My amp died!!!

[leecs]

Yesterday when i was jamming. I warmed up my amp for 15-20mins. When i played it, it was ok. after 1/2 hr, vol suddenly flucutate then no sound!!!!!!!!! Shit! i thought wat happen!!!!!!! i on off again & theres no sound. unplugged cable & plugged again, still no sound. then i go check the tubes. Im pretty sure all tubes lit up except 1 big tube. Then i told myself: " DIE LIAO"!!!! MY heart sank man!!!! Xian big time!!!! so nevermind. I go take a bath & try again. Then suddenly got sound. What the f*** happen? Please help me. Thank You.

 

[markedymark]

overheat?

 

[leecs]

Dont think so. Randolf advise me to warm up the tubes for 15-20 mins b4 playing. I've been doing that for past few months. It was OK, untill yesterday.

 

[subversion]

it might just be a simply blow- your fuse give way... locate your fuse, check if it's the fault.

 

[Triodal]

Time for a retube :idea:

 

[ChanMin]

wah .. sianz you let it warm up so long still got problem.

i think you have to try my..30second on/standby liaoz..


but from what you've said. its probably a bad tube. if fuse blow. it wont even light up.

 

[gsonique]

Have u replaced the Big Caps ? Please check .... !!

 

[leecs]

I bought it 2nd. its a Fender HRD. As i know nuts about tube amps, i dont dare to touch anything. tubes are fender stock by the way. I think i gotta drop by Randolf home for a checkup.

 

[Weiht]

My gut feel is either the power tubes, or the the output transformer. Nothing wrong with the warming up, as long as u do it correctly.

Did u match ur cab n head impedence???

 

[Xypher]

Since we r talking abt warming up, do i have to warm up my Vox ad15vt? Its got 1 tube. After hearing the story i quite scared alr

 

[gsonique]

aiyo... no big deal abt warm ups ...its those huge caps you gotta look out for !!!

Faulty/old caps + prolonged used = dead power transformer = $$$$$ 8O

 

[embryo]

Initial volume fluctuation is a pretty normal thing to happen among tube amps in the 1st hour. There's a certain point when the tubes have reached their ideal operational state when things like that happen. You will find the tone is fuller and more consistent after that. I do not even recommend using the standby switch but instead roll down the volume knob between sets. Now if the amp continues to show erratic volume fluctuations then it's no longer normal. Replacing the entire set of preamp and power tubes is the most efficient way to determine if the problem is tube or circuit related. Amps that are older than 10 yrs or more usually will show up problems requiring the power to be replaced because they do leak over a long period.

The Fender HRD has heater elements that supply power to the power tubes and they get very very hot. Anything that generates heat is bound to fail over time. Quite often these parts need replacing. Hope this helps.

 

[subversion]

i used to own the Marshall DSL401- it's a heat menace but it didn't fail me... never :supz:

 

[leecs]

Randolf: Ok. I'll try & see if theres any problem during the weekends. Will let you know if anything comes up. Thanks

 

[fibredrive]

hmmm...switched on my amp today and it gave me the same weird volume fluctuations. never had it before. yikes. normally warm up for a few mins before i flick the standby..