The Un-Official Sadowsky SA200 Thread...

[Spencer!]

What should I look at?
preamp tubes?

Make sure the clean/fat switch is set to clean if you want clean sounds.

 

[gillento]

Make sure the clean/fat switch is set to clean if you want clean sounds.

Yep, the switch is set to clean.

Am I expecting too much of the SA200/HS210 combo?

I could not try it with my SA410 so far, but I'll get the big cab as soon as I have access to the rehearsal room.

 

[JimS]

The NOS U238 tubes manufactured in Iran give a nice punch and growl, probably due to the alpha particles. Cosmetically, the glow from within the amp has given me a nice tan. Give 'em a try.

 

[gillento]

The NOS U238 tubes manufactured in Iran give a nice punch and growl, probably due to the alpha particles. Cosmetically, the glow from within the amp has given me a nice tan. Give 'em a try.

I never heard of these?
Are these preamptubes?

Or are you cracking jokes?

 

[tombowlus]

Cosmetically, the glow from within the amp has given me a nice tan.

Aha! So that's your secret, Jim!

 

[JimS]

Or are you cracking jokes?

A sad attempt, yes.

 

[gillento]

A sad attempt, yes.

 

[jokerjkny]

my sa200, sa210, sa410 all took yet another slow motion tumble to the sidewalk...

...and guess what, got up, dusted itself off, and fired up like a charm. that's what i call build integrity... also making me rethink if i should get that shockmount.

 

[tombowlus]

my sa200, sa210, sa410 all took yet another slow motion tumble to the sidewalk...

...and guess what, got up, dusted itself off, and fired up like a charm. that's what i call build integrity... also making me rethink if i should get that shockmount.

Wow! That must have been a scary couple of moments!

And yes, you should get a shockmount rack.

 

[IanMartinAllison]

Hey Gillento,

CONGRATS on your SA200 score. I too purchased one used about a year ago and immediately encountered odd amp behavior. I experienced crackling and whoosing and just all out bad news bears. I was totally bummed and instantly regretting my EXPENSIVE plunge into this fancy sled.

I simply retubed it - both preamp and power amp tubes. I went all JJ Tesla tubes (aside from the 6N1P which is a generic Russian tube) due to a recommend from Savage Amplifiers. They do a TON of tube amp work and feel that the JJ product wins hands down in terms of the combination of reliability and tone. Post retube - ALL of my problems were instantly solved.

The SA200 has quickly become my favorite amp of all time. I've gigged with it frequently since the retube and it has consistently performed like a champ. Huge headroom and volume combined with exquisite tone. I run mine with either one or two Bergantino HS410s.

So, if I were you, I would just retube the whole amplifier. Starting with a clean slate will give you more reliability and peace of mind - and hopefully cure what ails ya.

Good luck!

Ian

What should I look at?
preamp tubes?

 

[gillento]

I ordered the original power amp tube set Roger recommended and I took the amp to a reliable tube tech. He will have a look at it today.

He may have some good news for me already

 

[gillento]

Update from the tech: he thinks that the 6N1P line driver tube probably is the culprit.

Initially I had ordered 12AX... and EL34 back up tubes for the amp.
Incidentally, that is the only tube I did NOT order before I gave the amp to my tech ....

So I'll have to wait for him to getting his order.

 

[tombowlus]

Update from the tech: he thinks that the 6N1P line driver tube probably is the culprit.

Initially I had ordered 12AX... and EL34 back up tubes for the amp.
Incidentally, that is the only tube I did NOT order before I gave the amp to my tech ....

So I'll have to wait for him to getting his order.

Bah! Don't you hate when things work out that way?

Last I checked, there was a 6N1P for sale in the classifieds by a former SA200 owner.

 

[gillento]

Thanks Tom for the information about the classifieds, but it is cheaper and faster for me to order them directly from TAD (them being in Germany, just across the border from Luxembourg).

 

[tombowlus]

Thanks Tom for the information about the claissifieds, but it is cheaper and faster for me to order them directly from TAD (them being in Germany, just across the border from Luxembourg).

Sweet.

 

[gillento]

Final word from my tech:
one of the power tubes and the 6N1P tube was making mechanical noises, the V2 tube swapped into V1 position was producing hum and the bias was set to 7mV as opposed to the suggested 25-30mV.

Cure: replacing the whole tube setup (as artiseasy suggested) and rebiasing

Result: a great sounding amp

 

[gillento]

After my tech has fixed everything, I think I need to post a pic of my setup:

Link Removed

This is paired with either my Sadowsky rev. PJ5 (alder/brazilian) or my trusted MV5 w. single coils:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[BASSKADET]

Nice setup G.

 

[tombowlus]

Final word from my tech:
one of the power tubes and the 6N1P tube was making mechanical noises, the V2 tube swapped into V1 position was producing hum and the bias was set to 7mV as opposed to the suggested 25-30mV.

Cure: replacing the whole tube setup (as artiseasy suggested) and rebiasing

Result: a great sounding amp

Awesome! I'm glad that you went to the trouble to get this amp set right. I could tell something was amiss from your earlier comments.

Congrats!

 

[gillento]

Awesome! I'm glad that you went to the trouble to get this amp set right. I could tell something was amiss from your earlier comments.

Congrats!

I am glad, the tech got the amp to work.

Now as the tubes are burning in, it sounds better and better