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Just got an Ampeg SVT CL for 350 bucks. It has a volume problem.

jetlaggemini

jetlaggemini

Jun 3, 2009
104
0
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Fender, GHS, Dunlop, DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan
#1
So basically this head is in great shape but whenever its plugged in and playing the sound goes from regular volume to low volume. Now that sounds like a power tube issue but the tubes were replaced very recently, so tells me my friend who sold it to me. I don't have a cab at home to try and check out the lights in the back but I will tomorrow. Could it be anything else? I was thinking a transformer issue but I don't see the symptoms for that.
 
#6
i can't remember if the cl has an effects loop or not, but if it does, try cleaning it with contact cleaner and a 1/4" plug in and out 7-8 times. sometimes they corrode and short themselves out.

i seriously doubt it's a major issue, but unless you're a tech, you're best off taking it to one. the money you spend on the tech will be offset by the money you could spend on it and not getting the problem fixed.
 
#7
JimmyM said:
i can't remember if the cl has an effects loop or not, but if it does, try cleaning it with contact cleaner and a 1/4" plug in and out 7-8 times. sometimes they corrode and short themselves out.
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They don't, but they have the pre-amp in/power-amp out. Could be an issue with one of those jacks, but it's more likely something else. Agreed with above, it's tech time. Still, $350 for the head, plus maybe another few hundred in repair fees, and you've got a great deal.
 
#10
I concur on this one guys.....
T-Bird hit it on the head. Unless you know exactly what you're doing with these amps, don't go poking around in there as there are potentially lethal voltages stored in the caps.
$300 for a CL is awesome. Another couple hundred bucks for a tech is worth it. Ambulance rides are way more expensive....

And yes.... let us know how you make out with this!!!
 
#11
ok so the main problem was just busted, old pre amp tubes and old driver tubes. also he lied about the power tubes. So basically I spent about 250 bucks and the amp works just fine. I'm pretty excited about it. with the spare money i saved that i had budgeted out for this i bought an Epiphone EA-260, which I've been stalking online for a while.
 
#17
JimmyM said:
svt's and tweed don't look too good together. go for chocolate thunder ;)
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Im going to keep my head in a huge road case behind our backline so our techs can get to it so im not worried about the colors matching haha. My friend's band has an endorsement with them and he's getting the white hot 4x12. im going to wait and see how that looks and sounds before getting anything
 
#18
Sartori said:
I actually don't think really anything looks good with tweed, but it's of course a matter of personal opinion.
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I've always found something very classy and vintage about tweed. Totally a matter of opinion though, but I've never seen a tweed 8x10 or 4x12 bass cab so i'm very excited about the idea.
 

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