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Post by The Fifth Column on Oct 27, 2007 12:46:29 GMT -7
Ok, I just bought my first Z Amp, a Rt 66 with a Z's Best cab, and I absolutely love the sound, (I'll post another thing about that later), but I'm having a little problem.
I originally ordered it brand new, from the dealer here in Chicago, took bout 6 weeks etc. I've had it home about 2 hours as of now max, and have been playing it with the with just my LP copy, straight in, through a THD 16 ohm hot plate and into the 16 ohm z's best. Sounds great and then suddenly a fizzle and a pop and it looks like it blew the 3 amp fuse.
I'm not a amp tech, never even biased one, so I need some advice on where to go with this and any ideas on what caused the fuse to go. Any advice at all is appreciated asap as if it's something series I still have time to bring it back to the dealer today and hopefully get this worked out. I did a search briefly on the forum for fuse issues and seemed to be a lot of people saying it could be the rectifier, but that was for other amps. Is it possible that one or more of these tubes is bad?
Thanks, I really appreciate the help.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 27, 2007 12:53:06 GMT -7
I'm betting your rectifier tube went south, but it could be one of the power tubes too. Get a new fuse, but also pick up some power tubes and a rectifier tube - you need to have a spare anyway, and swap them out. Start with the rectifier. Make sure you have at least a few fuses in case you guess wrong the first time and the fuse blows again.
I had almost the same thing happen when I bought my first THD Flexi-50 - within the first twenty minutes one of the power tubes shorted. Big time bummer, but I got a new set of power tubes and they are still in there three years later.
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Post by The Fifth Column on Oct 27, 2007 13:01:20 GMT -7
Thanks benttop, that's what I was worried it might be.
Isn't there a warranty on tubes in these amps? And if so, do I take it back to the dealer? Send the tubes back to the Doc? Or the whole amp back to the Doc?
Thanks again,
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Post by zdogma on Oct 27, 2007 13:12:24 GMT -7
Thanks benttop, that's what I was worried it might be. Isn't there a warranty on tubes in these amps? And if so, do I take it back to the dealer? Send the tubes back to the Doc? Or the whole amp back to the Doc? Thanks again, I'd email the doc or PM him here and see what he suggests. Your Z best is 16 ohm? I thought most were wired 8 ohm.
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Post by The Fifth Column on Oct 27, 2007 13:18:35 GMT -7
Zdogma, Yeah, I requested a 16ohm when I bought it to go with my 16ohm hotplate. It's got a label on the back saying 16ohm too, so I'm assuming everything matches.
I'll see what the Doc says, I might also call up my dealer and see what they say.
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Post by The Fifth Column on Oct 27, 2007 13:25:22 GMT -7
Heading back to the dealer... they think it's a power tube and they're gonna switch it out right there. I hope that's it as I'm dying to keep playing it.
Thanks for the help,
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 27, 2007 13:27:04 GMT -7
If the amp is brand new, I would be shocked if both your dealer and Dr. Z weren't falling all over each other to make it right. The thing is, tube manufacturing ain't what it used to be - and infant mortality is more common today than it was in the '50's. I'm sure they will make it right.
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Post by The Fifth Column on Oct 27, 2007 21:28:49 GMT -7
Just thought I'd update this thread, and I do have a slightly different question
Yeah, I ended up taking it back to the dealer and they were great helping to get it back and running. I would have been surprised too as between this forum, the Doc himself, and the Z dealers I've been too, the support for these amps is stellar.
As it turned out, one of the power tubes lost vacuum and you could see the mark left on the glass of the tube when we opened it up. The techs who worked on it were pretty sure it was just a fluke as, like has been said, not quite the same consistency on the tubes these days. A quick fix and everything was looking good.
There was a slight problem with the spring holders that hold the kt-66s in place though, and that's what my new question is about.
One of the springs on the tube that lost vacuum snapped at the point where it connects to the metal top. They had a replacement in the dealer shop where I was at, but it was just slightly shorter and we couldn't get it back to fit on top again, instead deciding to just leave it off for the time being as to not risk breaking the new tubes by forcing them.
I'm not currently gigging the amp or anything like that, so I don't think I'll have any trouble with the tubes falling out, but I will keep an eye on it though just to be sure.
I'm more than willing to replace the spring holders myself when the time comes. Do you all know anywhere where I could find one that was made for the kt-66 to replace the one that busted? Or better yet find a set of two that have just slightly longer springs so i don't risk this happening again?
Thanks again for the help, Oh, and also, I'm really digging the tone of the 66 with my LP copy. I'll make sure to post my thoughts in the 66 section in the next few days as well. First impressions though are definitely that it's a killer amp to play.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 28, 2007 1:31:00 GMT -7
Give Dr. Z a call and I'm certain he'll send you one.
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Post by dixiechicken on Oct 28, 2007 5:28:50 GMT -7
In my Route66 it seemed to med that the original tubes - a pair of Groove Tubes #6 - was a rather tight fit. ( it seemed to me as if they could well stay in place with or without the springs ) The G.E.C. NOS tubes I've now have slipped in was quite a bit looser fit. With the NOS KT66:s I would definitely like to have the springs in place to secure the tubes in their sockets. ( specially NOS tube prices beeing what they are ) Cheers: Dixiechicken
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Post by zdogma on Oct 28, 2007 6:10:30 GMT -7
In my Route66 it seemed to med that the original tubes - a pair of Groove Tubes #6 - was a rather tight fit. ( it seemed to me as if they could well stay in place with or without the springs ) The G.E.C. NOS tubes I've now have slipped in was quite a bit looser fit. With the NOS KT66:s I would definitely like to have the springs in place to secure the tubes in their sockets. ( specially NOS tube prices beeing what they are ) Cheers: Dixiechicken They get pretty loose over time/tube swaps. I need to use them (the retainers) with my older Route 66. I haven't retensioned the sockets because the contact seems excellent, but you can pull the tubes out easily without any wiggling.
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Post by dixiechicken on Oct 28, 2007 6:58:33 GMT -7
Yep that's exactly it - I can pull the NOS KT66:s straight up and out - easily without any fuss.
Cheers: Dixiechicken
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Post by The Fifth Column on Oct 28, 2007 17:37:17 GMT -7
Hmm, that's interesting about the NOS KTs... unfortunately I won't have a set of those anytime soon as there's no way I can afford them. Still, thanks for the insight everyone, I think I will ask the Doc if he can send me another of the spring holders just to be safe. Mine were a pretty tight fit too so I don't think they're going to go anywhere, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Thanks again everyone.
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Post by dixiechicken on Oct 29, 2007 5:51:16 GMT -7
Good thinking - no use taking any chances if they can as easily be avoided. Cheers: Dixiechicken
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