So I got this lil Vibro Champ a couple months ago (new) as a small practice amp, it serves its purpose. Problem is, today, I plug in, and it starts to kick out this terrible crackling, popping, static noise. I went through the normal procedure check; pulled out the tubes, checked them, tried different cables, plugged into different wall outlets, nothing. I unplugged it, left it off for an hour, then plugged it in and turned it on, and just left it on to see what would happen. After a couple minutes, it starts again, nothing plugged into it, no guitar, pedals or anything. I start hitting the side of the amp, and it makes the noise get worse, so I figure its a loose wire or something. I checked the wire running to the speaker; nothing wrong with it. I turned it off and on a few times, and each time it took a minute or 2 for it to stop. I noticed that when it wasnt at its worse, it would be fine untill i played the G string up at the 7th or 9th fret, then a little crackle would come through.After banging it around a little (not much, light knocks on side and top) it seemed to quiet down. I tightended the screws on the top of it that holds the head in. It seemed to quiet down a bit, but Im sure it will come back. Any ideas? Also, i played it last night with no problems, I didnt move it or touch it after I stopped playing, I turned it on today, again, not touching anything except to plug it in the wall (I unplug it every night), and this started, so I didnt do anything myself to it. Im have no idea what could be wrong.

Had a very similar problem with a marshall. It turned out to be a bad volume pot. Direct to board mounted just like the vibrochamp xd. Not saying it is a pot but thats where id look next.

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Im wondering if it could be one of the tubes? And if so, which one? Ive looked at some threads and I see a few regarding superchamps that seem to be similar in problem, but I cant tell what tube Id need to replace, hopefully not the powertube.

I had that problem on my Marshall lead 20 . …it was the volume pot as well…. I agree with Nikininja, I would check that first…..

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I thought you'd checked the tubes???

I have a vibrochamp xd its only got 2 valves a 6l6 of some description and a ecc83. Try tapping them lightly with a chopstick if they make a shed load of noise they are microphonic. Aside from that i'm at a loss. The biggest cause of pot/board faliure is moving amps when their hot. Always let em cool down for 20 minutes before moving them.

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i 2nd the above posts

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The tubes are glowing, but I've heard they can still be bad. My brother has a tool that checks them. It could be a pot, but it would be weird if that was it.

Why would it be weird. Your problem sounds identical to one i had caused by a volume pot on the amp going bad.

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Like I said, the noise left except at only a couple of specific note. That's what happened to urs?

Like Niki said microphonic tubes responding to those particular notes. I guess. Try the chopstick or pencil eraser method.

They definitely give out allot of the noise when I tap thwe tubes, especially the power tube. How do I know if the pot is crap? is it replace it and see, or is there a way to check it?

Pretty much the same. What happened was the heat of the amp works its way onto the circuit board creating problems all round when you move or knock the amp whilst its hot. Components work loose. Certain resonances vibrate certain things in a certain way and your sound gives out. Trust me if its only certain notes its definately not the valves. I've had that problem out of old el84s and they just click on and off then after 3 or 4 seconds they stop working all together.

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I was wrong then.

I'd get the amp to a service center their guaranteed for a year. Valves are only guaranteed for 3months (i think). That said the electro harmonix valves fender use in those amps are quite durable. Peoples main concern with them is more to do with tone than reliability.

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[quote="nikininja"]Pretty much the same.
Which? The replace part? Or the check it?
Also, if the heat causes problems, would it be better to leave the panel that covers the tubes (or valves for tht english guys) off seing that I just leave the amp in a corner and I don't see myself knocking them loose.