Rebel 30 .. how reliable ???

[bruce egnater]

Which fuse on the rear is the one in question, please?

 

[monkeyonthelam]

To Gavantia.....I'm sorry you did not get a reply from your emails but service@egneter.com and nate@egnater.com are both incorrect email addresses.
nate@egnateramps.com is the correct address for direct contact with Nate.

Thanks

Sorry, that was my fault, I foolishly typed the email addresses incorrectly from memory.
I did get a personal answer back from Nate after a week or so, with apologies for the delay.

 

[gitaryzt1985]

I do agree with the statement about most of the "problem" or "reliability" posts are coming from people who have had bad experiences. There are multitudes of Egnater owners that have never had an issue. I'm seriously enjoying my Rebel 20 and Tweaker. I think that the Tweaker has some awesome cleans, but to me you can't beat how well the Rebel 20 takes pedals...it just soaks them up nicely.

I'm going to be using my Rebel 20 for the first time at a gig in a few weeks, so I'll let you know how it all works out...I have a feeling I'm going to dig it.

 

[misterpenguin]

I just received my Rebel 30 112 and have an entirely different issue. The amp performs fine when I'm not using reverb, but when I try to turn it on, I either get no change (tone continues un-reverbed) or I get major howling and crackling. Occasionally the reverb will come on, but that's the exception rather than the rule and when I switch channels it cuts off again.

I've tried different tone, wattage, reverb settings, both channels, using the footswitch, not using the footswitch, reseating the tubes, and the problem persists. I emailed customer service with details of the problem and everything I had tried in pinpointing the problem. The responses were less than helpful - I was asked questions about settings on the amp that had nothing to do with the symptoms I had described. Frankly it looked like they hadn't even read my email before typing a boilerplate reply. I don't know that this is something I can fix myself but I'm not amp illiterate, having played tube amps since the 1970s, and having provided so many symptoms I was at least expecting that they would engage in some dialogue with me and ballpark a diagnosis. All that was offered was that I could get a repair authorization order.

I bought the amp because I loved the sound of it, and I still do. I want it back on its feet so I can go gig with it. I'm posting this for two reasons. 1) Has anyone had a similar issue and/or a resolution? and 2) on the Egnater website it says they're committed to great customer service. This ain't it. Mr. Egnater, if you're reading this forum -- I'm sure everyone's busy, and I don't expect your people to drop everything and bow and scrape when I email, but there's a lot to be said for treating customers with a measure of real engagement and respect, rather than leaving me in the dark and feeling like I'm something your team just wants to get off their plate quickly.

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

That sounds to me like it is just a bad reverb tube. Simple enough to replace.

 

[JeepGuy04]

I just received my Rebel 30 112 and have an entirely different issue. The amp performs fine when I'm not using reverb, but when I try to turn it on, I either get no change (tone continues un-reverbed) or I get major howling and crackling. Occasionally the reverb will come on, but that's the exception rather than the rule and when I switch channels it cuts off again.

I've tried different tone, wattage, reverb settings, both channels, using the footswitch, not using the footswitch, reseating the tubes, and the problem persists. I emailed customer service with details of the problem and everything I had tried in pinpointing the problem. The responses were less than helpful - I was asked questions about settings on the amp that had nothing to do with the symptoms I had described. Frankly it looked like they hadn't even read my email before typing a boilerplate reply. I don't know that this is something I can fix myself but I'm not amp illiterate, having played tube amps since the 1970s, and having provided so many symptoms I was at least expecting that they would engage in some dialogue with me and ballpark a diagnosis. All that was offered was that I could get a repair authorization order.

I bought the amp because I loved the sound of it, and I still do. I want it back on its feet so I can go gig with it. I'm posting this for two reasons. 1) Has anyone had a similar issue and/or a resolution? and 2) on the Egnater website it says they're committed to great customer service. This ain't it. Mr. Egnater, if you're reading this forum -- I'm sure everyone's busy, and I don't expect your people to drop everything and bow and scrape when I email, but there's a lot to be said for treating customers with a measure of real engagement and respect, rather than leaving me in the dark and feeling like I'm something your team just wants to get off their plate quickly.

The Reverb is Digital on the Rebel so I'm not completely sure it's tube related but if this were me, looking at the Rebel 30 tube layout on the website, I would replace the V4 preamp tube and give that a try. I'm not completely sure but it seems the effects loop signal goes thru that tube and I'm guessing that the digital reverb is added around that point or maybe tied into the loop somehow. It's the only thing I can think of to try.

