Ampeg GVT15h Issues. HALP DUDES.

[Jero]

I picked up one of these Ampeg GVT's for a steal of a price, as I'm sure several of you did. Anyways...

My effects loop and reverb seem busted. When I first turned the amp on, all I could get was quiet blown out nasty when I dig in a nothing when played normal. Plugged an old randall footswitch (trs dual stomp) into the jack and voila! The amp started working...but I still have no reverb. Then I decided to try and put the elements into the fx loop (dirt sounds terrible hitting the front end) and got nothing. Swapped the cables just in case, still nothing.

So basically I have an amp that sounds fantastic if I want to use it clean all the time. FX loop and reverb don't work...unless I'm ignorant to something. Please help.

[Jero]

I should also mention that I got the extended warranty should something actually be wrong, but I'd hate to have to mail it off if not needed.

[theAntihero]

A lot of times you dont want anything that adds gain in the loop, its used for stuff like reverb and delay, maybe the ampeg is one of those?

[MEC]

I got the GVT15H too and I just checked the effects loop.
I plugged the "send" into the first pedal in the chain and then ran the cable out from the last pedal and into the "return".
I plugged my guitar straight into the input of the amp and everything worked fine.

If you do put dirt in the effects loop it sounds super treble but the delay sounds great.

If you have any questions or want me to try anything else let me know.

If you have any questions or want me to try anything else let me know.

TWSS/CHANKS WUZ HERE.

[Holy Schnikes]

I had a faulty reverb on my gvt15h so I called Ampeg to find a local warranty center. Rather than cause me any headaches they shipped me a brand new amp and paid return label for the faulty unit. Good customer service at Ampeg/Loud Technologies.

[Tristan]

Wow, good customer service indeed!
Anyway, if you'd like to try out something yourself I'd say first get some new preamp tubes or swap the preamp tubes (all of them) for ones out of your other amps that you know that work.
Other than that I'm not a tech head so I can't really help you much I'm afraid.

[doommeow]

If it's new the retailer or Ampeg/Loud will probably just offer to send you a replacement - that's the fastest and easiest option.

[Jero]

Yea I'll give them a call in the morning I suppose.

What footswitch are y'all using for the fxloop/reverb?

[Holy Schnikes]

Yea I'll give them a call in the morning I suppose.

What footswitch are y'all using for the fxloop/reverb?

I had that 2-button Ampeg switch when I owned mine, the GVT-FS2, but I think it's been discontinued.

[Jero]

Well. I called ampeg.
They informed me that they can't send out a replacement because they are discontinued and no longer have any. So I can either, get a refund from MF or go to Austin and have Music Makers fix it for free. Either way I haz dissapoint.

I'm gonna fix it my damn self.

[Mike]

My hunch is corrosion on the jacks, preventing them from making connections when nothing is plugged in. I have had it happen with similar plastic jacks to the ones this amp uses.

Can you get a copy of the schematic? I bet it is a simple fix.

I would give MF a call and explain what Ampeg told you. If they can't come up with a different amp, ask them for a partial refund on the amp, and a full refund on the extended warranty, which you will void when you try to fix it yourself. Shipping it back and processing a return/credit is bound to cost them $25, and stick them with a dud amp. It might be worth $50 to them if you agree to keep it.

Good luck!

Mike