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Carvin b1500 problem

R

rheelo

May 6, 2006
15
0
Barcelona
#1
My new amp doesn't run.

I connect everything, turn the head on and no 'power' led flashing, no fan spining and no sound or any noise... :crying: The head does the same as unplugged... nothing.:bawl:

I've changed the fuse but it seems to be another kind of problem.

I've e-mailed the store where I bought the amp looking for answers... I'm turning MAD!! :mad: I thought this evening I could blow up my studio... :bawl:
 
#3
Definitely call Carvin, they'll connect you to a real live technician who more than likely knows a great deal about the amp.

If I had to guess, since you're in spain you may have somehow recieved an amp configured for the wrong (American) voltage. But, that's just a guess.
 
#4
+1 to all that...


Aarix said:
Definitely call Carvin, they'll connect you to a real live technician who more than likely knows a great deal about the amp.

If I had to guess, since you're in spain you may have somehow recieved an amp configured for the wrong (American) voltage. But, that's just a guess.
Click to expand...
 
#6
Well... I think I've fixed the amp... :rolleyes:

The problem was a bad contact in a plug that goes to one board. There was missing welds! (sorry for mi english)

In the image we can see the plug that has 4 conectors... one behind the fuse. Only one of them (the one pointed by the arrow) was weld (welded :confused: ).

Well I just finished the job just now. The amp now lives! The fan is spining, and the led is lightning!! :hyper:

Sending the amp back to germany costs some euros, so I prefered trying to fix the amp by myself. It seemed an easy work. The people on the store said there was no problem with the warranty althought I fix something...


carvinb1500.gif
 
#10
Ampeg SVT said:
Hmm I dont know if I should get a Carvin now...
Click to expand...

Maybe a little bit of an overreaction, dontcha think? This is one problem amid a bunch of people who are absolutely delighted with their amps. Does that really mean you shouldn't buy one? Every maker has the occasional problem. That most certainly includes Ampeg BTW; I've had the dubious pleasure of having one blow up on me onstage, and so has my younger brother. Yet that, in itself, doesn't make Ampeg a bad brand overall, or not worth buying. You gotta look at the big picture--it's not whether there are any problems at all, it's how frequent and how likely they are. If you're looking for the amp maker that never has any problems, you'll be looking for a long time.
 
#11
I know the fact that every amp is going to havea problem, and yes I have experinced problems with my SWR overheating and cutting out. The fan doesnt work most of the time. I have tried many different brands. Ok I will admit I overreacted, but my reason was because I have read many reviews stating problems about Carvins, generally overheating and cutting out frequently. As well as burnouts. I dont see things like that often but I know it happens. Hell Ive even see a Ampeg SVT shutoff and never work again.
 
#12
Ampeg SVT said:
I know the fact that every amp is going to havea problem, and yes I have experinced problems with my SWR overheating and cutting out. The fan doesnt work most of the time. I have tried many different brands. Ok I will admit I overreacted, but my reason was because I have read many reviews stating problems about Carvins, generally overheating and cutting out frequently. As well as burnouts. I dont see things like that often but I know it happens. Hell Ive even see a Ampeg SVT shutoff and never work again.
Click to expand...

2 things

Every SVT (used minf you) that i've ever played in GC has died on me while PLAYING IN THE STORE! rediculous right? I almost bought a V4B until it crapped out in the damn store. anyway I don't want to turn this into some flame war - and it's most likely GC just having their heads up their A$$es (why would someone trade in an SVT right?) but this brings me to my second point

This thread should do exactly the opposite of deter people from the B1500
C'mon the guy was able to service the amp in his own house!!! talk about managability! and for a SS amp! the only other amp that I had all confidence ever being able to fix on my own was a thunderfunk because everything is cleanly and logically laid out - ALL of the parts can be had through mouser or some part wholesaler and the construction is very robust.

I seriously think (referencing SMASHes comparision to the 1500 and a traynor monoblock II) someone in Carvin R&D took notes on all the problems and created a BRICK on an amp - that any problem (aside from the tranny frying - which I'd be pretty scared if someone could manage to do that) can easily be fixed by logically following the signal chain and locating the defect.

:hyper: Another reason I'm very happy with mine. I can't wait to get the chance to take the thing on the road.
 
#13
Every SVT? Jeez and I thought it was just our guitar center...the amp is very well laid out. Even though I dont know much about the internals. My SWR compared to that is ridiculously messy. I think I could give it a shot but I really want a Mesa Big Block as I just tried one out. If it can be managed like that then I think I will just get one, ive spent a ridiculous amount of money getting my SWR repaired.
 
#14
Ampeg SVT said:
Ok I will admit I overreacted, but my reason was because I have read many reviews stating problems about Carvins, generally overheating and cutting out frequently. As well as burnouts.
Click to expand...

If you've seen those things (I have too), dollars to doughnuts it was mostly (if not entirely) concerning the RedLine amps, not the new B series. Am I wrong? Don't apply that to the B1500; it's a whole different kettle of fish, believe me. Not that the new amps are perfect--NOTHING is--but they're on another level from previous Carvin amps IMO and IME.
 
#16
The amp is fixed and sounds perfectly with my schroeder... I really love the amp and the way it sounds. For the price is awesome. It has a very warm sound, and the drive pot adds lovely harmonics to the bass sound...

At the moment I set the EQ FLAT and bypassing the preamp on my bass... and sounds great! I think I've never heard this round lows on my warwick before.

I think the sound is similar to ampeg SS heads but with much more warm tone.

In can't explain better with my poor english.


It fu**ing ROCKS!

:hyper:
 
#17
Jeff A said:
That makes sense, after all, no other brand has ever had an issue.

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Especially Ampegs;)

The B1500's don't overheat. Just ask SVTb15. He uses his alot at 2ohms in Texas heat.
The redlines are the ones that overheat.

Congratualtions on a successful repair.
 
#18
Blues Cat said:
Especially Ampegs;)

The B1500's don't overheat. Just ask SVTb15. He uses his alot at 2ohms in Texas heat.
The redlines are the ones that overheat.

Congratualtions on a successful repair.
Click to expand...
They do get hot. but they keep working.. just like the energizer bunny.. I needed an amp that could do 2 ohms...and used mine at a bunch of outdoor shows in Texas.. the air temp on one gig was 104 F... I think i lost about 5 pounds that day..
that b1500 was pulling in 104 F air to cool itself running two ohms pretty darn loud.. I was really impressed with that ... I would expect that from aguilar since they are $$$$ and expecte dto do that.... I really have found out that not only is Carvin dependable but it is Pro gear... and can pass my toture tests..on a daily basis.. LOL
 

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