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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
 Posted - 08/13/2007 : 04:04:29
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my musicman combo went belly up on the gig tonight (sunday) and i was able to spot the problem after a few minutes..the master volume pot had gone south..it's been threatening to do this for a while but i've been too lazy to change it ...normally i just give it a spot of circuit cleaner and all is good in the world...but tonight....i was lucky (or well prepared....depends on how you look at it)as i had the marshall to fall back on to get me through the gig...my advice to all the gigging muso's out there is....if your using a valve amp ...make sure you have a spare amp to get you through the gig ...even if it's a transistor one... .....and the best part is ..because it's an old amp...it's an easy fix not too much going on inside to get to the volume pot.....the biggest problem is putting it in back inside it's shell as it really is a work of art..they don't make 'em like this any more......... ...plus a few yeagermeister....(i'm only home from a gig)..... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 08/13/2007 04:05:53 |
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ronster
Gold Member
Australia
645 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2007 : 04:07:51
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Nice save! |
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zestystrat
Silver Member
USA
283 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2007 : 22:42:19
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I had a speaker start to go on my twin at a gig and it was all I could do to get thru the gig. Luckily I have a back up for the next gig but I never usually travel with a back up.
Maybe I need to start to bring the vibrochamp to gigs with me. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 09:47:39
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� think i found the problem...one of the power tubes blew...i put 6ca7's into the amp last year as they are supposed to like big plate voltages(musicman uses 750 volts plate voltage.....) better than the el 34's i had in it ...but i was never happy with the sound of the them over the el34's ..so i think it's time for a change of power valves.... the only one's you can get here in the shops is groove tubes...and to be honest i'm not a big fan...... i have some electro harmonix/sovtek el34's lying around so i think these will do for the moment....still think the master volume pot is dodgy though.....might change it as well.... |
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visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 12:40:18
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How is your Marhall now Franz.
I read somewhere that your speaker of speaker cab came loose or something of that kind.
Gigging with Valve amps? Aaaagh, I perfer to keep them at home, and just "recreate their sound" whith some of the Sans and other things, on smaller transistor amps. Crazy? WEll maybe, but once there are some problems with the valveamps it is not always easy to solve it.
I used to know someone who was a great tech, trusted him and he was good, but he moved away. To serves those beasts it it usually a straight �100, and up, so really................
This guy also said to me: "VAlve amps are best to be left alone" But then he also said things like: "Gigging with transitor amps? Forget it man, you need a valve one !"
Okay it all depends really, but as I do not know good techs around here, and money is still not growing on trees for me, I prefer to not use them at gigs. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 08/15/2007 : 13:17:18
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hi visserman...yes the marshall's speaker lead popped out of the back of the cab during a gig a while ago which also led to a blown power amp valve and a couple of the fuses...but this time it was the musicman combo which blew a power valve..thats one of the reasons i gig with two valve amps (apart from the stereo spread i can get with them)just in case one goes on me...but i can't get on with transistor amps...just when i think they sound good i plug back into my valve amps and the sound i want is there..... so for the forseeable future(unless i win/come into a few thousand euro the valve amps are staying.... i'm lucky in that my brother in law is an electricial engineer and the singer in the band is a very experienced electrician/technician so with that (and i've picked up a few things over the years myself) i manage to keep them on the road.. ....it's getting harder to find people to repair this sort of equipment...so with the help of my buddies and with the help of the 'net i can usually find out what is wrong and fix it....what i love about these sort of 'simple 'amps' is the insides are so easy to work on and both of my friends have remarked on the quality of the worksmanship and components the original makers put into these amps...you can't cut corners with valve technology because inferior parts will never stand up to the usage and the heat that valves produce....you read so many horror stories of people buying new cheaper valve amps and major rebuilds going on soon after... eventually my dream is to retire these good ol' friends to a happy retirement and buy something a bit smaller...i was looking at the rivera pubster 40 watt 1x12 combo but they are retailing in ireland at 1200 euro each..... and i need two....!! and i want a rotosim pedal,rc booster,new pickups for the tele and maybe a resonator guitar.... need to win the euromillions lotto..... ... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 08/15/2007 13:19:10 |
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visserman
Platinum Member
1072 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2007 : 11:10:59
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Hi Franzoni,
Yep I know what you are saying about comparing both a transistor and a valveamps. You cannot comapare really, and anyone knowing them will admit, but still I think transies can sound good as well.
True about the workmanship and simplicity of the older valveamps [pedals as well]. Overal the amps will last and there is not really much that needs sevicing apart from replacing the valves maybe from time to time.
[heh same goes for older cars and.................nearly anything really!!] |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2007 : 12:56:01
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just for anyone new to valve amps..if your using a valve amp with four output valves and one of them blows during the gig you can still use the amp on two power amp valves..in most valve amps the power amp valves are in a row and they work in pairs..i.e marshalls,hiwatts etc.... the outside two are a pair and the inside two are a pair so just make sure that the two you leave in(after removing the broken one..!!) are either the middle two or the outside two...and you will probably have to change the fuse at the back 'cause most times when a power amp valve goes it takes the fuse with it..and we always have spares in the gig bag...?? ..but seriously i always carry spare fuses these days in the guitar case...with two output valves the volume is reduced slightly but you could have the amp back up and running in a matter of minutes and get the rest of the gig out of it..... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 08/18/2007 13:00:28 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2007 : 06:10:56
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Hi Franzoni & Guys
Long live valve amps..   
Do that with a blown Transistor output stage..
Regards Dr. Bob |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2007 : 10:35:25
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| have i fulfilled the criteria to be a full blown valve geek yet Dr Bob............. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2007 : 15:17:39
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quote:
Originally posted by FRANZONI
have i fulfilled the criteria to be a full blown valve geek yet Dr Bob.............
Close Franzoni, you're so very Close.
To fully qualify:
Send me pictures of your fingertips, showing the calluses & missing finger prints, from pulling out red hot vales, to keep the gig going.
And have you hot swapped or removed an output valve.
Without even unstrapping your guitar, or missing Chord change?
And I already know, that you keep a Fender Bandmaster Chassis on top of your television in the main lounge, as a conversation piece.
Go back and re-take that valve geek test, I linked you to.
Maybe post it here for others to take & enjoy, I seem to have misplaced the link I PM'ed to you.
Regards Dr. Bob |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 08/19/2007 15:23:35 |
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Topic |
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valve amps going pear shaped during a gig.....
