Members james on bass Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 I had rehearsal last night. Part way through the night my amp cut out. No sound at all. I wiggled the cord and played with the amp a second and everything came back. Few minutes later, the same thing - very little sound - cutting out and back in, half volume, scratchy sound etc... Sounded to me like a bad patch cord or the jack on my bass. Neither of those were the problem (90% sure). Moved the amp around a bit in the rack and everything came back and was fine the rest of the night. I opened up the amp this morning and nothing is amiss as far as I can tell - nothing floating around inside and everything seems to be in place and tight. Do you think it's the amp, or should I investigate the speaker cable, cable to my tuner? It really sounded to me like a bad cable, but I'm stumped. I am really hoping nothing has happened to my trusty GK!
Members The Insomniac Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 I thought my amp died a few weeks ago and it was a bad power cord. Maybe it's not getting enough juice.
Members james on bass Posted February 12, 2006 Author Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by rovito Cold solder joint? Where? Amp, cords?
Members nosamiam Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Bad pot? Or cold solder joint on a pot? Hook up a CD player, synthesizer or other continuous hands-free sound source to the amp's input. Get a wooden chopstick, paint stirrer, or other wooden stick (NO METAL) and tap the pots and the wires connected to the pots. If the pots are directly connected to a circuit board, tap the terminals where they connect to the board. Do this while amp is on and plugged in, but BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL!! Seriously, do this at your own risk. Put one hand in your pocket to be sure you don't touch the wrong things with two hands and become a path for some serious current. If you don't feel comfortable with high voltage, or if it is something more involved than what I'm suggesting, take it to a tech.
Members rovito Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 Could be anywhere. If its the speaker cord be careful. Its easy to blow a speaker with a shorted cord. Good luck.
Members Flod Posted February 12, 2006 Members Posted February 12, 2006 I had the exact same problem. It was just a glitchy speaker cord. Tried changing it?
Members james on bass Posted February 12, 2006 Author Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by Flod I had the exact same problem. It was just a glitchy speaker cord. Tried changing it? I'm gonna try the speaker cord next before anything else. The cord is actually about 20 years old. I made up some high quality stuff, but it gets used very regularily. My patch cords are still holding up well. Now, where's that old lamp and my soldering gun?
Members james on bass Posted February 12, 2006 Author Members Posted February 12, 2006 What worries me is the fact that before I set up, my rack slipped off the step and landed on my guitar case. It didn't even fall from the height of one stair, so I can't imagine a workhorse like the GK would be harmed by that - but it is a coincidence.
Members james on bass Posted February 12, 2006 Author Members Posted February 12, 2006 Originally posted by nosamiam Bad pot? Or cold solder joint on a pot? I was thinking the pots, but I tested them pretty well, and they all seem to be fine.
Members james on bass Posted February 13, 2006 Author Members Posted February 13, 2006 ANyone else? Am I on the right track with the cable?
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