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AMPEG Support = HORRIBLE!

G

GraffixNyc

May 3, 2004
226
0
50
New York City
www.myspace.com
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses
#1
ok I just had to rant about this. I have a SVT pro3 head. I've had it for like 2 1/2 years. Ampeg has a 5 year warranty. I called them last summer about the fan in my head making a lot of noise but didn't effect the operation of the head at all. they told me to bring it in to an Auth. service center with the receipt and they will fix it free of charge. I got busy and just never got around to it. I mean it wasn't effecting the performance of the head at all. plus I figured I had a few more years since it's still under warranty. Last week I called the Service center they ampeg had told me when I had called the first time. He informed me that they no longer handled warranty repairs because ampeg has another company now dealing with their warranty service and I'd have to call ampeg directly. I called them and they confirmed that as of Nov of last year they started a new program and that the closest service center is in Boston. I'm in New York City.. So I either had the option of driving it to Boston or having to send the head ups which I'm not going to do. I think it will be cheaper just to have the fan replaced myself.. but I must say I'm VERY disappointed. How do you have service centers all over the country one day and then only have 10 that are authorized to do warranty repairs when they all use to be able to do warranty repairs? I just couldn't believe this.. I mean I would expect this kind of service from a smaller no frills company but never ampeg... :spit: :mad: :rollno: :scowl:
 
#2
GraffixNyc said:
How do you have service centers all over the country one day and then only have 10 that are authorized to do warranty repairs when they all use to be able to do warranty repairs?
Click to expand...
Once upon a time Ampeg was owned by SLM (St. Louis Music). That's prolly written on the back of your 3Pro. Then one day the owners decided to sell the company to LOUD Electronics. The new owners decided to change how the repairs are done. This is the short answer.
 
#4
All amps under warrantee can be sent in for a brand new one. I filled out the form on Ampeg's site and now I'm just waiting for the box to show up on my doorstep. They send you the new one first, then you send back the old one with pre-paid shipping.

...Sounds good to me.
 
#6
GraffixNyc said:
They aren't going to be american made anymore?
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Well that's the word. At least one newspaper article implied so, several word-of-mouth reports have been posted here, etc. I've read some corporate info. that suggests future Ampegs will be made via foreign contract manufacturing. China & Vietnam have been mentioned as countries of origin.

I actually have a contest going (right here on TB) to see who can be the first to post a picture of an SVT (any kind; see rules) made in China or Vietnam.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322494
 
#9
KeithBMI said:
All amps under warrantee can be sent in for a brand new one. I filled out the form on Ampeg's site and now I'm just waiting for the box to show up on my doorstep. They send you the new one first, then you send back the old one with pre-paid shipping.

...Sounds good to me.
Click to expand...

Yes I thought so too.. But I called them.. and guess what? They changed the policy!!! They are no longer sending replacement units. They told me what I have to do is fax in a copy of the sales recipt and then ship the unit to boston on my dime and they will fix it for free and send it back. I mentioned that you got a replacment that's when the guy told me "yeah we were doing that for a while but they changed it" I told him how disapointed I am because of this adn I would expect better from ampeg

I honestly think it will be cheaper for me to just have the fan replaced then to ship it back to them
 
#16
I can see SLM from my office window and in the last few years I have had them do work in my SVT II PRO - they did a fine job then and it has worked quite well since.

I don't know what's up at SLM these days, but it would be very disappointing to learn that they don't service Ampegs any more - very sad...
 
#18
I sent my SVP-CL in about two months ago for repair .

I filled out the form and recieved a phone call the next day from a loud rep. I could not get a replacement because the SVP-CL has been discontinued.

Ampeg ( LOUD ) paid the shipping to the repair center both ways .

I would give them a good phone # on the form so they can reach you , I may still have the name & phone # of the loud rep that called me and set my deal up . PM me and I will send it to you if I still have it.


It took a month to get it back.They said if they had to order parts from loud it could takes MONTHS as loud is slow.
 
#20
amistybleu said:
Chalk it up to being sold, no longer the same company, no longer AMERICAN made. I hope this doesn't affect quality but it probably will.
Click to expand...

I drive a '94 Toyota pickup. I can't think of a person that I know that has an older american car unless its a vintage muscle car. I agree that outsourcing is getting ridiculous, hell, my hometown is going down the drain because of it, but as far as electronics go, IMO Japan has it goin' on.
 

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