jack guitar blues Posted July 25, 2006 Posted July 25, 2006 Hi, Can anyone out there help?? This is the 2nd tube amp I've bought with the same problem. (1st amp Peavey Triumph, and a Carvin Belair 2-12) Playing at low volumes (at home) sound slowly gets softer, and more nasily (ie no bass at all) I then give the amp a wack, and suddenly all gets louder again back to normal. I suspect it's the preamp tubes loose or not contacting properly?? Just want to get it fixed, because giving the amp a kick up the arse can't be all that good for it. any suggestions much appreciated. jack guitar blues.
Gruupi Posted July 25, 2006 Posted July 25, 2006 Hello Jack, and welcome to the forum. It is possible that the tubes are loose or worn out, but I would take it in for repairs. Any loose circuit could cause a short and a fire. Iv'e had amps that had this problem just before they went out. So I guess its safe to check if the tubes are seated properly, but anything else could be dangerous for a layman to mess with. My soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=397188 My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gruupi
Gabriel E. Posted July 25, 2006 Posted July 25, 2006 Probably a preamp tube that's loose in it's socket. "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer
mdrs Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 Make sure that all of the tubes are completely plugged in. In case you've never changed a tube, this simply means to gently push the tube straight in towards it's base to be certain that the tube is completely seated. Don Don "There once was a note, Pure and Easy. Playing so free, like a breath rippling by." http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=574296 http://www.myspace.com/imdrs
mdrs Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 Oh, and by the way, WELCOME GUITAR BLUES!! Don Don "There once was a note, Pure and Easy. Playing so free, like a breath rippling by." http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=574296 http://www.myspace.com/imdrs
Dr. Ellwood Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 Yes and if you don't have tube retainers, spring loaded ones ..you should! http://www.thestringnetwork.com
Chad Thorne Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 Also, wear light cotton gloves or something while touching tubes. They'll last longer if you don't get the oils from your skin on 'em.
miroslav Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 I dunno', Chad... ....I think that only apply to things like Halogen light bulbs. I've never heard of a finger oil damaging or shortening the lifespan of a pre/power amp tube...??? I've never used gloves on mine...and I've changed some tubes around a lot. Almost all have lasted for many Y-E-A-R-S. Is far as I know...pre/power tubes crap out on the inside...not the outside. About the only things that can get damaged on the outside are broken/bent pins...and maybe if you drop it and the tube cracks... miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
LPCustom Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 Originally posted by Chad: Also, wear light cotton gloves or something while touching tubes. They'll last longer if you don't get the oils from your skin on 'em. Chad is correct. But it's true but only to prevent getting the oils/acids from your skin on the electrodes (pins). If you leave residue from your skin on the electrodes, they will corrode and eventually you will have connection problems. The heat from tubes makes the corrosive effect more aggressive, too. It won't hurt anything to have oils from your skin on the glass part. Just the pins. Born on the Bayou
Ol Boy Rivers Posted July 26, 2006 Posted July 26, 2006 OT: Welcome to the forum guy. If your loking for answers, The guys on here are sure to help you out. Real experts have we! Never trouble trouble till' trouble troubles you.
jack guitar blues Posted July 27, 2006 Author Posted July 27, 2006 To all the guys who responded to my question re: dropping out of sound on tube amps, Thanks for the welcome to forum, and esecially for all the tips about pre-amp valves being loose. That seemed to be the problem! Couldn't believe the response I recieved !! Also, has anybody had any experience with modifying Carvin Belair tube amp. Things such as different tubes, or maybe mods to the overdrive circuit, such as cutting out the 4 diodes for a smoother overdrive sound? jack guitar blues
Bbach1 Posted July 27, 2006 Posted July 27, 2006 Originally posted by jack guitar blues: To all the guys who responded to my question re: dropping out of sound on tube amps, Thanks for the welcome to forum, and esecially for all the tips about pre-amp valves being loose. That seemed to be the problem! Couldn't believe the response I recieved !! Also, has anybody had any experience with modifying Carvin Belair tube amp. Things such as different tubes, or maybe mods to the overdrive circuit, such as cutting out the 4 diodes for a smoother overdrive sound? jack guitar blues I would be careful to check the bias of the Carvin before changing tubes. In the Ask Miles thread on this forum, he has a link to a tube primer. Good reading. bbach Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Danzilla Posted July 27, 2006 Posted July 27, 2006 PS if you haven't already adjusted the loose tube... when you DO adjust them, make sure the amp has been turned off for a while. Touching hot tubes isn't fun. Well, maybe for some, but not for me. "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band
marvar Posted July 27, 2006 Posted July 27, 2006 Originally posted by Chad: Also, wear light cotton gloves or something while touching tubes. They'll last longer if you don't get the oils from your skin on 'em. According to the guru Myles- this has NO effect on the life or performance of tubes- at least that is what he wrote- "Who's gonna teach the children about Chuck Berry?"
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