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Ampeg SVT VR Hum problem

snaverb

snaverb

Feb 19, 2007
977
12
Atlanta, Ga
#1
I have an 07 Ampeg SVT VR, and it worked perfectly until about 5 days ago. As soon as i turn the amp on, I let the tubes warm up in standby for about a minute or two, and as soon as I switch the amp off standby, I get a pretty loud and annoying hum.

I also have a SVT CL, So I swapped the power tubes, then I swapped out each pre-amp tube, still hums the same.

Its not my bass, or my instrument cables, the hum happens when my bass isnt even plugged into the amp. Swapped my speakon speaker cable out, that didnt work.

Im not sure what else to try. I really hate to have to put it in the shop, anyone got any ideas, suggestions ? Maybe someone has had the same problem and can tell me whats causing the hum.

Thanks
 
#3
Might be a disconnected wire somewhere. But I think a trip to the shop is in order. Beats throwing money at it and not getting it fixed, plus you can die if you don't know what you're doing.
 
#5
Thanks everyone... I tried a different outlet, and messed with the polarity switch, still nothing but loud annoying hum. Im gonna look into the pre-amp stage for any loose wires, ect, if I cant find anything there, Im gonna have to take it to the shop, but I hate to part with it, I've only had it about 2 weeks, it was shipped from California to Atlanta, it arrived in perfect condition, props to UPS, but maybe something got jarred in shipping or something..... but then again, it has worked perfect up until a few days ago sigh
 
#6
Sorry to hear about the hum issue, great amp. You have pretty well checked the obvious, as advised. If I were you I would take it to a tech and have it all checked out while he is at it, since you appear to have purchased it second hand. However, I believe that there is a 5 year warranty over there so you might want to see if it is transferable. Also it has been stated on this forum that Ampeg is reinstating its service centres....
 
#8
try balancing the bias controls better to each other. They can still be in the green but alot of hum can be eliminated by adjusting them in relation to each other, try to keep them both in the green though. I have reduced alot of hum in my svt classic so it is dead silent by playing with them.
 
#14
solution could be here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434417

AND
on the Ampeg.com FAQS page: #17....
Q17) I did not receive a warranty card when I bought my amp. What do I do?
Not to worry! As of January 1, 1996 your sales receipt is your proof of warranty. The warranty is transferable by simply passing the original sales receipt or a copy to the next owner.

So it looks like they contradict themselves. I wonder which it is. The product tags that were attached to the head ALSO state it IS transferable.
 
#16
UPDATE:

I tried everything I knew, and ended up putting it into the shop. I dropped it off on Thursday. I didnt even bother with the transferable warranty. I took it to a place that I trust, and was referred to by SVT owners. I already miss the VR badly... even when it wasnt turned on, it just looked so awesome sitting there. Guess I'll be using my backup until I get it back.
 
#17
EBMM7181 said:
UPDATE:

I tried everything I knew, and ended up putting it into the shop. I dropped it off on Thursday. I didnt even bother with the transferable warranty. I took it to a place that I trust, and was referred to by SVT owners. I already miss the VR badly... even when it wasnt turned on, it just looked so awesome sitting there. Guess I'll be using my backup until I get it back.
Click to expand...

When you spoke to Ampeg, did they confirm that the warranty is transferrable?
 
#18
BluesyCat said:
When you spoke to Ampeg, did they confirm that the warranty is transferrable?
Click to expand...

I didnt mention it to them at all. They just gave me the info to the place they use in my area, and said if its a warranty issue, then to bring my receipt, and something else. But I had never heard of that place, I took it to a trusted and well known tube guy here in Atlanta who has fixed many SVTS - He actually had an early 70's SVT he was about to work on while I dropped my VR off, very cool
 
#20
EBMM7181 said:
I didnt mention it to them at all. They just gave me the info to the place they use in my area, and said if its a warranty issue, then to bring my receipt, and something else. But I had never heard of that place, I took it to a trusted and well known tube guy here in Atlanta who has fixed many SVTS - He actually had an early 70's SVT he was about to work on while I dropped my VR off, very cool
Click to expand...

Did your well-trusted tube guy figure out the hum in the VR?
 

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