Tube amp making weird noise...

michael_atw · #1 12-12-2010, 08:16 PM

Hey everyone,

so recently (about 6 months ago) I purchased a vintage 70's Ampeg V4B amp on ebay. I didn't use it very much for the first few months because I had a Ampeg B25B, but I've recently taken to it and use it a couple times a week. I remember a while back with my Ampeg B25B I would be playing and in between the songs in the silence it would randomly start to hiss...or, the more proper sound was like wind blowing through my cabinet. It would come in and out literally like wind blowing in the ears. Turning off the standby switch and turning it back on would often (not always) kill it completely. I played through an Ampeg SVT15E. Now I have this V4B and it started doing similar things - but more often this amp will cut out volume and become really quiet. I tried different cords and different basses and it still does it, even though sometimes pushing on the jack would cause popping. I started wondering if it was somehow burning out cables (because I know 5 different basses won't all suddenly have jack issues). Is there a way this amp would be burning out cables? What could be causing volume loss and 'windy' sounds? I play it through the SVT15E and now a SVT410HE. The cabinet doesn't matter - it happens to both. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

michael_atw · #2 12-13-2010, 05:32 PM

Anyone got any knowledge?

RickenBoogie · #3 12-13-2010, 05:40 PM

Have you had (either) of these amps looked over by a tech? That's the 1st thing I'd do, and consider the bench fee part of the price of the amp itself. Last used tube amp i bought was a Mesa Buster, amp cost $400, and then I spent almost another $300 for a thorough look over, tube repacement, and other assorted bits replaced or repaired, and it's like I bought a brand new amp. Just sayin'.

Mr. Foxen · #4 12-13-2010, 06:00 PM

It needs a recap, along with probably a general overhaul. The electrolytic capacitors (jobs like big batteries) in it have aged and aren't working right. Not a major job to replace them unless you want to use authentic vintage ones or something, modern capacitors are plain better though. Get a tech reccomended by someone who knows what they are up to, there are some dreadful bodgers out there.

Jerrold Tiers · #5 12-13-2010, 07:32 PM

Might or might not be a cap..... COULD be a tube, MIGHT be a coupling capacitor leaking, COULD be a resistor that gets noisy..... You seeing a pattern here?

Tech time.

Ben Clarke · #6 12-13-2010, 07:56 PM

Agreed.

I can recommend a reliable tech in Buffalo if you don't have a better option. PM if needed.

michael_atw · #7 12-14-2010, 04:17 PM

I actually know a great place that prides itself on being the tech-capital of the area. However, I have yet to ask if they have a good amp tech. I know they have great guitar techs, but not sure about an amp tech. If I need anything, I'll PM you Ben. Thanks everyone!