Hartke HA3500 Static!

[MattyH]

Hey guys. I usually run a Hydrive cab with an LH1000. I have 2 Transient Attack Hartke HA3500 heads, and I thought I'd screw around and see how different combos sound. I plugged in one HA with no problem, but my older HA has a nasty static after a few minutes of playing. It'll be slight, but it'll kick in hard after I put on (then take off) some distortion.

Could it be a wiring problem? The tube in the preamp is relatively new. Or could it be dirty/dusty inputs? I haven't used this head in a few years.

Thanks all!

[MattyH]

nothin?

[craig.p]

If it has an effects loop, connect effects in to effects out with an instrument cable. That'll eliminate one possibility.

If that doesn't work, physically isolate the head from the cab's vibration. If that works, then you've got either a loose/corroded internal cable or ground wire, or possibly a solder joint that's decided to let go after all these years.

Typically when something comes out of storage we like to pop the cover and check everything, unplug/unscrew everything we can find and then put it back to scrape off any corrosion, and then hit all the pots' insides with DeoxIT Fader F-series to lube them back up.

Also, yeah, it could be the tube. Does the amp let you bypass it? I would still do everything above first, though.

Hope that gives you a few ideas.

[MattyH]

Originally Posted by craig.p

If it has an effects loop, connect effects in to effects out with an instrument cable. That'll eliminate one possibility.

If that doesn't work, physically isolate the head from the cab's vibration. If that works, then you've got either a loose/corroded internal cable or ground wire, or possibly a solder joint that's decided to let go after all these years.

Typically when something comes out of storage we like to pop the cover and check everything, unplug/unscrew everything we can find and then put it back to scrape off any corrosion, and then hit all the pots' insides with DeoxIT Fader F-series to lube them back up.

Also, yeah, it could be the tube. Does the amp let you bypass it? I would still do everything above first, though.

Hope that gives you a few ideas.

Thank you good sir! Will do (all) suggestions.