Amp Stopped Working!

mikespe · March 27th, 2008, 01:22 PM

I just turned on my VibroChamp XD and did a few things while it warmed up. THe light is on and everything. I went to plug my guitar in and play and NO SOUND! I checked my guitar's and amp's volume control and they were fine! The I checked the tubes and they are NOT GLOWING but they don't look blown (no black discoloration of the glass or anything.

Is something fried? I just got the damn thing 2 months ago!

Thanks

Billm · March 27th, 2008, 01:59 PM

So the pilot light is on, but the tubes are not getting warm and there's no filament glow?

If so, the main fuse is good, but there's an internal fuse on the filament line that's soldered down to the circuit board. It could have blown. It's not a user-serviceable item, though. I don't have a VCXD schematic, so I can't tell you where to look for it, either.

For that matter, Fender considers the whole amp to be non-field-serviceable. For warranty, they just replace it with a new one and it goes back to the factory.

Guitarslinger1 · March 27th, 2008, 02:00 PM

Sounds like you may have blown a fuss. I don't know anything about these amps in particular, but Fender does seem to be using multiple fusses these days. Something else could have fried as well.

Do you have the owners manual?

mikespe · March 27th, 2008, 03:24 PM

I called American Musical Supply which is where I bought it. It was just past their 45 day return policy and said to talk to Fender or they could give me the name of an authorized Fender repair shop near me. There is only ONE in the Rochester, NY area...The House Of Guitars all the way on the other side of town. I took the amp there and the TECHNICIAN is only there Thursdays & Saturdays from 4pm to 9pm. The guitar tech said the EARLIEST they could look at it is NEXT THURSDAY and if it's something simple it will be done by then. If NOT simple it'll be about 3-4 weeks! I can not believe that in this city or Rochester which isn't tiny only has ONE authorized Fender repair place! Buffalo which is only a tiny bit bigger has THREE places! THEN the guy waits until I drop it off to ask me for the receipt from American Musical. I said you didn't ASK me to bring it when I called you! He said I would need it to pick it up. American Musical just faxed me the receipt so I have it since I couldn't find mine!

I am so friggin miserable right now! I just sat down to practice, I have been getting the most PERFECT tone from that amp and now who knows when I will get it back!!!! I don't even want to play now and I have really been getting into my practices lately. Things have really been progressing...and even though it's only psychological, it's partly because of me loving the tone that I was able to create!

As for the manual, there's nothing in there...that was the first place I looked. To answer your question, you're right there wasn't a filament glow at all but the red light on the front was on.

Billm · March 27th, 2008, 03:41 PM

I suppose you could check to see if both green wires are pushed onto their connectors on the board. Two come from the power transformer and go to push-ons. If one was loose for some reason, you could push it back on. I doubt that's the problem; those push-ons don't come off accidentally and it would be weird for the person who assembled it to leave one adrift.

My understanding from an authorized Fender service tech is that they're not allowed to service the SCXD and VCXD. All they can do is verify that there's a valid warranty claim and send it back to Fender for repair or replacement.

mikespe · March 27th, 2008, 03:43 PM

I just tried using my Vox VR15 and quite honestly, it sucks! I can't get a good tone at a low volume for my apartment and pedals sound TERRIBLE through it! I have the Vox Pathfinder 10 and a microCube but man it's just NOT THE SAME!

Doug Ferguson · March 27th, 2008, 03:50 PM

A fuse could well be the culprit.

mikespe · March 27th, 2008, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the help guys. Right now its out of my hands.

It looks like I am stuck playing clean for a few weeks now. I just tried my Vox Pathfinder 10 and that seem to be the only USABLE sound I can get right now. The Vox amps just won't take to pedals at low volumes like the VibroChamp XD does!

I might just stick with acoustic until I can get the amp back/replaced!

pchilson · March 27th, 2008, 04:47 PM

Mike,
My first SCXD quit on me a couple weeks after getting it. I shipped it to Fender in Scottsdale AZ cause I didn't have a service center within 80 miles of me. I had a brand new replacement back in my hands within 10 days of me shipping it out. That was a very fast turnaround and I was extremely happy with how Fender handled the whole thing. I know it sucks going without but be patient and improve your clean technique in the mean time.
Good Luck!

mikespe · March 27th, 2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pchilson

Mike,
My first SCXD quit on me a couple weeks after getting it. I shipped it to Fender in Scottsdale AZ cause I didn't have a service center within 80 miles of me. I had a brand new replacement back in my hands within 10 days of me shipping it out. That was a very fast turnaround and I was extremely happy with how Fender handled the whole thing. I know it sucks going without but be patient and improve your clean technique in the mean time.
Good Luck!

