The End of my Shuttle 6.0?

[Raf Seibert]

The fx send and return jacks usually have a built in switch that disconnects the direct connection between the preamp and the power amp. Over time, the switch contacts can develop corrosion which interferes with the current between the two. Many times, if this is case, you can fix it by putting a jumper between the jacks. If the jumper fixes the problem, that shows that corrosion was the problem. Agedhorse is definitely the horse's mouth on this type of problem, but sometimes mere running a plug into the jacks a few times can clear it up just by making and breaking the connections.

 

[jibass]

I expect he's at the Calif state fair with his horses (his other passion). Likely he'll be on the forum this eve.

@agedhorse will show up soon, most likely. I think he gave birth to the thing.

 

[PikeoftheLake]

My thought was a preamp tube as well. If you have an extra preamp tube (12AX7) laying around it is easy to just pop it in and see if that solves the problem.

Also, wait for Agedhorse to chime in (like everyone else is saying)!

 

[MrLenny1]

I bought a used GK MB 500 for a spare head.
Small, loud for less than $300.oo
Aged horse is the authority on Genz stuff.
He was theeir design engineer IIRC.

 

[Hankenstein]

Another +1 for agedhorse

The shuttle 6.0 has a 12ax7 tube, it's possible that something went wrong with that. It's more likely that the tube is the issue then something else with the amp. However agedhorse will know best...

That's what happened to me - new 12ax7 and all was well.

 

[Chad Bennett]

I had this exact problem with the same amp, luckily it was still under warranty. Genz/Fender had me send it to their "Gold Level" shop in Edison NJ. I'm not an expert, but it had something to do with a ribbon connector going to the master volume. It took a while for them to find the issue since it was an intermittent problem. If you need, I'll see if I can dig up a name and a phone # for the place in NJ

 

[Mingo Sanders]

Yo, Aged Ho' is the way to go, no?

 

[agedhorse]

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.

Please don't do this, it ends up being a messy repair attempt, that might not fall under the flat rate repair program.

Ok, now I'm not going to be able to fall asleep tonight.

Neither will I

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.

No, it's not a good idea to indiscriminately spray anything without actually identifying the real cause of the problem.

If you had to do it twice, it's unlikely that you have correctly identified the real cause of your problem. Once is pretty much a lifetime treatment.

I will PM the service program details to the OP shortly. These amps are very easily repairs with the factory service fixtures. We fix all the potential issues by going through the entire amp.

 

[the slug]

agedhorse to the rescue! I have 3 shuttles. 2- 6.0 and a 9.0 one of my 6.0 did this, new tube, perfect

 

[Doug Parent]

Andy has fixed a bunch of stuff for me, you can't really do better than follow his suggestions.

 

[PDGood]

Please don't do this, it ends up being a messy repair attempt, that might not fall under the flat rate repair program.



Neither will I



No, it's not a good idea to indiscriminately spray anything without actually identifying the real cause of the problem.

If you had to do it twice, it's unlikely that you have correctly identified the real cause of your problem. Once is pretty much a lifetime treatment.

I will PM the service program details to the OP shortly. These amps are very easily repairs with the factory service fixtures. We fix all the potential issues by going through the entire amp.

I didn't indiscriminately spray and I did it to two amps, not the same amp twice. It was recommended to me by an amp repairman and I have found it to be good advice that saved me an unnecessary bench fee - twice. It's just dust. If the OP doesn't want to do it, that's fine or if he has a warranty that covers giving it a going over that's cool too. But this was welcome advice for me and I gladly share it with others.

 

[bwildt]

I've had similar troubles with a Shuttle 6.0. Distorted sound or a static-y rushing sound that a rap on the case would usually clear up. It would clear up by unplugging and replugging every ribbon connector and plug inside the case that I could find. I'm not sure which one made the difference. I really don't like all the pin and socket interconnect cables in electronics and amps. I understand the need for them because of the different modular boards inside a device, but I find them troublesome. My absolute worst experience was a Variax 700 bass. I was constantly opening that thing up to reseat ribbon connectors.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Sounds like dirty send/return jacks.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Whatever you do, you still need to have a backup.
Stuff happens.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I would swap out the transformer with a potato

 

[2BitHack]

I would swap out the transformer with a potato

But what kind of potato? Red, Golden, Russet, Sweet? And whats the best potato for metal?

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

But what kind of potato? Red, Golden, Russet, Sweet? And whats the best potato for metal?

that's a whole new thread!

 

[Phil508]

I sent mine to Agedhorse and it works better than new now (OK better than when it messed up). You cannot go wrong. But I also agree you must have backup.

 

[Odeen]

But what kind of potato? Red, Golden, Russet, Sweet? And whats the best potato for metal?

Mosh potato?

 

[EtoBb]

I had to leave to teach a lesson last night, and came back to an overwhelming level of response. Thanks everyone!

As you all predicted, @agedhorse came and messaged me a slew of helpful information. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to head out the door for a gig, so I won't really get a chance to check anything out until tomorrow.


Talkbass is rad.