11 11-06-2012, 01:45 PM

Im gonna go for it. But not for 90. If he will take 75 or less for both then yeah. If the head fails to be fixed I have 75 dollars in a cab that was cheaper then my 30w combo.

BassmanPaul · #12 11-06-2012, 02:18 PM

The schematic you need can be downloaded from the Carvin web site. Click on Service and then on Schematics.

will33 · #13 11-06-2012, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Kilgore

Im gonna go for it. But not for 90. If he will take 75 or less for both then yeah. If the head fails to be fixed I have 75 dollars in a cab that was cheaper then my 30w combo.

Good move.

Saving a few bucks is cool, but if it came down to it, $90 isn't bad at all knowing I could at a minimum get a good working 115 cab out of the deal. Verify the driver itself is in fact good. (push cone, check seams/tears, and battery test).

There is a chance the shoddy jacks could've presented a short to the amp.....possibly. Something to consider.

Diesel Kilgore · #14 11-06-2012, 06:45 PM

Thanks guys. I knew the issues with the cab first. So I knew it would be the reason to go for it. I will dig into the amp and see if its something simple like the ribbon connections or a jack/wiring problem. If its none of that I may take it to a tech and get a quote. What is a reasonable price to fix the head and still keep it within its current value?

Floyd Eye · #15 11-06-2012, 06:57 PM

I have an RL1000. Most common problem with these is ribbon cables as Paul said.

B-string · #16 11-06-2012, 07:40 PM

I would pick it up, but I am a semi-retired Tech. And just a touch on the crazy side

Diesel Kilgore · #17 11-06-2012, 07:57 PM

So a little more about these Carvin ribbon cables...does it most frequently cause the problem of what im talking about? Powering on but no sound/amplifying? Im kinda wondering if im in for a steal over a deal.

B-string · #18 11-06-2012, 08:03 PM

Sure does, the signal from the preamp can't make it through the corrosion (fretting) to the power amp. It is a real possibility, or could be something else.

Steveaux · #19 11-06-2012, 08:05 PM

Diesel Kilgore · #20 11-06-2012, 08:10 PM

Ok. I dont mind taking a look and checking and if cheap enough for a tech fix to be below the price of a similar amp im all for that Carvin. Trying to work a deal for 60.