I know you didn't mean to but that frustrates me even more! You sent yours to another STATE and got it replaced in 10 days. I have to wait SEVEN days before the guy MIGHT even look at it THEN wait for a replacement if need be! And that's from a place right across town!

Playing the Vox Pathfinder 10 it was ok but just not warm sounding like the Fender. I got frustrated with the tone and just shut everything off. I just don't want to play right now. Most likely I'll be doing a LOT of acoustic stuff during my wait.

What I do know is this...I am putting my Vox VR15 up on eBay tomorrow (unless someone here want to make an offer) and a few pedals I don't use anymore. Then I am either going to get a spare VibroChamp XD OR if they come back in stock get the Super Champ XD. I just like the fact that I can get GREAT tone at a low volume. That is next to impossible with most tube amps. Heck, I could probably even chain the 2 VibroChamps together and play through both or A/B them with my A/B pedal and have one set for clean and the other for overdrive! I am assuming the SCXD can also be played at low volumes and get great tone, correct?

pchilson · March 27th, 2008, 05:21 PM

Hey Mike,
Sorry to frustrate you, I only meant to cheer you up.
I never played the VCXD so can't directly compare to the SCXD but I do play mine and need to keep volume low at times (not always) and yes it can sound very good at low volume depending on what voice you use. My SCXD is the first amp I've owned that I don't have thoughts of replacing as all others I've had. This thing is versatile and just sounds so good to me and that is all that matters.

mikespe · March 27th, 2008, 05:32 PM

It's alright pchilson. I know you didn't mean to. I am just so angry, frustrated, and down right now.

mikespe · April 3rd, 2008, 03:27 PM

Well I called on my amp today and the guy said the tech looked at it then realized he needed a schematic for it (Yea I know...I am worried too!). I mentioned to him what Billm said about Fender considering the amp non-serviceable and he said he would have to check with Fender on that. But he thinks that that rule applies to the cheaper amps like the Squier 10 watt amps that come with the kits. They just replace those.

The guy said his tech will know more on Saturday when he comes in so I will call back that afternoon. I am missing that amp so much!!!!

Billm · April 3rd, 2008, 04:21 PM

I know for a fact that authorized Fender service centers have schematics for these amps, whether they're field serviceable or not. Fender still hasn't published them on their site, although a Fender exec told me that it's their policy to publish them and that they'd try to get them online ASAP.

pchilson · April 3rd, 2008, 04:39 PM

I have the schematic for the SCXD. I just asked Customer relations and they emailed it to me next day.

mikespe · April 3rd, 2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billm

I know for a fact that authorized Fender service centers have schematics for these amps, whether they're field serviceable or not. Fender still hasn't published them on their site, although a Fender exec told me that it's their policy to publish them and that they'd try to get them online ASAP.

Well let's just say that this guy (who is NOT the amp tech) talks like he's having mushroom flashbacks from the 60's....Like I said in my post...I am worried! But I am hoping for the BEST to happen SOON! But I sure do need the good karma of this board to get my amp back is perfect shape!

mikespe · April 9th, 2008, 02:07 PM

Well here is an update on my amp...I just called the repair shop after TWO WEEKS without my amp. The guy tells me the SAME story he told me last week that they are waiting for the schematics. I told the guy that I was told he could get them online and he got snippy with me saying that he's a dealer and don't I think he already tried that.

Well I finally had it and just called Fender's Customer Relations and spoke to someone was VERY upset and even HE said what Billm said that Fender considers these amps NON-SERVICEABLE! He said the repair shop is supposed to FACILITATE the return and that is it! He took my number looked up the repair shops number and said he will get back to me.

I swear this is frustrating me to no end!

Billm · April 9th, 2008, 04:23 PM

Isn't it a pain that you have to educate dealers and service people sometimes?

Or is it unreasonable to expect them to be on top of all the details? After all, Fender hasn't publicized the amps that it considers non-field-serviceable.

Of course, if Fender were smart, they'd make it a marketing feature: "Five year, full exchange, limited warranty against manufacturer's defects," or some such.

BTW, the SCXD schematics are not available online yet, but I understand that Fender customer service will email them to you on request. Maybe you should request a set and forward them to your repair shop!

mikespe · April 9th, 2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billm

Isn't it a pain that you have to educate dealers and service people sometimes?

Or is it unreasonable to expect them to be on top of all the details? After all, Fender hasn't publicized the amps that it considers non-field-serviceable.

Of course, if Fender were smart, they'd make it a marketing feature: "Five year, full exchange, limited warranty against manufacturer's defects," or some such.

BTW, the SCXD schematics are not available online yet, but I understand that Fender customer service will email them to you on request. Maybe you should request a set and forward them to your repair shop!

I just got off the phone with the Fender Customer Service Rep and he said that they are waiting for the repair shop to call them back and that Fender's people will notify them of the "proper" procedures about non-field serviceable items. He said it's usually a 24hr turnaround since they play phone tag. I know the repair tech I spoke with leaves at 5:30pm. But the guy from Fender assured me I will have the amp replaced but I would have to pick it up from the repair shop...which I KNOW will NOT be happy to deal with me!

pchilson · April 9th, 2008, 05:15 PM

Mike, if these guys won't get it done for you try calling the Customer Support and asking them about you shipping the amp directly to them. That is what they did for me cause the closest authorized service center was 80 miles from me. I paid about $23 shipping with FedEx to them and they picked up shipping directly back to my house. 10 day turnaround. I didn't mind paying the shipping. Its an option for you.

mak90 · April 9th, 2008, 05:19 PM

The same thing happened to me with my Blackheart Lil Giant head.......the culprit was a brand new Sovtek 12ax7lps that freaking died.....try swapping tubes.

mikespe · April 10th, 2008, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mak90

The same thing happened to me with my Blackheart Lil Giant head.......the culprit was a brand new Sovtek 12ax7lps that freaking died.....try swapping tubes.

Its definitely not the tubes...most likely it's is an interior fuse somewhere. I should HOPEFULLY hear something today.

mikespe · April 10th, 2008, 06:05 PM

Well, still no word on my amp. I will call Fender again tomorrow and see what progress was made. Then I will call the repair shop to MAKE SURE I get my new amp! It's been over TWO weeks which I think is unacceptable for a non-serviceable item that should have been replaced by now.

mikespe · April 11th, 2008, 04:31 PM

Another update...I called the repair place and he said Fender called him and told him the deal. He said he has been waiting for the schematics from Fender. However that was 2 weeks. I emailed Customer Support from Fender to see how long it would take me to get schematics...it took THREE HOURS for them to email me the schematics! I phone the guy and he's STILL giving me a hard time! Now he tells me there is an Expo tomorrow and his tech won't be in! He only works Thursdays and Saturdays! So NOW I have to wait ANOTHER week just to see what's wrong with it THEN wait for them to order another one from Fender! It'll be over a MONTH before I get the darn thing back!

pchilson · April 11th, 2008, 05:27 PM

I would talk to Customer support and just ship the damn thing directly to them yourself. To heck with this non responsive bozo who has your amp now.

Southern ILL · April 11th, 2008, 05:38 PM

They are giving you the run around and you'll save $$ by shipping it back yourself.

March 27th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	Amp Stopped Working! I just turned on my VibroChamp XD and did a few things while it warmed up. THe light is on and everything. I went to plug my guitar in and play and NO SOUND! I checked my guitar's and amp's volume control and they were fine! The I checked the tubes and they are NOT GLOWING but they don't look blown (no black discoloration of the glass or anything. Is something fried? I just got the damn thing 2 months ago! Thanks

March 27th, 2008, 03:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
Doug Ferguson Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Age: 55 Posts: 911	A fuse could well be the culprit. __________________ If you get hung up on just guitar players, you've missed something.... Don't ever get to a point where you just gotta be a guitar player. You hear something, go try to get that note and sound as much like that as you can.-Buddy Guy

March 27th, 2008, 01:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 61 Posts: 134	So the pilot light is on, but the tubes are not getting warm and there's no filament glow? If so, the main fuse is good, but there's an internal fuse on the filament line that's soldered down to the circuit board. It could have blown. It's not a user-serviceable item, though. I don't have a VCXD schematic, so I can't tell you where to look for it, either. For that matter, Fender considers the whole amp to be non-field-serviceable. For warranty, they just replace it with a new one and it goes back to the factory.

