NAD- and like always... problems haha

[Andrew Lamprecht]

I think I have the worst luck with guitar equipment. There always has to be something wrong with something. :dot:

I got my Jet City JCA20H. It is a cool amp, not the best amp I have ever played but it sounds good and will get the job done for what I am using it for. Plus it has enough gain for me to not use a pedal.

Anyway... it was fine the whole time I was playing it at bedroom volumes. I cranked it up to 10 and it cut out on really heavy rhythm parts. Every time I started digging in on the low strings the amp just turned off. The tubes stopped glowing and after about 10 seconds would start back up again. This happened twice and I stopped playing the amp.

What could be the issue? It was new from MF. I just had a gift certificate and they had 10% off for whatever last week.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

My guess is tubes. They come with terrible tubes. It could also be something like USAPatriot experienced the other day with his JCA22H. When he turned the pot all the way down, he would pick up radio. It's possible the pots turned all the way have a problem. Dial it back to 8 1/2 (they really only go up to 9, right?) and see what happens.

If that doesn't fix it (or even if it does) then go get new tubes. Oh, and happy new amp day! Once you get comfortable with it and don't mind opening it up, then you'll have to do the depth mod and see what that amp is really capable of. And while you're ordering your new tubes, get a 12AU7 for the PI to get a big open crunch.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Is the power cord shaking loose because of volume?

 

[guitarkid]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Man, thanks terrible! Congrats on the new amp though lol

 

[JOLLY]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Is your house built on an ancient Indian burial ground?

 

[sosomething]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

real talk:

It's a Jet City. It's probably not built to hang at full volume.

Even higher-cost amps can act funny or crap out when you turn them all the way up to 10.

With a lower-cost tube amp, the tolerances aren't as tight. The components are made and assembled using certain measures to reduce cost. You do, to a large degree, get what you pay for. Running it hot can cause components in the amp to travel out of the specified range and weird things can happen.

From what I've heard, those Jet City amps do sound really nice. But I don't think they're made to really withstand abuse.

Do you really need all the volume of running it at 10? In the long run, you might be better served, and save money in the long run, by going with a higher-wattage amplifier.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

My guess is tubes. They come with terrible tubes. It could also be something like USAPatriot experienced the other day with his JCA22H. When he turned the pot all the way down, he would pick up radio. It's possible the pots turned all the way have a problem. Dial it back to 8 1/2 (they really only go up to 9, right?) and see what happens.

If that doesn't fix it (or even if it does) then go get new tubes. Oh, and happy new amp day! Once you get comfortable with it and don't mind opening it up, then you'll have to do the depth mod and see what that amp is really capable of. And while you're ordering your new tubes, get a 12AU7 for the PI to get a big open crunch.

Ok, I'll work with the knobs a bit and I'll probably change tubes soon enough. 12AU7.... takes away gain and improves tone?

What is this depth mod you speak of?

Is the power cord shaking loose because of volume?

Hmm... I can check it tomorrow.

Man, thanks terrible! Congrats on the new amp though lol

Thanks haha.

Is your house built on an ancient Indian burial ground?

I am starting to think this is the case.

real talk:

It's a Jet City. It's probably not built to hang at full volume.

Even higher-cost amps can act funny or crap out when you turn them all the way up to 10.

With a lower-cost tube amp, the tolerances aren't as tight. The components are made and assembled using certain measures to reduce cost. You do, to a large degree, get what you pay for. Running it hot can cause components in the amp to travel out of the specified range and weird things can happen.

From what I've heard, those Jet City amps do sound really nice. But I don't think they're made to really withstand abuse.

Do you really need all the volume of running it at 10? In the long run, you might be better served, and save money in the long run, by going with a higher-wattage amplifier.

Yeah, I mean. I dig the amp. It sounds like a much more expensive amp... I have played better amps but not at this price range... I will buy a better amp later on but the reason I got this in the first place was because I lost my job and had to sell the bassman. I got this really cheap. I'm gonna mess with it a bit more tomorrow to see if I can figure out the issue.

Either way, the amp sounds cool and I am happy with what I got, can't wait to change the tubes etc.

 

[sosomething]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

I'm sure it does sound cool, and changing the tubes will help, but if you don't need to run it on 10... just don't. I wouldn't worry about it unless you need the volume and compression from doing so.

Hell, I had a Bogner that blew fuses every time I turned it to 10.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

I haven't ever needed to run mine that hot. Most times, it's gain and volume both on 6 out of 9 (in some rooms I put them on 5), but then again, I am using a 2x12 with Cannabis Rex speakers, and they're pretty loud.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

I'm sure it does sound cool, and changing the tubes will help, but if you don't need to run it on 10... just don't. I wouldn't worry about it unless you need the volume and compression from doing so.

