Not a new amp day But a poor experience from Thomann

nero1701

Althought I've bought numerous amps over the years I've never felt like doing a NAD thread.

On the 30th of Nov..I decided to buy a Tone King Imperial head (Why Head i'll get to).

I'd bought the Neural plug in last year roughly Christmas and was blown away with the shear range of sounds available from it, also with my Kemper, the Imperial profiles that I'd heard were always fairly good.

I like Fender type amps as my main preference and having the 2 channels on the imperial (Tweed for lead and Blackface/twin for rhythm). great separation, distinctively different sounding.

The built in attenuator is another of the big plus points for me, Quiet at home, but ability to saturate. I also really like the ability to attenuate one channel only. Leaving the rhythm un-attenuated, clean, smooth and chimey while attenuating then lead channel into pure gritty filth at the same volume!

I did initially start looking at combo's but a B-Stock Thomann bargain popped up at a dar cheaper price than new, i've already got a 1x12 with a G12m Greenback in it which I really love, so going for the head was a great option.

Build quality is really good, and the amp is so full, lots of articulation in every note, rounded notes thick, creamy..

Alex2678

Glad you’re happy, and that it finally arrived!

Wazmeister

Nice score mate !

We need some photees

nero1701

Wazmeister said:

Nice score mate !

We need some photees

Photo

nero1701

And..It worked for about 3 hours

nero1701

And it's going back to thomann. They refuse to replace it as it was a b stock return. 

I'm disappointed with the experience from start to finish. 3 weeks late on delivery. Non working amp. Minimal support from thomann. 

Alex2678

Bloody hell that’s disappointing. No clue what’s up with it?

nero1701

Turns out a blown 6v6

Mike58

You must be concerned, obviously could have just been transit vibration affecting that valve. What happens if it starts eating power valves? Surely either Thomann or Tone King will warranty the amp.
Go online, search Tone King warranty registration and get the thing registered. Also read ALL the small print on Thomann website re b-stock.
its a pisser, you only expect b-stock to be cosmetic flaws, I really hope this doesn’t become a mare for you

Squareheadedfreak

Mike58 said:

You must be concerned, obviously could have just been transit vibration affecting that valve. What happens if it starts eating power valves? Surely either Thomann or Tone King will warranty the amp.
Go online, search Tone King warranty registration and get the thing registered. Also read ALL the small print on Thomann website re b-stock.
its a pisser, you only expect b-stock to be cosmetic flaws, I really hope this doesn’t become a mare for you

Should be covered by the 14 day distance seller returns regardless of being b-stock, but assume only refund, as they wouldn't be able to replace a b-stock with a 'new one' still, must leave a sour taste in mouth!

Alex2678

Nero1701 showed me a video that looked like a physical issue with the valve rather than being caused by the amp, it was glowing bright purple which I think indicates air leaking in, I’m not an expert though 

nero1701

They are happy to accept a return, but all seems well with my Princeton's 6V6's in there, I'm now trying to convince Thomann to replace a set of valves...

andy1839

Ive got the opportunity to buy a Tone King Continental, i think its a higher powered Imperial.

Now it's working again how are you liking it?

nero1701

andy1839 said:

Ive got the opportunity to buy a Tone King Continental, i think its a higher powered Imperial.

Now it's working again how are you liking it?

I'd almost use wine to describe it...

Lush, cheeky and full bodied with a hint of sparkle ;-)

gordiji

HNAD. I'm sure Thomman will replace the duff valves if you can provide evidence /photo . The amp is still guaranteed 3yrs and they'll honour that. I had a flashback x4 replaced after more than 18 months when the switching became unreliable. All the shipping is done at their expense. They're very fair and i can't speak highly enough of them  based on several experiences. 

nero1701

2nd set of 6V6's bites the dust.

gatheredinsong

Oh dear, that sucks 

Modulus_Amps

nero1701 said:

2nd set of 6V6's bites the dust.

Sounds like something is wrong in the amp, either return it or you will have to get a tech to look at it.

Fishboy7

, .... that shouldn't happen, Send her back  

Unusual for a Tone King to have this sort of fault isn't it ? 

nero1701

I'm beginning to wonder why it was a b-stock, 

Alex2678

Mmhm