Back in March I posted about a problem I had with a brand new Ampeg BA-112 v2 where the signal was bleeding out of the speaker when headphones were inserted. My local music store made that right with an exchange the day after my post and everything was great for 3 months until the same problem appeared in the replacement amp a couple of weeks ago. I was unhappy, but planned to ignore it since the bleed through was very low and not going to disturb me or anyone else. Unfortunately after another week I turned on the amp to find I had no output through the speakers even when the headphones were disconnected, but still had bleed through when the headphones were connected. To clarify, instrument and aux signals were always correct in the headphones.
I concluded the problem was not the amplification electronics, because everything worked through headphones. It was not the speaker, because the speakers worked with the low volume bleed through. So, it seemed something was amiss with the circuitry that switches the signal between headphones and power amp. Since, I bought the amp new only 3 months ago I contacted Ampeg support for warranty service. The technician was knowledgeable and pleasant, drew the same conclusion I did, and began the process for a warranty replacement.
However, the tech became concerned when he looked up the serial number because the amp had been delivered to the music store 2 years ago, which meant Ampeg's warranty department might consider it a demo or floor model, which would reduce my warranty from 2 years to 90 days! I explained that I did negotiate a discount when I bought the amp, but the music store represented it as new. In no way was it marked "demo", "display", or "floor" model. The tech told me he would initiate the process for replacement, but the warranty department would make the final determination after reviewing the case and a copy of my receipt for the amp. That process would take 24-72 hours. Well, after 48 hours of figurative nail biting I received notice today that my replacement amp has shipped along with a return label for the faulty amp.
I work with complex and expensive marine electronics, so I understand that failures can occur and that does not necessarily represent the overall quality of a manufacturer. What matters more to me is how a manufacturer responds to problems when they do occur. I really enjoy my Ampeg amps and would have be hugely disappointed if they were poorly responsive. So, all I have left to say is, "Thanks Ampeg. You owned the problem and did the right thing."
I concluded the problem was not the amplification electronics, because everything worked through headphones. It was not the speaker, because the speakers worked with the low volume bleed through. So, it seemed something was amiss with the circuitry that switches the signal between headphones and power amp. Since, I bought the amp new only 3 months ago I contacted Ampeg support for warranty service. The technician was knowledgeable and pleasant, drew the same conclusion I did, and began the process for a warranty replacement.
However, the tech became concerned when he looked up the serial number because the amp had been delivered to the music store 2 years ago, which meant Ampeg's warranty department might consider it a demo or floor model, which would reduce my warranty from 2 years to 90 days! I explained that I did negotiate a discount when I bought the amp, but the music store represented it as new. In no way was it marked "demo", "display", or "floor" model. The tech told me he would initiate the process for replacement, but the warranty department would make the final determination after reviewing the case and a copy of my receipt for the amp. That process would take 24-72 hours. Well, after 48 hours of figurative nail biting I received notice today that my replacement amp has shipped along with a return label for the faulty amp.
I work with complex and expensive marine electronics, so I understand that failures can occur and that does not necessarily represent the overall quality of a manufacturer. What matters more to me is how a manufacturer responds to problems when they do occur. I really enjoy my Ampeg amps and would have be hugely disappointed if they were poorly responsive. So, all I have left to say is, "Thanks Ampeg. You owned the problem and did the right thing."
