Got an AMPEG V4 from Guitar Center

[AlexanderWOLF]

I ordered it from a store in CA. It arrives and it looks okay. There is definitely something wrong.
It's really quiet (for a 100watt tube amp) and when you turn up the volume passed 3-4 it gets really really distorted, especially when the guitar's volume is dimed.

I tried both inputs, same issue. I looked at the back and saw that one of the tubes didn't glow =/. I'm hoping that's all it is. Would a dead / missing tube cause this? They didn't remove the tubes to ship it, so something could have happened. They said it was running fine, so unless they are completely stupid and have no idea how this amp is supposed to sound, this issue came up during shipping.



My question is, how good is guitar center about fixing used stuff that's 'broken'? I mean I figure I can just return it if they give me any crap about wanting to get it fixed for free. I called the store before I ordered it off the internet and they said it was working fine =/. I haven't really had the time to check it out since it was late at night and all my roommates were home. I'm hoping when I go downstairs tomorrow I can just unplug and replug the tube and have it work. Even if they're willing to replace the tube for free it's going to take a minute, I doubt stores are just stocking 7027As.


Also pics I guess



side note, this thing is fucking deep, its not as long as my R50H but its DEEP. AND HEAVY. I thought my r50h was heavy. It's a baby compared to this thing.

[Holy Schnikes]

A dead tube would most definitely cause that issue. Considering one's not glowing, I'd bet that's your issue, not a big deal at all. I'd double check all the fuses also. Even tho GC is packed with moron sales guys, anyone with ears can tell when a V4 is running properly cuz they're loud as shit. GC is usually good about covering shipping damage in my experience too so I'd get on 'em about it.

That said, I'd find a good local tech to do the repair before taking any more chances shipping an awesome and awesomely heavy amp like that. Have them double check the caps while it's in for service, best to recap if it's never been done before. Save yourself a buncha trouble in the future.

Congrats, once it's up and running you'll have a fantastic amp there, one of my favorites.

[AlexanderWOLF]

A dead tube would most definitely cause that issue. Considering one's not glowing, I'd bet that's your issue, not a big deal at all. I'd double check all the fuses also. Even tho GC is packed with moron sales guys, anyone with ears can tell when a V4 is running properly cuz they're loud as shit. GC is usually good about covering shipping damage in my experience too so I'd get on 'em about it.

That said, I'd find a good local tech to do the repair before taking any more chances shipping an awesome and awesomely heavy amp like that. Have them double check the caps while it's in for service, best to recap if it's never been done before. Save yourself a buncha trouble in the future.

Congrats, once it's up and running you'll have a fantastic amp there, one of my favorites.

Thanks. I don't have the money at the moment to bring it to the shop. I'm going to hopefully get that tube replaced for free. If it plays fine I'm going to run it until next month and then bring in the V4 and my R50H for service.

Another question, it looks like somebody already modded the power cable to a 3 prong cable, does that mean the polarity switch doesn't need to be used for anything?

[Holy Schnikes]

Man, that's an early 70's too right? The BEST of the best right there. Hope it all works out for ya!

As for the polarity switch, I think you just flip it when you're getting noise or hum and it'll resolve it usually. I know a lot of guys remove a cap, the "death cap" it's referred to in the early 70's models and leave the switch to do nothing. Not sure it that mod goes along with a 3-prong upgrade or what. I bet you could find the answer real quick here tho...

http://www.ampegv4.com/forum/index.php

[AlexanderWOLF]

I "think" it's between 1972-1975. Thanks for all the help!

[rot gut]

how much did you pay?

[crohny]

If I go a week without hearing of a used amp from GC having issues I'd probably have a fucking heart attack from the surprise.

[ooop]

I'm pretty sure GC has a 3-day return policy on vintage gear (which is what that v4 is), so I'd act quickly, whatever you are going to do about it.

[AlexanderWOLF]

I'm pretty sure GC has a 3-day return policy on vintage gear (which is what that v4 is), so I'd act quickly, whatever you are going to do about it.

It says "vintage instruments" which is really vague. But yeah, I'm bringing it in today because of that.

I paid 550, which was the best deal I could find between ebay / craigslist within 200 miles.

[Holy Schnikes]

$550 is a SOLID deal if it's just a bad power tube issue and it's already had a recap. Otherwise you may have to dump a couple hundred extra into it. Regardless, with the way those amps are going up in value you still got a pretty fair deal all said and done if the issue is simple and it's up and running again with a power tube swap/biasing of course.

[crohny]

If it's just a fucked tube then you're in the clear but I'd play it safe with GC and hound their asses to have it looked at on their dime.

[AlexanderWOLF]

So, I basically got the best deal ever.

They were going to just comp me 2 6L6s and I was like, uh, I don't want 2 7027As and 2 6L6s. So they were going to comp me 4 6L6s. They went to put them in, and there was something stuck in the socket from when the tube broke during shipping. So they returned my money. They're shipping it to their service center to get 4 new 7027s / get it serviced and fixed. Then it's going to get shipped back to the store where I can try it out and decide if I want to rebuy it.

Basically its a free tube swap / amp service AND I DONT EVEN HAVE TO BUY IT IF I DONT WANT TO. I just get the first dibs when it comes back to the store.

[D.o.S.]

You will want to buy it once it works, by the way.

[ChetMagongalo]

You will want to buy it once it works, by the way.

and then sell it to one of us

[misterstomach]

$550 with new tubes and freshly serviced? you want to buy it. you have to.