Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: evancorylevine on January 08, 2018, 09:11:34 pm

Title: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: evancorylevine on January 08, 2018, 09:11:34 pm
The fuse seems unaffected. Nothing seems visibly burnt. Should I just start testing from the mains connections and see where it stops?
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: tubenit on January 09, 2018, 04:52:36 am
Is the speaker plugged in?   Have you tried a different speaker?  (I've had a speaker wire break before.)

Do you have the correct size fuse?   Have you tested the fuse to make sure it's OK?

Have you tried another guitar and/or cord?

Are the heater wires lit up in the tubes?

What are the voltages?

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: jojokeo on January 09, 2018, 02:18:48 pm
Gigging with a Champ!???  :w2:

In addition to tubenit's info, after you've checked the obvious fuse - it could be a tube. Wiggle them all around making the pins and sockets move a bit. Sort of like cleaning their contacts. What is the rectifier tube being used? Is the power transformer getting hot or even warm? Check the rectifier tube 1st, then the power tube 2nd if everything else seems okay on visual inspection.
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: pompeiisneaks on January 09, 2018, 04:16:28 pm
I once saw a guy gigging with a champ at a hard rock cafe here in Seattle.  Was pretty cool.  He had it mic'ed up and it sounded stellar.

~Phil
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: mresistor on January 09, 2018, 04:29:54 pm
I'm wondering if he had something other then the stock speaker connected..   
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: jojokeo on January 10, 2018, 12:17:31 am
I once saw a guy gigging with a champ at a hard rock cafe here in Seattle.  Was pretty cool.  He had it mic'ed up and it sounded stellar.

~Phil
Miking w/ good PA & to give some appropriate bass is a different matter but wasn’t mentioned. Normally you’ll hear about recording with a Champ. Not a lot of volume before big distortion turning into non-musical mess, there’s a small sweet spot vs a workable volume zone especially with the inefficient little speaker
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: Ritchie200 on January 10, 2018, 06:32:23 pm
Jojo,


I respectfully disagree.  I would not consider this a non-musical mess.  Looky at Ronnie Wood's huge backline stack!!!


Jim


Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: jojokeo on January 10, 2018, 07:39:08 pm
Oh brother, the microphone is easy to see and supports my point, brah! Smackin' it back into your court brudda kine!  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: bnwitt on January 11, 2018, 08:59:39 am
Evan is running the Gambit of amps at his gigs.  Fender Twin to Fender Champ :grin:
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: Ed_Chambley on January 11, 2018, 09:11:01 am
A few weekends ago a friend asked me to come and check out their new gig which is a fairly large venue, enough for me to consider Deluxe or even AC30 volume.  He has a Old minibucker Goldtop and a Vibro Champ and 2 pedals.  Delay and phaser.  He did have a Weber 8 inch in the Champ and a line out, no microphone.  This place has a sound system of Powered QSC speakers and monitors along with in-ear monitors which I never have gotten used to.


I got there on the last song of the first set and it was a slow ballad.  My buddy's name is Mike and his bands name is The Elderly Brothers ( of course a spoof on Everly), so you know the style and era of music.  They are quite good players.  I was ready for a laid back evening.


Mike asked me to open the second set with (His words) with the Roadhouse version of Hoochie Coochie Man.  He cannot remember ever remember Jeff Healey's name, but he loves the guy.  I agreed cause I am a ham, but I had reservaions in my head about being able to get anything much going.  Well, I did care really, what is the worst that can happen.


Well I must say on the opening Badada Da Dump actually suprised me so bad I had to wait till the next time around to start vocals.  What I am saying is the new sound systems are really impressive.  The monitors were kicking, but I was not sure how the mains sounded with this much more grit until all the Flower Chicks started doing their hands in the air and that spinning dance they do.


So Jim, I must say one take Ronnie I consider to ge one of the greats, but even he would have loved this guitar tone.  Man, it felt like I was playing an outside gig with 100 watts and you can bet some air was moving.


You better not call me a out on this or I will tell everyone you secretly use a Tele. :l2:
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: Ed_Chambley on January 11, 2018, 09:23:39 am
Sorry evancorylevine, I got to reading and Hijacked too.


After everything others have mentioned, if you are usinc a Champ with the slide switch, I have replaced more of those than I can count, which may not be a lot cause I am old and forget stuff. :icon_biggrin:


But, if you can get voltage readings, of course the switch is fine.  Not a lot in a champ.  I only mention the switch cause the last one I replaced the guy said the exact same thing.  Turned off and would not turn on.  Of course nothig lit up and why would it?
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: tubenit on January 11, 2018, 11:49:11 am
Quote
I will tell everyone you secretly use a Tele

I've always suspected as much!   :think1:    :thumbsup:

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: jojokeo on January 11, 2018, 01:15:15 pm
Quote
I will tell everyone you secretly use a Tele

I've always suspected as much!   :think1:    :thumbsup:

With respect, Tubenit
The emperor has no Strat... :laugh:
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: Ed_Chambley on January 11, 2018, 02:24:49 pm
Quote
I will tell everyone you secretly use a Tele

I've always suspected as much!   :think1:    :thumbsup:

With respect, Tubenit
The emperor has no Strat... :laugh:
Jimbob, I was kidding and you know this.


Still doesn't make it incorrect tho.  Sorry dude, but when JoJo clipped the champ Ronnie was playing and posted it, I thought I was going to bust a gut.


One foot, two foot slew foot drag. Swing your honey to the sugar foot rag. Do a little jig and a zig and a zag. And listen to Ed, he's gonna play you that sugar foot rag
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: Ed_Chambley on January 11, 2018, 03:39:01 pm
Hello Jimbob, I know you are looking right now.

Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: jojokeo on January 11, 2018, 03:45:12 pm
Ed, when he got back from his recent island trip he couldn't wait to show me what he picked up. I think he used it on his recent recording too?  :dontknow:
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: sluckey on January 11, 2018, 03:51:49 pm
I think I saw Tua playing one of those after the game the other night!
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: jojokeo on January 11, 2018, 04:07:41 pm
That was one hell of a game! Ballsy move putting him in for the 2nd half but paid more dividends than just a win and a championship. Could cement Sabin's legacy as the best coach evah!
Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: Ed_Chambley on January 11, 2018, 04:18:01 pm
Ed, when he got back from his recent island trip he couldn't wait to show me what he picked up. I think he used it on his recent recording too?  :dontknow:
Takes a minute, but after Ray Flake plays a solo, the Ricky Scaggs will show what you really do with one of these.


Title: Re: Champ turned off during gig and won't turn back on
Post by: jojokeo on January 11, 2018, 06:48:53 pm
That was kool 😎


Jimbo’s got a lot to live up to, the bar is set pretty well. I’ve played a lot of things & styles on a uke but country is not one of them.