It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:18 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 41 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 4:07 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:57 pm
Posts: 18
Hey,

My Champ 600 always made some weird noises that I attributed to the stock Chinese tubes. After making the upgrade to Tung Sols preamp and power amp tubes, I realized that there is something wrong at the preamp stage.

I had to buy a second 12AX7 because the first one resulted in no sound at all. Then with the second one, after trying to insert it 50 times, it finally produces sound but it does the "frying bacon" sound... I had the frying bacon issue with the original preamp tube but not as bad as this one. After removing the stock tube, I could see that the pins were not pointing straight but diagonally. When I insert the new preamp tubes, they barely hold in place.

Is the exact problem the tube socket then? Thanks for the help :D


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 7:48 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
I believe that the socket is directly soldered to the circuit board. Like SMD integrated circuits. Check this solder point. May need to reflow good solder onto joints (I like Kester 60/40).

Use some contact cleaner on the tube pins and socket. Caig Deoxit GN-5 is nice. Cleans and lubricates.

Good luck! And Merry XMAS!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 8:04 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:57 pm
Posts: 18
BMW2002Ti wrote:
I believe that the socket is directly soldered to the circuit board. Like SMD integrated circuits. Check this solder point. May need to reflow good solder onto joints (I like Kester 60/40).

Use some contact cleaner on the tube pins and socket. Caig Deoxit GN-5 is nice. Cleans and lubricates.

Good luck! And Merry XMAS!



I don't have a soldering iron and don't want to electrocute myself or void warranty so I don't think I'll attempt to do it. At least I have an idea of what the problem is now.

Thanks for the answer and Merry xmas.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 1:51 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
If warranty , return to the store.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 2:25 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:57 pm
Posts: 18
stratele52 wrote:
If warranty , return to the store.


Yeah will try that. I have a feeling Guitar Center is not going to help much though


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 2:29 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
poumé wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
If warranty , return to the store.


Yeah will try that. I have a feeling Guitar Center is not going to help much though


What you could do ? Good luck with them.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 7:03 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:57 pm
Posts: 18
stratele52 wrote:
poumé wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
If warranty , return to the store.


Yeah will try that. I have a feeling Guitar Center is not going to help much though


What you could do ? Good luck with them.


Thanks man. Just called and of course it's not their responsibility past the 45 days return policy, which I was expecting (I bought it in June). The problem was apparent since day one but I was less knowledgeable about tube amps then and I attributed those pop noise to the lower quality stock tube... I also don't want to return because I bought a Weber Alnico Smooth 8" with a new baffle and speaker cloth and it sounds really nice for my taste. The power tube made a big improvement for me also, much more than the preamp tube (when it works) which is surprising at low volumes.

I'll call Fender on Monday.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 7:31 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Seems like you maybe looking for a good amp tech. Where do you live?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:14 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Contact cleaner as BMW2002Ti write ;
Easy and not expensive.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 12:37 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:57 pm
Posts: 18
I would do the contact cleaner but what makes me think it's a bigger problem requiring soldering is that the preamp tube falls off without its cover maintaining it. I guess I could bend the Tung Sol 12AX7 pins to create better contact, but it wouldn't be a long-term solution and wouldn't solve completely the problem.

I live in San Francisco. I have never been to a guitar repair shop except 10 years ago in France where I used to pay 20 euros for a total setup of my Gibson LP from a great luthier. In SF, that would be just the tip :lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 2:46 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
poumé wrote:
I would do the contact cleaner but what makes me think it's a bigger problem requiring soldering is that the preamp tube falls off without its cover maintaining it. :


Socket contacts are broken , amp need new socket . Tubes's pins don't have good contact.
You must find a qualified tech.

You may broken them when trying 50 times to plug a new 12AX7.
Won't be a problem in SF area IMO.

You learn that you must know what you are doing first before working.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 2:56 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2015 6:57 am
Posts: 2238
Location: UK
It could just be the socket sleeves have been bent out. You obviously know how to get the amp out as you replaced the speaker. You could try reshaping the socket sleeves. Best use a small insulated probe as you won't have discharged the amp. Discharging the amp isn't difficult but you need a dicharge resistor lead.

_________________
John

After all this time I should be better.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 3:01 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
John Sims wrote:
It could just be the socket sleeves have been bent out. You obviously know how to get the amp out as you replaced the speaker. You could try reshaping the socket sleeves. Best use a small insulated probe as you won't have discharged the amp. Discharging the amp isn't difficult but you need a dicharge resistor lead.


Sleeves !!! Problem to me is the socket's contacts , not the sleeve ( there is only one )


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 3:11 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:57 pm
Posts: 18
stratele52 wrote:
poumé wrote:
I would do the contact cleaner but what makes me think it's a bigger problem requiring soldering is that the preamp tube falls off without its cover maintaining it. :


Socket contacts are broken , amp need new socket . Tubes's pins don't have good contact.
You must find a qualified tech.

You may broken them when trying 50 times to plug a new 12AX7.
Won't be a problem in SF area IMO.

You learn that you must know what you are doing first before working.


I think you are right on the assessment of the problem.

Regarding the 50 times, I am from Marseilles so I tend to exaggerate when I give numbers :D

The reason why I had to try many times to put the 12AX7 tube in place is because it was falling off as soon as I inserted it in the first place! So it's not of my doing. The only way the stock tube was able to stay put was because the pins of the stock tube got bent the same way the socket did, maybe during shipping since it was made in China or during the production process.

I always had loud pop when I was playing, and I assumed it was a bad tube, and since I was always planning on changing the tube, I did not contact guitar center in time.

I will call Fender since it is under warranty with them for five years.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Champ 600 frying bacon
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 3:18 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Is the original tube fall the first time you remove the tube shielding ?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 41 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: