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View Full Version : Help! Amp goes poof.

bjjp2
03-07-2009, 09:17 AM
So I've got my Germino Club 40 head cranked through my Ho attenuator and I'm digging it big time. All of a sudden the sound just dies out. Tried going direct to speaker, so it's not the Ho. No smoke, flash or smell. Power tubes light up. Just no sound of any kind. Never had this happen before. Any help would be appreciated.
Jade
03-07-2009, 09:22 AM
Could be many things. The worst being a blown output transformer. Or it could be something as simple as a HT fuse. I don't know if Greg uses an internal, or external fuse, or any fuse at all on that amp's HT side. I'd call Greg, and I'm sure he'll be able to point you in the right direction.

Jade
carbz
03-07-2009, 09:40 AM
If your amp uses a rectifier tube check that.
slider313
03-07-2009, 09:54 AM
Blown speaker?
Jade
03-07-2009, 10:18 AM
If your amp uses a rectifier tube check that.

Very good suggestion. Even with a bad rec tube, the filaments will still light up.

Jade
bjjp2
03-07-2009, 02:10 PM
Changed rectifier tube. Same problem. It's not the speaker cab. Could this be a power tube or a preamp tube?

Edit: swapped out each pre and power tube. Still no sound. Fuses look intact. Damn!!!
guitarsnguns04
03-07-2009, 02:35 PM
I fixed a carr the other day..same story... ultimate attenuator etc. It ended up the power tube arced and fried a couple of resistors. I changed out the res. and installed new tubes ..bias etc
bjjp2
03-10-2009, 12:22 PM
Just an update. My amp tech said the "high voltage section of my power supply was shorted". Since this happened on one of the first times I ever had the amp cranked through the Ho attenuator, I have a hard time believing that it's just a coincidence.
phsyconoodler
03-10-2009, 02:03 PM
Any weak links in your amp will show up when using any attenuator.You likely had something in the power section that was not up to snuff and cranking the amp through the attenuator finished it off.Power tubes are the first thing to check,and if they go bad they often take out other components too.
This is why I caution guys who use attenuators to make sure their amps have fresh tubes and have been given a clean bill of health before using attenuators.

But you techs' statement "high voltage section of my power supply was shorted". is vague.WHAT in the power section is shorted?
donnyjaguar
03-11-2009, 08:10 AM
I think he's referring to the high voltage secondary winding of the power transformer. I don't use attenuators myself.