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Post subject: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 2:27 am
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Hello All there, I'm here asking for your help on a problem with my MIV v.2:

Just tonight went to fire it up and play as usual but the amp didn't fire up, checked the power chord , unplugged it from the amp and replugged it in again, after i did this a handfull of times the amp finally turned on and I could play as usual, turned it off for a while and didn't even move it or anything, when i come back to it again it does the same thing, but this time (and now on) when it turns on it makes an electrical short-like sound right on the power chord socket behind the amp, and it even begins to smell burnt quite a bit, the first time it did this inmediatly turned it off, tryed a different power chord to no avail, still does the same every time i turn it on

The amp itself turns on like normal, i get all the normal readings on the screen and sound coming from the speakers, but a lot of extra noise exactly like the one it's making behind, so that leads me to belive it is either the power chord socket, or the wiring on it, could that be the problem with it? (hopefully is that and nothing worse)

I bought the amp on October 2013, that was on Orlando Fl, and I live in Venezuela, so I can't claim the warranty as it has already expired, and no Fender Authorized dealer/support anywhere close, making my situation even worse

I Really need to repair the amp ASAP, is my main Live/practice/everything amp and need it for some shows coming soon, so any help you can give me to solve this matter fast is welcome, and to calm me down as I really like my amp and don't want to see it broken just like that.

Thank you all for your help beforehand.

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Fender Mustang IV V.2
Fender Mustang I (V.1)


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 2:44 am
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IMO look you have some problems inside the amp . It is not AC power cord ( not power Chord :lol: ) itself .

If your wall outlet voltage are ok ( I don't know about Venezuela ) you need to see a guitar amp tech . :(


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:19 am
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My first thought was to suggest a loose connection in the power cord. But if you have the same problem with multiple different power cords (that I assume you've checked work correctly with other equipment), that can't be it.

Second thought is that it's a problem with the power socket on the back of the amp. Either it's not making a good connection with the plug on the end of the power lead, or there's a faulty/broken connection in the socket itself. Have you knocked the socket at all, or put any strain on a plug in the socket (eg accidentally bashing it against something when moving the amp)?

If it is just the power socket (and could well be, as it sounds like the rest of the amp is fine), any consumer-goods electrician (eg a TV repairman) should be able to test/repair/replace this part for you. Obviously having a third-party do the repair isn't going to concern you if you have no warranty left and no Fender service centre nearby.

As this is mains electricity, I wouldn't attempt a repair yourself unless you are knowledgeable in such things.

If it turns out not to be the power socket, but is further along the circuit, on one of the PCBs, then the amp may not be repairable. Fender do not publish schematics of the Mustang PCBs, nor details of the components thereon. Nor do they supply replacement PCBs as spare parts to my knowledge.

However, if that is the case it is still probably worth asking Fender directly what repair options you have in Venezuala as they may be able to help - in my experience they do try and do the right thing for customers, if you ask them nicely. They publish their email address and (USA) phone number in these forums, in posts authored by "Fender TSL."

Failing all that, you may end up having to buy a new amp. Although that's a pain and an expense, you may find out that the cost of a new amp is still less than the cost of labour, parts, etc, for a repair - not to mention your time and aggravation arranging it all.


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:25 am
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Scott,

Adolf write ;
" short-like sound right on the power chord socket behind the amp, and it even begins to smell burnt quite a bit, the first time it did this inmediatly"


Look to me inside the amp , behind the power cord socket there is the amp power supply .
Power cord or power cord socket can't smell if amp itself ( inside ) is ok.


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 4:25 am
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Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:37 am
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Quote:
power cord socket can't smell if amp itself ( inside ) is ok

If there is a short-circuit on the power socket connections, or an intermittent broken connection, it could very well make the sounds/smells described, even if the rest of the equipment is completely fine. I know this from first-hand experience in the past of faulty mains connections on other equipment.

But as I point out, we don't know from the information given exactly what the fault is; I suggested a number of possibilities including the socket itself and its connections, or a downstream component (such as the power supply) as you also propose. So we are covering all bases. We should not presume; hence I also suggested to the OP next-steps actions to try and diagnose and resolve this.


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:39 am
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First of all Thank you for your help, much appreciated

Indeed that's the symptom on the amp, when turned on it starts making the short-sound on the back where the power socket is, and if i very gently move the power cord (yeah got that one bad) the sound may vary, in other cases when i flick the power switch nothing happens, no lights or nothing, i proceed to take out the cord, get it in (as to make it fit in slightly on another position) and then the amp turns on but making said noise; as of the rest of the amp it seems to be working ok, screen is on showing the amp's GUI as usual, speakers start to sound at normal levels, i could theoretically use it like this but obviously not going to do so to evade any further damage

Oh also, once trying different power cords, there was one chance where the amp acted completely normal, no weird noises nor burnt smells or anything, but as soon as i turned it off and moved the power cord here comes the problem again, and after that (as far as i have tested) it didn't went away

All the power cords i tryed were tested with other equipment and proven ok, and no, on the amp's life i may have slightly bumped it on the power cord once if my memory doesn't fails and it was some months ago, and never experienced such a problem, before this started happening last night it had been used only in my home for some weeks, and didn't move it around either, just sitting here in my room next to the rest of my gear

Now i actually do have to take the power cord out of the socket quite often to move the amp when going to a rehersal/gig/show/etc, i do believe that this constant movement led to making one of those connections on the power socket loose over time, would that be it?

As of now i haven't opened the amp yet, thought that it would be wise to ask for any recommendations about doing so, as i've never opened this kind of amp (and neither has any techs around, you don't see that much guitarists over here), as i can see the chassis is secured in the cab by 9 screws on the bottom and 2 screws on the top, do i take those out and just pull out the chassis? what about the front panel and all of the knobs/pots, what/how do i do there? and should i de-attach the speakers also?

BTW yes i know of the risks of opening this kind of equipment and all the currents inside there that could zap and harm me, i'll be extra carefull just in case.

And again, Thank you for all of your help.

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ESP LTD MH-100qm with Suhr SSV-N and SSH-B pickups
Fender Mustang IV V.2
Fender Mustang I (V.1)


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:48 am
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If it is a solid state amp , there is not much current inside .

Tubes amps have lethal voltage.

How to open ? I don't know I never work on these amp . Just see it I'll know

Chassis and face plate are in one piece.

Look on you tube , google ; " you tube ,how to fix mustang amp "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKFYEcOEz0I


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Please :(, Electrical Problem on my Mustang
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:52 pm
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Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2014 12:39 pm
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If you could hear it sizzle and smell it, then there should be visible blackening or maybe ash on or near the AC cord socket, when you open up the back to look inside. Leave the cord off, for safety, of course.
It should be a relatively inexpensive fix, as scott-uk suggests.

Was there any smoke?
Black smoke - more likely wire insulation.
White smoke (aka "electing a pope") - more likely semiconductors or resistors frying.

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