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i just got my old plexi head back from service, and i've already been raving about how good the guy was... when all of a sudden, during yesterday's rehearsal, i thought hey are they getting louder or is it me getting quieter?, i turned around and saw smoke coming out of the head. i freaked out and called the amp tech who said it may well just be a cap or a tube... i'll just have to wait and see. but i was so happy the thing was finally overhauled, completely rewired and such, just to blow it up a few hours later. dang.

Ah, crap! Is the service under warranty at least?

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The other day I tried my new old HR DLX at the rearshall, then it started smelling..but the sound was ok ..then the smell was so bad, so I removed the back panel, everything was ok..mmm..the smell-o-meter was saying  it was coming from the power amp..mm bad!..then I put everything back in place, and no smell was coming...the other day I've played at a gig, no smell again..I cross my finger..

sorry to hear this man

yup i feel especially bad about it because it's a 68. there's no warranty whatsoever since it wasn't done via a store or such, the guy has retired from the business and does it on a "private" basis, so to say. however, he seems like a good person - i hope he won't charge me too much - i mean, maybe it's even his fault? it's just that i hope it's nothing real bad, like the transformer.

superfuzz: i don't think i wan't to just plug it in again, really! 

why would it be his fault?

On the whole techs who work on vintage kit love doing so and work with the utmost care.

Sometimes when worn out components where the values have drifted together with age are replaced.... it causes others around them to fail due to the higher values of the 'not worn-out' replacement compoments. The equilibrium is upset.

Just bad luck I would say.

probably a defective part like a capacitor or tube, or possibly he inadvertently put a cap in backwards

Marc wrote:
Sometimes when worn out components where the values have drifted together with age are replaced.... it causes others around them to fail due to the higher values of the 'not worn-out' replacement compoments. The equilibrium is upset.

  I don't replace anything in my amps unless something blows and I have to, which hasn't happened yet.  I feel for you man...hope you get it back up and running.

Marc wrote: Sometimes when worn out components where the values have drifted together with age are replaced.... it causes others around them to fail due to the higher values of the 'not worn-out' replacement compoments. The equilibrium is upset.

i've taken that into consideration... but my first thought was: wait - the thing has just been serviced, and now it's gone? fuck! haha.
the guy has a great reputation around here, almost everyone with vintage stuff are having their amps serviced by him instead of going to slimy jim's repair ripoff store. 
i hope that even if something was his fault, he'd not act like a prick - he was really cool about it on the phone.  oh well we'll see, i'll take the plexi to him next weekend.

øøøøøøø wrote: probably a defective part like a capacitor or tube, or possibly he inadvertently put a cap in backwards (it DOES happen, even to experienced guys.  I've not yet done it, knock on wood!) 

Good guess...!

GUITARmole wrote:

øøøøøøø wrote: probably a defective part like a capacitor or tube, or possibly he inadvertently put a cap in backwards (it DOES happen, even to experienced guys.  I've not yet done it, knock on wood!) 

Good guess...!

i would be quite happy if it was just a minor issue. 

The symptoms are not consistent with a major issue like a transformer.  Other than transformers, virtually any issue in a simple amp like a Plexi is a minor issue.

I had a similar issue with a Fender super champ combo years ago... got it back from service, and BANG just a few hours later. One of the new tubes went up in smoke. But no problem -  the service company (Tube Amp Doctor) replaced it without further costs.

as long as it's not the transformer i won't cry. 

update: went to the amp tech with ithe broken plexi and he immediately took it apart. i didn't bother to check the wiring when i received it from repair - and say i was surprised to see what he's done. he completely rewired it with ultra quality cable - it looks super neat inside. it's really the OT that gave up, and he's trying to find a good replacement or having one made to specs. i'll only have to pay for the OT, and he'll do the work for free. super good guy! he also showed me a combo he's been working on and off for years... 2*12 open back, totally simplistic, no effects, 40 watts. that thing RIPPED. super balanced tone, tweed-like TV-design, but with black fake leather. i immediately asked him if such a thing would ever be for sale, but he won't sell any of his amps any more because of the new EU laws that require to have each own circuit design checked and counterchecked by bureaucrats - way too expensive. sad. to get back to the point - i'm glad the amp is in good hands.