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Post subject: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:54 pm
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I have a 2011 Champion 600 bought July 2012. It buzzes all the time and worse at high volume. Buzzes even if no guitar or even the cord is plugged in. I do not think it is 60hz hum. It is more of a buzz.

I thought it was my Jaguar Blacktop H/H, but I had the toggle switch re-soldered, which stopped some really bad pop and buzz, but the amp is still noisy.

Is this a grounding problem in the amp?

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:58 pm
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Is this a grounding problem in the amp?

Yup, if it's 120Hz-- it's prolly in the power supply (post rectifier). If it's 60Hz, prolly in the heater line.

Or you have a loosey-goosey tranny that is trying to hum along.

First thing to try. Remove each tube. Use contact cleaner. Re-insert. Pray that this works. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:03 pm
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If you know what you are doing you can open the amp up and look at the twisted pair of green wire. These are the heater wires. If routed too close to components on the PCB, they will cause hum in the amp. You can also check the grounds in the amp and try different tubes. There really is not much in the amp to go wrong. I have found it to be well built with few solder problems like other amps. I have taken mine apart several times for mods and have never had a problem with the amp. Otherwise, just take it back under warranty and get a new one. Fender does not repair these amps and will just replace it.

http://www.amparchives.com/Amp%20Archiv ... Manual.pdf

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:12 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
...try different tubes...


+1

The most likely source of the buzz, and easy enough to try. Preamp first.

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:52 pm
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Thanks guys. I will take it back to the vendor before I open it up. It's a bit frustrating.

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If it doesn't have a power tube in the circuit...I'm not that interested


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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:03 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
...try different tubes...


+1

The most likely source of the buzz, and easy enough to try. Preamp first.


Actually, while I was modding mine, I found it was very sensitive to positioning of the heater wires. They run right above the tone stack, but there is enough slack to reposition them:

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:59 am
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I took the chassis apart and pulled out all the tubes and looked for any obvious ground problems. everything looked OK. I moved the heater wires as suggested. The compression bracket for the 6V6 tube was touching the transformer so I removed that too. I don't have any tubes to swap out and check (If I had my old 1982 Champ at least I would have had a spare...).

No change. Maybe worse...

I noticed the crackle and hiss appears worst when the volume is around 7-8, and but is less higher or lower. And then loudest at 12. Is the POT a posisble source? I could not see anything obvious.

Back to the shop Monday morning.

Question though...what is the purpose of the aluminum foil tape on the wooden body of the cabinet?

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:16 am
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" Is the POT a posisble source? "

Yes. You have any contact cleaner for volume/tone controls? You can use regular contact cleaner --- but beware that these can dry out the pot's lube and also damage the carbon contacts. I like Caig Fader Lube (sorry, I know I've posted this a bazillion times on this board, and NO I get no commission). :mrgreen:

Worth a try, if you have any good pot cleaner/lube. Work the control a bit, after a small spray, before plugging in the amp and testing.

Good luck!

http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.293/.f


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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:46 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
" Is the POT a posisble source? "

Yes. You have any contact cleaner for volume/tone controls? You can use regular contact cleaner --- but beware that these can dry out the pot's lube and also damage the carbon contacts. I like Caig Fader Lube (sorry, I know I've posted this a bazillion times on this board, and NO I get no commission). :mrgreen:

Worth a try, if you have any good pot cleaner/lube. Work the control a bit, after a small spray, before plugging in the amp and testing.

Good luck!

http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.293/.f


The pot is a small, cheap, plastic part. I do not believe there is any way to spray contact cleaner in it. I cut the circuit board off that held the pot and replaced it with a full sized pot:

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 11:49 am
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rflindall wrote:
Question though...what is the purpose of the aluminum foil tape on the wooden body of the cabinet?


It is to provide a shield for the components in the amp. When the chassis is pushed in, it contacts the foil, thereby grounding it.

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:07 pm
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Yeah... the POT on mine is a small solid state thing, so there doesn't seem to be much in the the way of cleaning or lubing possibility, unless I cut it out and replace with something like BWM2002ti did. But great idea.

I put more aluminum tape in the body as this got torn pulling it in and out.

I am leaning more towards an issue with the big transformer because the buzz is worse if I touch it in any way. That was why I tried removing the compression clamp on the 6V6 tube since it touches the transformer.

Also, low A and low E when played make a rattle at around 10+ on the Amp volume and 5+ on the guitar (just like the manual says "crank it up" and use the instrument controls). I figured this was normal for the low frequency and have not mentioned it prior.

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Aerodyne Strat, Jaguar Blacktop H/H, '65 Band Master, Champion "600" RI, Music Man 112 RD
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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:10 pm
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rflindall, that wasn't me, but Bluesky that rigged the metal pot to replace the OEM one. It is a good idea to go for better pots (esp if the amp came with cheesy plastic ones).

The open low-E or A buzz is prolly not caused by the same issue, as the volume one. Doesn't it sound a bit different? I would think the bass buzz is a cab or chassis attachment to cab issue. Or even speaker baffle. Or the speaker, itself.

You touch the PT and the hum changes? Sounds like either a noisy tranny or your wall outlet voltage is too low. Check to see if the attaching screws are EVENLY torqued to the chassis. Not too tight. I cross-tighten the screws, like you would with speakers or car tires. To insure even pressure.

If that doesn't work... I'm not sure if you want to do this, but I've know of several ppl that had success with applying tranny potting material on noisy trannies.


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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:26 pm
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I think it is time to admit that the OP got a lemon. My Champ 600 was very quiet except for a very slight 60 Hz hum, typical of the amp. Even after all the mods I did to mine, it is still quiet. I had one microphonic tube that I replaced and that was it. Given the fact that the OP has been playing around inside the amp, I think it will be hard to get a warranty replacement, but it is worth a shot. I think the latest rattle is the cheap Chinese speaker breaking up. It really is a piece of junk.

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:33 pm
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This thread is hilarious! :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 noisy, buzzy
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 2:35 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
This thread is hilarious! :lol:


He prolly should try and buy his old Champ back......

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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