It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:33 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:20 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
I recently bought a Blues Jr. NOS off the internet and had it shipped to Italy where I’m stationed. The problem that I'm having with this amp is when I strum lightly at lower volumes (Master between 2-4 and volume at 5-6) it sounds like the volume just dies. Almost like there is a short in a wire somewhere. When the amp is cranked up and I’m strumming aggressively it sounds great.

Has anyone else come across this issue? Are these amps just meant to be played at higher volumes? I just want to make sure that something wasn't knocked loose during the overseas shipping process and that the bad sound quality a low volumes is just a part of the BJr.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:01 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Hi Hunt1284,

Good idea, check to be sure that all five tubes are firmly seated in their sockets, and that the output tubes retainer is in place. The tubes will normally be hot while amp is in use, so turn off the amp and let them cool, then you can grasp, and gently but firmly push them toward the socket with a slight circular motion. I'm sure that the amp had a rough trip during shipping, and sometimes the tubes do come loose (or are damaged). After making sure that the tubes are properly seated, turn on the amp and check that all tubes light up. One loose or bad output tube could give a loss of volume.

What do you mean that "the volume just dies"? Does it cut out and no sound, or does it just fade quickly and no sound?

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:10 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
shimmilou wrote:
What do you mean that "the volume just dies"? Does it cut out and no sound, or does it just fade quickly and no sound?


The sound fades quickly to no sound, but the sound is muffled and sounds almost like a blown speaker. But when I turn the master up and play harder, the poor sound quality goes away.

This is my first tube amp so I am very unfimiliar with how they sound and function.

I'll check the tubes and make sure they are properly seated. Thank you!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:08 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
This picture shows the back of the BJr with the panel removed, which gives easier access to the tubes. You don't have to take the back panel off to check the tubes, they can be seen and accessed through the openings, unless you have the newer cage around the output tubes, then you might want to remove the panel. If you do remove the panel, unplug the amp from electricity, and do not touch anything inside the chassis (the chassis is the metal housing where the wires are) as there can be a charge even when unplugged. It is safe to remove/change/handle the tubes which are outside the chassis with amp switched off.

The tubes are the "bottle shaped glass" things sticking out from the bottom of the chassis, with labels on them, two big ones in the middle (output tubes) and the three smaller ones on the right (two preamp and one PI). Your tubes might look different, and yours won't have the small doughnut shaped rings on them, I added those.

You might have a bad tube, could be an output tube, but check seating and that they all light up. Also, the glass will be clear on most tubes so that you can see the inside.

Image

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:19 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
Thanks again for the info. I'm really hoping that it's a loose tube and not something else. I live in Milan, Italy and don't speak a word of Italian so finding an amp tech would be very interesting.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:41 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
You can get tube dampers at many suppliers, these are the ones that I used on the BJr, from eBay, and are made of high-temp silicon. This size ring will work on the EL84 and the 12AX7, and there are other sizes and colors from the same seller. I bought several sets of various sizes including for 6L6, and I use the "thin" for preamp tubes, and "moderate" for output tubes, but the "thick" might be even better. This seller gives a great description of the dampers and what they do.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-X-TUBE-AMP-PREAMP-DAMPERS-6922-EL84-6DJ8-6N1P-12AX7-12AT7-12AU7-6BQ5-ECC83-/370545478288?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item56463b4a90

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:20 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
You were absolutely right shimmilou, one of my power tubes was not seated properly. Now my amp sounds fantastic! I'm glad that it was only that and not something more serious.

Thanks again for your help!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:23 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Shipping, especially via o'seas carrier, can be brutal on delicate gear.

Congrats on getting your amp back up and running!

Rawk on!

8)

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: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:26 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Ok, I thought that my amp was good after I reseated the tubes, but the amp still sounds terrible. I'll try to explain the sound it's making as best I can....When I play high notes there is no buzz, but when I play a low E or play any bar chord the amp makes this terrible buzzing sound, regardless of the volume. Not a hum, but a buzz. It sounds like the speaker has a bunch of rocks sitting on top of the cone.
I checked all the tubes and they all light up, but beyond them lighting up I don't know what else to look for. Could the speaker be bad? New Tubes? A .45 through the chassis?

Does anyone know what could be causing this terrible buzz? I've been searching every forum and I can't find anyone else who has had this problem. Maybe I just got a bum BJr :(
I'm ready to throw this damn thing out the window!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:07 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
This buzz happens with another guitar plugged into the amp? And do you have an external speaker and output on the amp to try a different speaker, to see if the same thing happens?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:10 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
BMW2002Ti wrote:
And do you have an external speaker and output on the amp to try a different speaker, to see if the same thing happens?


+1

Possible speaker issue or something loose and rattling within the cab......?

An alternate stand-alone speaker enclosure would help isolate and confirm this (if it's the case).

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: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:36 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
I just hooked the amp up to a different speaker cabinet and no buzz. So I'm assuming that it must be the speaker.
I just bought this amp 2 weeks ago, though.

Thanks for everyone's input. I guess it's time to upgrade the speaker....Let the mods begin!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:42 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
It could still be a cab issue -- these amps are notorious for buzzes and rattles not related to the electronics or the speaker. Try snugging down the screws holding the baffle board to the shell. Also, ensure that the fasteners that affix the speaker to the baffle board are sufficiently tight.

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: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:53 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
Arjay,

I'll double check the screws on the cab, but it still sounds more electrical than solely the cab rattling. If tightening the screws and changing the speaker don't help I'll probably exchange it.

Thanks again for everyone’s help and input.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS low volume issues
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:56 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:09 pm
Posts: 17
If it is the cab rattling, do you know any tricks to stop it or lessen it?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] 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: