Went back to tubes last night, lost my lead channel

[crankyrayhanky]

I got a 5150 50w new at the beginning of the year and had an issue...I found my post from March:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=104190&p=1983703&hilit=5150#p1983703

I just had mine repaired for a problem with the transistor on the channel switching circuit. It was only a few hours brand new so that sucked. Tech said another one came into the shop during the repair and had the same issue.

Hope it is just a tube, but if not this is worth checking into
My amp would seem to switch channels but I think the red and almost no volume
I think tech said something about a grounding issue

If it goes to your tech tell them this because it took awhile to diagnose and maybe this will speed things up for you

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Thanks for the help guys. Just checked home depot and they didn't have any cleaner...weird.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

Go to Wally World in the paint or auto area ... wherever they sell WD-40 type stuff.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Go to Wally World in the paint or auto area ... wherever they sell WD-40 type stuff.

Yeah, it's a much farther drive for me while home depot is down the street. That's why I checked there first. You would think a mega hardware store would carry it.

 

[JamesPeters]

Thanks James. I did that and the volume seems to stay a little more consistent now. I'm still hearing the propeller sound when not playing. Would that be due to it being dirty? would using the cleaner get rid of that or is it potentially something else going on?

It could be something else. I can't say what though. If it were me, I'd start by cleaning the pot with control cleaner.

$5 bucks @ walmart ...

Try cleaning all the pots with an ether based contact cleaner before you put it in the shop.

It can't hurt.

Oh yes it can.

If it says it leaves no residue as this does, that means it'll remove whatever lubricant is inside the potentiometer and leave it dry afterward. Then say goodbye to the resistive material when you use the pot.

Control cleaner is the way to go. It'll say "control cleaner" on it and mention stuff like potentiometers, switches, etc. and say "lubricating" somewhere on it too.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Thanks James. I did that and the volume seems to stay a little more consistent now. I'm still hearing the propeller sound when not playing. Would that be due to it being dirty? would using the cleaner get rid of that or is it potentially something else going on?

It could be something else. I can't say what though. If it were me, I'd start by cleaning the pot with control cleaner.

$5 bucks @ walmart ...

That's probably not a good idea. If it says it leaves no residue as this does, that means it'll remove whatever lubricant is inside the potentiometer and leave it dry afterward. Then say goodbye to the resistive material when you use the pot.

Control cleaner is the way to go. It'll say "control cleaner" on it and mention stuff like potentiometers, switches, etc. and say "lubricating" somewhere on it too.

Do you have a brand you can suggest? I was looking for the CRC from that pic at Home Depot.

 

[JamesPeters]

Do you have a brand you can suggest? I was looking for the CRC from that pic at Home Depot.

I looked at Home Depot US website and don't see a control cleaner there. But if you use that CRC contact cleaner Dan mentioned above, and afterwards use this, it should be ok:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-2-26-5-o ... /100398344

Just don't use the pot after you spray it with the contact cleaner. Not until you use the lubricant afterward.

Or, get a contact cleaner as I describe (which is basically both those things in one). Anywhere you can find one. I have no specific recommendation although I have this:

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Nut ... B008UH3L1K

I've used it for guitar pots and in a few other amps (other than my own amps, since my own pots haven't needed it).

 

[SkyhighRocks]

ok so I did the cleaning as suggested and the volume issue seems to be gone. I'm still hearing that cycle now and then but it's also on the blue channel. With my gate, you don't hear it and you don't hear it while I'm playing. Even without the gate, it's very low. I think it may be something in my house...my central air running or even my computers where the amp is plugged in.

new update: Ran my noise gate and fx and it's not as noticeable. However, I do still hear some scratchy noise now and then with fx on or out of the line.

 

[JackBootedThug]

it can be aggravating as fuck. i had a problem with my vh4, some hissing sound. to say i was pissed would be an understatement. turned out to be my one spot power supply.

 

[JamesPeters]

Turn off your computer, air conditioner etc. to test if they're the cause. Or try taking the amp to another location (not your house). Try other guitars while you're at it. One guitar may pick up interference more than another depending on the pickups and wiring/grounding.

You can try swapping tubes now that you have the volume issue resolved. Maybe one of the tubes is the cause of the current problem. I also wouldn't be surprised if this noise existed before your volume issue, but you're only noticing this now because "it's under the microscope" due to the volume issue you had.