Who are our resident Ampeg technical gurus? I'm having an issue with a newly-acquired SVP-CL and the user manual doesn't offer much help.
Thanks!
Riis
Thanks!
Riis
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Official Ampeg Club!: Part II
- Thread starter Kelly Lee
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....and its such a nice preamp! Its racked but not yet 100% so I guess she'll have to sit out Sat's gig. That's a crime!
Riis
Well, I've sent out a handful of PM's and a couple of e-mails....still waiting on responses. In the meantime, let me throw a description your way. I'm hoping somebody will chime in with "hey....that happened to mine and this how we fixed it" sort of deal.
I received my used but new-to-me SVP-CL Wed. evening via FedEx. I racked the unit and fiddled with it for an hour or so. Everything worked pefectly....gain, mute, bright switches, EQ, etc. I powered her up Thurs. evening and something strange occurred: the mute / peak LED remained lit and there was no sound / output whatsoever. For those not familar with the layout or function, the peak LED should only light when the mute switch is engaged or blink momentarily when the gain threshold has been crossed. There was no instrument connected and the mute switch was in the "out" position so I'm kinda perplexed.
If you can provide any guidance, please do so!
Edit / Follow-up: Okay, I think I'm on to something. Out of sheer desperation, I tapped gently on the preamp's chassis just below the mute / peak LED and *viola* the LED extinguished itself. The LED re-illuminated with a minute or so but, once again, a gentle tap set things right. Looks like I'm dealing with a compromised switch or a faulty solder joint, don't ya think?
Thanks
Riis
I received my used but new-to-me SVP-CL Wed. evening via FedEx. I racked the unit and fiddled with it for an hour or so. Everything worked pefectly....gain, mute, bright switches, EQ, etc. I powered her up Thurs. evening and something strange occurred: the mute / peak LED remained lit and there was no sound / output whatsoever. For those not familar with the layout or function, the peak LED should only light when the mute switch is engaged or blink momentarily when the gain threshold has been crossed. There was no instrument connected and the mute switch was in the "out" position so I'm kinda perplexed.
If you can provide any guidance, please do so!
Edit / Follow-up: Okay, I think I'm on to something. Out of sheer desperation, I tapped gently on the preamp's chassis just below the mute / peak LED and *viola* the LED extinguished itself. The LED re-illuminated with a minute or so but, once again, a gentle tap set things right. Looks like I'm dealing with a compromised switch or a faulty solder joint, don't ya think?
Thanks
Riis
I've had a similar problem before which I've only partly solved, I've not yet taken it to a tech.
The mute ended up perminantly stuck on after I used the wrong kind of pedal in the mute-switch hole.
Now, for some reason the only way I can use the front mute button is if I plug a shorted jack plug into the plug. It works fine but its a bit annoying.
Also, sorry if this has been asked before but does anyone know how easy it is to rewire the transformer from 110 to 230 V AC? I've heard its quite easy to do.
E
edit: SVP-CL
The mute ended up perminantly stuck on after I used the wrong kind of pedal in the mute-switch hole.
Now, for some reason the only way I can use the front mute button is if I plug a shorted jack plug into the plug. It works fine but its a bit annoying.
Also, sorry if this has been asked before but does anyone know how easy it is to rewire the transformer from 110 to 230 V AC? I've heard its quite easy to do.
E
edit: SVP-CL
Sounds like the switching jack for the footswitch lost its switching ability. Time for a new jack I suspect...
Tough break! Given the nature of the fault and cost / availability of qualified tech. service, you're almost better-off using the makeshift shorted plug. Which leads me to ask....
What kind of pedal did you use? I'm no elex. expert but if the SVP-CL is in mute mode when the jack is empty and active mode when the tip / ring are shorted, isn't there a simple on/off pedal which accomplishes the same thing when connected to a common instrument cable?
Riis
I can't remember what pedal I plugged in origionally that caused the fault, it was a couple of years ago. I think I plugged in one which was like a patch change up -> down one. I didn't think (in my infinate wisdom) that the mute->unmute switch pedal would actually care what was plugged into it. (Obviously the output of a power amp would not be so nice).
I can plug a simple pedal in that does the switching which works fine. Unfortunately as soon as I remove the pedal the mute then stays on unless I plug in the the makeshift jackplug thing. Thats what I've been doing, otherwise the thing works perfectly.
I don't often want to have an extra stompbox on the floor if I'm honest. Its more of a minor annoyance to me now. It does mean if my little plug was ever to fall out and roll away in transport I could end up red faced with an amp stuck on mute. :O
I can plug a simple pedal in that does the switching which works fine. Unfortunately as soon as I remove the pedal the mute then stays on unless I plug in the the makeshift jackplug thing. Thats what I've been doing, otherwise the thing works perfectly.
I don't often want to have an extra stompbox on the floor if I'm honest. Its more of a minor annoyance to me now. It does mean if my little plug was ever to fall out and roll away in transport I could end up red faced with an amp stuck on mute. :O
Hey, I know its bad form to cite your own posts but I'm a man on a mission!
Looks like I need to have the preamp addressed professionally. Hoping somebody can suggest an authorized Ampeg center capable of providing quality / competent repair services. I have a shop locally but I was less-than-overwhelmed with their general demeanor while discussing the problem.
As always, I appreciate any input. I don't mind shipping it as I'd really like to get this thing fixed right the first time!
Riis
Complete worst-case scenario - there's a guy here in town with a deserved rep for being an absolute wizard, but it means shipping literally cross-country...twice.
I'll have to weigh the risks, that's for sure. OTOH, I'd much rather be dealing with a guy who says "I've seen that before...sounds thermal...possibly a bad solder joint, etc" instead of just standing there with a vapid yet perplexed look.
PM me with the details if you don't mind, please. Look at the bright side: Loud is shipping these things from Viet Nam and most are making it intact.
Riis
Have an Ampeg SVT-48HE (4x8) and a SVT-15EN... And a Sound City 120L. Unfortunately I haven't had the money to buy me a SVT-CL or a used V4-BH yet. I hope I'm qualified for a number anyways?
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