NAD that ended in tragedy

[zizyphus]

I recently decided I'd saved for long enough, and have played for long enough, that I could buy a truly high-end amp.

I coughed up the cash for a Tone King Imperial, brand new, from Chicago Music Exchange in their limited edition tweed tolex. (What can I say, I'm a total sucker for tweed).

I received it earlier this month, and it was glorious! I truly loved the sound of that thing. (Notice the past tense). I'm also a new father, so there aren't many times when I can plug in a 20w tube combo and just play. That said, I had the opportunity to do so about 5 times or so, and I adored the tones I was hearing.

Well, then came time #6. I flipped the switch, and nothing happened. The jewel didn't light up. The tubes didn't glow. No sound at all. I tried moving outlets. The speaker tabs are soldered on, so it's definitely connected. I frankly don't want to just start swapping tubes or doing a whole bunch of other trouble shooting -considering this thing was nearly $3k, it only last about 2 weeks and I only played it about 5 times, I think I'm just going to have to send it back.

(Sending it back is also proving to be a headache...)

*sigh*

 

[justFred]

Did you check the fuse?

 

[GilmourD]

Did you check the fuse?

Agreed. Basic troubleshooting for something that could end up being an issue with a consumable that would still be under warranty is... warranted.

 

[jeremy]

congrats on the new child!

if the power light doesnt come on, i assume the tubes dont light up either. check the fuse,

those are really nice amps by the way, ive used a few over the years

 

[Securb]

3K I would not expect a fuse to blow in two weeks. I would send it back. My buddy had the same experience with a JCM 600 combo. He fixed the fuse, then it started blowing again when it got outside of warranty. Now the fuse blows every few sessions. He took it to the best tech in Boston, who could not figure out what the problem was. The amp has been in his basement, untouched the past 10 years.

 

[GilmourD]

3K I would not expect a fuse to blow in two weeks. I would send it back. My buddy had the same experience with a JCM 600 combo. He fixed the fuse, then it started blowing again when it got outside of warranty. Now the fuse blows every few sessions. He took it to the best tech in Boston, who could not figure out what the problem was. The amp has been in his basement, untouched the past 10 years.

I mean... The fuse could blow if there's a power grid surge.

 

[Mincer]

Are you going to get it replaced with another one, or ask for your $ back? Buy something else?

 

[jeremy]

i dont think this is a common problem with tone king amps, ive played a bunch over the years. id be in touch with chicago music exchange yesterday about this and see how they wanna handle the replacement or whatever. no one wants to pay good money and have issues.

 

[Securb]

I mean... The fuse could blow if there's a power grid surge.

For $3,000 I wouldn't be playing guessing games.

 

[GilmourD]

For $3,000 I wouldn't be playing guessing games.

Exactly why I'd at least check the fuse. Troubleshooting takes the guessing out of the situation.

 

[Chris Pile]

Tragedy? Or strong disappointment?

Congrats on reproducing.

 

[uOpt]

I mean... The fuse could blow if there's a power grid surge.

Sure. But if the fuse is blown now and the amp works after a replacement you still don't know why the fuse blew in the first place.

And since you don't know that you cannot estimate how likely it is for whatever blew the fuse to come back more regularly.

 

[Cynical]

A fuse blowing in a brand new amp is pretty common (very new tubes will sometimes produce a one-time arc internally), and not really anything to worry about. I'd recommend replacing the fuse once, putting some hours on it, and seeing if it's solid with that second fuse.

 

[Snake Aces]

I just recently sent a combo amp away for some TLC and to convert it into a head. I know it's not easy to ship combo amps. I had to custom make a box from a pre-existing box from Menards. I got the job done.

It was over $100 to send it though. No more combo amps for me from now on.

My guess is they will just offer you a replacement amp. You'll be happy in the end. They are a good company.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I just recently sent a combo amp away for some TLC and to convert it into a head. I know it's not easy to ship combo amps. I had to custom make a box from a pre-existing box from Menards. I got the job done.

It was over $100 to send it though. No more combo amps for me from now on.

My guess is they will just offer you a replacement amp. You'll be happy in the end. They are a good company.

I think OP is a Chicago resident so shipping is not an issue? I had the same thought as you, but his profile says that's where he is. If he's still there driving over and doing a straight exchange might be preferable. I've had UPS ruin a 2x12 combo in shipping -- never again.

 

[Snake Aces]

I think OP is a Chicago resident so shipping is not an issue? I had the same thought as you, but his profile says that's where he is. If he's still there driving over and doing a straight exchange might be preferable. I've had UPS ruin a 2x12 combo in shipping -- never again.

That would make the exchange easier for sure. Yeah. I don't dig shipping or receiving combo amps anymore.

 

[Securb]

I think OP is a Chicago resident so shipping is not an issue? I had the same thought as you, but his profile says that's where he is. If he's still there driving over and doing a straight exchange might be preferable. I've had UPS ruin a 2x12 combo in shipping -- never again.

That would be my option I wouldn't even open it up to check. I wouldn't try to diagnose the problem for them. I would just drive over tell them it doesn't work, and get an exchange.

 

[jeremy]

if its in driving distance, that would be my move as well. if i have to ship, then id dig in a little bit

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

That would be my option I wouldn't even open it up to check. I wouldn't try to diagnose the problem for them. I would just drive over tell them it doesn't work, and get an exchange.

Yeah, if it's only another drive that gives me another visit to a cool store while in the process of handling bidness, why not?

If I had to ship, I'd sure check fuse first before suffering the hassle.