• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The End of my Shuttle 6.0?

EtoBb

EtoBb

Nov 27, 2009
311
281
Chicago, IL
#1
Two days ago I was plugged into my Shuttle 6.0, which was plugged into the 12 inch cab that it came with.

Each note I played was distorted.

I fiddled with the controls and connections with no success. I swapped cables, cabs, basses, everything. The distortion was still there. Completely flummoxed, I gave the head a light whop with the meaty part of my hand, and the distortion went away. I'm glad the Fonzie method worked, but what does that imply about the condition of my amplifier?

I don't abuse the thing, but I definitely use it a lot.
 
#2
EtoBb said:
Two days ago I was plugged into my Shuttle 6.0, which was plugged into the 12 inch cab that it came with.

Each note I played was distorted.

I fiddled with the controls and connections with no success. I swapped cables, cabs, basses, everything. The distortion was still there. Completely flummoxed, I gave the head a light whop with the meaty part of my hand, and the distortion went away. I'm glad the Fonzie method worked, but what does that imply about the condition of my amplifier?

I don't abuse the thing, but I definitely use it a lot.
Click to expand...

All amps break.

I have a shuttle 6.0, like it, and use it as a spare.

My advice:

1) get a backup head, if you don't have one
2) take the ailing head to a good tech

If you need advice on where to take it, you might try Bass Club Chicago.

Address: 2721 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Phone: (773) 561-3521
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dbsfgyd1 and EtoBb
#5
Jim Carr said:
All amps break.

I have one, like it, and use it as a spare.

My advice:

1) get a backup head, if you don't have one
2) take the ailing head to a good tech

If you need advice on where to take it, you might try Bass Club Chicago.

Address: 2721 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Phone: (773) 561-3521
Click to expand...


I don't really have a backup and that's my main concern. I have nice preamp DI that I can usually get away with using so I don't have to schlep an amp, but no other high power sound creator.

I didn't know Bass Club did amp repair. Would you recommend them over Deltronics?

If the Shuttle is your backup, what's your main? I'm running some kind of LDS 15/6 Fearful thing, which is sort of in line with your setup.
 
#8
EtoBb said:
I wonder which orifice it came out...
Click to expand...
@agedhorse Is one of the designers of that amp, he currently runs the repairs for all things Genz Benz.
Give him a private message so he can discuss things further with you. (forum rules about conducting business openly)
He makes sure everything is up to spec, has a great fixed rate and quick turn around, you will not be without your amp long and when it comes back it will be about as good as new.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Two Leggs, jmlee, rapidfirerob and 3 others
#9
One thing to try before taking it in for repair. Take some contact cleaner and spray it on a plug and work it in and out of each jack. Then treat each switch and knob as well. A little dust and grime in the wrong place can create the issue you're describing. I had a similar issue with my Acoustic Image head and contact cleaner was the recommended course of action from the company. It worked fine afterwards.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PDGood and Jim Carr
#11
EtoBb said:
...I didn't know Bass Club did amp repair. Would you recommend them over Deltronics?

If the Shuttle is your backup, what's your main? I'm running some kind of LDS 15/6 Fearful thing, which is sort of in line with your setup.
Click to expand...

I thought Bass Club would probably have a recommendation, but looks like you know of a good tech.

My main is a Crest Prolite 3.0 and an Art #259 preamp. Oddly enough, my ProLITE 3.0 just died, so I am using a Mesa Subway 800 as my main and the Shuttle 6.0 as my back up while the Crest is in the shop.

My advice is to save up for a second head. A GK MB800, Mesa Subway, Amp PF800, or even just another Shuttle would all work. Also, if you can find a good used power amp (Crest, QSC, etc.), you could probably use your preamp DI to drive it and EQ off of your instrument.
 
#12
Yep. He will be along soon now that he's been tagged. And he's one of the good guys.

Mvilmany said:
@agedhorse will show up soon, most likely. I think he gave birth to the thing.
Click to expand...

S-Bigbottom said:
@agedhorse Is one of the designers of that amp, he currently runs the repairs for all things Genz Benz.
Give him a private message so he can discuss things further with you. (forum rules about conducting business openly)
He makes sure everything is up to spec, has a great fixed rate and quick turn around, you will not be without your amp long and when it comes back it will be about as good as new.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: -Asdfgh- and BrentSimons
#14
Don't go spraying any contact cleaner until agedhorse has chimed in. He has some good advice regarding that including which one to use, to use it very sparingly, and where and where not to spray...

I had a shuttle 9.0 that did what you're describing sometimes. Mine came down to a tube socket that had been rolled a bit. Removing a re-seating the tube basically fixed it for a bit... then I'd have to do it again. Cleaning the effects send & return jacks is also a really smart move that may solve the problem for you.

I have since moved on to a Genzler Magellan 800 and love it. It clearly reflects the DNA of the Shuttle (which is a great amp) but takes everything a step or three further without the concerns of tube issues. I positively love it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse and BrentSimons
#15
Yeah I would start with cleaning the fx loop jacks and re-seating the pre amp tube. After that I'd grab a magnifying glass and look for a bad solder joint. But my vision is bad so I need the magnifying glass for just about everything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrentSimons
#17
I had a 6.2 that the tube would work loose in. I got tired of messing with all the screws on the lid and eventually rigged up some zip ties to hold it in place. Also spraying a little de-oxit on a plug and working all the in/out ports on the Shuttle and another tube pre I had was necessary every so often.
 
#18
Jazz4Me said:
One thing to try before taking it in for repair. Take some contact cleaner and spray it on a plug and work it in and out of each jack. Then treat each switch and knob as well. A little dust and grime in the wrong place can create the issue you're describing. I had a similar issue with my Acoustic Image head and contact cleaner was the recommended course of action from the company. It worked fine afterwards.
Click to expand...

This is good advice.

I've had that issue twice, usually after the amp has set for awhile and gotten dusty. Electronics cleaner in all the jacks solved the problem. One time it was even the tiny headphone jack which I never use.
 
#19
S-Bigbottom said:
@agedhorse Is one of the designers of that amp, he currently runs the repairs for all things Genz Benz.
Give him a private message so he can discuss things further with you. (forum rules about conducting business openly)
He makes sure everything is up to spec, has a great fixed rate and quick turn around, you will not be without your amp long and when it comes back it will be about as good as new.
Click to expand...
@agedhorse is the best. Very quick turn around. Quality personified.
 
#20
give all the jacks a good cleaning with DeOxit 5 (red label can) first. That will cure a multitude of problems that might come up because the signal is not making it across all the jacks that plug into it. Pay particular attention to the jacks you don't use. Those often get corroded first because you are never plugging anything into them to knock off any accumulated corrosion.

If you still have problems, then you might want to replace the 12ax7 in your preamp. More typically when they go bad they'll go microphonic (like an open mic or some low frequency feedback) but can also cause distortion.

I'd do those two things before I took it in to a tech.

And if AgedHorse pops in here, do whatever he says. I believe he designed that amp - right from the horses mouth...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back