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No sound from my guitar amp

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Stilettoprefer, Apr 10, 2012.

  1. Apr 10, 2012 #1
    Stilettoprefer

    Stilettoprefer

    Nov 26, 2010
    Posted about this on a guitar forum, but it's a slow forum and I need to get some possible answers by tomorrow.

    The amp is a Fender pro 185, all stock.

    The amp powers up and the foot switch works as well as all of the lights. But no sound goes to the speakers. Not even the "pop" that tells you it's on.

    The amp is solid state and from the late '80's.

    Any ideas on what could be wrong and how to diagnose it? I can solder and follow schematics. And finding replacement parts shouldn't be hard, and i have access to a multimeter.

    I need a guitar amp, and the owner is willing to give it to me for $50. The speakers in it alone are worth more than that, so I probably wouldn't be losing anything on this.
     
  2. Apr 10, 2012 #2
    RadioactiveGuy4

    RadioactiveGuy4

    Feb 24, 2011
    New Orleans
    Hmmm if the amp has and efx loop I would use that to see if the problem is in the preamp or the out put of the amp to start.
     
  3. Apr 10, 2012 #3
    Stilettoprefer

    Stilettoprefer

    Nov 26, 2010
    No efx loop that I've found. I tried the amp without the reverb hooked up even (it's a spring reverb that is a separate unit), and still nothing.
     
  4. Apr 11, 2012 #4
    Primakurtz

    Primakurtz Registered Nihilist

    Nov 23, 2011
    Denver, Colorado
    Have you checked the speaker, and made sure that it is plugged into the chassis?
     
  5. Apr 11, 2012 #5
    billfitzmaurice

    billfitzmaurice Guest Commercial User

    Sep 15, 2004
    New Hampshire
    Owner, Bill Fitzmaurice Loudspeaker Design
    Not if they're blown. Walk away.
     
  6. Apr 11, 2012 #6
    Stilettoprefer

    Stilettoprefer

    Nov 26, 2010
    I know for a fact that they aren't blown. I was there when it quit working. The guitarist was playing at a low volume and it just stopped making sound.

    And I have checked the connections at the speakers. I'll check the ones at the actual head tomorrow when I can tear it apart a little bit
     
  7. Apr 11, 2012 #7
    nashvillebill

    nashvillebill

    Oct 13, 2002
    1700 miles west of Nashville TN
    Fender solid-state amps from the '80's don't go for much money around here even when they're working well...I'd say if it worked, it would likely fetch something in the $150 to $200 range depending on condition, and if it comes with the matching cover and assuming its the factory footswitch. Used '80's vintage Fender speakers aren't exactly collectible either.

    I consider myself moderately decent at amp repair; I'd pass on it at $50 myself (primarily because I have too many other projects and don't feel it's worth gambling $50). It could be a very simple fix or it could wind up taking too much time to mess with.