Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Other Stuff => Solid State => Topic started by: Platefire on January 29, 2020, 08:18:29 pm

Title: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: Platefire on January 29, 2020, 08:18:29 pm
A friend of mine is wanting to mail the chassis/electronics to me to fix. After looking at the pictures he sent, I thought for sure this amp has been in a flood. He said no. The board looks bad and appears to have  corrosion on some of the electronics. So I am attaching pictures hoping you with experience with old style fiber board SS amps might evaluate rather this thing might be repaired. I don't want to get into rebuilding it, just repair it, if it's possible in existing condition.

I have no experience trouble shooting ol SS amps, so considering my lack of experience on these and the looks of the board---I would like to get a second, third of forth opinion before I tell him to send it.

This is what he said about the amp:
"It's Loud!!! It worked a first, but volume was scratchy. I shot some electronics cleaner in there and now it's just a loud buzz"
OK here are the pictures. It appears to be the type of board that would have to be pulled to solder it on the back side. I really don't want to try to pull that flaky board. Platefire

Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: sluckey on January 29, 2020, 08:32:59 pm
NO!

Run away.
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: Platefire on January 29, 2020, 08:47:08 pm
Ha Ha Ha  :l2: They say first instinct is usually always right
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: shooter on January 30, 2020, 07:37:01 am
+1 No , me, I love a challenge  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: Platefire on January 30, 2020, 10:04:58 am
Thanks! The survey is fun but I would like to have a brief explanation on the reason for your vote------like, I agree the condition of the board looks deteriated beyond accepting normal repairs because I want to provide a reasonable explanation to my Friend for my reasons for declining or maybe you think my original impression is not warranted?
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: sluckey on January 30, 2020, 10:26:27 am
I have no experience trouble shooting ol SS amps, so considering my lack of experience on these and the looks of the board
Tell him that.
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: Platefire on January 30, 2020, 12:08:03 pm
THANKS!
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: shooter on January 30, 2020, 12:41:18 pm
aside;

couple years back I was looking for bench work with a mom N pop, they had a good tube tech, I asked about the SS junk he chuckled n said it's all in the dumpster out back  :laugh:

another place, all they had was SS junk but no money, I bartered for a place to plug in my redneck camper n access to a head.  got 12 crate types up n sellable in a couple days, told him to put the rest in the dumpster and ONLY take in tube amps  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: Platefire on January 30, 2020, 05:15:45 pm
I could count the number of SS amps I've worked on one and a half hands :laugh: . On a couple I lucked up and found the problem.As I remember SS usually run on lower voltages than tube and the transistors replace the tubes as drivers/amplifiers. I really wouldn't mind working on the Vox if the board didn't look so bad. It looks like it's ready to disintegrate. My Friend Randy's uncle found in in a Sunday School room in an old Church building be bought and gave it to him.

Also another friend gave me 4 or 5 old Peavey PA Heads. I fooled around with them and tried to get some going but never made any progress. One was a 4 channel with reverb that worked fine. Didn't have to do anything to it. I bought two small Kustom 10" PA cabs to go with it. I still use it in my jam room for vocals and JamMan Tracks. The rest I eventually took to the dump. So goes my SS experience :BangHead:
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: sluckey on January 30, 2020, 06:30:20 pm
Can I vote twice?    :l2:
Title: Re: I need a yes or no verdict on rather I should take on this SS Vox Cambridge
Post by: Platefire on January 30, 2020, 07:08:31 pm
I wonder what your vote will be this time :think1: