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Topic: Tonemaster twin died- during gig |
Scott Akers
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2021 5:56 pm |
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I'm currently at a gig and my tonemaster twin just died. Jewel light is out snd red light in the back underside is flashing. It has power as reverb tremolo pedal still light up. Have changed plugs, unplugged, changed cords. Still dead. Can't find a fuse in the manual. Hoping there's a quick way to reboot but can't figure it out. Have loved and used this amp for many many gigs. First problem... at a very inconvenient time.,it doubles as my guitar rig do double trouble. Any ideas? Thanks, Scott
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Carter D-10, Magnatone MOTS, Fender SFTR, Fender TMTR, LTD 400
Last edited by Scott Akers on 29 Oct 2021 10:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Dave Hopping
From:
Aurora, Colorado
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Posted 29 Oct 2021 10:05 pm
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| I wonder if that flashing red light means there's a reset switch somewhere nearby..... |
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Scott Akers
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 29 Oct 2021 10:34 pm
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That was my first thought. Can't find a fuse. The flashing red light looks to be the light that blinks when you update the firmware. Pressed the button next to it but there was no change. Still dead.
I know I should carry a backup amp just in case but I didn't for this gig. Made it through by di'ing straight to the board. Not ideal but only option tonight.
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Carter D-10, Magnatone MOTS, Fender SFTR, Fender TMTR, LTD 400 |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 30 Oct 2021 1:49 am
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Uh oh! One problem with this amp (which I have been gigging pretty exclusively this fall) is that it is not easy to hook the speakers up to an external amp. I'm going to make a point of bringing a special harness for that purpose going forward. (And make sure to throw the back-up amp head in the car!)
I've been lusting after a MM Half and Half this week, but kept telling myself I just don't really need it.
Hmmmmmmmmmm...........
Several of us will be interested to see how this turns out for you. Wonder whether Rick Heins could chime in with thoughts. |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 30 Oct 2021 6:21 am
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| Many newer amps, (especially those manufactured overseas) have an internal fuse which necessitates removing the chassis to access. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 30 Oct 2021 7:52 am
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The schematic shows there is an internal fuse and a 5-amp thermistor in the AC power line. But if either of those were bad, the amp would not be powered at all (no blinking light). If it's still under warranty, they will probably replace the amp instead of fixing it. Unfortunately, amps with cored multiprocessors usually need professional service when something goes bad.  |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 30 Oct 2021 9:34 am
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| David Nugent wrote: |
| Many newer amps, (especially those manufactured overseas) have an internal fuse which necessitates removing the chassis to access. |
Not just the ones made overseas. Many (most) solid state amps, made in US or wherever, have internal fuses. The Kustom amps of 60's/70's had internal fuses. Peavey US amps have internal. US Quilter amps have internal fuses, etc. |
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Bob Bender
From:
Left Coast Florida
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Posted 30 Oct 2021 9:51 am
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| Maybe plug in the usb cable& computer and do a firmware update. Might reset things |
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Brooks Montgomery
From:
Idaho, USA
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Posted 31 Oct 2021 8:12 am
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Scott, please keep us posted as you learn what caused the problem—and the fix.
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A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first. |
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Steve Spitz
From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
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Posted 1 Nov 2021 6:06 am
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Sorry to hear about your issue.
It’s small consolation, but with no tubes or transformers, you can pop that head out quick.
There’s not much in there that’s obvious to troubleshoot.
Let us know, and best of luck. |
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Sam Marshall
From:
Chandler, AZ USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 9:09 am
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Hi Scott,
Have you contacted Fender's Service folks yet? I think you are supposed to contact a service center first. (I'd suggest that you try to call someone).
https://www.fender.com/en-US/service-centers
https://support.fender.com/en-US/contact-general/
Here is a phone number - CALL 1-844-202-0924 MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-11PM EST
Usually for the DSP types of amps, Fender will want to exchange out your amp or swap out modules inside the chassis.
This situation may be complicated by the the "chip & supply chain crisis", so there may be component stock problems. A company like Fender is not a very high priority with chip manufacturers. The electronics modules installed in their DSP amplifiers are generally not manufactured by Fender and are imported...
Sam in AZ |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 9:38 am
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Just curious have you tried to update?
A little red light flashes during an update until it is completed.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Pat Moore
From:
Virginia USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 9:58 am Tm
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Hey Scott, what's the latest? Anything? Inquiring minds want to know, just in case ours.....
Thx, Pat |
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Dave Hopping
From:
Aurora, Colorado
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 11:14 am Re: Tm
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| Pat Moore wrote: |
Hey Scott, what's the latest? Anything? Inquiring minds want to know, just in case ours.....
Thx, Pat |
What Pat said. I've been hoping for an update too.  |
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Dale Foreman
From:
Crowley Louisiana, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 3:17 pm Fender Trwin
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I’m betting it has lost the firmware! Have you ever updated the firmware?
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Rittenberry Prestige(2) |
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Scott Akers
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 3:38 pm
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Thanks everybody for the replies and suggestions!
Sorry I didn't answer sooner. I was trying to figure out all my options.
