Popping when switching channel at low volume?

[Nightburst]

Hey guys I was wondering if some of the amp experts could give me some insight on this.
When I switch channels at low volumes I hear a quite loud 'pop' going from the clean channel to the red or blue channel (overdrive/distortion) and the other way around. It doesn't happen when I switch between red or blue.
At band practise when I play louder there is no popping.

I have had this with my old Randall but I figuered that it was because of cheap parts or a cheap switching system.

This isn't supposed to happen in a 'boutique' amp right? I noticed it's getting worse as of late. Isn't there supposed to be some kind of buffer in there to deal with the lower volume load build up? ( I'm assuming it has something to do with caps charging and discharging?)

 

[lastwinj]

Re: Popping when switching channel at low volume?

if there are caps across the coil of the relays, possible they are starting to dry up. also, relays can become noisy with age, especially cheap ones. any amp can have noisy switching, including boutique amps.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Popping when switching channel at low volume?

Thanks for the quick response.

I'm not shure about taking it to a tech though, I'd rather have an official Bogner repairman check it but the only official dealer close to where I live is a rip off with bad service.
Would changing caps and/or relais be an easy job?

 

[greendy123]

Re: Popping when switching channel at low volume?

Probably not, I would just take it to some tech you trust if this is your first time doing amp work.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Popping when switching channel at low volume?

Before taking it anywhere that knows how to work on Bogners, make sure all your pre tubes are fresh. It wouldn't be a bad idea to use contact cleaner on the inside of the footswitch, and on the male/female plug.

Before you do anything, Email customer service at Bogner, and ask them what the most likely culprit is. They know their amps well, and may know exactly what it is, and can refer you to someone in your area, who's qualified to work on a very complex amp.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Popping when switching channel at low volume?

Before taking it anywhere that knows how to work on Bogners, make sure all your pre tubes are fresh. It wouldn't be a bad idea to use contact cleaner on the inside of the footswitch, and on the male/female plug.

Before you do anything, Email customer service at Bogner, and ask them what the most likely culprit is. They know their amps well, and may know exactly what it is, and can refer you to someone in your area, who's qualified to work on a very complex amp.

Thanks for the advice! Do you happen to have their e-mail adress? It's not on their site.
I called them on the phone once and got some helpfull answers regarding the tubes. Mine (pre-amp ones) are actually originals with the Bogner Logo on them. They sound great and the amp tech I took it to last time said the same thing as the guy at Bogner: a good matched set will last for years. The tech checked them half a year ago and said they were all fine, no need for replacement.
Maybe it's time for a new set?

btw. I am not doing anything to this amp myself! I meant to ask if it was a simple job for a tech.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Popping when switching channel at low volume?

Sometime my 5150 head makes a loud pop when switching channels..

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Popping when switching channel at low volume?

Don't rule out bad electricity. I've noticed that dirty electricity will cause popping sounds when you turn things on/off. When you switch channels on a Bogner, you're actually tapping different pre tube combinations, so maybe one is failing. Your amp is over 10 years old, so if it has the originals, it's probably time for a retube. Bogners POUND tubes with voltage.