Rob

 

[monkeyonthelam]

Just to follow on from my earlier post re failed tubes in my Rebel 30 and high bias reading on both the Rebel 30 & 20.

I haven't had a problem with either since I re biased both amps. No more crackling or weird noises volume/power variation.

It was only the EL84"s in the REB30 that failed but I had had some irregular power and noises from the REB20 and I think that if any one is having such problems get the output tubes checked or replaced and definitely check the bias as all my problems have gone since re biasing. As I stated earlier I have only had the amps for since around March and May respectively and I think the Bias may have been out on both right from the start.
All good now.
Here is a rough YouTube footage of my me playing with a couple of lovely lasses a few months ago. I'm the one with very little hair in the middle. This is the REB30 & 112 ext . 1988 Strat Plus.
https://youtu.be/fQrjrot4jpc

 

[dan desy]

Just to follow on from my earlier post re failed tubes in my Rebel 30 and high bias reading on both the Rebel 30 & 20.

I haven't had a problem with either since I re biased both amps. No more crackling or weird noises volume/power variation.

It was only the EL84"s in the REB30 that failed but I had had some irregular power and noises from the REB20 and I think that if any one is having such problems get the output tubes checked or replaced and definitely check the bias as all my problems have gone since re biasing. As I stated earlier I have only had the amps for since around March and May respectively and I think the Bias may have been out on both right from the start.
All good now.
Here is a rough YouTube footage of my me playing with a couple of lovely lasses a few months ago. I'm the one with very little hair in the middle. This is the REB30 & 112 ext . 1988 Strat Plus.
https://youtu.be/fQrjrot4jpc

Cool man, great tones!

But you need a better cameraman next time...
And tell him "More chick shots"

 

[misterpenguin]

The Reverb is Digital on the Rebel so I'm not completely sure it's tube related but if this were me, looking at the Rebel 30 tube layout on the website, I would replace the V4 preamp tube and give that a try. I'm not completely sure but it seems the effects loop signal goes thru that tube and I'm guessing that the digital reverb is added around that point or maybe tied into the loop somehow. It's the only thing I can think of to try.

Rob

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried just removing and re-seating the V4 tube and I did get my reverb back temporarily but then it went away again, so I'm off to get a new tube and swap it out. I'll let you know if it works.

 

[soundchaser59]

I'm in the market, and this kind of information is all it takes to make a new customer swerve right to avoid a collision with amp trouble. Back to the emporium for me. I understand completely about the inconsistencies in the tubes, but ragged appearances in customer service will stop a potential deal for me.

Every effort I've made to get some assurance there is not some congenital design flaw has been intercepted by an individual who has done nothing but stonewall my inquiry.

 

[soundchaser59]

The other thing is, Duane - you have a 'tude that's keeping you from getting what you want.

I dont think so. Maybe not the most diplomatic, who knows, neither am I, but I read his entire post and I didn't feel he was out of line.

It's impressive that the head hauncho of the manufacturer will get on here to respond to these concerns. That is a great thing, and where else can you get that? Next time I'm at GC I will most certainly play a couple of these amps. But will I be swayed from going back to what I know with Mesa and some others? Hard to see that, don't know.....

All of that keeping in mind, I must say I learned very quickly - with EVERY amp I've bought - that the first thing I do after I take the amp home is get online and order an entire set of new tubes.

I took a brand new "floor demo" Mesa home a few years ago and did not think twice about it until I read about test driving different gain tubes and decided to experiment. I was quite surprised to find out my brand new Mesa amp did not have one single Mesa tube in it. The store I bought it from had their own amp tech, and I can only assume he swapped out the tubes in my floor demo amp to feed some other Mesa beast. I complained directly to Mesa, giving them the retailers name. I got an email from the retailer the next day, and 3 days after that a complete set of brand new Mesa tubes arrived in the mail.

I have to admit it does beg the question. If Egnater's own man was telling Duane "it's the tubes" why didn't they simply drop a new set of tubes in the mail after they got off the phone with Duane? 99% chance that would have solved the problem and maybe this thread would have an entirely different tone (no pun intended) to it?

 

[JeepGuy04]

@soundchaser59

Aren't Mesa amps non-adjustable bias? And "Mesa" branded tubes are just tubes tested by them to operate more consistently to their amp specs? I dunno if that's good or bad... I guess it may cost a little more but then you have the piece of mind... I know there is a 90 day egnater warranty on the tubes but I've also read people say tube quality isn't what it used to be.

