Hello all! The Marshall 3210 MOSFET amp was my first decent amp that I bought around 1990 with the Marshall 1965B 4x10 cab. Never had an issue with it. I sold it in 2000 to my nephew (who I understand still has it) but recently acquired another 3210 (vintage 1990, Y0xxxx) a few months back off of the local Craig's list. I have yet to plug it in although the seller said he had been using it regularly and had verified that all functions work.
I have both the Marshall 1965A & 1965B cabs that I use with my Carvin VT-50 tube amp head.
The Marshall cabs are 8 ohms each so using them both would put a 4 ohm load on the 3210 amp.
Last night I did a bit of research on the 3210 head's past problems and found out that they have a tendency to blow the MOFETs taking out the rectifier & a few other parts with them. This seems to occur when you put a 4 ohm load on the 3210. I always ran my old 3210 with a single 8 ohm cab so I never had the problem.
1. Before I plug it in, should I put a 16ohm speaker load on it first? Or should I give it a shot with an 8 ohm load? No way will I start out with a 4 ohm load.
2. As a preventative measure should I replace the MOSFETS with a pair of Exicon 10N20 & 10P20 before I run it with a 4 ohm load? They are cheap at $35 for a pair.
My current MOSFETs
http://www.ebay.com/itm/282407099589?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
3. While I am at it, should I replace any caps that have been problematic in the past? Or just replace them all? I checked the filter caps. One read 1980 mf, the other read 2160 mf.
Filter Caps
4. The board looks clean an un-modded. No sign of a previous repair. The ICs are not in sockets - they are soldered to the board. Should I socket them and stock some replacements?
My 3210 board
5. Should I beef up the rectifier with an 8 amp one? Any recommended replacements?
As I plan on keeping this amp for the next 10 years at least, what spare parts should I stockpile?
Thanks!
I have both the Marshall 1965A & 1965B cabs that I use with my Carvin VT-50 tube amp head.
The Marshall cabs are 8 ohms each so using them both would put a 4 ohm load on the 3210 amp.
Last night I did a bit of research on the 3210 head's past problems and found out that they have a tendency to blow the MOFETs taking out the rectifier & a few other parts with them. This seems to occur when you put a 4 ohm load on the 3210. I always ran my old 3210 with a single 8 ohm cab so I never had the problem.
1. Before I plug it in, should I put a 16ohm speaker load on it first? Or should I give it a shot with an 8 ohm load? No way will I start out with a 4 ohm load.
2. As a preventative measure should I replace the MOSFETS with a pair of Exicon 10N20 & 10P20 before I run it with a 4 ohm load? They are cheap at $35 for a pair.
My current MOSFETs
http://www.ebay.com/itm/282407099589?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
3. While I am at it, should I replace any caps that have been problematic in the past? Or just replace them all? I checked the filter caps. One read 1980 mf, the other read 2160 mf.
Filter Caps
4. The board looks clean an un-modded. No sign of a previous repair. The ICs are not in sockets - they are soldered to the board. Should I socket them and stock some replacements?
My 3210 board
5. Should I beef up the rectifier with an 8 amp one? Any recommended replacements?
As I plan on keeping this amp for the next 10 years at least, what spare parts should I stockpile?
Thanks!