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Crate BX-160 fuse?

GWGuitar

GWGuitar

Jul 25, 2021
412
764
Oklahoma
www.gregorydwest.com
#1
I have a Crate. BX-160 amp that I love. It is starting to have a problem where it starts to fritz out intermittently. It’ll start to lose volume and die out. If I turn it off and back on again, it will do fine for a while and then die out again. I had a solid state guitar amp that did this once and fixing it involved replacing a fuse. It had a little cap on the back to access it to replace it easily. I don’t see one on the Crate. I’m not adept at electronics so I haven’t opened it up. Does anyone know if there’s a fuse inside that can be replaced? I hate to take it to a repairman because it might cost more to fix than the amp is worth. I love the sound though. With a P-bass, it nails that “Gentle Giant” sound. I don’t want to lose it. It it hopeless or should I start shopping?
 
#2
Before opening the amp, I would consider trying a different (i.e. "known good") instrument cable. Have you plugged you bass into another amp to verify that the problem is in fact the amp? Are the cable jacks and potentiometers clean and noise-free? Wiggle things. Tap on things. Try to figure out how you can consistently reproduce the problem before trying to fix it.
 
#3
Discount Bassy said:
Before opening the amp, I would consider trying a different (i.e. "known good") instrument cable. Have you plugged you bass into another amp to verify that the problem is in fact the amp? Are the cable jacks and potentiometers clean and noise-free? Wiggle things. Tap on things. Try to figure out how you can consistently reproduce the problem before trying to fix it.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Those were the first things I checked. I bypassed my effects rack and went straight in with different cables and different basses. The pots crackle a little because its old, but they’re stable.
 
#4
I’d say it’s extremely rare for a fuse to cause such an issue. Fuses are protection devices used to limit the scope of damage when there is an electrical fault.
I think it’s time for a tech to check it out, or get a new amp if repair is too costly.
 
#5
abarson said:
I’d say it’s extremely rare for a fuse to cause such an issue. Fuses are protection devices used to limit the scope of damage when there is an electrical fault.
I think it’s time for a tech to check it out, or get a new amp if repair is too costly.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I've seen fuses fail (inoperative, not blown) due to corrosion at the contact points. A blown fuse would be an indicator of another problem and at this point, we can almost conclude the fuse is intact because that amp functions marginally as opposed to not at all. I have little knowledge of the internal workings of such things, but have been able to pick out faults visually upon inspection and replaced components. A powered down peek around will likely not hurt anything, but if you plan on going deeper, I'd consult with a specialist.
 
#7
Follow-up: I took the amp to a shop called Protronics in Oklahoma City. The guy there fixed it for $90. He had to re-solder some connections to the main PCB board. He also cleaned the pots and EQ. Glad it was a cheap repair. I love this amp because it gets that sound I love. Maybe it’ll last a few years longer now. Now I just have to recover from the “hernia” from having to carry the thing out to the car and back!
 
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