Anyway I can't say I totally blame you for being nervous about spending a lot of $$ after reading those postings here about customer service. I know I've read some posts here overtime about unanswered emails but then again people also have had good experiences and Bruce and Ian read the forums which is a big plus to me. I don't know of a lot of companies where you can actually get a hold of the guy who designs all the products.

 

[hbucker]

Been playing my Renegade for 1.5 years now and it hasn't failed on me. When I did need some help with a reverb issue, Bruce and Nate were right there helping me out. Problem solved!

I can't say enough about my experience with C.S. and my amp. I'd do it all over again. Talk to me in again 20 years, but so far, the amp is rock solid and sounds better every day.

 

[ramblin390]

Been playing my Renegade for 1.5 years now and it hasn't failed on me. When I did need some help with a reverb issue, Bruce and Nate were right there helping me out. Problem solved!

I can't say enough about my experience with C.S. and my amp. I'd do it all over again. Talk to me in again 20 years, but so far, the amp is rock solid and sounds better every day.

same here

 

[Ian Egnater]

The other thing is, Duane - you have a 'tude that's keeping you from getting what you want.

I dont think so. Maybe not the most diplomatic, who knows, neither am I, but I read his entire post and I didn't feel he was out of line.

It's impressive that the head hauncho of the manufacturer will get on here to respond to these concerns. That is a great thing, and where else can you get that? Next time I'm at GC I will most certainly play a couple of these amps. But will I be swayed from going back to what I know with Mesa and some others? Hard to see that, don't know.....

All of that keeping in mind, I must say I learned very quickly - with EVERY amp I've bought - that the first thing I do after I take the amp home is get online and order an entire set of new tubes.

I took a brand new "floor demo" Mesa home a few years ago and did not think twice about it until I read about test driving different gain tubes and decided to experiment. I was quite surprised to find out my brand new Mesa amp did not have one single Mesa tube in it. The store I bought it from had their own amp tech, and I can only assume he swapped out the tubes in my floor demo amp to feed some other Mesa beast. I complained directly to Mesa, giving them the retailers name. I got an email from the retailer the next day, and 3 days after that a complete set of brand new Mesa tubes arrived in the mail.

I have to admit it does beg the question. If Egnater's own man was telling Duane "it's the tubes" why didn't they simply drop a new set of tubes in the mail after they got off the phone with Duane? 99% chance that would have solved the problem and maybe this thread would have an entirely different tone (no pun intended) to it?

I haven't read back through this whole thread to recall exactly what happened with Duane honestly. But the answer to your question about why we don't send out tubes immediately when we assume that's the problem, is basically because it's highly unlikely that every tube in your amp has failed at once. We do offer a tube warranty with new amps, which is longer than some others in the industry though. All we ask is that you walk through a little troubleshooting with us to see which tubes are bad. Some people don't think they should have to do that, and we understand, but we also want to make sure it is in fact a tube issue before we send out new tubes to someone that has a different issue with their amp. We get calls all the time from people who feel they have an issue with the amp, but once they have calmed down, they realize it's user error and are happy. So what I'm saying is that if we sent an expensive full set of tubes out to everyone as soon as they self diagnosed their issue, that would get expensive and fast. But as I said, we will replace any tube that we diagnose needing replacement. I can't say for sure, but my guess would be that the retailer you bought the Mesa from, got a bill for the new tubes though. On what Jeepguy said, tubes definitely are inconsistent, even from the same manufacturer. I have myself have tested tons of different batches from every manufacturer out there for reliability, and what is good one time may not be good in the next batch they make. I won't say specifically who we tested, but I will say that we try to stay on top of who is the best as much as we can. If we start seeing higher than average tube failures from a company, we will start testing other options until we find something better. Haha, I think I've rambled on this topic long enough though.

 

[DragonFlame]

My experience w/Rebel-30 Combo reliability and product quality is not a good one. In fact, I'm leaning toward returning my amp and searching elsewhere for tone quest.

Bought it in Dec and aside from some inventory shenanigans w/Guitar Center, I got it in good time and picked it up the day it arrived at the shipping company. So, I know it didn't sit on the dock in the freezing cold for days waiting for me or for delivery. Yep, I was that excited to get it - I drove downtown to pick it up.

