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400+ crapped out at gig

F

Foxworthy925

Feb 24, 2007
851
2
Bay Area, CA
#1
:smug:LOL. My 400+ hasn't ever been the most reliable rig since I bought it used a few months ago from some random guy in my area. I really need to get a shock mount case, get the new (slightly used) tubes I got for it put in, and get the amp serviced/install an adjustable bias.

Well anyways, since our last gig two weeks ago, it's just been sitting in the trunk of my guitarist's mom's car. I grab it today for the gig I just got back from- no bueno. Set everything up, turn on, warm up- no sound. I turn up a good amount and can hear that it's playing at about 1/2000000000000 of the volume it should be, the tone is like I'm playing through crappy lap top speakers, and it's distorting like ****. Just as a test to see if I'm actually hearing anything, I turn up the input and master volume both to around 6-7.:atoz: Haha, bad move. As soon as I hit a note- BAM- a huge BRIGHT white flash comes from inside the amp, briefly illuminating everything behind. No sound at all at this point. Um, I definitely am going to get off my ass and find a good tech to service the amp, but what is everyone's hypothesis as to what ACTUALLY happened?
 
#4
just got back from a biker bar gig. Was not paying attention and I missed guitar stand, BAM! my 55-02D went face first to the concrete floor, tambien, no bueno,. I just picked it up and slid it into gigbag, didn't even want to look at it for any damage. Maybe lil elves will fix any scrapes or dings while I sleep, yeah right. Good luck to us both with our gear. I'll take a closer look in the morning too. Geez. :rollno:
 
#11
Jazzman said:
I am not at all suprised you had an issue after totting around in a trunk for two weeks straight. It must have seen some pretty extreme temperatures.
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The heat, even in a truck in a California June, is NOTHING compared to the normal operating temps of the amp. The malfunction may not even have anything to do with being in the car. If it does, the damage is most likely shock(vibration) related.
 
#13
Foxworthy925 said:
What caused the amp to breath fire, though? Did tube get a huge burst of current through it or something?
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That was an arc of some kind. Can't say of what until you see what was fried. In general, arcs usually mean very expensive repairs.

Edit: BTW, it was in the trunk of a mercedes hatchback, not a truck.
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"Truck" was a typo on my part. I meant "trunk."
 
#15
When my Marshalls or Hiwatts used to blow they would show on the back wall of the stage a huge electric light blue version of the screen that is across the back of those heads. It would eclipse the light show that was going. Everytime it was a blown fuse. I would start the night with a Kustom head on the bottom and the Hiwatt and Marshall stacked. As they blew we would reconnect the speaker wires and go until the next explosion. One or two songs. I'd finish with the toneless but reliable Kustom.:(
 
#17
that sucks bro. if you need a good tech i take my stuff to this place in oakland. lucky for you its an authorized mesa repair shop. hit him up. the place is called powerage and the number is 510-846-3113.

ps. your set was pretty good last night. cool tapping
 
#18
EviscerateNick said:
that sucks bro. if you need a good tech i take my stuff to this place in oakland. lucky for you its an authorized mesa repair shop. hit him up. the place is called powerage and the number is 510-846-3113.

ps. your set was pretty good last night. cool tapping
Click to expand...

Thanks man, I'll look into that place.

Thanks too about the set last night. I hella screwed up in a lot of places, but I appreciate the complement. Thanks man- can't wait to play a show with Eviscerated!:bassist:
 

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