Santana Amp KIT? anyone?

[anthony8i]

Wow bummer that you are having problems already on your amp.

First thing to do is replace the fuse with the proper rated slo blo fuse and try the amp again.
Sometimes the fuses get weak over time.

If it blows again, then you have more serious problems.

I think this amp has SS rectifier right?

If so then pull the power tubes, replace fuse and try it again.
If it does not blow the fuse then it's most likely one of the power tubes is shorted out.
Replace and rebias.

If it blows the fuse again then you have more serious problems and should probably consult with a amp tech.

Ok! Thanks I will do that! Yeah I believe it has a 3amp fuse but it was not a slo-blow! I'm sure when it's a slo-blow fuse it's reads slo-blow right on it! But hey thanks I'll follow them steps and let you know! Thanks

[Structo]

Many times a Slo Blo fuse has a thicker looking element inside it.

Like this.

[img:300:300]http://musformation.com/slowblow.jpg[/img]

Or it can have a solid looking porcelain look to it.

[img:240:240]http://www.usspaparts.com/images/605551105.jpg[/img]

Not sure if they say Slo Blo on them but it is an important specification because when a tube amp is first powered up there is an inrush of current as the caps charge, so a regular fuse usually can't sustain that current and will blow.

Be sure to get the correct amperage rating for your fuse.

If your amp is a 50 watt 3 amp sounds about right as my 100w uses a 5 amp fuse.

[anthony8i]

Many times a Slo Blo fuse has a thicker looking element inside it.

Like this.

[img:300:300]http://musformation.com/slowblow.jpg[/img]

Or it can have a solid looking porcelain look to it.

[img:240:240]http://www.usspaparts.com/images/605551105.jpg[/img]

Not sure if they say Slo Blo on them but it is an important specification because when a tube amp is first powered up there is an inrush of current as the caps charge, so a regular fuse usually can't sustain that current and will blow.

Be sure to get the correct amperage rating for your fuse.

If your amp is a 50 watt 3 amp sounds about right as my 100w uses a 5 amp fuse.

it was the fuse! i thought it was the power tubes? was about to get some rubys! but I changed the fuse to a slo-blow since it had the wrong type! i played it for about an hour and it seems good! hope stays that way! thanks for the help!

[Zippy]

You're welcome.

That'll be $65.

Heh, makes me wonder if the person selling that amp couldn't figure out how to fix it.

Happy New Year!

[anthony8i]

You're welcome.

That'll be $65.

Heh, makes me wonder if the person selling that amp couldn't figure out how to fix it.

Happy New Year!

Yeah no kidding!! So I changed the fuse; I played for about two hours and no issues what so ever!! This amp sounds amazing and I'm not even using any effects!! I got it hooked to my 2x12 red tone tubbys!! The amp is in mint condition! Can't believe the great deal I got!! The guy who sold it is an active musician so who knows if the fuse was blowing? He said the amp had no issues? I believe this amp will stay with me as long as live! But hey thanks and happy new year to you!!

[vibratoking]

Just a coincidence, but I repaired a Mark IIb that wouldn't work. It had a fast blow fuse in it too...Must be an epidemic.

[Mont]

On the Zebop Tour I got to work a show here in Albuquerque I took a peak inside the back of his boogie combo that he was still using back then and it had an Altec speaker in it. Hope this helps in your quest.

[anthony8i]

Wow bummer that you are having problems already on your amp.

First thing to do is replace the fuse with the proper rated slo blo fuse and try the amp again.
Sometimes the fuses get weak over time.

If it blows again, then you have more serious problems.

I think this amp has SS rectifier right?

If so then pull the power tubes, replace fuse and try it again.
If it does not blow the fuse then it's most likely one of the power tubes is shorted out.
Replace and rebias.

If it blows the fuse again then you have more serious problems and should probably consult with a amp tech.

hey so my fuse blew again? after playing for at least 8hours; it made a loud hum or some sort of feedback and the amp just went off? the power tube right next to the two transformers was super hot compare to the others also one power tube it seem just cold? it has the original mesa tubes. do you suggest changing the preamp tubes? can I miss match the power tubes? I got some old ones from my mesa express amp or do they have to be matched tubes all around? thanks

[Zippy]

Sure you CAN mismatch tubes. Is it a good thing to do? No.

Boogie is weird about using plug-and-play tubes rather than adjusting the bias voltage. If your amp has not been mod'd for adjustable fixed bias, I'd certainly consider it.

[anthony8i]

Sure you CAN mismatch tubes. Is it a good thing to do? No.

Boogie is weird about using plug-and-play tubes rather than adjusting the bias voltage. If your amp has not been mod'd for adjustable fixed bias, I'd certainly consider it.

no bias here all stock! yeah I'm sure its the tubes; the amp sounds perfect no problems, I replaced the fuse again and I played for about two hours and no issues? las two times the fuse went out was when the amp was on for about 5 mins? the guy who sold it to me said he never replaced the tubes and so the amp has had the tubes since 04? not sure if its true? but yeah I should replaced the tubes and preamp tubes and go frome there? i guess. thanks

[Zippy]

From what you've written so far, yes, I'd replace all the tubes - AND add a variable bias adjustment.

If you don't add the variable bias pot, are you going to check the bias voltage and replace the bias resistor if the bias voltage is wrong?

You need to do one or the other else your amp isn't going to be right.

[RevD]

I honestly think his early tone is pretty easy to get as someone suggested earlier. For a kit, a high power princeton (Weber makes a 6a20hp): https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_60a.htm#6A20HPH (no affiliation, just know the kit as I built one from scratch not using his parts, just the power transformer) which turned up loud and rolling the tone down a bit on the guitar (I.E. bassier) and with a bit of a overdrive pedal if you can't dime the thing, will IMHO get pretty darn close. The kit runs about 35-40 watts. I'm not sure how much of the original circuit Mesa used, but I know early on they just modded princeton's and I've heard urban internet legend that Fender told them to knock it off, not sure how accurate that was. At any rate, I've gotten his tone with a variety of amps and as mentioned its really similar to Clapton's woman tone, perhaps a bit more highs, but similar. I think he also used a compressor to get some of those LONG sustain's like I heard on Moonflower (one of my favorite of all time records of his). Anyway, good luck in your quest, if you build something make sure your safe and know what your doing with high voltage circuits or getting Carlos's tone will be the least of your worries!

Regards,

Don

[tubelectron]

Well...

With my MKIIA and my ES-335 or Hagstrom Viking, I don't need nothing else, and the LONG sustain is obtained in lead mode, with the boost engaged, which gently keeps on feedbacking, giving a smooth, unagressive, kind-of-endless sustain. The MKI does the same, except that it has not the channel switching facility.

A+!

[Grand Wazoo]

Haven't red all the topic, but old Mesa had Fender output transformers and Altec 417C speakers. That's why Carlos didn't went to MarkI reissue and bought Dumbles and Bludos