Bad tube on new Fender Vibro Champ [Archive]

ChrisF

February 27th, 2009, 08:58 PM

Hello everybody,

I'd like to request some input on an amp problem I have. I'm a newbie guitar player with limited knowledge of amps. I recently (8 months ago) bought a Fender Vibro Champ XD (5 watt tube amp with models and efects). The amp cost $250.00 new. About 3 months ago I noticed intermittant squealing, crackling (or popping) sounds, and buzzing. I brought it back to a local music store along with my Tele and plugged it in but the guitar guys there couldn't replicate the problem. I went back home with it. Now the problem is constant so I brought it back to them. They shipped it out to their amp guy to check out. He left me a message saying that my amp had a bad tube (didn't say which one) and that it would cost $40.00 to replace it, because the tubes only had a 90 day warranty.

I'm a little upset at the store and also bewildered at how Fender, with a good rep for producing tube amps, could manufacture an amp that would have a tube failure after 8 months. When I brought it to the store originally one of the guitar salesmen said that he also has a Vibro Champ XD and his preamp tube went bad.

My question is should a new amp blow a tube like this? My guitar instructor has a larger Fender tube amp that he's had for years and never lost a tube. He said he replaced his tubes after a few years with special tubes to get more mids.

I know that tube amps can be fussy, but 8 months? Sorry for the long rant. The amp rarely left my house and I allowed it to warm up before playing.

Also does anyone know of a good sounding solid state I could buy? (that's subjective i know). I had a Fender Frontman 25 watt and hated it. That's why I upgraded to the Vibro Champ. My instructor plays through peavey's which sound good. I borrowed an old Gorilla GG 25 of his and that sounds good to me too. I mostly play clean.

Thanks,
Chris

Axis29

February 27th, 2009, 10:17 PM

Might not be have a thing to do with the amp itself. There's a reason Fender only warrants the tubes for 90 days. They have no control on how people treat them, but GT tubes have a not so hot reputation... I don't know if it's based in anything concrete, but they get a good bit of bad press.

Be happy it was just a little preamp tube! Coulda been a power tube and some little bits and pieces on the circuit board!

Just ask them to put something different in, or get the amp back and order a few different tubes to try.


	Telecaster Guitar Forum > Amplifier Discussion Forums > Amp Central Station > Bad tube on new Fender Vibro Champ PDA Bad tube on new Fender Vibro Champ ChrisF February 27th, 2009, 08:58 PM Hello everybody, I'd like to request some input on an amp problem I have. I'm a newbie guitar player with limited knowledge of amps. I recently (8 months ago) bought a Fender Vibro Champ XD (5 watt tube amp with models and efects). The amp cost $250.00 new. About 3 months ago I noticed intermittant squealing, crackling (or popping) sounds, and buzzing. I brought it back to a local music store along with my Tele and plugged it in but the guitar guys there couldn't replicate the problem. I went back home with it. Now the problem is constant so I brought it back to them. They shipped it out to their amp guy to check out. He left me a message saying that my amp had a bad tube (didn't say which one) and that it would cost $40.00 to replace it, because the tubes only had a 90 day warranty. I'm a little upset at the store and also bewildered at how Fender, with a good rep for producing tube amps, could manufacture an amp that would have a tube failure after 8 months. When I brought it to the store originally one of the guitar salesmen said that he also has a Vibro Champ XD and his preamp tube went bad. My question is should a new amp blow a tube like this? My guitar instructor has a larger Fender tube amp that he's had for years and never lost a tube. He said he replaced his tubes after a few years with special tubes to get more mids. I know that tube amps can be fussy, but 8 months? Sorry for the long rant. The amp rarely left my house and I allowed it to warm up before playing. Also does anyone know of a good sounding solid state I could buy? (that's subjective i know). I had a Fender Frontman 25 watt and hated it. That's why I upgraded to the Vibro Champ. My instructor plays through peavey's which sound good. I borrowed an old Gorilla GG 25 of his and that sounds good to me too. I mostly play clean. Thanks, Chris Axis29 February 27th, 2009, 10:17 PM Might not be have a thing to do with the amp itself. There's a reason Fender only warrants the tubes for 90 days. They have no control on how people treat them, but GT tubes have a not so hot reputation... I don't know if it's based in anything concrete, but they get a good bit of bad press. Be happy it was just a little preamp tube! Coulda been a power tube and some little bits and pieces on the circuit board! Just ask them to put something different in, or get the amp back and order a few different tubes to try. ChrisF February 28th, 2009, 03:19 PM Thanks, John. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge. Chris F.