Ampeg Heritage 50th Anniversary SVT issue

[TechnoTurian]

Hi guys, I just got my new SVT in the mail and it has the same issue as the one in the latter half of this video.



It has a fairly loud constant buzz regardless of volume on the amp or if there is any input at all. The only way to stop it is by plugging my bass into the power amp in. I was curious if anyone here that owns this head has the same issue? Now I’m most likely going to be dealing with sending the amp back to zZounds for a replacement. It’s a damn shame too, it’s absolutely amazing otherwise.

 

[JimmyM]

Could very well be a bum preamp tube or a tube could have unseated itself a little in transit. Your power section is OK, though. Pull all the tubes and reseat them. Sometimes that works. If not, contact Ampeg CS and see what they think.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

@TechnoTurian, I will watch the thread for reasons of my own, thank you. Please let us know if the replacement serves you.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Start by patching a short instrument cable between pre out and power amp in.

It’s possible that it’s a preamp tube with an issue. Reseat the small tubes as Jimmy said. The preamp tubes are in the top chassis.

 

[TechnoTurian]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I have another question, should my amp head be making a pretty audible humming sound all the time? As soon as I turn the amp off standby the fan whirring kicks in and there is a separate sound to the right of the fan that is making a constant pretty audible hum. It actually got a lot quieter when I tilted the head forward as well. This is my first experience with an all tube amp so I was just wondering if I should be concerned. Thanks!

 

[TechnoTurian]

And here is a video I took that might help show what I’m talking about with the amp humming. I hear two separate noises, a fan whirring, and a somewhat high pitched constant hum.

https://youtube.com/shorts/HvS9126XhAc?feature=share

 

[beans-on-toast]

And here is a video I took that might help show what I’m talking about with the amp humming. I hear two separate noises, a fan whirring, and a somewhat high pitched constant hum.

https://youtube.com/shorts/HvS9126XhAc?feature=share

That isn’t normal sounding. It sounds like the fan or the grille that it’s mounted to might be loose. I’d send the video link to ampeg customer service and ask them for assistance.

 

[TechnoTurian]

Yeah I just went and put in a RMA request with zZounds for an exchange for another head. If this next one has the exact same issues I’ll then contact Ampeg directly. Not excited at the idea of sending it in for warranty work two days into owning it haha.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

I have one of these amps and have no Issues with it. It sounds like my 70 and 74 SVT

 

[oberkampf]

I finally got mine today, but I am wondering about the fan noise. While in a band context it surely is no problem, at home it sounds a bit like a jet plane. Is this normal or should I get it fixed?

 

[LP Freak]

I finally got mine today, but I am wondering about the fan noise. While in a band context it surely is no problem, at home it sounds a bit like a jet plane. Is this normal or should I get it fixed?

Definately seems a bit excessive

 

[oberkampf]

What does @JimmyM say?

 

[JimmyM]

I finally got mine today, but I am wondering about the fan noise. While in a band context it surely is no problem, at home it sounds a bit like a jet plane. Is this normal or should I get it fixed?

I've heard worse.

Some tube amps can operate without a fan, but a 300w tube amp needs a good fan to help keep the temp down inside. Is it possible to get a less noisy fan? Maybe. Don't know much about them. But like you said, it's never an issue on a gig and it's got to create some wind in there, so all of them will make some noise.

 

[TSuns]

Hi all, I just bought the Ampeg 50th Anniversary rig and new to the all tube bas rig. I have the same fan noise when powering on. Any updates from @oberkampf or @TechnoTurian on a resolution? I'm not.aure if this is to be expected or is it really an issue? Thanks in advance!

 

[oberkampf]

It's not an issue. The fan noise is too loud, when using the amp for bed room practice, but in actual band practice you don't hear it anymore, even if your volume is not turned past 12 'o'clock

 

[Mastermold]

It's not an issue. The fan noise is too loud, when using the amp for bed room practice, but in actual band practice you don't hear it anymore, even if your volume is not turned past 12 'o'clock

Not a problem for recording either.

 

[TSuns]

It's not an issue. The fan noise is too loud, when using the amp for bed room practice, but in actual band practice you don't hear it anymore, even if your volume is not turned past 12 'o'clock

It's not an issue. The fan noise is too loud, when using the amp for bed room practice, but in actual band practice you don't hear it anymore, even if your volume is not turned past 12 'o'clock

Thanks for the quick response! Glad to hear it's not an issue. Heading out on the road this Friday for a gig with my new gear! Loving the tones from this beast! Now fingers crossed the 810AV arrives before Friday!

 

[TSuns]

Not a problem for recording either.

Thanks for the info about recording! Great to know!

 

[JimmyM]

The fan has to reach a certain speed before it cools off enough in there. You might be able to reduce noise a tiny bit with a new fan, but really, it so doesn't matter.

 

[TSuns]

The fan has to reach a certain speed before it cools off enough in there. You might be able to reduce noise a tiny bit with a new fan, but really, it so doesn't matter.

Thanks for the reply @JimmyM Appreciate the input. Always dreamed of owning a SVT rig ever since picking up bass for the 1st time. This is definitely a "bucket list" rig and so glad I finally pulled the trigger!