You ever just get frustrated about gear?

[Mailman1971]

I am pretty good friends with all the guys at the local music store. Never had them work on anything for me.
I would check around in neighboring cities as well for more competitive prices. Worth the drive to drop it off to save on shipping costs.

 

[MississippiMetal]

I've got a lead on a sick new amp. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Riddick]

I thought about it, but I'm a good 2300 miles from Jerry. The shipping alone would be hell on my wallet. I only paid $650 for the amp. I'd end up paying damn near that much if not all of it for repair plus mods and shipping.

Are you anywhere close to this guy? He does good work and is not to expensive.

http://www.wilderamplification.com/

 

[MississippiMetal]

I thought about it, but I'm a good 2300 miles from Jerry. The shipping alone would be hell on my wallet. I only paid $650 for the amp. I'd end up paying damn near that much if not all of it for repair plus mods and shipping.

Are you anywhere close to this guy? He does good work and is not to expensive.

http://www.wilderamplification.com/

Actually I'm only an hour and a half from there. Thanks for that link! I'll shoot them an email. I'd still like to get my 6505+ running smooth, even though I'm getting a new amp.

 

[Motorpud]

I'm frustrated about my gear right now. I got rid of some stuff to downsize and figured I'd go old school with some stuff I used to use. Then I picked up a g-major and the fuckin manual in in every language but english and I can't figure out how to lower the level/threshold on the noisegate Plus I've got like a 20 rackspace calzone flight case and it's taking up all this damn space and I only need like 6-8 spaces now. I've been trying to piece this shit together all day today and it's just really getting on my last nerve.

 

[1big1]

yup. i've got a version two dsl that won't hold bias after a bias mod.. a rec bridge replacement.. replaced c 46 and r 48.. jumpered the ground side of the 16 ohm output jack. it's better.. but still won't hold bias. i got frustrated and set aside for a bit because life got in the way. i'll hit the books again and give it another try. i've got a list of measurements i need to take. a voltage chart would really come in handy.. but i don't have one that corresponds to a properly functioning dsl.. so i'll have to guesstimate. i'd really like to say i fixed it myself.. but sometimes you have to know when you're in over your head and call in a specialist.
it hasn't all been in vain however because i think i've learned quite a bit in the process as well as worked on some skills that are useful. so it hasn't been a total waste.
having said all that.. i'm looking at either a renegade or tourmaster 4100 as a main amp and using the dsl as a backup when i get it to work properly. i've got to wait until the taxman gets his cut to see what my budget allows.

 

[MississippiMetal]

yup. i've got a version two dsl that won't hold bias after a bias mod.. a rec bridge replacement.. replaced c 46 and r 48.. jumpered the ground side of the 16 ohm output jack. it's better.. but still won't hold bias. i got frustrated and set aside for a bit because life got in the way. i'll hit the books again and give it another try. i've got a list of measurements i need to take. a voltage chart would really come in handy.. but i don't have one that corresponds to a properly functioning dsl.. so i'll have to guesstimate. i'd really like to say i fixed it myself.. but sometimes you have to know when you're in over your head and call in a specialist.
it hasn't all been in vain however because i think i've learned quite a bit in the process as well as worked on some skills that are useful. so it hasn't been a total waste.
having said all that.. i'm looking at either a renegade or tourmaster 4100 as a main amp and using the dsl as a backup when i get it to work properly. i've got to wait until the taxman gets his cut to see what my budget allows.

You and I are practically in the same boat about our amps. I'd love to say i fixed my issue, but hell I have amp techs telling me it's a 50/50 chance that they can fix my amp.

Just curious. I'm wondering if habitually setting the standby switch to standby when turning the amp off might have caused this problem, or led to it?

 

[1big1]

i wouldn't think that putting an amp in standby before powering down would cause parasitic oscillations.. but i'm not a tech.. so what do i know?
my next move is to replace the switching jacks in the output section.. jumpering the ground on the 16 ohm jack and start over by measuring pin voltages and transformer voltages. the 16 ohm jack showed signs of heat stress which could be causing a problem with the output section. i think the switching jacks cost about 80 cents a piece through mouser.. so i'll give it a try. i'm also going to try hardwiring the bias board itself with single stand signal wire and see what that does.
i will say that the whole experience has soured me on new school marshalls. i'll never buy another one.

 

[MississippiMetal]

Well to be fair you ARE working on an amp with a really complex circuit design.

 

[1big1]

thanks for the moral support. it's appreciated. you can add a double sided motherboard to the list of fun things in amplifier design. as much as i wanted this amp to address my tonal needs.. the design of the early version consists of multiple accidents waiting to happen. marshall could have done a better job imho. to give credit where credit is due.. they seem to have addressed those issues in later versions.
i'm looking at eggy's because they seem to be designed better.. have a similar tone structure ( bassman/jtm 45 for a clean crunch and jcm 800 type tone for od as opposed the slp/800 type tone in the marshall).. and have more usable features imho.. and they're at a price point that makes them affordable.
i was hoping that i'd be able to pick up a nice two channel boutique amp. i had even developed a list of stuff to look at.. but the finances are trying to tell me that ain't happening.
i should probably start another list of amps and features and see what fits my needs and budget.
the good news is that there are lots of choices in the 1k and under range. the bad news is that there a lot of choices in the 1k and under range.