Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Hello all, So as you may have guessed I have recently purchased an Ampeg SVT VR. I got a great deal for it and a SVT 410 HLF for 5200AUS$ (head retails for 5gs). ANYWAY... At every gig I have taken it to it works fine for the first set, but when I switch it off standby to play the next set it comes back with barely any volume for about 4 or so minutes. It's not a HUGE problem to just switch between channels every set but I've spent big money (for me) on this and I think I deserve an amp that runs properly:mad: Any opinions? Help? Hints or tolerence for my whinging, overuse of icons and the letter "I" would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 I don't have great advice for you, but I will say what I've said a number of times already on this board, the Ampeg SVT-VR needs to be avoided until they start building them to reasonable failure rates. There are known problems with the amp that need to be corrected. It will take some time before that is accomplished. You should return the amp and get something reliable. You should also do some searches here and on talkbass regarding SVT-VR failures. You'll find more info including accounts from people that have gone through several failing VRs before having to move to a new amp entirely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 I don't have great advice for you, but I will say what I've said a number of times already on this board, the Ampeg SVT-VR needs to be avoided until they start building them to reasonable failure rates. There are known problems with the amp that need to be corrected. It will take some time before that is accomplished.You should return the amp and get something reliable. You should also do some searches here and on talkbass regarding SVT-VR failures. You'll find more info including accounts from people that have gone through several failing VRs before having to move to a new amp entirely. DAMN.... Ive spent a bit of time on the net looking for some clues as to why this might be happening, so far I can only find 1 problem in relation to mine (on talkbass). Although I have no real knowledge about tube amps my suspicions lead me to believe it might be the preamp tubes. A stab in the dark at best.Thanks Kindness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 What makes you think it is the preamp tubes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 I should also mention that I have taken the head back to the shop to be checked out, they left it on for two days and told me they couldn't find a problem:facepalm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 What makes you think it is the preamp tubes? Like I said, a stab in the dark. I guess Im thinking that because if I plug in to the other channel it works fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 Like I said, a stab in the dark. I guess Im thinking that because if I plug in to the other channel it works fine. There are more differences between the two channels besides the tubes, but I see what you are getting at. FYI - my recommendation is based more on not trusting the amp than your specific problem which may or may not be easy to diagnose and fix, despite your tech not being able to replicate the fault yet. The uncertainty I would feel each time I plugged in wouldn't be worth the glory of that amp when it is fully functional. It does kick ass when it's working, doesn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 There are more differences between the two channels besides the tubes, but I see what you are getting at. FYI - my recommendation is based more on not trusting the amp than your specific problem which may or may not be easy to diagnose and fix, despite your tech not being able to replicate the fault yet. The uncertainty I would feel each time I plugged in wouldn't be worth the glory of that amp when it is fully functional. It does kick ass when it's working, doesn't it. Oh yes how I love the sound! Probably will replace the cab rather soon (much too big), but really other than this problem I really can't fault it, other than maybe not being all that versitile, but I knew that going in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 Oh yes how I love the sound! Probably will replace the cab rather soon (much too big), but really other than this problem I really can't fault it, other than maybe not being all that versitile, but I knew that going in. Versatile? What do you want, instead of always being awesome you want it to cover awesome and not awesome? :poke: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Versatile? What do you want, instead of always being awesome you want it to cover awesome and not awesome? :poke: preparing to flagellate myself for being so selfish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guttermouth Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 I don't have great advice for you, but I will say what I've said a number of times already on this board, the Ampeg SVT-VR needs to be avoided until they start building them to reasonable failure rates. There are known problems with the amp that need to be corrected. It will take some time before that is accomplished.You should return the amp and get something reliable. You should also do some searches here and on talkbass regarding SVT-VR failures. You'll find more info including accounts from people that have gone through several failing VRs before having to move to a new amp entirely. is the vr the one with all the sockets mounted to that flimsy ass board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 is the vr the one with all the sockets mounted to that flimsy ass board? There are lots of problems with the boards and, apparently, the replacement boards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Most of the problems I have read about with the VR pertain to in and out of standby. There is some sort of relay that seems to be causing a lot of trouble. What's ironic is, they attempted to duplicate the original