Sad day.

Demanic

PenultimateTone Member
I think that the it on my old Carvin amp just died. I had it warming up in standby. Flipped the switch, strummed a chord. Nothing. Then I smelled that smell. Looked over and wisps of acrid smoke were drifting through the front panel. Check the speaker cable, it was plugged in, both ends. Ohmage set correctly.
Now, should I replace it or just get a new amp? [emoji33]

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Re: Sad day.

thats a blessing in disguise, now you can get a actual good amp.
Lol I loved the way it sounded. If I found another one, for the same price, I'd snap it up. It was an old x amp. Those things are way underrated. I can still use it as an open back 2x12 cab.

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Re: Sad day.

Now, time to think about what I want to replace it with.

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Re: Sad day.

I suppose that it should. But I know that it's circuit board. So conceivably something else could have failed. And I know that OT's aren't cheap.

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Re: Sad day.

write carvin an email
they may be able to repair it and return ship it to you

San Diego is a day trip from PHX

after that try a V3m has a switch for 50/22/7 watts

if you like Carvins that is

I do
 
Re: Sad day.

I do. Didn't think of that.
The worst thing atm, is the way my music room now smells.

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Re: Sad day.

What is the amp itself worth in normal condition? A new transformer alone can be $150-$300 depending on the amp/where you get the replacement from. If it's a hand wired amp, a decently knowledgeable hobbyist that's had experience with DIY repairs before should be capable of a transformer swap. If that's you, you won't have to pay for labor/shipping/etc. It'll probably just take a few hours of free time. Also, if the output transformer went and there was a proper load - you'll have to check to see what could've caused the old one to go, or you may just keep on burning up whatever new transformer gets swapped in there. First place I'd look is the power amp section after the power supply, and before the OT (duh) - so mainly the part of the circuit involving the power tubes. Faulty wiring here can wreck thing pretty fast. Also, check to see if any of the power valves have a short - because that's an easy thing to test/rule out. A short across the power valves should blow the mains fuse and a couple of specific resistors which would prevent further damage, but if none of those blow, a power valve with a short could damage an OT. If it's a 6L6 amp, the valve filaments are on valve pins 2 & 7, and there should be continuity on them. If there's resistance or infinite resistance across those pins, you have a faulty power valve.
 
Re: Sad day.

The Carvin has a 25/50/100 power switch. I hadn't used it in a while, 'till the other day. Like I said, I checked the speaker out, it was fine.
Not going to poke around in it tonight. But will consider your advice.

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Re: Sad day.

The Carvin has a 25/50/100 power switch. I hadn't used it in a while, 'till the other day. Like I said, I checked the speaker out, it was fine.
Not going to poke around in it tonight. But will consider your advice.

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so yours is equivalent to the V3
they have a reissue of the X series amps
but not the combos

sadly they dont make their solid state amps any more either
 
Re: Sad day.

The classic x amps and reissues sound nothing alike. The good news is the reissues are not expensive used. But if you get something that old recap and retype before you so much as plug it in.
 
Re: Sad day.

It might be worth checking to see if Lucas makes one of these kits for guitar amps...
images
 
Re: Sad day.

thats a blessing in disguise, now you can get a actual good amp.

^^^^If he liked the sound it put out it was a good amp^^^^

Condolences my friend....

They are kinda "disposable amp's", albeit great sounding ones, so I'm not sure if it would be worth it in the end to get it fixed unless you can diagnose & repair it yourself? It would be nice if you could find out exactly what the issue is first but "THAT SMELL" & the smoke are usually pretty good indicators that it's something major.

You'd probably be better off putting that cash into another one if you can find one used, cheap, & in good working order, otherwise it's time to start looking for something different? Luckily since that thing was made there's been a huge AMP BOOM so there are plenty of great offerings out there to consider as replacements!!!

Again, sorry for your loss!!! Dead amp's are like dead puppies, just no fun at all.....
 
Re: Sad day.

Nope. Now I'm trying to decide what I want to replace it with. Something with 6l6's I think. Any suggestions?

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Re: Sad day.

What kind of voicing did it have? How much gain (subjectively speaking)?
 
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