Amp issues mid-gig. Random, or time to replace?

[DWBass]

Check the integrity of the power at the venue. Make sure it's maintaining 115v-120v. Check that the outlets are properly grounded. Also check the integrity of your speaker cable.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Beware that there are counterfeit ICEPower out there coming out of China. No ICEPower modules are manufactured there.

Yep. They're made in Indonesia. Beware of EBay less-than-reputable dealers.

 

[John K]

I have kept a spare since my SVT3 pro had similar issues, was under warranty and, of course, all tested ok. because I cant really trust it, I moved on from the 3 pro (still occasionally use it) to an Ashen Amps head, also keep an Aguilar AG 700 in my back pocket, LOL! now im super paranoid

 

[Gervais Cote]

I have kept a spare since my SVT3 pro had similar issues, was under warranty and, of course, all tested ok. because I cant really trust it, I moved on from the 3 pro (still occasionally use it) to an Ashen Amps head, also keep an Aguilar AG 700 in my back pocket, LOL! now im super paranoid

My backup head isn't the best sounding but rather the most reliable and "trustworthy" I could find, probably paranoid myself as well……………….

 

[John K]

I also keep a small Elf handy in case everything else goes down hahahha

 

[Cleezmo]

I did get a response from the customer service email today, basically saying to try to test it at higher volumes during home practice to see if it does it again, and get back to them. So, not super helpful. I played the amp for 20 minutes yesterday at home at a volume that was higher than my normal home practice, but lower than normal gig, and it had no issues. I even tried turning it off and back on several times, no problems.

But - I'm seriously considering just biting the bullet and buying a replacement and relegating this one to backup status.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I also keep a small Elf handy in case everything else goes down hahahha

Not a bad idea…………..

 

[agedhorse]

Yep. They're made in Indonesia. Beware of EBay less-than-reputable dealers.

Malaysia, Indonesia (very few) and Thailand.

For completeness, there were a few modules that started out being manufactured in China but due to the discovery of active counterfeiting (or selling out the back door of the factory) were pulled out of China and migrated to Malaysia. This was over 10 years ago.

 

[Pocket Dave]

I did get a response from the customer service email today, basically saying to try to test it at higher volumes during home practice to see if it does it again, and get back to them. So, not super helpful. I played the amp for 20 minutes yesterday at home at a volume that was higher than my normal home practice, but lower than normal gig, and it had no issues. I even tried turning it off and back on several times, no problems.

But - I'm seriously considering just biting the bullet and buying a replacement and relegating this one to backup status.

Since your current one's no longer covered by warranty, why even waste time with customer service over the phone on something that someone's going to need to get on their bench to diagnose? Why not just get it to a reputable tech for what's likely to be a lower-cost fix that should hold up fine as long as you don't let some other knucklehead unplug it from a bass without first muting?

Good idea to have a second head regardless if you can't go direct as a backup, IMO. Gigging, I always have a backup.

 

[tshapiro]

I did get a response from the customer service email today, basically saying to try to test it at higher volumes during home practice to see if it does it again, and get back to them. So, not super helpful. I played the amp for 20 minutes yesterday at home at a volume that was higher than my normal home practice, but lower than normal gig, and it had no issues. I even tried turning it off and back on several times, no problems.

But - I'm seriously considering just biting the bullet and buying a replacement and relegating this one to backup status.

Anytime I have gear that has intermittent issues, it will almost never have the issue at home… only at gigs

Personally, I'd buy a new one and have the current one checked out by a tech certified to work on your brand of amp. If I got a very clear diagnosis/fix, I would potentially trust the amp again, but, would likely only use the fixed amp as a backup or only use it at a dozen bar gigs before I trusted it for anything important.

 

[Racket Bracket]

Check the integrity of the power at the venue. Make sure it's maintaining 115v-120v. Check that the outlets are properly grounded. Also check the integrity of your speaker cable.

What do you think is a good, simple way to do this before a gig? I too have had intermittent problems with amps during gigs. One would go into protect mode after about an hour of play, another one just makes no sound in the cabs but the DI works. I go to test everything at home, every which way; and no problem at all . A receptacle tester with a digital display and a 3-prong plug should do the trick, right?

 

[agedhorse]

What do you think is a good, simple way to do this before a gig? I too have had intermittent problems with amps during gigs. One would go into protect mode after about an hour of play, another one just makes no sound in the cabs but the DI works. I go to test everything at home, every which way; and no problem at all . A receptacle tester with a digital display and a 3-prong plug should do the trick, right?

Maybe

 

[DWBass]

What do you think is a good, simple way to do this before a gig? I too have had intermittent problems with amps during gigs. One would go into protect mode after about an hour of play, another one just makes no sound in the cabs but the DI works. I go to test everything at home, every which way; and no problem at all . A receptacle tester with a digital display and a 3-prong plug should do the trick, right?

Yes. It'll let you know if the outlet is properly grounded. A multi-meter can let you know the voltage. Also, check the amount of items using that circuit. Overuse of a circuit can lower the constant voltage. Try finding an unused outlet. I always carry a long extension cord just in case. Hell, I've tapped into unused outlets in a different room/location away from the stage area. I did a gig in July and I plugged into an outlet in a boiler room 25ft. away from the stage because the stage outlet had a lot of noise.

