Ampeg svt-3 help

[Troxler3]

My ampeg svt-3 had an 8ohm cabinet and a 4ohm cabinet hooked to it and smoked. It still powers up but has little volume and a cellophane sound. Can anyone tell me what I burnt up? I opened it up but don't see anything obvious.

 

[JimmyM]

You probably burned up more than one thing in there. This is exactly why they all have that warning "4 ohm minimum load" on the back, BTW. They're not kidding. Good luck with it...I hope it doesn't cost you a lot, but you did serious damage to it so don't be surprised if it costs a lot to fix. Sorry.

 

[hodgy]

Sounds like some of the MOSFETS went bye-bye. Tech time.

 

[Bass_Pounder]

Ouch - hopefully not too much of an expensive lesson.

 

[Troxler3]

Yeah I was using a cabinet at a guitarists place and he swore it was 8ohms. Is it even worth fixing or should I just get another used one? I can get a used one for $500.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Take it to a tech, and see what it'll cost to fix. Also, pay attention to the load yopu put on it. Don't ever take a guitarists word.

 

[Jerrold Tiers]

Do you have an earlier one? Ones made after about 2003 or 2004 shouldn't do that, they should protect themselves. Earlier ones may not have matched mosfets and are less well protected as a result.

But, for every rule there is an exception............

 

[Troxler3]

Not sure how old it is? I bought it used and haven't ever checked to see when it was made.

 

[JimmyM]

www.unofficialampeg.com/dating.html

Any Ampeg stuff made at SLM is dateable with a serial number.

 

[Troxler3]

My serial# is EEZDT60033. I checked and it looks like it made in US and 2007 is year it was made. Does this sound right?

 

[will33]

Transistors themselves aren't an expensive item. The power ones for my 800rb are like $4-$5 each. But without at least a little electrical chops and a good schematic and some basic tools/meters, etc.........and some help from a very nice TB'er or 2, you need a tech. Still prolly worth fixing though. As long as the transformer didn't cook, you should be running again for under the 5 bills another one costs.

It'd actually be worth it to pay a good tech to fix yours, go through everything and have a good amp with a clean bill of health than to spend the same money on another used one of unknown history/unknown condition internally.

 

[JimmyM]

My serial# is EEZDT60033. I checked and it looks like it made in US and 2007 is year it was made. Does this sound right?

Yep. Surprised it's made in the US, though it's possible.

 

[Troxler3]

I took it to a tech today. Want to thank everyone for the help. It's awesome to have "friends" to lean on.