Using a US amp in the UK and Europe

[Chris_NR]

I've searched for this topic on TB forums and haven’t found anything that really answered my question.

I'm from the UK but I'm currently living in San Francisco for the next few months. I'm planning to buy an Ampeg bass head very soon, even with the current terrible exchange rate it’s at least a third cheaper to buy an amp here in the US and ship it to the UK.

If I buy an amp in the US it will be set up to run at 110V as opposed to 240V in the UK, I've read on the internet that its relatively easy to adapt a 240V to a 110V but not so easy the other way round. Is this really the case? Has anyone experienced similar issues whilst touring abroad etc? Was there a simple solution?

Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[woffle]

Played thrue an Acustic 2x15 plus top(US)model,110v in Germany(220v)on a few gigs.
Used some kind of transformer between the mains outlet and amp,this dropped the voltage down from 220 to 110.worked fine.
Maybe this can help.
Woffle

 

[rrohde]

Yeah, those transformers do work fine ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). Some devices with a "switching power supply", such as PCs and most screens, built in work on either 110 or 240 Volts, and all you have to do is get an adapter for the US plug.

 

[mr.hughes]

Dont know exactly how Ampeg configure their power sections, but several makers - Epifani, Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio and several others no doubt - have an external switch to go between US and UK voltages.

Worth looking around if you're not set on an Ampeg.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

I've searched for this topic on TB forums and haven’t found anything that really answered my question.

I'm from the UK but I'm currently living in San Francisco for the next few months. I'm planning to buy an Ampeg bass head very soon, even with the current terrible exchange rate it’s at least a third cheaper to buy an amp here in the US and ship it to the UK.
.

The other thing to bear in mind is that you will have to pay import duty, VAT and shipping will be quite expensive for something so heavy....

It might not end up being such a good deal and with the safety considerations...

 

[heroesofalma]

purchased a 2006 Ampeg SVT VR new ex USA, had it shipped to New Zealand (230vAC). My tech got in touch with Ampeg and received schematic of power board, traced the board and rewired for 230v.
Don't lug a 110vAC stepdown as well as a heavy bass head!

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

^^+1. If the Ampeg You're looking at in US is only 1/3 cheaper than in UK, You'll end up spending more in the end.
According to the calculations I've made, it has to be 1/2 the price to be worthwile.
And don't forget the warranty. Some of the manufacturers honour their warranty only if the product is purchased from the same region as the warranty claim comes from.

AFAIK Ampeg is (was?) one of the rare companies that used different transformers for every spesific voltage. That makes international touring with Ampegs a PITA.

High quality step-up/step-down transformers aren't cheap, especially with the high price of copper, they weigh a ton, and still the frequency is incorrect (50Hz vs. 60Hz).

If You have to buy something, at least buy something with a switchable supply voltage or better yet, a SMPS equipped head that'll be lighter, smaller and usually works with any wall voltage imaginable.

Regards
Sam