Hell, I had a Bogner that blew fuses every time I turned it to 10.

Yeah, it was probably louder than my bassman cranked. Not by much but it seems that way at least. I probably won't have it up more than 6 I'd say. I won't crank the amp like that again, especially with the EQ dimed. :cool2: It did sound good though....

I haven't ever needed to run mine that hot. Most times, it's gain and volume both on 6 out of 9, but then again, I am using a 2x12 with Cannabis Rex speakers, and they're pretty loud.

I had the volume on 5 and the gain on 7 and it sounded awesome. :bling:

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

I had the volume on 5 and the gain on 7 and it sounded awesome. :bling:

Tomorrow, I'll crank mine to double 9s and see if it does the same thing.

I've always found the the best sound for me is to have the gain and volume always within one number setting of each other, like volume 5, and gain between 4 and 6. Most times the gain is a bit lower than the volume, but within one number either way sounds best to me.

At shows it works best for me to just put gain and volume the same, around 6. Nice crunch that cleans up on the guitar volume a bit.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Tomorrow, I'll crank mine to double 9s and see if it does the same thing.

I've always found the the best sound for me is to have the gain and volume always within one number setting of each other. Most times the gain is a bit lower than the volume, but within one number either way sounds best to me.

At shows it sorks best for me to just put gain and volume the same, around 6. Nice crunch that cleans up on the guitar volume a bit.

Yeah, I was just pushing it a bit. Trying to get metal from the amp. The base tone of the amp is solid though. Pretty good deal per dollar.

Tomorrow I am going to mess with a TS and/or SHO in front and see if I can get a good tight metal sound. I think it will sound pretty good.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Clearly remembers the day I fried an output trafo in a Marshall 100w at 10.....well burnt stuff do not smell good
Try to let it warm up for some hours before going full tilt.....let it warm up for an hour, play it or just let is stand there on standby....

 

[d1dsj]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Sorry to hear of your woes again Andrew. Some good points to check already and I would also check the fuse holder(s) just in case it has any play in it that might cause the problem if it's vibrating. Hope you sort it out quickly.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Ok, I'll work with the knobs a bit and I'll probably change tubes soon enough. 12AU7.... takes away gain and improves tone?

Absolutely. I was looking to get as much gain out of that amp as possible also, but remember that the PI does not affect the preamp response. If you're looking to get a metal tone out of that amp (and it can be done), you want to keep the power section clean. The only way to do that is to lower the gain of the PI. A JJ 12Au7 will work fine, and it's only ten bucks.

What is this depth mod you speak of?

It will add a pot to the back of the amp that controls the bass response of the power section. You can put it wherever, but since I'm only running one 8-ohm cab, I stole one of those outputs. What you'll probably find when you mess with the bass is that it doesn't change the frequencies too much when you turn the knob. It'll fill out the sound a bit if you turn it up or thin it out when you turn it down.

That's where the depth mod comes in. It will absolutely change how the amp sounds with the bass, and I think it overcomes its second greatest weakness. I keep thinking about adding a switch to make the clean tone switchable, but I have yet to do it, and I really don't want to drill into my amp unless it's to put in an effects loop. I tried briefly to find a YouTube video describing how to do it, but I failed. It's in USAPatriot's thread about his new Jet City. If you're really interested, I'll dig it up for you.

 

[Mattr4president]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

True story. Jet City amps must come with some terrible tubes. I don't use mine too often and the tubes didn't last long at all, couple months.

 

[DankStar]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

I cranked it up to 10.

you are officially awesome in my book

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

you are officially awesome in my book

Mine, too. For getting an amp that goes to 9 up to 10....:scratchch

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

It's in USAPatriot's thread about his new Jet City. If you're really interested, I'll dig it up for you.

I can look around for it. I will PM you if I can't find it. I'll end up posting a thread about all the mods (tubes, depth etc) here anyway soon. I'll buy a 12AU7 and my tubes today too I think....

you are officially awesome in my book

Dude, every amp I've ever had, I've cranked. I can't stand to never crank an amp. It's what I do. :cool2:

Mine, too. For getting an amp that goes to 9 up to 10....:scratchch

haha. :friday:

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: NAD- and like always... problems haha

Well, this is not good. I looked up the thread for you, found it here, and the video I followed to install the mod is gone. Guess I'll have to find another source for you, because I don't remember the steps exactly.