I'd never gigged with a solid state amp before this one nor ever owned an amp that I couldn't take to a local "amp guru" to get fixed on short notice.......this is my first venture into non-tube/solid state repair scenarios.
A few things I learned this week.......
Lesson 1:
The local music store here only does amp repairs on things they sold you, and don't actually do them in-house. They drive them to Dallas to have the work done. (more on the Dallas option below). Probably my helping of Karma for not buying this amp locally.
Lesson 2:
Since it's under two years old, it's still under the Sweetwater warranty period. That's good and bad.
Good...cause I got a good deal on it and it's still under warranty, bad........cause I have to pay the shipping there and back which is about $150 each way and would ultimately turn my good deal into a very bad deal price wise. Will stop using Sweetwater for purchases on big ticket items that might need non local repair.
Lesson 3:
Another option is to drive it to Audio Electronics in Dallas, which is a bona-fide fender service center. Good............I've heard they do great work and they were super helpful when I called them, bad........once I drop it off, they estimate it might take at least 6-8 weeks before it's ready.
Lesson 4:
Rick Heins has been very helpful and I appreciate him reaching out. He's one of the good guys.
Moving forward:
My plan is to drive it Dallas in a week or two when I get some time off. Thankfully, only about an hour and a half drive for me one way. I'll have to wait the 6-8 weeks and in the meantime, I'll use my tried and true(and heavy and loud)SFTR or an LTD 400 that I've yet to gig with.
Conclusion:
Still up in the air about using this as my go to amp from now on unless they can pinpoint what caused this fault. Hate to have it stop mid-gig again. If I do, I'll definitely have some sort of back-up rig with me just in case. I got lazy this time and should know better.
ps. regarding updating the firmware. I updated it when the new reverb firmware became available, and subsequently, have gigged with it many times with no problems whatsoever. Very happy with the updated reverb.
Since it crashed, I have not tried to reinstall the firmware to see if it fixes the problem (although it did cross my mind), because I'd like to know what exactly caused the problem in the first place. May never know, but maybe the techs will have a clue when they look at it. Even if that was a cure, I'd be hesitant to ever take this amp to a gig, knowing that if it decides to "lose" the firmware again, there's no way for me to update or reinstall it mid-gig.
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Carter D-10, Magnatone MOTS, Fender SFTR, Fender TMTR, LTD 400 |
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Dale Foreman
From:
Crowley Louisiana, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 5:22 pm Ltd
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If you have an old LTD, you have one of the best sounding amps ever made! If you decide to sell it, let me know please.
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Rittenberry Prestige(2) |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2021 5:28 pm Re: Ltd
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| Dale Foreman wrote: |
| If you have an old LTD, you have one of the best sounding amps ever made! |
No question. |
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Scott Akers
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2021 5:52 am
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Yes, I agree on the LTD, but I have no experience using it for both pedal steel and telecaster. The beauty of the tonemaster is that I can play both through it using only one amp. Can attain wonderful combination of volume and tone in any size room or even outside. Man, that attenuator and direct out are amazing for gigs and home recording.,
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Carter D-10, Magnatone MOTS, Fender SFTR, Fender TMTR, LTD 400 |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2021 6:20 am
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My old (EX) Presonus mixing board would dump the firmware if it was unplugged instead of turning off the switch.
If someone would turn off the power strip it caused problems same as a computer would when power goes out.
Fortunately this happened at the end of the gig.
I carry a Ganz Straight ahead power amp and small mixer as a spare amp.
It would be worth your time to try and update the firmware as it may fix it?
Good luck.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Pat Moore
From:
Virginia USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2021 6:30 am
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If mine did that, I'd be on the phone with Fender in Ariz. asap. I would imagine that they would want to know about this to for their records and updates.
Best, Pat |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 6 Nov 2021 6:31 am
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Sorry to hear about your issues. Hopefully Fender will resolve this for you. Of course that doesn't help in the interim.
Last edited by Jerry Overstreet on 7 Nov 2021 5:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mike Auman
From:
North Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2021 6:33 am
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| Scott Akers wrote: |
Lesson 3:
Another option is to drive it to Audio Electronics in Dallas, which is a bona-fide fender service center. Good............I've heard they do great work and they were super helpful when I called them, bad........once I drop it off, they estimate it might take at least 6-8 weeks before it's ready.
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Scott, Audio Electronics historically has a long delay in-house before they even look at your amp. They used to have an "express" option on their warranty repairs, where you could pay a fee to jump the line and get started sooner. It might still take them a while to fix it, but they start quicker. You might call and ask them about that before you decide, I don't recall what the fee was.
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Long-time guitar player, now wrestling with lap steel. |
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Dave Meis
From:
Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA
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Posted 6 Nov 2021 11:26 am
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Did Rick Heins say anything about reloading the firmware? Seems like that would be the first thing the repair folks would do (to insure that they're not chasing phantoms) .. but,you could call and ask them.
Would Fender just do a replacement? How about a 'loaner' while it's in the shop?
I hope you get a quick resolution! |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 6 Nov 2021 4:26 pm
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I have never understood internal fuses.
Are there circumstances when a fuse cannot be mounted in a holder that can be got at from the outside? and if so what are they?
Or does the manufacturer not regard them as user-serviceable on account of their position in the circuit?
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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