Misowaki Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 58 minutes ago, Bridgehouse said: PF20T arrived. Not working right Standby for 5 mins - power on, and regardless of volume gain etc there is a fairly consistent crackle - so something is screwed. Not happy. Oh man... is it biased right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 Just now, Misowaki said: Oh man... is it biased right? Yep. It’s got a user bias adjust - rebiased and no difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misowaki Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Eeesh, guess we know who you're calling first thing in the morning... wish me luck with mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 If you've got another amp around with 12AX7 and 6v6 valves, I'd be inclined to pop 'em in the phase inverter and power positions just in case that sorts it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, Beer of the Bass said: If you've got another amp around with 12AX7 and 6v6 valves, I'd be inclined to pop 'em in the phase inverter and power positions just in case that sorts it. Nope. I have neither. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 Well, I’ve requested a return online, let’s see what they say. Dunno whether to have another or try something else now 😞 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 May just be worth taking all the valves out and putting them in again. Worked well for my friend's brand new Ac30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misowaki Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 They've got 9.8 on Trustpilot out of 945 reviews, could be an honest mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 Could be - but I’m not messing about with a new amp - I don’t want any “you’ve messed with it - no refund” issues and TBH I can’t be bothered with the faff of doing that. Working late every day this week and I have neither the time nor the inclination to start unscrewing something and messing about with it. I’m sure they will be fine for a return but if they aren’t you’ll know about it! I’m lucky - I’m mechanically minded and happy to do those sorts of things - but if I wasn’t then you shouldn’t have to muck about with something you aren’t comfortable with. The user manual clearly states tubes should only be removed by an Ampeg certified service technician - lol. Anyway, there you go. Not a happy experience so far and I guess it’s just a bit of a confidence knock in the product - it may just be a bad tube or a poorly seated tube, but it could be a poor build - what if the next one does it after the warranty period? Unlikely, but hey you know how it goes.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misowaki Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Fair enough, man. Well mine's coming tomorrow so I guess I'll let you know how I get on with it too. Fingers crossed, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 Just now, Misowaki said: Fair enough, man. Well mine's coming tomorrow so I guess I'll let you know how I get on with it too. Fingers crossed, eh? Yours will be fine - I’m clearly just having one of those days I’ll sleep on it and see how the shop responds and decide if I want a replacement. To be fair, it looks really nice on top of my BF Compact.. it just sounds like a 1920’s gramophone with a scratchy record stuck on the lead in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Handbox WB-100. But y'all knew I was going to say that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 1 minute ago, wateroftyne said: Handbox WB-100. But y'all knew I was going to say that. Lovely. Only one teeny tiny insignificant problem - 3 times the price and over my budget by a MIM Precision... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misowaki Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Hmm... I'm no expert but that definitely sounds like tubes to me. Scratchy with no volume gain would suggest something going on with the power amp tube, no? Maybe they can send you some new tubes first on the guarantee that they will accept the return if it doesn't fix the issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Just now, Bridgehouse said: Lovely. Only one teeny tiny insignificant problem - 3 times the price and over my budget by a MIM Precision... Your OP says your budget is 700 quid-ish...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) 14 minutes ago, wateroftyne said: Your OP says your budget is 700 quid-ish...? Yeah - true it did.. I thought the handbox was about £1k delivered? Thing is - it’s a big wedge for a stay at home amp for recording and trying to recreate that b15 small wattage thump. It was a nice to have luxury as it wouldn’t form part of my usual gigging rig or setup - I’ve firmly buried myself in the FRFR camp with a good £2k+ invested there! £300 for a valve head to play with at home was reasonable I thought.. but yes, horses for courses YMMV etc. Edited August 14, 2018 by Bridgehouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, Misowaki said: Hmm... I'm no expert but that definitely sounds like tubes to me. Scratchy with no volume gain would suggest something going on with the power amp tube, no? Maybe they can send you some new tubes first on the guarantee that they will accept the return if it doesn't fix the issue? I’d reject that - for a brand new item I’d rather it just worked as intended without any user intervention or messing about.