amp as much as possible & this was one of the few things they really changed...not for the better unfortunately. As a guy who has gigged tube ampegs for a lonnggg time - I will say that once my amp is powered up at the gig, it doesn't go back into standby until the next gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 As a guy who has gigged tube ampegs for a lonnggg time - I will say that once my amp is powered up at the gig, it doesn't go back into standby until the next gig. And that's how it should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Most of the problems I have read about with the VR pertain to in and out of standby. There is some sort of relay that seems to be causing a lot of trouble. What's ironic is, they attempted to duplicate the original amp as much as possible & this was one of the few things they really changed...not for the better unfortunately. As a guy who has gigged tube ampegs for a lonnggg time - I will say that once my amp is powered up at the gig, it doesn't go back into standby until the next gig. Thanks for the input.What can you tell me about the life of your tubes then? Im assuming you leave the standby on only when the amp is powering up and down? (startofgig-endofgig) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RevMachineBass Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 I had a simular problem with the standby switch on my SVT-II (non Pro). The relay would not kick in and I would get no volume out of the amp. My tech Randy at Tour Supply in Nashville, TN replaced the relay and I've not had any problem since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 Thanks for the input.What can you tell me about the life of your tubes then? Im assuming you leave the standby on only when the amp is powering up and down? (startofgig-endofgig) Bob will chime in and give you his experience. I will tell you that you will be well served to turn the amp on (power only, not standby), let it warm up, then turn the standby switch on. At the end of the night, turn the power off. Next gig do the same thing. If you need to be silent between sets, turn the volume off or unplug from the amp's input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Bob will chime in and give you his experience. I will tell you that you will be well served to turn the amp on (power only, not standby), let it warm up, then turn the standby switch on. At the end of the night, turn the power off. Next gig do the same thing. If you need to be silent between sets, turn the volume off or unplug from the amp's input. Cool. I have a gig tommorow night and I will try just that. Would you reccomend turning the volume on the amp or on my bass down?Sorry if it seems silly but its 5am here in the land of AUS and I just wont to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 Cool. I have a gig tommorow night and I will try just that. Would you reccomend turning the volume on the amp or on my bass down?Sorry if it seems silly but its 5am here in the land of AUS and I just wont to be sure. If you are able to turn the amp back to the same level, just turn that volume off when you need to be quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Spiced Melange' Posted September 18, 2008 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 If you are able to turn the amp back to the same level, just turn that volume off when you need to be quiet. Thanks again Kindness. I'll let you all know how it goes (because I'm sure you'll be dying of worry;)). Til then.... GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xlmr5U1nYQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jackcheez Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 . What's ironic is, they attempted to duplicate the original amp as much as possible ...Maybe in looks, but for what's inside, it's basically an SVT-CL with two channels and a mid selector switch instead of a knob. Look at the chassis and the preamp tubes. Same as a CL, not the same as the original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kindness Posted September 18, 2008 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2008 Maybe in looks, but for what's inside, it's basically an SVT-CL with two channels and a mid selector switch instead of a knob. Look at the chassis and the preamp tubes. Same as a CL, not the same as the original. Not true. Dig deeper into the schematic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Once again Kindness is right on the money. The only time the amp needs to be in standby is when powering up. I'm not an electrical engineer, but I learned this routine a long, long time ago when my buddy Jophn Arduser bought a marshall in while we were in high school. Marshalls are good rugged amps, but if you don't observe their protocol they're in the shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jackcheez Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 Not true. Dig deeper into the schematic.When I looked a few months ago the preamp and driver tubes were listed as exactly the same. I just checked and now it's changed. Just the same, it uses 6550 power tubes instead of 6146s, 12AU7s instead of 12BH7s, 12AU7s instead of 12DW7s, and missing is the 6C4 preamp tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted September 18, 2008 Members Share Posted September 18, 2008 When I looked a few months ago the preamp and driver tubes were listed as exactly the same. I just checked and now it's changed. Just the same, it uses 6550 power tubes instead of 6146s, 12AU7s instead of 12BH7s, 12AU7s instead of 12DW7s, and missing is the 6C4 preamp tube. They discontinued the 6146s after 1 year and then went on to build the benchmark tube bass amp for another decade. The other pre tube swaps were done due to difficult to find or discontinued numbers. Not really that big of a deal IMO...but I've played nice CLs too so maybe I'm not that picky or much of a purist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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