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Topic: Session 400 |
Joe Drivdahl
From: Montana, USA
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Posted 3 May 2014 1:32 pm
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Hello, n
I have a PeaVey Session 400 (not LTD). When I turn it on it produces a nasty loud buzz. Someone has suggested it is the transistors, and quoted $245 to replace them. I know nothing about electronics. Has anyone else experienced similar problems with this amp? How many transistors are there and are they difficult to replace? Is it worth spending the money on?
Thanks,
Joe _________________ GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Paul Sutherland
From: Placerville, California
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Posted 3 May 2014 2:08 pm
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I can't speak to repairing it yourself. The amp is worth repairing, but send it to the Peavey factory in Mississippi to do the work. You need to take the head out of the cabinet, and the reverb too if you think it might be part of the problem, and just send that to them. They will get the head working like new and they will charge you much less than almost anyone else. A stock Session 400 is my stage amp of choice. _________________ It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Jack Stoner
From: Kansas City, MO
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Posted 3 May 2014 3:18 pm
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+1 for Peavey repair.
Mike Brown, a forum member, is the steel guitar community's contact at Peavey service. Call him first before sending it in. (877)732-8391 x 1180
I'm a former amp tech and can vouch for Peavey service and reasonable prices. |
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Lane Gray
From: Topeka, KS
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Posted 3 May 2014 4:28 pm
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I'm not an amp tech, and I haven't heard your amp, so I don't know what kind of buzz.
BUT from running amps and chatting with techs for the past 35 years has me thinking that:
1) a 60 Hz hum will usually come from filtering or grounding, and;
2) Transistors won't likely fail unless you have run them thru either a low load or a dead short.
Unless your amp has a buzz unlike other bad noises you've heard, I would REALLY hesitate to throw a set of transistors at it.
I'll bet that a repair in Meridian would cost less than the $425¹, even including shipping (take the chassis out of the case, that much wood and the speaker will raise shipping costs).
¹EDIT: Oops. You said 245. I'm dyslexic. Actually. I retract my wager, but say that Peavey will do it better _________________ 2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Tom Gorr
From: Three Hills, Alberta
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Posted 3 May 2014 5:28 pm
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If its the power amp transistors, could they possibly cost more than $10 a piece and take more than 5 minutes to remove and replace....???
I'd say put up a soundfile for us to hear to see what the buzz actually sounds like....could be anything. |
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Joe Drivdahl
From: Montana, USA
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Posted 4 May 2014 7:55 am
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Thanks guys. I will see if I can get a sound file up but it might take me a while. _________________ GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Joe Drivdahl
From: Montana, USA
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Posted 8 May 2014 3:19 pm
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I haven't had time to do much as far as getting a sound file, but when I unplug the speaker, the sound seems to be coming from the power supply/transformer or whatever you call it. Could that be the problem? _________________ GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Lane Gray
From: Topeka, KS
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Posted 8 May 2014 3:28 pm
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Waitaminnit. It's buzzing without a speaker in it?
Failing transformers do that.
Were I in your shoes, it would go to Peavey immediately.
Power supply issues are easily solved by amp techs, but I'd harbor worries about bad voltages spreading harm downstream. _________________ 2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Mike Wheeler
From: Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 May 2014 3:42 pm
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I had a Special 130 that did that. The power transformer was bad. In my case, that's all that was wrong, but there could be other things bad in your case. I agree, a trip to Peavey is your best and, I think cheapest, solution. _________________ Best regards,
Mike |
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Steve Spitz
From: New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 10 May 2014 5:56 am Send to peavey
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Ship it to peavey. They have fixed amps for me that were way past warranty for dirt cheap or free, fixed things for free I didn't ask to have fixed ( they saw a broken pot shaft and replaced it at no charge) , they are fast, and they answer the phone. I wasn't looking for a freebie, but they were not interested in making money off customers who needed repairs.
