Clarus 1 Failure?

[jlilley]

After years of service, my trusty Clarus finally let me down on a gig. The amp (at least I assume it was the amp...I havn't been able to borrow a different head and cab to verify) started making a weird static click when I played low notes (especially open strings and first position). Anyone had a similar experience?
I just emailed Rick and I cleaned the inputs with contact cleaner, but it didn't help. Anyone have any ideas or should I take this as a sign to update my setup?
Thanks,
John

[brooklynbassguy]

I would get that back to Rick ASAP. Ocassionally the boards fry, and I believe they are only factory serviceable-at least Rick won't give me any spares...

[reedo35]

There have been a couple cases of the output transistors going bad on the Clarus, ( Mine included) I called Rick about it, mailed him the Amp, he replaced the transistors
( For Free! ) and it was like new again.Got it back in a couple days, BTW.

[seamonkey]

I would have to say, that if it's generally known the output devices fail from time to time, then the amp has a bad design.

Nothing to do with the sound, but I can't see any manufacturer not designing in safety into their amps to improve reliability.

[Joe Smithberger]

Most cases I have heard about were the series I. mail it to Rick and he'll fix it and get it back to you - probably no charge. Mine went as well, however it was operator error and he still fixed it no charge. AI is a good company to deal with.

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by Joe Smithberger

... it was operator error ..

Operator error?

[jlilley]

All of my previous experiences with AI have been great...but this time I'm still waiting for a responce to my email.
John

[Joe Smithberger]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Operator error?

My teenager hooked up the speaker output to my mixer. I was lucky they didn't both blow.

[Bob Gollihur]

Originally Posted by jlilley

All of my previous experiences with AI have been great...but this time I'm still waiting for a responce to my email.
John

They are really snowed under with the pent-up demand for combos as well as other issues, so I wouldn't expect email responses to be as quick as usual. It's a small company with a big product.

The "weird static click when I played low notes" almost sounds like symptoms of an overdrive situation, have you made changes to your rig setup that might overload the front end?

[jlilley]

I heard from Rick this morning and the amp is on the way to North Carolina for repair. Rick had me bypass the front end to varify that it was the power section.
Special thanks to TroyK for the loaner amp .

John