Blue voodoo problem... unbelievable!!

[Cygnus X1]

Wait.
The tubes aren't lighting up?

Sounds really stupid, but this happened to me once:
The bulb that indicates power on is wired into the tube filament (heater) circuit. The bulb blew on one of my amps (not a BV).
Then the filaments (heaters) quit-intermittantly, and proceeded to fry some little dropping resistors because it was trying to run through a cold set of tubes.

I now wire the bulb separate from the filaments, or just use a 120V indicator instead of a "pilot" light.

Take it to a tech if the tubes aren't glowing.

[warlok]

The tubes are not glowing. Not getting hot either. Is it all or nothing on tubes? Like if 1 goes bad, none will work? If only one is bad, can I take a pair out and see if it works? Or no?

[jgcable]

So.. did the guy you bought it from have to ship it to you? If so.. something.. most likely a cold solder joint... let go on you. Bring it to a tech. H
If it was a transformer it would smoke and stink pretty bad
If it was a power tube, the bad one would not light.. not all of them at the same time.
Most likely.. it is a cold solder joint leading to your transformer. Don't poke around in there. Very very dangerous. Bring it to a tech.

[warlok]

No shipping, picked up from him. I'll get it to a tech sometime after I call crate tech support monday. I'm at least 60 miles from any so I'll call around monday I guess. This fuckin sucks!!! I'm getting drunk now!!! (amp's fault!!)

[jgcable]

Did you try pulling all the tubes and reseating them? Are you sure you checked all the fuses?

[jgcable]

BTW.. I think there is an internal fuse in on the board. Like I said... its dangerous in there. Take it to a tech.

[jgcable]

One last thing.. since you picked the amp up from the guy can't you return it to him and get your money back. After all... he sold you a broken amp. I know I would return it for sure.

[warlok]

Pulled and reseated them. No dice. I checked the fuse on the back of the amp. I only see that one. Not gonna take it apart yet till I call crate on monday. I bought it from a guy off craigslist. And technically, it worked when I got it if only even for a few minutes. What reason would he have for giving me my money back? He's been trying to help me get it working, I really can't fault him.... Buyer beware...

[Firebird V]

I have seen a few of those get cold joints...

[atdguitars]

There are 2 internal fuses on the BV. Both are located on the pc board by the FX loop send and return jacks.

[jgcable]

There are 2 internal fuses on the BV. Both are located on the pc board by the FX loop send and return jacks.

considering the low amperage these internal fuses are.. I wouldn't think they would cause a total lack of plate voltage.
Again... I would return it to the seller for a refund.

[Cygnus X1]

considering the low amperage these internal fuses are.. I wouldn't think they would cause a total lack of plate voltage.
Again... I would return it to the seller for a refund.

No, that's about right.
High voltage, low current.

[MetalMedal II]

And technically, it worked when I got it if only even for a few minutes. What reason would he have for giving me my money back? He's been trying to help me get it working, I really can't fault him.... Buyer beware...

Did the seller give any inclination that'd he'd be willing to help pay to fix it? It's not like you didn't do anything to cause the failure like not having a speaker load attached. If you had it for a week, that's one thing...but you just got it.

[jgcable]

I think you're being way too nice. You should get a refund or the seller should AT THE LEAST kick in to fix it. This isn't like a broken string; the entire amp shut down, and you didn't do anything to cause that like not having a speaker load.

Exactly. This isn't really buyer beware. I know that If I ever sold an amp to a guy who picked it up and when he got home it only worked for few minutes I would either give him his money back or at least offer to have it repaired. Its the right thing to do.

[Cygnus X1]

Did the seller give any inclination that'd he'd be willing to help pay to fix it? It's not like you didn't do anything to cause the failure like not having a speaker load attached. If you had it for a week, that's one thing...but you just got it.

I plan on dropping the SEL Head on the garage floor a few times to give it a stress test.

Hope you don't mind the cosmetic damage!