Strange electronics malfunction - any ideas?

[ScottyAx800]

My Warwick Streamer Jazzman is exhibiting some weird sound problems.

1) Distortion when the cable gets bumped (at all!). I am thinking that the input jack is getting tired and I need replacement, but there is also:

2) An audible click when I run over the center detent of the bass knob. This does not happen on the mid or treble knobs.

3) Distortion on more aggressive transients, such as finger pops. This happens at all gain settings on the amp, even very low ones. The sound, however, is fine when I play fingerstyle or when I mute with the thumb. Tapping the top of the bass around where the bass knob/input jack is located control cavity is also getting some distortion.

I replaced the battery with a fresh one to no avail, have tried other cords, and played my other electric (my Lakland), and everything was fine with the amp and cables.

What is up with my 'Wick??? I just bought a California Blonde to use on doubling gigs (which sounds AWESOME!!!) and I almost had a heart attack playing my Streamer when, for a split second, it sounded like a Randall stack. Any and all advice greatly appreciated!

[ScottyAx800]

Bump. Anyone, anything? Maybe this would be best read in the Setup & Repair forum. Can a mod move this over?

[bongomania]

The jack probably does need adjustment or replacement. One of the jack's functions is to make a ground path between the bass and the amp, so it's possible that the "pop" of the bass EQ knob is related to an intermittent ground. It could also be that there is a failing solder connection in there; that buzzing, distortion sound, especially from tapping in the area, is a common symptom of a cracking solder joint or a nearly-broken wire.

[MAMMOTHvolume]

open it up take some pictures and post them, my guess is somethings come loose and the chip is losing bias or something similar.

[mikezimmerman]

It could also be something as simple as the contacts within the jack becoming oxidized and not making good contact with the cable. Try spraying some electrical contact cleaner into the jack and putting the cable in and out a few times. if that doesn't do it, I'd look at replacing the jack. Symptoms like the distortion on the aggressive transients sounds to me like not enough power getting to the preamp, which--since the battery connection is made through the jack--depend on having good contacts at the jack as well as a good battery.

Mike

[Rick Auricchio]

Originally Posted by mikezimmerman

Try spraying some electrical contact cleaner into the jack and putting the cable in and out a few times.

I prefer spraying the plug, not the jack.