March 27th, 2008, 02:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Guitarslinger1 Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 755	Sounds like you may have blown a fuss. I don't know anything about these amps in particular, but Fender does seem to be using multiple fusses these days. Something else could have fried as well. Do you have the owners manual?

March 27th, 2008, 03:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	I called American Musical Supply which is where I bought it. It was just past their 45 day return policy and said to talk to Fender or they could give me the name of an authorized Fender repair shop near me. There is only ONE in the Rochester, NY area...The House Of Guitars all the way on the other side of town. I took the amp there and the TECHNICIAN is only there Thursdays & Saturdays from 4pm to 9pm. The guitar tech said the EARLIEST they could look at it is NEXT THURSDAY and if it's something simple it will be done by then. If NOT simple it'll be about 3-4 weeks! I can not believe that in this city or Rochester which isn't tiny only has ONE authorized Fender repair place! Buffalo which is only a tiny bit bigger has THREE places! THEN the guy waits until I drop it off to ask me for the receipt from American Musical. I said you didn't ASK me to bring it when I called you! He said I would need it to pick it up. American Musical just faxed me the receipt so I have it since I couldn't find mine! I am so friggin miserable right now! I just sat down to practice, I have been getting the most PERFECT tone from that amp and now who knows when I will get it back!!!! I don't even want to play now and I have really been getting into my practices lately. Things have really been progressing...and even though it's only psychological, it's partly because of me loving the tone that I was able to create! As for the manual, there's nothing in there...that was the first place I looked. To answer your question, you're right there wasn't a filament glow at all but the red light on the front was on.

March 27th, 2008, 03:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 61 Posts: 134	I suppose you could check to see if both green wires are pushed onto their connectors on the board. Two come from the power transformer and go to push-ons. If one was loose for some reason, you could push it back on. I doubt that's the problem; those push-ons don't come off accidentally and it would be weird for the person who assembled it to leave one adrift. My understanding from an authorized Fender service tech is that they're not allowed to service the SCXD and VCXD. All they can do is verify that there's a valid warranty claim and send it back to Fender for repair or replacement.

March 27th, 2008, 03:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	I just tried using my Vox VR15 and quite honestly, it sucks! I can't get a good tone at a low volume for my apartment and pedals sound TERRIBLE through it! I have the Vox Pathfinder 10 and a microCube but man it's just NOT THE SAME!

March 27th, 2008, 04:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	Thanks for the help guys. Right now its out of my hands. It looks like I am stuck playing clean for a few weeks now. I just tried my Vox Pathfinder 10 and that seem to be the only USABLE sound I can get right now. The Vox amps just won't take to pedals at low volumes like the VibroChamp XD does! I might just stick with acoustic until I can get the amp back/replaced!

March 27th, 2008, 04:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
pchilson Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Loveland, Colorado Age: 50 Posts: 567	Mike, My first SCXD quit on me a couple weeks after getting it. I shipped it to Fender in Scottsdale AZ cause I didn't have a service center within 80 miles of me. I had a brand new replacement back in my hands within 10 days of me shipping it out. That was a very fast turnaround and I was extremely happy with how Fender handled the whole thing. I know it sucks going without but be patient and improve your clean technique in the mean time. Good Luck!

March 27th, 2008, 05:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
pchilson Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Loveland, Colorado Age: 50 Posts: 567	Hey Mike, Sorry to frustrate you, I only meant to cheer you up. I never played the VCXD so can't directly compare to the SCXD but I do play mine and need to keep volume low at times (not always) and yes it can sound very good at low volume depending on what voice you use. My SCXD is the first amp I've owned that I don't have thoughts of replacing as all others I've had. This thing is versatile and just sounds so good to me and that is all that matters.

March 27th, 2008, 05:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	It's alright pchilson. I know you didn't mean to. I am just so angry, frustrated, and down right now.