Problem #1: Minor quality control problem. The metal cover on the lift strap was never properly affixed. Yes, I can repair it myself. Seems silly to have to for a high end boutique amp, but mistakes happen and I'm willing to overlook that.

Problem #2: Moderate quality control problem. The "Bright" switch on CH1 always makes a loud static pop when switched on or off. The other switches (the "Tight" on the same channel and the similar switches on CH2) don't make any such sounds. It's not static from me - tested it multiple times. OK, probably not going to change in the middle of playing so it's not that big a deal, but it does make me wonder if there's a problem w/the switch or its installation. Are people who demo the product just killing the volume when they demo these switches so potential buyers don't hear it, or is it not supposed to do that? 3/4 of the switches on the amp don't, so I'm guessing the latter.

Problem #3: Major quality control problem. This one is the deal killer and has resulted in my spending ALL my time w/the "new" amp attempting to get it diagnosed and sorted out. No time spent playing for enjoyment. No time spent experimenting w/tone quest or exploring the reputedly great sound of the amp that drew me to it in the first place.

On CH2 as the amp warms up it would go through loud hissing, dripping, rumbling and popping sounds. OK...maybe the tubes needed to warm up? Apparently so, because eventually this would settle (about 3-5 minutes later) and for about 3-5 minutes there would only be the background hiss that was roughly the same on CH1. After a bit of playing, sometimes associated w/plucking loud notes, sometimes not, the volume on CH2 goes absolutely spastic - plucked notes sound so loud as to be distorted at any volume and WAY too loud (even w/the pickups dialed way down and the volume knob at a reasonable level. Immediately after this, the volume then becomes muffled and faint (and what you can hear sounds variably distorted, too). Turning up the volume has little effect. Both volume and gain thereafter have to be way, WAY up to get any sound out of the guitar. Every now and then the volume kicks back in and will spike and then die out again. CH1 meanwhile is still just hissy at 12 o'clock volume and above. Nothing apparently unusual, though other owners have complained about the hiss on that channel. Heaven forbid that it's fourth problem, but I wouldn't dismiss it the way things have gone.

Have tried switching out the tubes in the CH2 circuit (supplied by Nate at Egnater after multiple phone calls, submitting warranty info and an online report of problems, more phone calls, and eventually another 10-12 days of waiting on shipping). Installed the new tubes in the volume circuit for CH2. No joy. Will replace the old tubes in their original locations and use one of the tubes supplied to switch the preamp tube as well, but I'm not hopeful.

It's been taking so long to sort this out that I'm probably no longer in the window of time that I can simply return the product for exchange to Guitar Center (though I'm about ready to call them up and see if I can). Bought the thing mid December and ("because of NAMM" I was told) it's taken until just last week for me to get tubes sent to try swapping them out for a possible fix. What's that...four to six weeks? If the preamp tube swap doesn't work, I'm ready to try returning it to GC for an exchange. Given how long it's taken to deal w/Egnater, however, I may be forced to cope w/the joy of shipping the product back and forth to Egnater to get a brand new boutique amp "repaired".

My amp had an "Inspected by" sticker on it, and I really don't believe it. Not a bit. I saw all these problems online in customer reviews and thought they wouldn't happen to me. Instead, I got all of them. The mega-lemon. Incidentally, don't trust the reviews at places like Music123 and Musician's Fiend. I submitted a review documenting the problems and it was rejected. Apparently some sites only want glowing reviews.

My experience has been that the amp is not reliable, right out of the box. Quite the opposite. I'm still hoping they're known flaws or bugs that can be fixed, or maybe Bruce Egnater will see this and know whether or not this should just be shipped back for exchange asap because the problems aren't easily fixable. Either way, it's more of my time invested and playing time lost for an expensive item doesn't work properly.

Bruce Egnater posted quite some time ago that customers get frustrated trying to sort out these sort of problems and then get fed up w/the product and company when they should just have returned it. Guess that pretty much describes me, 'cept I only spent a short while trying to diagnose the problem and most of the rest of the time has been lag in trying to get help.

 

[Waxhead]

My experience w/Rebel-30 Combo reliability and product quality is not a good one. In fact, I'm leaning toward returning my amp and searching elsewhere for tone quest.

Bought it in Dec and aside from some inventory shenanigans w/Guitar Center, I got it in good time and picked it up the day it arrived at the shipping company. So, I know it didn't sit on the dock in the freezing cold for days waiting for me or for delivery. Yep, I was that excited to get it - I drove downtown to pick it up.

