Possible fault with Orange Bass Terror 500?

[mldavis]

Hi guys

Question regarding my Orange Bass Terror 500 which I've only had a couple of weeks.

I've noticed this evening that after turning the amp off, if I then switch it straight back on, to standby or 'on', it's sometimes taken up to a minute to start up again.

after leaving it ten minutes, I've switched it on and it's started straight up - is this normal?

Thanks

 

[BassmanPaul]

IIRC the terror has a tube. You have to wait until it heats up to operating temperature before it will pass a signal. This might be what you are experiencing.

 

[mldavis]

It's been working fine up until tonight, I switch it on stand by for about 30 seconds and the light and fans come on straight away.

Now, I turn it on and nothing happens for a couple of minute, if at all... Surely that's not right?

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

I don't mean to insinuate anything, but I don't know of a single electronic device that likes being powered down and then immediately turned back on.

 

[mldavis]

When I say straight back on, I left it more than enough time to power down, then switched it back on.

After doing a search on google, it seems this is a common fault, so I'm going to phone the shop I purchased it from first thing Monday morning to sort something out.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Keep us informed please. The more we catalogue the problems with our amplifiers the more we'll be able to help others.

Hope you get it sorted quickly.

 

[mldavis]

Will do.

Tried it again this morning and now it's coming on okay, but it's lost power?

After doing some further digging, it seems some of the early models had some faults, so I'm thinking even though this is brand new, maybe it's been sat in the shop a few years?

Anyway, I'll be phoning Dawsons first thing tomorrow morning and seeing what options I've got. I've lost faith in this amp now, so may well get something different.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

Orange does have a good warranty. I got mine serviced for free some 4 years out from buying it because of a fault in the manufacturing.
They might well handle yours in a similar manner.

 

[mldavis]

How have you found the amp then since having it? I've lost faith in it after reading some bad reviews on the net, but I suppose every amp will have a fault at some point...

Think I'll get the store to send a replacement out and hope for the best.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I'll be phoning Dawsons

Ahh! There's a name from my past. Used to frequent the store in Runcorn in my wayward youth.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

I LOVE my Orange, and yhe fact that they did the fix under warranty (i'm the second owner. Shhh... Don't tell)

 

[mldavis]

The amp was collected and Dawsons have said they will get a replacement out to me by the end of the week.

Hopefully the replacement is sound!

 

[mldavis]

My new replacement BT has been dispatched so will have the new one tomorrow.

In case it was anything which I did to cause it to stop working last time (I believe this wasn't the case however), can somebody tell me what the correct was is to turn these on/off etc..

It only has two pre-amp valves, and I was putting the amp on standby for 30-60 seconds before turning it 'on' - is this enough time for the valves to warm up? I've read somewhere that it should be 3 or 4 minutes for full valve amps, but not sure if it's the same with a hybrid amp?

Also, when switching it off, is it okay to switch it straight off or should I put it on stand by first?

I'm need to valve/hybrid amps to apologies for the newbie questions!

Thanks

 

[BassmanPaul]

With valves only in the pre-amp, it really doesn't make much difference how you turn the thing on. The amp will simply not amplify until the valves are hot enough to pass a signal. The time span you mentioned should be more that enough for them to start working.

Edit: Switch the amp off anyway you feel like.

 

[Weberman]

Orange recommends waiting two minutes before switching to "on" from "standby". Doing so is supposed to prolong the life of the valves / tubes. I can't really think of any other issues that might occur without doing so.

 

[mldavis]

Thanks for the advice.

Well the new one has been delivered and it sounds so much better! It's sounding a lot warmer, so the last one must of been faulty out of the box.

Let's hope it lasts!

 

[bassmachine2112]

Hope it works like mine for a long time.
They are good,very good.