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Amp crackling, don't think it's the jacks

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Jun 10, 2008
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#1
Just got a new amp cabinet, bass, and used head. After a while I started getting a crackling sound and the bass sound would just cut off intermitantly. I've tried different basses and gotten the same result, tried 4 or 5 different cables, replaced the speaker cable, changed batteries in the bass. The cab is brand new out of the box so I don't think the cab is the problem. The head I bought used and is still under warranty. It is fairly old and beat up looking so I'm wondering if it just needs new tubes and that'll solve the problem. Any ideas on what's causing the crackling sound?

if it helps any the gear I'm using is
GK 4x10 goldine cab
SWR basic redhead 350 head
monster cable 3ft speaker cable
Warwick Rockbass Fortress 5 String

any feedback would be appreciated
 
#3
Randall said:
Bad or failing capacitors can cause intermittant crackling ( I have read). I would bring it back in for a checkup if you still have warranty.
Click to expand...

The warranty is still good for a few more months I think. I just had tried everything and I think it's gotta be the head. I got it used for around 200 bucks at guitar center. most people tell me they used to go for about 700 or so. So I'm wondering if they sold me a head that needs repair.
 
#4
Try plugging a short patch cable between the effects loop send and return jacks. Often the contacts on the switch in these jacks gets dirty and they vibrate open and closed while your playing causing crackling since your signal goes through these jacks. If that stops the problem then just clean the jacks with DeOxit D5 and a Q-tip.
 
#7
OneWayPunk said:
Try plugging a short patch cable between the effects loop send and return jacks. Often the contacts on the switch in these jacks gets dirty and they vibrate open and closed while your playing causing crackling since your signal goes through these jacks. If that stops the problem then just clean the jacks with DeOxit D5 and a Q-tip.
Click to expand...

I'll give that a try. if that doesn't work I'll probably just take it in to guitar center or richmond music and have them take a look at it.
 
#8
It very well could be a jack, or any number of things, and I'm glad someone mentioned the effects loop. It's a common enough problem area that even amp techs miss sometimes. Don't discount anything as a possible cause until you put it through the common-sense process of elimination. The good news about most causes of crackling when found, is that they usually aren't too expensive, and are usually an easy enough fix in the majority of cases.
 
#9
Could very well be a failing preamp tube; or, oxidized input and/or fx send return jacks.
Be sure to clean those with some fine emery paper and Caig deoxit.
 

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