Author Topic: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S  (Read 4459 times)

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Offline pickinatit

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PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« on: August 19, 2008, 07:11:19 am »
I think I have a problem in my Sunn 1200S  (the Hybrid from the end of the Sunn/Fender era)

Went to play a back yard BBQ last week and about 15 minutes into the first set
my speakers started to emit a crackling/buzzing noise.  At first it seemed to be particularly from one of the 10" speakers in my Avatar B210Neo.  I unplugged that cabinet and began to just play thru the remaining Ampeg SVT115E speaker and within a few minutes that started making the same noise.  Checked/wiggled/changed out cables.  Each time I stopped playing and did something the problem seemed to go away, but then upon resuming play it would start again after a few minutes.  I changed my Bass to amp cable before the third set and made it thru the 3rd set ok, even with the B210 plugged back in.  The only other difference was that by then the sun was down and it was a bit cooler then when we started (we played from about 6:15 to 9:30 PM).

Back at home I checked everything again, speaker cab. by speaker cab, cable by cable
and finally think I've isolated the problem to the amplifier itself and maybe even particularly to the  tube pre-amp section (although I'm going by sound alone, I'm not at all versed in electronics).  I changed amp heads (to my Concert Bass) and playing thru the same cabs and cables  no problem.  I've also played thru a rehearsal now with the Concert Bass and no problems).

Could it be something as simple as a tube going bad (to produce that crackling sound)
or is it likely something more ominous ?

I want to get a schematic to give to the Techi when/if I take it somewhere for repairs.
Does anyone have a schematic of the Sunn 1200S  to save me the time and the money for sending away for one?

Opinions please,  that might help guide the tech guy.  (He's a throw-back to the days when our local music store was an authorized Sunn Dealer and has done Capacitor work on my Solarus.  Seems to know what he's about).

Offline loudthud

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Re: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2008, 09:16:39 am »
Service Manual can be found here:

http://sunn.ampage.org/site/svcmans/Sunn_1200s.pdf

How's the airflow to the amp? Is it mounted in a rack case? Does it blow out the front or back?

Offline pickinatit

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Re: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2008, 10:28:32 am »
Service Manual can be found here:

http://sunn.ampage.org/site/svcmans/Sunn_1200s.pdf

How's the airflow to the amp? Is it mounted in a rack case? Does it blow out the front or back?

I have the manual,  thanks.  I'm looking for a schematic.  There's a Sunn Support site (by Fender) that I can order one thru, just trying to save time and $ 5 . 

I don't have it mounted in a rack.  Just sits on top the speaker cabs on a foam pad.   There are vents in the front (above the Sunn Logo, although it's hard to see in the pic on the service manual).  There is no fan  mentioned in the manual .  That's one of the reasons I want the schematic.  I was under the impression there was only a "heat sink" of some kind.  Maybe there is suppose to be a fan and it is malfunctioning.  That's the type of thing I am here to try to find out from those that might know.
Would over-heating cause the type of problem I described?

Offline noel

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Re: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2008, 11:01:27 am »

Offline pickinatit

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Re: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2008, 11:53:18 am »
Here's the schematic: http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/Sunn_1200s.pdf

Hey, thanks so much.  But I think that is the schematic for the "OLD"  1200S,  all tube guitar amp from back in the late 60's or early 70's (the guitar version of the 2000S ??).   I'm talking about the 1200S that I  believe was one of the last Bass Amps to carry the Sunn Logo after Fender took them over.  It's a hybrid.  Tube Pre-Amp section and otherwise S.S.  with EQ., Comp., 2 switchable channels, Effects loop,  etc.

This One:  http://www.fender.com.au/sunnamps/1200s.php 

Offline loudthud

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Re: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2008, 12:21:37 pm »
The link from noel isn't it either. I have it on a CD. It's about 4.5meg. I'll see if I can email it to one of the moderators. It does show a fan that is thermostatically controlled so it should come on as the amp warms up.

Offline pickinatit

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Re: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2008, 01:02:27 pm »
The link from noel isn't it either. I have it on a CD. It's about 4.5meg. I'll see if I can email it to one of the moderators. It does show a fan that is thermostatically controlled so it should come on as the amp warms up.

I don't recall ever hearing any indication of a fan running since I got the amp and have never had a problem. But this was the first time playing outside.  It was hottter then usual and the amp was cranked higher then usual.  What damage if any would the amp running too hot be likely to do or, should it just shut down if overheating had been the problem ?

Offline mckinnon audio

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Re: PROBLEMS WITH 1200S
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2008, 04:34:05 pm »
  Hi there,if you think it's around the tube section of the preamp,I'd check the tube socket connection to the p.c. board,clean the socket with some De Oxit,and clean the pins on the tube.It sounds like a bad connection in the preamp to me,good luck,Mel.