It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:08 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:26 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:01 am
Posts: 7
Location: Nampa, ID
My Stage 160 SS amp has developed a problem after sitting in a closet for 8 years. Every once in a while, maybe once or twice over the course of an hour of playing, it makes a 5-10 second static like buzz, and it appears to be tied to the reverb because it increases or decreases in volume when I turn the reverb knob while it is happening. When it happens there usually two of them and they are about 30 seconds apart but can happen 4 mins or 40 mins into playing - just random. I've tired moving it around to various outlets, surge protectors, pedals/no pedals. I've taken the tank out and cleaned with comp air, everything looks good inside, cleaned the connectors, RCA cable looks good. I really don't want to have to take the whole thing apart :( Anyhow have any ideas?

_________________
"No Guitar, No Life. Know Guitar, Know Life."


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2017 8:34 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:25 pm
Posts: 1023
Intermittent issues that take some time of play to develop are caused by warming of components. Then they break connection until they cool. Thats when they buzz
You probably need to resolder the unit. The large white resistors and zener diodes are the usual sustects. Do the input jacks and controls while you're in there


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 2:51 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:01 am
Posts: 7
Location: Nampa, ID
Thanks for the response but not sure if this is the case because when the static sound starts it always stops after 10 seconds exactly (timed it this time) and there are always 2 instances, about 30 seconds apart. Sometimes it will take hours for it to happen again, sometimes it will happen again after just a few minutes, but it is always the same pattern every time. I'm wondering if it may be interference from an outside source perhaps? After closer inspection I did find a knick in the RCA cable that is exposing a very small section of copper wiring. Is it possible that the exposed wire is picking up radio (or some other kind of) interference? It happens at my house as well as my friend's house just a mile away and there are some large radio transmitter towers in the vicinity (about 5 miles away). Is there a way isolate the issue to the tank or cabling without having to take the whole dang thing apart?

_________________
"No Guitar, No Life. Know Guitar, Know Life."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 3:13 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
I agree with TimAudio.

You write;
" After closer inspection I did find a knick in the RCA cable that is exposing a very small section of copper wiring. Is it possible that the exposed wire is picking up "
____________________________________________
If it is only the plastic outside insulator show the shield and the shield is not broken, there is no problem.It is only aesthetic.
There are no timer with interference.

Picture may help


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 3:39 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:01 am
Posts: 7
Location: Nampa, ID
Ok if I need to "re-solder the unit" which components do I focus on? I don't have much experience with this and I don't want to just solder everything as a shotgun approach. Are we talking where the RCA inputs connect to the main board, or solder joints on the inputs inside the reverb tank? There has to be a way to isolate the issue to either the tank or board without swapping out the tank. I read somewhere about plugging the ends of the RCA cable into a phono coupler. If I do that and the issue goes away does that prove the problem lies in the tank?

_________________
"No Guitar, No Life. Know Guitar, Know Life."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 4:15 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
You have to check the power supply section first.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 10:00 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:25 pm
Posts: 1023
Look for discoloration of the board around a lead on the topside. Large leads and components are indication of a lot of power going through it. Jacks and controls are also common failure points.
These are the areas to focus on.
Speaking of focus, I use a 10 power loupe to inspect soldering. You can get a cheap set from Harbor Freight.
But when we describe resoldering the entire unit, that's exactly what we mean. It takes me about 20 minutes to go through and heat up each joint and add enough solder to reflow the joint. Its very important to inspect your finished board with a glass to be sure you made no solder bridges.
The flux you add helps to prevent bridges. Lifting the iron straight up after heating is another preventive measure.
If you have a problem after reassembly, turn it off and reinspect your work.
This procedure will not only fix the problem you have, it will probably make the amp sound a little cleaner and prevent subsequent soldering failures. Its definitely worth investing the time if you plan you keep the amp.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 6:20 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
TimsAudio wrote:
Its definitely worth investing the time if you plan you keep the amp.


The Stage series models were pretty good amps and unlike the DSP versions, are still logistically supportable. I'd definitely spend some time bulletproofing the chassis to maintain its usability.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2017 11:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:01 am
Posts: 7
Location: Nampa, ID
I love this amp. It was my first large amp purchase back in 2000. I didn't know much about amps back then and in hindsight I probably should have bought a tube amp because I had the $$$ for it at the time, but no regrets with this one. It can get VERY loud if I need it to (never had the volume up past 3) and it takes pedals very well. There is very little mileage on it which is why I'm somewhat frustrated that it has this issue, but it is a 17 year old amp so I guess it's time for some maintenance either way so I will (reluctantly) crack her open here soon. Thanks for the responses.

_________________
"No Guitar, No Life. Know Guitar, Know Life."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2017 12:01 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
I owned and gigged with a Stage 100 DSP for several years (same amp as the Stage 160 but with the digital effects modules). It was a solid performer all around and with its companion 1 x 12 extension cab, could do the job of Twin Reverb or similar 100-watt half stack. I only got rid of it because I learned that there were no more DSP modules available in the event that repairs were necessary. So I sold it off while it was still functioning well. That was about six years ago and the fellow who bought it is still using it (nothing ever broke on it). So they're sturdy amps. Get yours serviced and it'll likely play for another ten years or more.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:38 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:01 am
Posts: 7
Location: Nampa, ID
OK I took everything apart which wasn't such an ordeal. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary with the board at first. Flip it over and all the solder joints look really good except for one that was clearly broken and it was fairly close to the RCA input jacks for the reverb tank. If I remember correctly it said Q23 next to it topside. Anyhow I fixed the joint, put everything back together and so far I have 4 hours with no noise so I'm hoping that was it.

_________________
"No Guitar, No Life. Know Guitar, Know Life."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2017 2:36 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Keep fingeroonies crossed.

:wink:

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 7:01 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:01 am
Posts: 7
Location: Nampa, ID
Thanks again for everyone's input on this. For anyone curious the issue is finally resolved. To make a long story short my amp ended up in the shop because the issue returned and at some point it wouldn't turn back on after me messing with it but they were able to do full maintenance on it for $80. I also received a few comments on its overall good condition so hopefully will get several more years out of it.

_________________
"No Guitar, No Life. Know Guitar, Know Life."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Stage 160 random reverb buzzing
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2017 7:11 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Eighty bucks is but a small price to pay.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 

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: