• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Dying/Dead Amp Help

About a year ago now I was shlappin' da' bass while using my Behringer Ultrabass BX4210A amp. I had the volume up to about half (usually only play it at a 1/4), so every slap and pop would make my limit light flash nice and bright. Then all of a sudden my amp went completely dead with a little crackle, static-ey noise. Turning it off then on didn't do anything so I figured I blew the fuse. Took a look at the fuse and it was fine, so I put it back in. The amp now turns on but the limit light is stuck light up and I get no output when I play. Now, if I turn the amp on and leave it for 30 mins and then try and play, usually it will work fine. Otherwise I just sit beside my amp while plucking away until it comes around and starts spewing out sound.

Any idea what's wrong with this thing? It's a really nice amp and I'd hate to lose it. Then again if it starts causing too much trouble I'll probably fix and get something else.

If you have no idea what could be wrong with the amp could you recommend a could one that I can pick up that works well for jams and concerts?

Thanks in advance :)
 
Many modern power amps have built-in protection circuits that will open up a relay to protect the speaker if it "thinks" that something is going wrong such as DC on the output terminal. It seems like there might be a component or loose connection that is affected by heat. Another possibility is that the protection circuit is intermittent and sounding a false alarm.

Unfortunately, to diagnose it more deeply than "something must be going wrong" requires a tech to actually go in there.
 
+1 to that ,Tech -Time might not be worth it. Chalk it up for experience. There are so many good rigs out there for under $500. I have big Ampeg and Fender stuff but Hartke seems to be at the entry level price point

Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Do your homework and shop around....Good luck :cool:
 
I'm definitely considering getting it fixed and and then selling it. But getting it fixed will take a few weeks and it gets used like every other day. I guess I'll look around, buy a new one, then get the old one fixed.

Thanks again for the advice guys.