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Post subject: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustangs?
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 12:12 pm
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As the title says my Vibro Champ has failed and probably no hope of getting it fixed. If However anyone has some trouble shooting suggestions it would be much appreciated.

With the Vibro Champ out of action I'm thinking maybe getting a Mustang to replace it. I have heard rumors that a new version is going to be released soon. Anyone have any word on this? I will wait for the next generation Mustang if it's release is near.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 2:56 pm
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No release date for the Mustang GT's, but there is a thread or two with info under the Mustang sub forum.

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:25 am
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I'm in the things can be fixed camp. Maybe maybe not, there are some IC's.
Have you tried swapping the tubes, or a visual inspection for something not normal?
Can you use a hand held voltmeter? Hate to see an amp thrown away.


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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:50 am
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jackhammer wrote:
I'm in the things can be fixed camp. Maybe maybe not, there are some IC's.
Have you tried swapping the tubes, or a visual inspection for something not normal?
Can you use a hand held voltmeter? Hate to see an amp thrown away.

Swapped the tubes, no go. Looked at every component on the board and saw no obvious visual signs of failure. I have and can use a multi-meter but have not found anything that shows me the test points and values. I have a schematic but don't think checking the value of every component is going to accomplish anything, I need to track the signal path somehow.
Another alternative would be to bypass the SS effects processor/preamp stage and convert it to a tube amp but not sure where to cut into the signal path to insert a guitar signal. Also, since the primary preamp is SS don't know if just getting the second stage of the 12AX7 would be enough to push the 6V6 and turn it into an amp.

Thank you for your reply.

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 4:37 pm
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I’m no amp tech, but this is what I’d do.
First, you want to verify all power supply voltages, dc or ac volts. Amp an’t working if a supply is down.
I see at least 5 internal fuses on the supplies.
Identify test points all supplies, measure, if the supply is down (no voltage), then check fuse on that supply.
You could mark the schematic, Voltage OK on each supply. Make sure you’re not missing a supply.
That’s enough to start, good luck. Measurements made ref to ground, or supply ground.
Check:

• F2 5 V dc supply
• F3, F4, +/- 12 V dc
• F1 tube heater, 6 something ac volts
• Verify B+, dc and ac components, SB 380V dc?
• Additional voltage regulators for digital 3.3V, 5 V.


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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 4:50 pm
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Thank you, I went ahead and tapped into R13 and have a working tube amp at this point which is a step in the right direction.
Now I need to go through the SS stage, where the problem must be, and try and locate it. If I do find it fixing it could be an insurmountable problem due to parts availability.

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 6:59 pm
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I had a vibro champ with a similar issue. What I did was re-seat all the connectors that can be unplugged and the large processing chip that's socket mounted on the piggy back board. That was enough to get my champ working again. Hope it's that simple with yours.
Hope this helps.

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 4:57 pm
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socal323 wrote:
I had a vibro champ with a similar issue. What I did was re-seat all the connectors that can be unplugged and the large processing chip that's socket mounted on the piggy back board. That was enough to get my champ working again. Hope it's that simple with yours.
Hope this helps.


Thanks man!!! Re-seated that chip and the thing works like brand new. :D

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:10 pm
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You dodged a bullet -- consider yourself lucky!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:40 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
You dodged a bullet -- consider yourself lucky!

8)

Arjay

That wasn't luck, that was solid advice from someone who didn't give up and found a failure mode I would have never considered. 8)

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:05 pm
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Leevc5 wrote:
socal323 wrote:
I had a vibro champ with a similar issue. What I did was re-seat all the connectors that can be unplugged and the large processing chip that's socket mounted on the piggy back board. That was enough to get my champ working again. Hope it's that simple with yours.
Hope this helps.


Thanks man!!! Re-seated that chip and the thing works like brand new. :D


Glad it's working.
:D

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Post subject: Re: My Vibro Champ XD failed - on but no sound - New mustang
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:25 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
You dodged a bullet -- consider yourself lucky!

8)

Arjay


As did I. I wish there was some type up reset procedure on some of these newer hybrid type amps. I'm sure there is on the Mustangs but when I encountered this issue, that's pretty much where my mindset was. "If I can't do a reset, maybe reseating the chip will 'reboot' the amp," figuratively speaking. :idea:

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