Problem #1: Minor quality control problem. The metal cover on the lift strap was never properly affixed. Yes, I can repair it myself. Seems silly to have to for a high end boutique amp, but mistakes happen and I'm willing to overlook that.

Problem #2: Moderate quality control problem. The "Bright" switch on CH1 always makes a loud static pop when switched on or off. The other switches (the "Tight" on the same channel and the similar switches on CH2) don't make any such sounds. It's not static from me - tested it multiple times. OK, probably not going to change in the middle of playing so it's not that big a deal, but it does make me wonder if there's a problem w/the switch or its installation. Are people who demo the product just killing the volume when they demo these switches so potential buyers don't hear it, or is it not supposed to do that? 3/4 of the switches on the amp don't, so I'm guessing the latter.

Problem #3: Major quality control problem. This one is the deal killer and has resulted in my spending ALL my time w/the "new" amp attempting to get it diagnosed and sorted out. No time spent playing for enjoyment. No time spent experimenting w/tone quest or exploring the reputedly great sound of the amp that drew me to it in the first place.

On CH2 as the amp warms up it would go through loud hissing, dripping, rumbling and popping sounds. OK...maybe the tubes needed to warm up? Apparently so, because eventually this would settle (about 3-5 minutes later) and for about 3-5 minutes there would only be the background hiss that was roughly the same on CH1. After a bit of playing, sometimes associated w/plucking loud notes, sometimes not, the volume on CH2 goes absolutely spastic - plucked notes sound so loud as to be distorted at any volume and WAY too loud (even w/the pickups dialed way down and the volume knob at a reasonable level. Immediately after this, the volume then becomes muffled and faint (and what you can hear sounds variably distorted, too). Turning up the volume has little effect. Both volume and gain thereafter have to be way, WAY up to get any sound out of the guitar. Every now and then the volume kicks back in and will spike and then die out again. CH1 meanwhile is still just hissy at 12 o'clock volume and above. Nothing apparently unusual, though other owners have complained about the hiss on that channel. Heaven forbid that it's fourth problem, but I wouldn't dismiss it the way things have gone.

Have tried switching out the tubes in the CH2 circuit (supplied by Nate at Egnater after multiple phone calls, submitting warranty info and an online report of problems, more phone calls, and eventually another 10-12 days of waiting on shipping). Installed the new tubes in the volume circuit for CH2. No joy. Will replace the old tubes in their original locations and use one of the tubes supplied to switch the preamp tube as well, but I'm not hopeful.

It's been taking so long to sort this out that I'm probably no longer in the window of time that I can simply return the product for exchange to Guitar Center (though I'm about ready to call them up and see if I can). Bought the thing mid December and ("because of NAMM" I was told) it's taken until just last week for me to get tubes sent to try swapping them out for a possible fix. What's that...four to six weeks? If the preamp tube swap doesn't work, I'm ready to try returning it to GC for an exchange. Given how long it's taken to deal w/Egnater, however, I may be forced to cope w/the joy of shipping the product back and forth to Egnater to get a brand new boutique amp "repaired".

My amp had an "Inspected by" sticker on it, and I really don't believe it. Not a bit. I saw all these problems online in customer reviews and thought they wouldn't happen to me. Instead, I got all of them. The mega-lemon. Incidentally, don't trust the reviews at places like Music123 and Musician's Fiend. I submitted a review documenting the problems and it was rejected. Apparently some sites only want glowing reviews.

My experience has been that the amp is not reliable, right out of the box. Quite the opposite. I'm still hoping they're known flaws or bugs that can be fixed, or maybe Bruce Egnater will see this and know whether or not this should just be shipped back for exchange asap because the problems aren't easily fixable. Either way, it's more of my time invested and playing time lost for an expensive item doesn't work properly.

Bruce Egnater posted quite some time ago that customers get frustrated trying to sort out these sort of problems and then get fed up w/the product and company when they should just have returned it. Guess that pretty much describes me, 'cept I only spent a short while trying to diagnose the problem and most of the rest of the time has been lag in trying to get help.

Ahh DragonFlame - why didn't you just demand a brand new (& different) amp from Day 1
I would have

 

[DragonFlame]

Well, hindsight is 20/20. I probably should have contacted GC for a RMA and slingshotted it back for another one. Definitely going to see if that's still an option. Posting here is probably putting off the inevitable, that I've got an expensive amp that was just plain bad from the get-go.

