Best Ampeg guitar amp tech ?

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doctorock78
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Best Ampeg guitar amp tech ?

Post by doctorock78 » Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:14 pm

Hi all,
Who gets the vote for the best tech when it comes to a mid 60's Reverberocket 2 (GS12R). I am in Honolulu, but considering shipping her out for some diagnostics / troubleshooting. Any help is much appreciated!

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Re: Best Ampeg guitar amp tech ?

Post by øøøøøøø » Wed Apr 17, 2019 4:37 am

Unless it needs a cometic restoration, I don't see much need to be overly choosy.

There's nothing really all that esoteric or weird about Ampeg tube amps. They're fairly basic executions of rather-standard technology. Topology-wise they are a BIT different from Fender amps, etc., but they're by no means overly-complicated. They will make sense to anyone who knows their way around basic tube circuits. Service documentation (i.e. schematics) are widely-available, so there aren't many mysteries.

I would look for a good tube guitar amplifier technician with a good reputation, and you should be all set.

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Re: Best Ampeg guitar amp tech ?

Post by doctorock78 » Wed Apr 17, 2019 11:05 am

Thanks for the advice. Respect. Unfortunately I have already tried my local guy, and he is not able to find the problem... It is a strange sounding overdrive when the volume gets to about 1 oclock position and above (and increases in intensity as you get to max). Sounds like a mild envelope filter / GE fuzz with dying battery. Not very Ampeg like I'm afraid.

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Re: Best Ampeg guitar amp tech ?

Post by øøøøøøø » Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:02 pm

Just based on your description, I wonder if it could be blocking distortion?

I'd try increasing R27 and R28 from 1k to 1k5 or 2k (or maybe even as high as 5k6 if needed), and see if anything changes.

These are the resistors that connect to pin 6 of both output tube sockets.

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Re: Best Ampeg guitar amp tech ?

Post by doctorock78 » Mon Apr 22, 2019 12:16 pm

Roger. Will look into that. Thank you Sir Ninja!

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Re: Best Ampeg guitar amp tech ?

Post by parry » Tue Apr 30, 2019 10:10 am

OP: I hope you find a good tech.

In getting my Reverbojet J12r worked on, I went through hassles I'd never gone though getting my Fender amps fixed. The techs mentioned several times that working on these amps is a major pain in the ass and that they didn't like it. After bringing it back a few times (with them not being able to find the gremlins), they sent it out (twice) for repair. It came back a little better, but still noisy at idle. Bummer. At that point, I decided to pull the plug on sinking more money in to it.

I've never had issues with noise coming from outlets in my home. I've checked my outlets and with the exception of one (that I seldom use) they're all grounded properly. When I plug in any of my other amps, I don't have a problem with noise. Plug in the Ampeg and I get noise. If it's plugged in to a power bar that has filtering, it's fine. Interestingly, i was linking amps the other day and noticed that when I had a Fender amp in front of the Ampeg and linked out from the Fender amp (this worked with both my Vibro Champ and Musicmaster), the Ampeg was dead quiet. If I unplug the Fender amp and plug straight in to the Ampeg... noise.

Anyone got any ideas what that could be? Filter caps on the Ampeg? ???
Or maybe Ampegs are just bad for that? At any rate, none of the techs could isolate what the issue might be.
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