 

[tubedude]

If the only time it occurred, after the unused spikes, was at the one gig, it's possible the power was dirty and took a spike. However, for all performances, a spare is ideal. The audience and your band mates rely on you.

 

[anderbass]

Warranty is 36 months, so I'm past that unfortunately.

The amp puts out 500W at 4ohms, I'm running it into a RevSound 2x12 4ohm cab rated at 600W. I've been using the same setup since last I got this cab last November and never had any issues until the last couple weeks. And it hasn't done any of these things at home practicing.

Edit, the amp is rated at 250W at 8ohms, 500W at 4ohms, and 700W at 2.67ohms. Gain is usually between noon and 2:00, Master is at maybe 10:00. So nowhere near maxed out.

Something easy you could try:
Is to use a DVM (digital volt/ohm meter) to preform a DC resistance measurement and confirm if your speaker cab hasn't accidentally been altered in some way to result in a 2-ohm (or possibly an even lower) ohm load. Especially if you bought the cab used, but the test would be worth a try even if you bought it brand new.

A 4-ohm cab will typically measure somewhere around the 3.2-ohm range during this test, but if your test readings are significantly lower, your cab might be the cause of your (minimum 2.67-ohm rated) amp to intermittently shut down.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Wondering if the wise minds of TB have any thoughts here. I have a Class D head I purchased new in 2021. I'll leave the brand out of this for now. The last few times I've used the amp at a gig, it has had two problems:

• At a jam session a few weeks ago, a player unplugged his bass without muting via the tuner pedal in line with the input. The clip light went solid red, the power light flashed, and all sound stopped. I had to turn the amp off, then back on, and it operated normally. This happened twice the same night (before I figured out that it was the same guy doing it and talked to him).
• At a gig this weekend, I turned off the amp after our first set. When I tried to turn it back on for the second set, it would not turn on. I know it had power because everything else connected to the power strip was on. After a few minutes of not-quite-panic, it did turn back on.
• Three songs into the second set, the clip light went solid red (but I had not changed anything in the signal chain – bass, pedals, gain, etc.), the power light started flashing, and all sound stopped. I turned the amp off, waited about 10 seconds, then turned it back on, and it operated normally the rest of the gig. I don't think it was overheating because it was an outdoor evening gig, and it was mid 60s out out.
• It was not maxed out in either case, gain was at 2:00 and Master was at about 9:00-10:00.

Note that nothing weird like this has happened when playing the amp at home either through the cab or via the headphone out. I have several gigs coming up later this month and next month, and right now I'm paranoid that this will keep happening. Any ideas? Or it is time to start shopping?

if it were mine and replacement would be say $800 or more, I'd spend the money on a bench charge for a diagnosis from a qualified technician. Unless the amp was manufactured by the Shiffty Sam Amp Co from Hooten Haller, the repair cost will be a good deal less that buying a new one.

If you proceed with the repair as opposed to buying a new amp there is no warranty, but a good tech having examined your amp should let you know if there something which may cause a further failure and offer to resolve it.

 

[agedhorse]

There should be a warranty on a repair if the shop is qualified and honorable.

 

[Cleezmo]

Thanks for all the replies on this thread. FTR, I've played the amp twice since the gig issues, once at home practice and once at band practice at near-gig volume (subbing with another band who's guitar rig is louder than my usual bandmate's!). No issues, so perhaps it was a power issue at the gig; if it does happen again I will likely take it to a shop.

BUT, since it's almost my birthday month and I've been wanting one for a long time, I have a new Mesa D-800+ on the way as an upgrade, arriving tomorrow. The amp from this thread will be retired to backup and jam session duty. I'll be sure and post a NAD once I've had time to acclimate!

 

[Gervais Cote]

Thanks for all the replies on this thread. FTR, I've played the amp twice since the gig issues, once at home practice and once at band practice at near-gig volume (subbing with another band who's guitar rig is louder than my usual bandmate's!). No issues, so perhaps it was a power issue at the gig; if it does happen again I will likely take it to a shop.

BUT, since it's almost my birthday month and I've been wanting one for a long time, I have a new Mesa D-800+ on the way as an upgrade, arriving tomorrow. The amp from this thread will be retired to backup and jam session duty. I'll be sure and post a NAD once I've had time to acclimate!

You won't regret ! Congrats.

 

[bherman]

Thanks for all the replies on this thread. FTR, I've played the amp twice since the gig issues, once at home practice and once at band practice at near-gig volume (subbing with another band who's guitar rig is louder than my usual bandmate's!). No issues, so perhaps it was a power issue at the gig; if it does happen again I will likely take it to a shop.

BUT, since it's almost my birthday month and I've been wanting one for a long time, I have a new Mesa D-800+ on the way as an upgrade, arriving tomorrow. The amp from this thread will be retired to backup and jam session duty. I'll be sure and post a NAD once I've had time to acclimate!

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