Marshall 2061x issues??

[KRay]

Hey folks. I am starting to become concerned here as my 2061x is back in hte shop for the second time in less than 6 mos. The first time my tech said that it was just a solder joint that had been missed by the assembler but it started acting up again and had to go back. It was doing the same thing. When I turned it up past 1/2 way it sounded like I was playing through speakers that had been shredded. Low on power as well. Is anyone else having issues? What's going on here? I LOVE this amp and I don't want to have to find a similar replacement. Can anyone guess what it could be? I trust my amp tech but he hasn't had a chance to look at it yet this time. Any stories or ideas would be appreciated. Not trying to slag this amp cause they sound great but I hiope this isn't indicative of this model.
Take care
Kevin

 

[jjguitarranch]

Send it to Marshall directly. Get it fixed under warranty for free. It sounds like a problem they have been having with the output transformer.

 

[KRay]

Can I send it directly to them? I was under the impression they would make me take it to an authorized service center. can anyone elaborate on the xfomer issues?

 

[big mike]

I've had zero issues with mine.

 

[pepperco]

My output tranny has been replaced twice.
All of my feelings about this have been detailed
in this thread at the Plexi Palace

http://www.vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewtopic.php?t=38785&highlight=kerplunk

Its a drag, but the amp still sounds so good,
darnit all to heck.

I hate amp techs who BS me with crap like
"it was a loose solder joint" and then you bring
it home and it does the same thing.....
Did you ask for a refund on the first repair?
Was it an authorized Marshall repair center?
If possible I would try another amp tech.

My 2 tranny's were replaced under warrenty,
no cost to me. If the third one blows I'm going
to see about a replacement / refund. Which
is a shame, because the amp sounds awesome.

 

[rastaman]

Zero problems w/ mine also. 5yr parts and labor, I'm not worried. BTW, I even use a THD Hotplate on 1 click.

 

[PlexiBreath]

Marshall is running those EL84s at a very high voltage, when I took a reading on mine I was surprised. I've been hearing reports of failures because of this. The big amp makers are usually more conservative with this kind of thing. Myself, I prefer the tone or EL84s being run at these higher voltages in my homebrews, but to save tube life I use higher value screen resistors, approx. 2.2K, this settles things down a bit without loosing the tone advantage of running the EL84s at 390volts. I intend to do this with my 2061X whenever I can get around to it.

 

[ducmike]

I just got one this Monday. I noticed a strange distortion like noise also a couple of days ago. Today I thought it might be a speaker problem, so I plugged my Rt66 in to the cab, and no noise. I'm just going to return it though, that's to much $$ to be tied up in an amp that I have to worry about.

 

[ahab]

ducmike...since you are getting rid of your Marshall, allow me to suggest looking into a TopHat Club Royal combo. It is the greatest amp that I have ever played!
-Ahab

 

[rastaman]

Marshall is running those EL84s at a very high voltage, when I took a reading on mine I was surprised. I've been hearing reports of failures because of this. The big amp makers are usually more conservative with this kind of thing. Myself, I prefer the tone or EL84s being run at these higher voltages in my homebrews, but to save tube life I use higher value screen resistors, approx. 2.2K, this settles things down a bit without loosing the tone advantage of running the EL84s at 390volts. I intend to do this with my 2061X whenever I can get around to it.

Mr. PlexiBreath, is this 2.2K resistor you speak of safe to put in my 2061X? I'd love to "settle things down a bit without loosing the tone advantage of running the EL84's at 390volts."

Also, what wattage? 1/2w or higher?

 

[sundaypunch]

I love the idea of one of the 20-watters. I'm one of the people that is waiting to buy one until they fix the transformer issue. There have been so many reports of problems that I would think Marshall will have to fix the issue.

 

[KRay]

I know this is a different animal to a degree but did the originals have this problem?

 

[HeeHaw]

I know a local guy here that had his 2061 go down on him during a gig.
He was absolutely livid.:BITCH

He was thankfull he had a crate powerblock that got him through.:AOK

 

[brent]

I've had mine for 10 months with no issues running it hard, but I am in need of a new set of powertubes. What a great amp.

 

[tmac]

No issues so far. :AOK
Great amp. I got mine used about two weeks ago so it has traveled across the USA a couple of times. It gets turned up regularly and sounds great. I haven't measured the plates on mine yet but I will, maybe adding the screen resistors as suggested.

 

[Chiba]

I had a 2061X for a year and ran it HARD pretty much all the time. Gigged, practiced, and recorded with it. Other than replacing the tubes in October, I never had any problems or issues with it. Certainly no failures with the transformers.

--chiba

 

[stratovarius]

I know this is a different animal to a degree but did the originals have this problem?

I can't say for sure, but I've been messing with these amps for the last few years and haven't had or heard of a problem. That would be a real bummer on a piece of vintage gear. They're some sweet little amps for sure.