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Post subject: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:39 am
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Was looking for help with a fairly significant volume loss in my 2011 DRRI.

I've been noticing a very gradual loss of volume over the past few months. At first, I was afraid I might be going deaf, but I've now become quite certain it's the amp - not me. It's on both channels (Reverb/Non-Reverb). Between 4 & 5 on the volume control the amp begins to break up (as it always has) but the difference is that I can easily hold a conversation with someone right next to the amp with it at that volume. At 3 on the volume control the amp is roughly the same volume/loudness as my Martin acoustic unplugged.

Do you guys think it may be a tube issue? All of the preamp (12AX7 & 12AT7) tubes are lit up and the power amp / recitifier tubes are also lit.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Darryl

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:59 am
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Speaker breaking in?

I'm just learning this amp myself, so I don't know.

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 8:26 am
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If it's both channels, it could be power tubes or maybe PI... do you have any spare 6V6s to try? You can try to swap V3 with V6 and see if it helps. V1 is the first preamp tube from right when looking at the back of the amp, so V3 is the third, V6 is the sixth... both should be 12AT7.


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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 8:30 am
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Be sure to unplug the amp while messing w/the tubes!


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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:04 am
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I'm wondering if it a "Perceived " power loss, or a change in tone with the speaker breaking in?

I dunno, but that's the first thing that popped into my head.

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 1:12 pm
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Hou-Tex wrote:
I'm wondering if it a "Perceived " power loss, or a change in tone with the speaker breaking in?

I dunno, but that's the first thing that popped into my head.


No. The amp definitely has a problem.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 3:51 pm
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Odds are it's a tube issue.

I would have a look at the DC output voltage from the rectifier tube first. It should be approx 400 VDC. Next, as cedarblues suggested, PI or output tubes.

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 3:58 pm
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No, definitely not just a speaker issue - the amp has been gigged with almost every weekend since I got it around last Thanksgiving. I'm thinking the speaker has very much been broken in. Currently with the volume on 4/5 I can easily have a conversation with my bass player without raising my voice, previously around 4/5 on the volume control was loud enough for people to start complaining to turn down and there certainly was no way you could hold a conversation next to the amp without screaming.

I checked my tubes visually and to my inexperienced eyes, they seem alright. They glow when the amp is turned on and will glow slightly brighter if I really hit the strings hard. About a week ago I did notice both of the 12AT7 tubes where burnt out and I replaced them with NOS JJ's. All of the 12AX7 tubes seemed fine upon removing and inspecting them.

(After unplugging the amp) I've tried swapping the power amp tubes around but the amp seems the same regardless of which tube is in which socket. Unfortunately I don't have any spare power tubes to try in the sockets to see if that improves my volume issue. Do you think I should get some? Of course it wouldn't hurt to have them as "just in case" tubes lying around, so I suppose that it's money well spent.

Again, any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 4:08 pm
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Being a 2011 model, this amp should still be under warranty. I'd take it to an authorized Fender service center and have the techs there take a look at it.

Odds are good that it's a tube issue. But if new 6V6's are required, they need to be properly biased for optimum operation.

JMOOC

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 4:25 pm
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Thanks Arjay! The amp really did sound great. I'll have to take it in this week to be looked at.

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 6:07 pm
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Post a sitrep after they diagnose the issue, Darryl.

I'm sure it's nothing catastrophic.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:57 pm
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And survey say's?

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 1:56 pm
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Just noticed Arjay...you have/had 12000 posts!

Congrats!

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:56 pm
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Well, took the amp in to be looked at after work this evening. They tried a "quick fix" by pulling out the power amp tubes and inserting new ones to see if it made a difference. It definitely made a big difference - the 12At7 tube in the P.I. position blew out immediately (and rather dramatically) when the amp was switched back on. Obviously, I didn't have a chance to hear the amp before the tube blew. They're going to keep the amp for a while to see what they can come up with. Any thoughts?

-Darryl

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Post subject: Re: DRRI Volume Loss
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:13 pm
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Darryl_H wrote:
They're going to keep the amp for a while to see what they can come up with. Any thoughts?

-Darryl


Yeah. Find a competent amp tech. Simply swapping tubes for a problem like you are having without performing a few basic checks spells "loser" in my book. :wink:

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