That's been my experience. Send it to Peavey. I can't imagine a private repair being better, faster, or cheaper. Outstanding customer service. |
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Roger Dillingham
From: Kentucky, USA
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Posted 11 May 2014 5:35 am Session 400
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I totally agree, Steve! My experience with Peavey's service department has been nothing but stellar!! Always accessable, quick, thorough, and reasonable. My vote would be send it to Peavey every time!! I have dealt with them since the 1970's and every time they have been consistently great!! Kudos to Peavey's service department! JMHO, Roger |
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Joe Drivdahl
From: Montana, USA
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Posted 13 May 2014 8:32 pm
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Looks like the results are in. Send it to Peavey. I will do that if I can figure out how to get the amp out of the housing. I hope its just a matter of taking the knobs off, removing the screws and the whole thing slides out. Maybe the folks at Peavey can tell me.
Thanks a lot guys. I've been missing the Session 400 for months now.
Joe _________________ GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Kevin Mincke
From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Posted 13 May 2014 9:33 pm
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I don't think you have to remove the knobs, just remove the (4) screws on top and it should all slide out. Unplug the speaker input/reverb leads etc. not too bad to do, unlike some of the Session 500's with separate or split design pre/amp. |
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Paul Sutherland
From: Placerville, California
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Posted 13 May 2014 9:46 pm
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You definitely do not need to remove the knobs. Just unscrew the four bolts from the top of the cabinet and slide it out the rear. Of course the top back panel needs to be off, and the reverb leads pulled out. It's not a bad idea to mark the leads and the amp chassis so you get it right the first time when you put it back together.
Bottom line; it's easy!! _________________ It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Lane Gray
From: Topeka, KS
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Posted 13 May 2014 11:33 pm
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I find it easier to remove the rear corner caps before sliding it out. It CAN be done with them in place, but there's so little clearance that it can take 5-7 minutes of wiggling to accomplish what thirty seconds with a screwdriver turns into a 5 second job. _________________ 2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Dennis Detweiler
From: Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 14 May 2014 3:46 am
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And don't stick your hands into the electronic components after you take it out. The caps may still hold a charge and curl your toes. _________________ 1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8. |
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Mike Brown
From: Meridian, Mississippi USA
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Posted 14 May 2014 6:57 am Repair Of Session 400
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Thanks for the references, guys. Our factory techs can repair your Session 400 amp. I recommend that you remove the chassis that contains the electronics of the amp by removing the four screws(two per amp strap)and the chassis can be removed through the rear of the unit(of course the upper back panel will have to be removed as well. I also recommend that you send the reverb pan(mounted in the bottom of the cabinet that is secured by two screws holding the black vinyl bag)to the bottom of the cabinet.
Send the items postage prepaid to;
Peavey Service Center
Attn; Repair Department
412 Hwy. 80 East
Meridian, MS 39301
Please include a copy of this note as well as your daytime phone number. Factory repair labor rates are $55.00 per hour plus parts and return freight.
Hope that this helps. |
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Joe Drivdahl
From: Montana, USA
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Posted 15 May 2014 6:51 pm
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@Mike Brown,
Thank you. Yes. I called your service number and spoke with a very helpful feller who instructed me in removing the chassis. So I did and its on the way. I will send you a PM with other info.
Thanks everyone for all the help.
Joe _________________ GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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Jerry Roller
From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 15 May 2014 9:38 pm
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Joe, you will be very glad you sent it to Peavey when you receive it back. It will sound great and the charge will be very very reasonable.
Jerry _________________ http://www.littleoprey.org/ |
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Erv Niehaus
From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 16 May 2014 7:25 am
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I bought a Session 400 a while back and when I got it it didn't work. I sent the chassis in to Peavey and it wasn't long until they returned it, fixed.
And at a nominal cost too.
Good bunch of guys! |
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Dennis Detweiler
From: Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 16 May 2014 7:54 am
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I've had the same positive experience with Peavey repair. They repair the amp back to factory specs. _________________ 1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8. |
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Mike Brown
From: Meridian, Mississippi USA
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Posted 16 May 2014 8:06 am Peavey Repair Center
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Glad that we could help out. |
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Joe Drivdahl
From: Montana, USA
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Posted 16 May 2014 8:33 am
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I am looking forward to getting it back. Its in pretty good shape cosmetically so it will be like a new amp. I wish my Nashville 400 looked as good. I might have to take the Armour-All to it.
I'm glad Peavey repair has such a good reputation with you guys. The repairman I spoke with on the phone was certainly helpful. I've always liked Peavey amps. I just wish they'd make the NV 400 again.
Joe _________________ GFI Ultra, Gibson, and Fender. |
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