April 3rd, 2008, 03:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	Well I called on my amp today and the guy said the tech looked at it then realized he needed a schematic for it (Yea I know...I am worried too!). I mentioned to him what Billm said about Fender considering the amp non-serviceable and he said he would have to check with Fender on that. But he thinks that that rule applies to the cheaper amps like the Squier 10 watt amps that come with the kits. They just replace those. The guy said his tech will know more on Saturday when he comes in so I will call back that afternoon. I am missing that amp so much!!!!

April 3rd, 2008, 04:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 61 Posts: 134	I know for a fact that authorized Fender service centers have schematics for these amps, whether they're field serviceable or not. Fender still hasn't published them on their site, although a Fender exec told me that it's their policy to publish them and that they'd try to get them online ASAP.

April 3rd, 2008, 04:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
pchilson Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Loveland, Colorado Age: 50 Posts: 567	I have the schematic for the SCXD. I just asked Customer relations and they emailed it to me next day.

April 9th, 2008, 02:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	Well here is an update on my amp...I just called the repair shop after TWO WEEKS without my amp. The guy tells me the SAME story he told me last week that they are waiting for the schematics. I told the guy that I was told he could get them online and he got snippy with me saying that he's a dealer and don't I think he already tried that. Well I finally had it and just called Fender's Customer Relations and spoke to someone was VERY upset and even HE said what Billm said that Fender considers these amps NON-SERVICEABLE! He said the repair shop is supposed to FACILITATE the return and that is it! He took my number looked up the repair shops number and said he will get back to me. I swear this is frustrating me to no end!

April 9th, 2008, 04:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 61 Posts: 134	Isn't it a pain that you have to educate dealers and service people sometimes? Or is it unreasonable to expect them to be on top of all the details? After all, Fender hasn't publicized the amps that it considers non-field-serviceable. Of course, if Fender were smart, they'd make it a marketing feature: "Five year, full exchange, limited warranty against manufacturer's defects," or some such. BTW, the SCXD schematics are not available online yet, but I understand that Fender customer service will email them to you on request. Maybe you should request a set and forward them to your repair shop!

April 9th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#20 (permalink)
pchilson Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Loveland, Colorado Age: 50 Posts: 567	Mike, if these guys won't get it done for you try calling the Customer Support and asking them about you shipping the amp directly to them. That is what they did for me cause the closest authorized service center was 80 miles from me. I paid about $23 shipping with FedEx to them and they picked up shipping directly back to my house. 10 day turnaround. I didn't mind paying the shipping. Its an option for you.

April 9th, 2008, 05:19 PM	#21 (permalink)
mak90 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nevada Age: 42 Posts: 5	The same thing happened to me with my Blackheart Lil Giant head.......the culprit was a brand new Sovtek 12ax7lps that freaking died.....try swapping tubes.

April 10th, 2008, 06:05 PM	#23 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	Well, still no word on my amp. I will call Fender again tomorrow and see what progress was made. Then I will call the repair shop to MAKE SURE I get my new amp! It's been over TWO weeks which I think is unacceptable for a non-serviceable item that should have been replaced by now.

April 11th, 2008, 04:31 PM	#24 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Western New York Age: 41 Posts: 867	Another update...I called the repair place and he said Fender called him and told him the deal. He said he has been waiting for the schematics from Fender. However that was 2 weeks. I emailed Customer Support from Fender to see how long it would take me to get schematics...it took THREE HOURS for them to email me the schematics! I phone the guy and he's STILL giving me a hard time! Now he tells me there is an Expo tomorrow and his tech won't be in! He only works Thursdays and Saturdays! So NOW I have to wait ANOTHER week just to see what's wrong with it THEN wait for them to order another one from Fender! It'll be over a MONTH before I get the darn thing back!

April 11th, 2008, 05:27 PM	#25 (permalink)
pchilson Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Loveland, Colorado Age: 50 Posts: 567	I would talk to Customer support and just ship the damn thing directly to them yourself. To heck with this non responsive bozo who has your amp now.

April 11th, 2008, 05:38 PM	#26 (permalink)
Southern ILL Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 37 Posts: 285	They are giving you the run around and you'll save $$ by shipping it back yourself.

April 11th, 2008, 06:42 PM	#27 (permalink)
mikespe Tele-Holic