Lightning strikes!

[stash49]

So I'm just about ready to buy a new Mesa-Roadster, Road King, or Ace, but still trying to decide, when I go down to practice, fire up my beloved Heartbreaker and...a FLASH from the back of the amp, and a blown fuse!
Does any one know what happened? I am very new to high-end tube amps-addicted to 'em now. Am I in real trouble here? I can't get to the store to buy new fuses until later (I thought I had the right ones but I dont) and I sware, I can't sleep over this.

 

[MesaENGR412]

I'm no expert, and I know there's some people that probably could pin point it on here, but it sounds like a tube failure triggered the fuse to blow. How old are the tubes in the amp? If you can afford it, I'd get a complete retube and a new fuse, and that should fix it. Or you could get a few fuses and one of each type of tube (preamp, power, etc.) and do a trial and error to see which tube in the chain failed. If I'm wrong, somebody who really knows what they are talking about will help, but that would be my guess. Good luck my friend.

-AJH

 

[stash49]

Do power tubes sometimes make a distinct flash, like a camera flash when they go?

 

[Barry]

Do power tubes sometimes make a distinct flash, like a camera flash when they go?

When a fuse it goes its usually a bad tube that causes it .

 

[disassembled]

yes, they can make a flash of light depending on what happened. Just FYI it is usually in your best interest (especially if you gig out frequently) to replace the power tubes every 6-12 months depending on how often you use the amp. While you're at it you might as well do a full retube to ensure that the amp is running a fresh set of tubes.

My advice is to replace atleast all of your power tubes(replace all not just 1 or 2) and then replace the fuse (with the same value) and then be on your merry way. If this happens again i would be afraid that you may have damaged something when the tube was trying to strike you with lightning and probably need the electronical guidance of a qualified tech.

Your best option would probably be a full retube at your local dealer and have them check it out to make sure it is healthy.

 

[Platypus]

It looks scary, but try not to worry, this is normal behavior for when you have a bad tube. You *most likely* blew a power tube as others have said which in turn caused the fuse to blow to protect your amp, it worked exactly as it should.

Best advice again, as someone recommended, do a full retube, replace your fuse, and you should be up an running again in no time.

Things like this seem scary but once you own a tube amp for awhile you begin to see all kinds of stuff


It actually looks kind of cool in a way
Especially if you can catch it while it happens, there's a little lightning storm of the craziest blue hues inside the glass

 

[JoeVFR]

Did you recently move it? Maybe one of the tubes had worked a little and shorted. I like to check the seating of the tubes before I turn it on just in case they moved during the move.
I had a fuse blow on my LoneStar during a gig. Turns out the tubes were fine, I replaced the fuse and went on. (bad house power)

 

[stash49]

I had the amp parked with it's back to big mirror and I was looking right at it when it flashed-it was very impressive! No smoke-just a flash and silence. I pulled all the tubes, replaced the fuse and she fired right up. I went to standby, put in two new power tubes-no problem. Two more newpower tubes-no problem. Old rec tube-no problem. Thanks All!
A side note: I was freaked out by this I called around and bought a Roadster Head new in the box at a local GC. God help me!

 

[GLiDE]

You might want to replace the preamp tube that is in the Phase Inverter/tube driver slot. I always replace that with the power tube replacements.

 

[AustinK]

A side note: I was freaked out by this I called around and bought a Roadster Head new in the box at a local GC. God help me!

Nice i think that is the way to go. Every time you blow a fuse buy another amp. You will have a nice collection in no time.

 

[plucker]

Sometimes it can take out a grid resistor (if your unlucky) it might be worth taking a look to see if any are burnt or cracked before you replace the tube & fuse.