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge_bass Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 9 minutes ago, Bridgehouse said: I’d reject that - for a brand new item I’d rather it just worked as intended without any user intervention or messing about.. Shame. Mine worked fine right out of the box with no issues. Sounds like a dodgy valve to me. That's the risk with valve stuff though - I turned up to a festival gig t'other week, 2K Aguillar tube head...hmm wow I thought this is going to sound great...couldn't even get a sound out of it...dodgy tube apparently.... Get it fixed / swapped - you won't regret it and I don't thin you'll find much better for the price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 3 minutes ago, dodge_bass said: Shame. Mine worked fine right out of the box with no issues. Sounds like a dodgy valve to me. That's the risk with valve stuff though - I turned up to a festival gig t'other week, 2K Aguillar tube head...hmm wow I thought this is going to sound great...couldn't even get a sound out of it...dodgy tube apparently.... Get it fixed / swapped - you won't regret it and I don't thin you'll find much better for the price! I’ll sleep on it. Been one of those days anyway so maybe I’ll feel different in the morning. It’s a right come down when you get all excited and then it doesn’t work tho. Proper downer on my evening after a long and quite stressful day working. Either that or I’ll get a refund and buy a TE Elf for the sheer hell of it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimike Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Mmmmm, doesn't sound like horses for courses solution to me, sleep on it . mine arrives tomoz, will report back ! best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge_bass Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 25 minutes ago, Bridgehouse said: I’ll sleep on it. Been one of those days anyway so maybe I’ll feel different in the morning. It’s a right come down when you get all excited and then it doesn’t work tho. Proper downer on my evening after a long and quite stressful day working. Either that or I’ll get a refund and buy a TE Elf for the sheer hell of it. A good nights sleep always helps. It’s a HUGE downer when you’ve been excited and then it’s not right / broken - zero fun. The ELF is ace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimike Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 (edited) Worth seeing if you get a clean signal from the preamp out. If you do, problem is the power section, if you don't I'd suspect the preamp tubes. ( reseating may help ) quality control would have picked up construction fault before shipping to UK, BUT , valves are not always good travellers . Mind you, I'll need counselling if mine isn't perfect ! good luck. Edited August 14, 2018 by Chimike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misowaki Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 57 minutes ago, Chimike said: Worth seeing if you get a clean signal from the preamp out. If you do, problem is the power section, if you don't I'd suspect the preamp tubes. ( reseating may help ) Sage advice. 57 minutes ago, Chimike said: Mind you, I'll need counselling if mine isn't perfect ! Same here =D 1 hour ago, Bridgehouse said: I’d reject that - for a brand new item I’d rather it just worked as intended without any user intervention or messing about.. I hear you but maybe you can blag a bigger discount or an extra set of tubes which will save you money down the line? Or maybe I'm just too much of an opportunist and need to stop trying to work every angle haha But that said, if it were mine and I didn't try reseat the tube and sent it back losing £15 for the pleasure to find out that's all it was, I'd be kicking myself. I'd probably make a video of the fault, when they inevitably suggest reseating, tell them I'm not comfortable doing it because the manual says get a qualified tech to do it (bonus point!) "and I don't want to void any warranty or ruin anything by attempting reseating, but I don't want to return it so I'm in a pickle here..." Surely they'd send some new tubes quick sharp because they'd rather that than deal with a return... or maybe this is just the point where my mind does the GAS equivalent of the infamous "I'm here to fix your pipes" blue movie scene... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Still tempted to give the 50w version a go. Valve amps are great but it's always good to have spares on hand - they can get damaged in transit etc or just die off. I totally get you disappointment but hopefully you'll be able to have a local BC'er loan you a tube if you feel like getting the cage off for a look. Try and see of any valves aren't lighting up as brightly as the others or any noticeable differences between them. The smaller valve are probably behind those wee metal 'screens'. The advice of make a video (if you have time) and contact them retailer/Ampeg is solid. A good twitter moan draws attention and often results in fast turnaround. I believe Polar Audio are responsible for Ampeg of old before Yamaha took em on. Not sure where the stock will come from (probably Yamaha). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 On 09/08/2018 at 16:17, Bigwan said: Hmm... I've owned both the CTM30 & LB30 and really enjoyed them. I own the CTM15 and am not convinced yet - I'm a tinkerer and have a few ideas on how to improve on it, but I may part ways with it since I have a PF-50T incoming. I wouldn't go the Orange Terror route myself. The LB30 sounds nicer and won't try to take your head off... The Ampegs have a dummy load built in so silent recording is a built in option, which is rather nice. Hi Bigwan, I remember buying a LB-30 from someone up North about 3 years ago and he kindly sent it to Waterford (was it you?) , It was fantastic sounding amp and I foolishly thought it wasn't powerful enough (it was my cab) and I sold it on - I really miss it. I now too have a barefaced two10 and am running an Ashdown CTM-100 through it and it has heaps of power...which got me thinking about revisiting the low wattage valve thing. I'm wondering if a 50W tube head would suffice for home use / small gigs. Let me know how you get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.