Chappers Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Hi, I'm shopping for a valve amp, and went to see a second hand one today. Amp played fine for a few seconds, allbeit through a crappy speaker, but the fuse blew. The guy didn't have a replacement, so he's gonna replace it and I'll re-visit him later in the week. Question is, I'm still interested in the amp, even if it has a fault, as the maker is local to me, but is there a common cause for blowing fuses on an amp? I know naff all about the wizzardrey that goes on inside these things, but I don't think it's a basket case, as it played fine before the fuse blew (no buzzing, pops crackles or anything to suggest it was rubbish) Cheers in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 Not without seeeing it..... there could a gazillion reasons why a fuse would go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted February 6, 2010 Share Posted February 6, 2010 There are many reasons for trivial to critical why a fuse might blow. Certainly revisit the amp (and make sure the seller hasn't put a nail/alu foil across where the fuse should go). If it keeps blowing fuses then it needs fixing - you could negotiate to buy it on condition it's fixed to your satisfaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 According to Marshall (who should know a thing or two about valve amps).... [i]"The most common symptom of valve failure is the blowing of the HT fuse. On some occasions after replacing the fuse the amp will work for a while but will blow the fuse again when it reaches full working temperature. This is the first warning sign that a valve is failing. If both the HT and mains fuses blow, then blow again on replacement, then it is pretty definite that at least one of the valves has short circuited and needs replacing."[/i] But given that you don't know anything about the history of the amp then it's best not to assume that this is the fault. If it is valve failure then bear in mind that a new set of power amp valves can be quite pricey, so you need to take that into account when looking at the cost of the amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umph Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 [quote name='Chappers' post='736925' date='Feb 6 2010, 07:52 AM']Hi, I'm shopping for a valve amp, and went to see a second hand one today. Amp played fine for a few seconds, allbeit through a crappy speaker, but the fuse blew. The guy didn't have a replacement, so he's gonna replace it and I'll re-visit him later in the week. Question is, I'm still interested in the amp, even if it has a fault, as the maker is local to me, but is there a common cause for blowing fuses on an amp? I know naff all about the wizzardrey that goes on inside these things, but I don't think it's a basket case, as it played fine before the fuse blew (no buzzing, pops crackles or anything to suggest it was rubbish) Cheers in advance.[/quote] what amp is it? gut feeling would be power valves on the way out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarcher Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Have a look at this www.stevesamps.co .uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 [quote name='umph' post='739005' date='Feb 8 2010, 03:32 PM']what amp is it? gut feeling would be power valves on the way out.[/quote] It's a "Woogie" made by a guy here in Adelside. Seller just mailed me to say it's fixed with a new fuse, but I'm gonna check it out. Will let it warm up for a while and see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 UPDATE Bought the amp for a snip ($200 - ~ £100.00) Took the amp to the guy who built it 15-20 years ago and he checked it over for $50 - ~£25. Now have a lush valve amp to play with. Result I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pentode Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Result! Ok, now we need some photos - Innards, the lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='Pentode' post='758844' date='Feb 27 2010, 07:06 AM']Result! Ok, now we need some photos - Innards, the lot! [/quote] Agreed - TTIWWP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappers Posted March 20, 2010 Author Share Posted March 20, 2010 Not taking the back off just yet guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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