Anyway, I'm new to owning a supposedly high end tube amp. Didn't know what to expect and started working my way through the signal chain starting w/the location of the guitar and amp to eliminate the possibility of RFI, checking the axe and the cable, etc. Finally, got to the point where it was obvious it was just the amp. So, called Egnater and the person I got there sent me back to test if it might be just the preamp tube or some tubes. The hope was it could be dealt with by simply mailing out/replacing some tubes. A week goes by 'cause of work, I do the tests, spend a day or two w/no joy in reaching a live human for help, lose more time because of the weekend, being back in the work loop, and a week or so later I get sent down another rabbit hole...then they're off to NAMM and turnaround crawls...

In my defense, I have seen several threads that basically ask owners not to be hasty about returning the amps or slagging them off when all it might be is a bad tube... Kind of seems to be a bit more than that in my case, though.

A little late to realize that I'm a frog in hot water, getting boiled by degrees. Maybe I'd better get on the phone to GC when I get home!

 

[Waxhead]

Well, hindsight is 20/20. I probably should have contacted GC for a RMA and slingshotted it back for another one. Definitely going to see if that's still an option. Posting here is probably putting off the inevitable, that I've got an expensive amp that was just plain bad from the get-go.

Anyway, I'm new to owning a supposedly high end tube amp. Didn't know what to expect and started working my way through the signal chain starting w/the location of the guitar and amp to eliminate the possibility of RFI, checking the axe and the cable, etc. Finally, got to the point where it was obvious it was just the amp. So, called Egnater and the person I got there sent me back to test if it might be just the preamp tube or some tubes. The hope was it could be dealt with by simply mailing out/replacing some tubes. A week goes by 'cause of work, I do the tests, spend a day or two w/no joy in reaching a live human for help, lose more time because of the weekend, being back in the work loop, and a week or so later I get sent down another rabbit hole...then they're off to NAMM and turnaround crawls...

In my defense, I have seen several threads that basically ask owners not to be hasty about returning the amps or slagging them off when all it might be is a bad tube... Kind of seems to be a bit more than that in my case, though.

A little late to realize that I'm a frog in hot water, getting boiled by degrees. Maybe I'd better get on the phone to GC when I get home!

ok - so we get more of the story now
Guitar Centre delivered a damaged amp to you.
For me - when I saw just your problem #1 (the damaged metal on handle) I would have immediately returned the item then and demanded a new amp - saying "You guys gave me a damaged amp. I paid for a new one - give me one please".

We don't have GC in Australia but I've read many US buyers on forums complain about GC shipping services - sounds like they're rubbish and they often deliver damaged goods.
Most likely your amp was smashed/dropped in shipping and I wouldn't blame Egnater for that.
They've probably damaged more than just the tubes too.
Undamaged R30's are very reliable machines imo

But even now - I'd demand a brand new undamaged amp right now - I wouldn't stuff around with tubes.
GC gave you a damaged amp - end of story.
And not Egnaters responsibility imo.

By way of contrast I bought an R30 Head from the US (not GC hehe) and had it shipped to Australia via USPS and Aust Post.
It arrived at my door in perfect condition very well packed and it functioned perfect too.
Not a single scratch anywhere - tubes in perfect condition

 

[DragonFlame]

For clarification, the amp didn't arrive looking damaged. The box was PERFECT. The contents looked PERFECT. In fact the amp looked gorgeous straight out of the box. Love the styling and construction. The metal cap on the lift strap was loose and not noticed until notes below the G were played above a very, very quiet volume. Didn't appear to be anything that had been hit or damaged, just improperly fitted. When it started buzzing I checked for the source of the noise and found the cap was so loosely attached that it popped right off w/minimal pressure.

It's not like the box arrived w/a banged up amp. Quite the opposite. It looked AOK inside and out. If it had looked damaged of course I'd have sent it back immediately.

Also, something minor like a small, loose cosmetic fitting doesn't seem to me to be the clear sign that one should immediately return a high end item. Finally, the problems were identified one at a time, not all at once. so, it was not so easy to just say "Aha! Multiple problems, ship it back."

Darned ol' hindsight makes it easy to say what I should have done. But problems w/tubes are common enough that when I started working w/Egnater to resolve this without having to return the amp, that's the first thing that came up. Add to that delays in being able to get help from Egnater, delays due to staff being away or overwhelmed because of NAMM, and delays due to shipping of tubes, and that ate away at the time to return the item.

Delighted to hear that you had one shipped internationally and no problems then or since. Wish I could say the same.