AMPEG SVT CLASSIC , Should i attempt this??

[iwillattack]

Hello there,

I have a late 90's SVT Classic.
Last few shows It has been cutting out every few seconds.
Now i think this is a Input Jack because everytime i put a little preassure on the cable or wiggle it the sound is fine then when i release it , it goes again.

Now should i attempt this repair? ,All the amp techs in the area take weeks to turn around repairs and i work in a technical enviroment i am used to repairing equipment that involve high voltage cathode ray tubes so i understand the dangers although im not a amp tech i have a level of technical ability , .

Anyone got any comments advice or tips on replacing or soldering input jacks on one of these ampegs!! , Im a little surprised that i am having this problem with a amp that cost so much!!

Thanks

Dave

[Amp Kat]

SVT's are very powerfull and viabrate excessively. After all 6-6550's at 700 volts will viabrate anything. I had one that backed the transformer lug off and it fell onto the power board and caused some damage so you may want to tighten those up while your in there. The front panel is seperate from the rear or main board on these and there is a clear cable shield that sends the voltage and signals wires to the other board. One wire is a green wire mounted to the front chassis and the other connectors easily pull off the headers. There are two preamp tubes on this board and they get real plate voltage so be careful there as it may not be discaharged. There are (I think) four screws that hold the preamp board on and you'll have to take all of the pot knobs off and screws to get it out. More than likely the solder joint on the input jack lug have wallered out so make sure that resoldering makes good contact with the pad and doesn't pull away. Put it back together and your done. Good luck !

[Mark Black]

Everything Amp Kat said plus this:
I can tell you the soldering will be easy compared to the disassembly/reassembly of the amp.

If you go slow and mark everything you disconnect a quick-and-dirty jack retouch will probably get you by for a while, but for real long-term stability you might want to consider letting an authorized (previously authorized?) Ampeg servicer go through it. They should have the service bulletins and previous experience with failure modes on that type to get it into a more reliable condition overall, assuming it is a competent shop.

If it's any consolation all the shops around here are weeks out as well...