Double Bass Walter Woods Electracoustic

[Don Kasper]

I have a 2002 WW Electracoustic (amber light) which has a problem. I'm posting here to see if anyone else has had a similar problem:
For certain notes/ranges (low B or C string) thru the open A string, there is a high frequency "sizzle" that occurs - mostly when letting a note ring, for example 10+ seconds. It was originally an intermittent problem, but has since become constant and I can't trust that it will function reliably... ( I never thought I would EVER have to type those words. I have owned and used some type of WW Amp since 1982).
I had sent the amp to Walter a few months ago - he bench-tested it completely and gave it a clean bill of health. (He did this within 5 days, including shipping, BTW! I'm in So. California).
I have since reproduced the problem using different basses, pickups, speaker cabinets, patch cords, etc.
I'm thinking that maybe it is a problem that is caused/aggravated by the physical vibration of the amp, and would not be audible/noticeable while being "bench-tested" (using "silent" test equipment)?
I love this amp, and Walter has been very gracious with his time and experti$e, so I don't want to pester him again without some further research/evidence.
Have any of you experienced or heard of a similar problem?
Thanks.

 

[robgrow]

I have a 2002 WW Electracoustic (amber light) which has a problem. I'm posting here to see if anyone else has had a similar problem:
For certain notes/ranges (low B or C string) thru the open A string, there is a high frequency "sizzle" that occurs - mostly when letting a note ring, for example 10+ seconds. It was originally an intermittent problem, but has since become constant and I can't trust that it will function reliably... ( I never thought I would EVER have to type those words. I have owned and used some type of WW Amp since 1982).
I had sent the amp to Walter a few months ago - he bench-tested it completely and gave it a clean bill of health. (He did this within 5 days, including shipping, BTW! I'm in So. California).
I have since reproduced the problem using different basses, pickups, speaker cabinets, patch cords, etc.
I'm thinking that maybe it is a problem that is caused/aggravated by the physical vibration of the amp, and would not be audible/noticeable while being "bench-tested" (using "silent" test equipment)?
I love this amp, and Walter has been very gracious with his time and experti$e, so I don't want to pester him again without some further research/evidence.
Have any of you experienced or heard of a similar problem?
Thanks.

This sounds like it's more of a mechanical problem rather than an electronic one. Try getting a can of DeoxIT D5 contact cleaner/restorer. This is readily available on the internet. A 5 OZ can is about $10. Spray some DeoxIT on a cotton swab, and thoroughly clean the sleeve and tip contacts on the input jacks as well as the insert jacks. Only spray this on the cotton swab and not directly into the amp. If you are comfortable opening your amp, very carefully spray some DeoxIT sparingly into the switch contacts on the return jacks. Clean the speaker output jacks with a cotton swab wetted with DeoxIT while you are at it. Also it is a good idea to clean the tip an sleeve contacts on your cables with DeoxIT. It's amazing stuff, and you may be surprised by how much dirt and oxidization comes off on the cotton swabs.

My 1997 green light WW Electracoustic started behaving as you described on an important outdoor gig. No problems since cleaning with DeoxIT. I discussed this with Walter, and he told me this was the thing to do.

Good luck.

 

[Don Kasper]

robgrow,
Thanks a million. I'll try the DeoxIT D5 routine as you describe.
One question - can you be more specific regarding the "return jacks"? Are these the (4) 1/4" female jacks located on the front panel, labeled Send/Receive? I NEVER use them. Should they still be cleaned?
I really hope I can find the cure for what ails this amp.
Again, thanks for your information.
don kasper

 

[robgrow]

robgrow,
Thanks a million. I'll try the DeoxIT D5 routine as you describe.
One question - can you be more specific regarding the "return jacks"? Are these the (4) 1/4" female jacks located on the front panel, labeled Send/Receive? I NEVER use them. Should they still be cleaned?
I really hope I can find the cure for what ails this amp.
Again, thanks for your information.
don kasper

Don, Yes, the Send and Receive jacks should be cleaned. The Receive jack also has a switching function that interrupts the signal flow when a 1/4-inch phone plug is inserted. When no plug is inserted, the switch contacts are closed, and the signal flows through. When these switch contacts get dirty or oxidized, the signal path can get intermittent or even interrupted completely. You have to remove the amp's top and bottom covers to access the switch contacts on the receive jacks. To clean these contacts, insert a phone plug into the receive jack to open the contacts and carefully spray a quick blast of DeoxIT to clean them. Never spray cleaner indiscriminately into the amp. Cleaning with DeoxIT may not solve your problem, but it's still a good idea. -bob

 

[Don Kasper]

robgrow,
OK - I did the full DeoxIt routine, and replaced the 1/4" speaker connector that enters the WW - It seems to have cured the problem(!).
I saw the contacts on the (Send) and Receive jacks, and managed to spray a bit of the DeoxIt AND get a strip of cardstock in between those 2 surfaces to "scrub" the hidden area.
I have had the amp on for about 2 hours, so far, with none of the previous symptoms.
I'll need to try a few other instruments/pickups thru the amp, later this week, just to be sure.
(I have a gig on Friday nite - I think I'll try the WW, but bring my EA Doubler, just in case).
Thanks for all the info and insight, robgrow. (The check is in the Mail...).
don kasper