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Motorboating? Ampeg V4B

#21
skallywagz18 said:
I talked to the tech again and explained the problem, again. Dude is claiming that a complete electrolytic cap replacement will run me 600-700 bucks. I figured I'd have to put a few hundred into this (already put in $350) but with another 700 added on, plus what I actually paid for the amp, I might as well have bought a new SVT-VR. Oh well, I guess I'm ALL IN now.

Anyone know a good tech in the NYC area for these types of amps? someone mentioned a place in central jersey above, but would rather keep it local.

I wish I could do this myself.
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No Way! $250. should be tops.
 
#22
Your amp tech is a ripoff artist. Just to replace caps should be $250-300. If you go to that Central Jersey place, you will find that the proprietor actually helped invent the SVT. It would be a no-brainer to me to take it to him even if it took 2 or 3 hours to get there.
 
#23
johnk_10 said:
to make sure that the caps are drained, just leave both the power and standby switches on when you remove it from the the AC source. it will drain their voltage within 10 minutes thru the circuit.
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Now I've never actually tried this with an Ampeg, but this doesn't work on any other tube amp I'm aware of. You have to drain the caps manually. If you're the least bit unsure how to do it or how to check afterward that the caps are safe to work on, pay a tech. Screwing this up can literally kill you.

And it sounds like the OP's "tech" is a hack... anyone can replace tubes and spray deoxit in pots. Any tech worth his salt would have looked at a 35+ year old amp and recommended replacing the caps right out of the gate. I'd take the amp to Central Jersey Music Service- think of it as an investment. Done right, that amp will give you another 35 years of service.
 
#28
the going rate that most techs charge for a cap job in a V4 is around $300, and i think that even that is a bit too much since all of the parts cost a total of $111.00 retail.

on most fender amps and a V4 the caps do not hold their charge very long if you leave the power and the standy in the "on" or "operate" position when the AC is removed. to be absolutely safe, you can always discharge them afterwards by shorting them to the chassis with a long screwdriver or with a resistor to remove any residual charge (very slight).
 
#32
JimmyM said:
Your amp tech is a ripoff artist. Just to replace caps should be $250-300. If you go to that Central Jersey place, you will find that the proprietor actually helped invent the SVT. It would be a no-brainer to me to take it to him even if it took 2 or 3 hours to get there.
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The Central Jersey Music Service place seems to have a great rep. I'd much rather pay those guys 250-300 than have this pathetic "tech" in brooklyn look at it again and charge me double.

I'm hoping to make the trip to Edison, NJ ASAP.
 
#33
JimmyM said:
Though I totally believe what Johnk says, I still wouldn't take the chance. Short your caps out before messing with them.
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Shorting caps out is a good way to deform the plates and render the cap permanently useless.

Get a 10KΩ 10W resistor and add insulated leads to it with insulated croc clips on each end. Connect one end to the ground and the other end clip to each filter cap in turn starting at the main filter cap. Wait a couple of minutes on each cap. This WILL drain the caps safely and gently.

Paul
 
#35
Did someone say "Motorboat"?



vaughn.gif
 
#38
JimmyM said:
I was assuming the cap was bad and needed replacing, but I guess if it isn't, it would be after you deform the plates ;) Thanks for the advice, Paul.
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You're welcome Jimmy.

Remember though that this procedure should be performed EVERY time anyone cracks open a tube amp, working or not, and most certainly BEFORE someone tries to put a heavy tube amp chassis back into its case! It's so easy to forget and let your pinkies dip into the chassis as you try to get the thing back in! I remember one guy who was so surprised he stepped back and dropped the chassis on his foot! Busted up both pretty well!

Paul
 
#39
JimmyM said:
Your amp tech is a ripoff artist. Just to replace caps should be $250-300. If you go to that Central Jersey place, you will find that the proprietor actually helped invent the SVT. It would be a no-brainer to me to take it to him even if it took 2 or 3 hours to get there.
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You will be happy to know I dropped off my V4B with Dennis Kaeger at Central Jersey Music Service. I'd rather leave it to the pros. Should be ready in about a week.
 

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