Amp Problem - Tube Issue? What do you think?

B

Bogner

New member
I bought a new amp a while back. It arrived, box was in good shape, I got it out and checked it over and it looked fine (as a new amp should). I plugged it in and let it warm up for a few minutes, hit the standby switch to on and played very briefly through both channels with no issues, sounded fine etc. I haven't played it since until today. I decided to hook a couple pedals up through the loop and really put some time in on it. I got everything hooked up and all I got was a full tilt treble fuzz sound that cut in and out. I hit the string and it would widen in sound and go back to that awful treble and fuzz sound. Massive volume drop and cutting in and out. Sounded like an old school buck whacker at times. I removed the effects from the loop, tried out the amp dry and it sounded fine on both channels. No issues at all that way. None of the power tubes are glowing oddly or unlike the others which I expected in this case. I am thinking it is a pre amp tube issue most likely.

What do you think is going on with the amp? What do you think the issue is?

Thanks
 
So the issue has been isolated to the effects loop? What make and model is the amp?

I'm curious to know if there are pots that control the Send and/or Receive levels for the loop. Could be a problem with one of the pedals, if in fact it was getting a line level signal that it didn't like. Also the usual suspects: intermittent patch or instrument cable, improper power supply for one or more pedals, oxidation in one or more jacks......

Could be any number of things but I think it's safe to rule out tube issues if the amp works fine without pedals in the loop.

Good luck!
 
Obsessive Compulsive said:
Effects loop is not intended for pedals. I think you already know that.
Click to expand...

Way back when, they were line level and intended for rack gear. Typically that’s not the case anymore, though. Definitely worth cracking open the manual and seeing what’s going on with the loop.

Regardless, if the issue was a preamp tube, the issue wouldn’t be present only when using the loop.
 
As mentioned, you need to find out if the loop is line level or instrument level, lots of pedals (Boss singles) don't like line level and clip the signal even when they are off because the buffers can't handle the level. Soldano/Jet City, lots of Randalls (the RM series), and many other amps are hard set to line level which is more for rack type effects. Some pedals can take line level signals, but probably more can't.
 
unless it was a tube buffered loop but since we dont know what amp it is...
 
Dudeman7 said:
So the issue has been isolated to the effects loop? What make and model is the amp?

I'm curious to know if there are pots that control the Send and/or Receive levels for the loop. Could be a problem with one of the pedals, if in fact it was getting a line level signal that it didn't like. Also the usual suspects: intermittent patch or instrument cable, improper power supply for one or more pedals, oxidation in one or more jacks......

Could be any number of things but I think it's safe to rule out tube issues if the amp works fine without pedals in the loop.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

No, there is not a knob for the level, just a send and return. Nothing wrong with the cables or pedals, all virtually new and recently used with other amps and not an issue. Power is clean and pedals are powered properly through isolated power supply.
 
back in the day, loops really werent setup for pedals but thats not the case most of the time now.

the archon does have a tube driven loop so its possible thats the issue. id start with cleaning the jacks then, if the issue persists, look at the tubes. there six preamp tubes in there but im not sure which ones are for the loop
 
jeremy said:
back in the day, loops really werent setup for pedals but thats not the case most of the time now.

the archon does have a tube driven loop so its possible thats the issue. id start with cleaning the jacks then, if the issue persists, look at the tubes. there six preamp tubes in there but im not sure which ones are for the loop
Click to expand...

The Amp is new so I can't imagine the jacks are "jacked" but I will clean them. (Side Note) I was using an eventide pedal which has a line level option. I am thinking it is a tube issue.
 
Bogner said:
The Amp is new so I can't imagine the jacks are "jacked" but I will clean them. (Side Note) I was using an eventide pedal which has a line level option. I am thinking it is a tube issue.
Click to expand...

If there is a dedicated tube to driving the loop, could be.
 
devastone said:
If the amp is new, sounds like an exchange is in order, just in case it is something else.
Click to expand...

I have had it for a few months, just don't play it much as I have other Archons. I grabbed it because they no longer make the 100 and I wanted a backup. Return is not possible with this one.
 
Yeah, the site is being weird about uploading pics, there is a thread in the Sound Off Room.

Ah, gotcha, hopefully just a tube, or as mentioned, a dirty jack.
 
Bogner said:
That is interesting. This amp is new and only plays fine with nothing in the loop.
Click to expand...

The loop jacks have a switch that bypasses the circut and redirects through the loop when plugged in

Like a set of headphones in an old stereo
Turns off the stereo speakers when the jack is inserted

If that switch is dirty or has some new plastic on it

It wont work
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Ascension
Praise for my first gen PRS Archon after blowing a power tube
Replies
5
Views
95
Ascension
Ascension
misterwhizzy
Cool amp story, bro
Replies
12
Views
143
soulforger
soulforger
blakejcan
Anyone own a Two Rock amp?
Replies
2
Views
82
blakejcan
blakejcan
ehdwuld
Adding a Carry Handle to the Blackstar I-Beam Amp
Replies
2
Views
50
ehdwuld
ehdwuld
Bfeeney
Tweedy speaker distortion problem
Replies
12
Views
116
ehdwuld
ehdwuld
Back
Top