Blue voodoo problem... unbelievable!!

[MetalMedal II]

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!

Well how else do u check if the soldering is done right? Oh yeah, you can ship UPS!

[Cygnus X1]

Well how else do u check if the soldering is done right? Oh yeah, you can ship UPS!

No doubt.
I can't believe how many completely different opinions I see on the different shippers.
But I've used Fedex for many years and they have been above par the whole time.
Quick, cheap, and never a damage claim.

[jdr94]

this is probably a stupid question, but since you picked it up, did you play on it before handing over the $$$?

more importantly, did he offer you a chance to play it first?

[warlok]

I asked him if I take it in for repair would he be willing to help out or split the cost. "No. It worked, even at your house". Sadly, he's right, it did, and I have no recourse. It IS buyer beware getting it off craigslist. I agree with you guys and I know what I would do, either give a refund or pay for the repair or at least split the cost. But there is no obligation and he can legally be a scumbag if he wants...I will spread the word around but I'm past trying to get him to help. I'm on my own so now I just need to get it fixed now.

I went farther in, here's what I found so far.. I pulled the speakers, they are older Eminence 12's, 8ohm, wired in series/parallel. That IS a total 8 ohm load. Cab is perfect. So, I definitely did absolutely nothing wrong in hooking up. I pulled the amp from the head case and there are 4 250v 250ma fuses (2 in each spot from the pic above). They're all good. There is also a white fuse on the board that is good as well. I wiggled and looked at everything visible without removing the board from the sheetmetal chassis. Can't find any problems. Nothing melted, burned, or broken. I have schematics now but nothing to help on there. At this point, I don't know enough to do anything else myself so I'll call Crate on monday, if they can't give me a hint, I'll find a shop and take it in. If anyone has anything else they can think of let me know.

[Robert Burns]

The authorized Fender repair shop is on Thomas road and about 26th street i think? (PHX).*they fix all brands) You could ask "Bizarre Guitar" (Mike) where exactly
they are located? Its the largest amp repair place in Arizona, that i know of? At least they will do it right.

[warlok]

Thomas and 26th is not far from where I work.. I'm gonna call M-Tronics in mesa too. I'll call around and see what happens monday if Crate can't tell me anything. Also got messages from members and I gotta say... There is some really good dudes on this site!! I really appreciate the help!!!

[jdr94]

could it be a short on your standby switch. since it seems almost everything works except the parts associated with that switch. hope you get it back up and running w/o having to drop a load of $$

[Cygnus X1]

The tubes are not glowing.

Don't forget this part.
It counts out the standby switch.

The filaments should get power with the standby on, or off.
So the tubes should glow in both positions.
Standby only controls the B+, (higher voltages to the tubes or other functions).
The 6.3V windings might have shorted, or if it has a pilot light wired in series then it might be the problem.
Or as mentioned, a cold solder joint somewhere in the circuit.

Another clue-you mentioned that the sound fizzed away.
That would indicate the tubes were trying to run without filament power.
You get the same effect if you flip off the power switch while playing.
(Not good it leads to something called cathode stripping).

I need to look at the schem.
Anyone have a link?

You lost the heaters, thus the tubes won't work.

[warlok]

JDR-94 - I was thinking about checking small things like that. I don't think thats the issue though. The things that are supposed to light up with the power switch on and standby off (tubes, lights behind tubes) are not lighting at all. Like cygnus said. I need to make a capacitor discharge probe before I pull the board but it may come to that. Cygnus X1 may be my salvation on this. Damn I hope so....

Cygnus X1 - I have some schematics. PM or e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send them to you. Don't know how to post them but better as .pdf anyway..

[Jayster]

I need to make a capacitor discharge probe before I pull the board but it may come to that. .

Dude,

Unplug the thing, touch the 3 plug end to a grounded source and violia! Or just unplug the thing and wait for 6-8 hours, the caps will bleed down.

[warlok]

Later, with less beer in me, i will.. What am I looking for anyway..?? Jayster, how do you test the transformer? Or anything else for that matter? Need power on, no? Not touching yet..

[warlok]

Plus, 6-8 hours wasn't enough for some of the aircraft stuff I've been "affected" by.... but I have rubber gloves now..

[Cygnus X1]

Cygnus X1 - I have some schematics. PM or e-mail me and I'll send them to you. Don't know how to post them but better as .pdf anyway..

I got the schems.
Funny how they want to charge for them, but if you poke around they are available FREE.


Well, looky here.
4 pilot lights?

[jdr94]

Don't forget this part.
It counts out the standby switch.

oh yeah.

[Jayster]

Later, with less beer in me, i will.. What am I looking for anyway..?? Jayster, how do you test the transformer? Or anything else for that matter? Need power on, no? Not touching yet..

I'm stepping out for dinner and a movie, but when I get home I'll respond in depth to this. Have you checked the internal fuses yet?