I think the topic being discussed is not about 'performance' but rather reliability. A head that has great performance but reliability problems is not a good thing. Seems like they now have this somewhat under control, since there aren't the massive failure posts of a while back. However, I do know that those who open up their current big tube amps and take a good look at component quality and construction are not particularly happy.
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Orange Terror Bass 500 Exploded!
- Thread starter AndrewHemans
- Start date
I think the topic being discussed is not about 'performance' but rather reliability. A head that has great performance but reliability problems is not a good thing. Seems like they now have this somewhat under control, since there aren't the massive failure posts of a while back. However, I do know that those who open up their current big tube amps and take a good look at component quality and construction are not particularly happy.
Eh..... Now Orange are cheapo creeps because someone on the internet speculated that they bought the cheapest capacitors possible?
I don't think so..............
Bad parts happen... all the units bought near the same time likely were made in the same batch with the same shipments of parts. If one of those part shipments is bad, then there you are.
On the other hand, if the units are made in china, as is likely, then the vendor may have "dealt them some dirt" here.
The wrapper on the failed part suggests it is a reasonable part..... appears to be rated for -40 to 105C, which is normally a better category of part, with better specs.
As for the size of the larger part relative to the outline.... It is common to make the layout take several different parts, so you are not at the mercy of one vendor for price or supply.*
I see that the larger part position has places to take the "snap-in" type capacitor which is a bit more rugged, it is held in by some "claw-like" terminals. You can see additional solder pads around the outside of the part. But there is no reason to believe the part is 'worse" because it is smaller in diameter.... it can be taller and still have the same "volume".
Plus, a taller thinner capacitor usually has BETTER ratings (especially "ripple current"), since it radiates heat better, and runs cooler.
Nope, all we KNOW right now is that there are parts failing in these amps, and it may be the same part in each case, due to some mess-up at the part vendor. It's wrong to dump on the manufacturer for that, unless they do nothing, or are notorious for many different problems.
Someone mentioned Panasonic capacitors being bad..... not my experience at all.... I have always had very good luck with them.
*I recall complaining about the high price of a part once, and having the vendor tell me that it was a single-source part from one company only, so with no competition, prices would always be higher. When I showed them the same part from a different vendor, the price "magically" dropped to half the old price....... funny how that works.....
I don't think so..............
Bad parts happen... all the units bought near the same time likely were made in the same batch with the same shipments of parts. If one of those part shipments is bad, then there you are.
On the other hand, if the units are made in china, as is likely, then the vendor may have "dealt them some dirt" here.
The wrapper on the failed part suggests it is a reasonable part..... appears to be rated for -40 to 105C, which is normally a better category of part, with better specs.
As for the size of the larger part relative to the outline.... It is common to make the layout take several different parts, so you are not at the mercy of one vendor for price or supply.*
I see that the larger part position has places to take the "snap-in" type capacitor which is a bit more rugged, it is held in by some "claw-like" terminals. You can see additional solder pads around the outside of the part. But there is no reason to believe the part is 'worse" because it is smaller in diameter.... it can be taller and still have the same "volume".
Plus, a taller thinner capacitor usually has BETTER ratings (especially "ripple current"), since it radiates heat better, and runs cooler.
Nope, all we KNOW right now is that there are parts failing in these amps, and it may be the same part in each case, due to some mess-up at the part vendor. It's wrong to dump on the manufacturer for that, unless they do nothing, or are notorious for many different problems.
Someone mentioned Panasonic capacitors being bad..... not my experience at all.... I have always had very good luck with them.
*I recall complaining about the high price of a part once, and having the vendor tell me that it was a single-source part from one company only, so with no competition, prices would always be higher. When I showed them the same part from a different vendor, the price "magically" dropped to half the old price....... funny how that works.....
Mr. Foxen
Commercial User
I think everyone that has spent time doing electrical work on amps knows this.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,060
- 38,448
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Orange was nothing but great from the minute I contacted them. The took the unit back no questions asked. Fixed it for free and paid shipping both ways. I couldn't ask for more. I love the sound of my Orange Terror Bass 500 and I hope it proves to be reliable. So far no problems since the repair. These units are not cheap regardless where they are made and I expect much from the brand.
I've got a couple years and several hundred gigs with mine and no problems. I'd give one more a try.
+100
I've had mine for just shy of 3 years, while it has never been my main rock gig head, it has none the less performed flawlessly for well over 200 Worship services.
Tried it last Friday night with my Faital equipped LDS dually - crushing. Last night used it again with a pair of Aggie GS 112's - happy days!
Could you guys that have had cap problems post serial numbers?
Perhaps these troubled amps are close in numbers supporting the theory of a bad batch of components.
Perhaps these troubled amps are close in numbers supporting the theory of a bad batch of components.
- May 9, 2008
- 4,081
- 1,236
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Springvale Studios
The global problem here is obvious, the capacitors should have been made out of cow juice but what you got was horse doo do.
There was a post on the Greenboy users and builders forum by a member there specifying months of manufacture, during which a lot of bad caps were installed.
He got the info from a dealer or company rep. Who knows.
I got a factory refurb off E-bay that blew a cap in a cloud of smoke the 1st time I turned it on. I was treated very well by customer service. I will try to look up the post over there. Not empirical evidence, but maybe some months of manufacture are higher risk.
He got the info from a dealer or company rep. Who knows.
I got a factory refurb off E-bay that blew a cap in a cloud of smoke the 1st time I turned it on. I was treated very well by customer service. I will try to look up the post over there. Not empirical evidence, but maybe some months of manufacture are higher risk.
Here is the post. anecdotal but possibly useful:
From what the tech told Me:
The amp I bought was made in April of 2011 (date code in serial#), and probably had been at the dealers place for since then.
At some point in the 2011 models, some off spec (bad)capacitors had made their way into manufacturing, and had caused quite a few issues with these amps.
From what the tech told Me:
The amp I bought was made in April of 2011 (date code in serial#), and probably had been at the dealers place for since then.
At some point in the 2011 models, some off spec (bad)capacitors had made their way into manufacturing, and had caused quite a few issues with these amps.
hey guys, thanks for all your input! I talked to the dealer and they're sending me a new one, let's hope 3rd times a charm
I would hope they spent some time testing and approving the replacement first this time...
I've had my TB500 for a few months. Lots of practices and a handful of shows. Plus, I got it used from GC. So I don't know how old or how much time it has on it before me. The only thing I've down is clean it up and switch out the chinese tubes for some JJs. I love it. However, two fails in a row would have had me running somewhere else.
I'm a member of the "17 months and pop goes the cappadonna" club. As of last Saturday. Have the replacement caps En Route. Will Call Orange tomorrow and see what they say, due to this thread. Here's mine (before I saw this...I searched for the values and everything too in an attempt to find a thread): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/amp-blew-capacitor-need-help-selecting-976153/
Here are my pics. I still have to get the serial/manu date. It looks almost exactly like the OP's photo.
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/bwolfenden/orangefail2.jpg
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/bwolfenden/OrangeFail.jpg
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/bwolfenden/orangefail2.jpg
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/bwolfenden/OrangeFail.jpg
When they repair you amp, let us know if the same caps and same values are in it? If so, these caps give cause for concern.
I'm repairing it on my own and switching both out. Called them yesterday and left a message, no call back yet. Its out of the 12 month warranty by 4 months, so I'm going to repair it now for $3 and an hour of time, and if it goes again I'll deal with O. Its due to the chinese caps (IMO), but at the same time $hit happens no matter who makes what. Have replacement panasonic ones in hand now, same rating but allow for 20% variance and are listed at 10,000 hours of life.
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