Hi everyone!

Chess and guitars are somewhat the same for me: I love playing so much, but I am soooo bad a them (really).

I've been lurking the forum for years, but I am a newbie. I own a 07 Black Highway One and a few months ago I started trying to learn the blues and practicing daily.

My question is very specific and -because of that- maybe no one can really answer it, but I'll shoot anyway:

What could be wrong with my amp? It is a VOX Pathfinder 10. Suddenly, one day I turned it on, started playing and there was no sound. I dialed the volume up and only then I could hear my strings played but at a comfortable volume (that wouldn't bother the neigbohrs, even though the knob was at its highest setting). All this with a clean sound, but, of course, the clean/overdrive button was unpushed (that is 'clean' setting). Then I pushed it to switch to overdrive and the volume came back very high, as it should normally with the knob all up, but it was not overdriven, but clean!

The problems is that in order for the volume to function normally on a clean sound, my amp needs to be on 'overdrive'. And because of that, I cannot get an overdriven sound. Go figure!

I leave my amp plugged all the time, but not turned on. I've had some highs and lows of energy lately (lightbulbs flicker). Could that have damaged my amp?

If someone has an insight of what could be wrong, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!!

could be a number of things.

but first make sure you've unplugged your headphones since this usually disconnects the speaker.

maybe the input jack is a bit broken, or maybe the final transistors are gone..

I see that it's not a very expensive amp, I see a used one in my town for $60..
I won't loose much sleep over this little amp.
either buy a used replacement or get another amp from the store.

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This is my guitar, there are many like it but this one is mine.

To be honest man, could well be a number of things. I love these little amps and ave had three because they are so cheap that taking it to a tech is just not worth it and when it comes to messing about with the inside of amps......well I just won't take the risk

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

Thank you guys for your prompt replies.



Just tried. Didn't work.

Yeah, I thought the same, not worth taking apart or taking it to a technician that will probably charge more than buying a new one.

Anyway, I've been saving pocket change to buy a G-DEC 3 Fifteen. I am halfway there.

In the meantime I'll have to use my Boss Blues Driver to get a decent overdriven sound.

Thanks again!

silly question but have you played your guitar through a different amp or did you try a different guitar through this amp?

Could be a disconnected wire in the guitar too.

Jeff

Why don't you try an amp forum?

Not silly at all, Jeff.

I hadn't thought of that. After reading your reply I checked with my VOX amplug. I got scared cause I got the same result: I pumped up the volume and could barely hear the guitar through. Cold sweat. Then I checked the knobs of my guitar: the volume knob was almost zero.

I turned up the knob back to an acceptable level and I checked again with the Pathfinder 10. Everything fine again.

I feel so stupid for not checking my guitar knobs before posting!!

Thanks Jeff and you all guys for taking your time to reply and sorry for something really dumb on my side.

You are right, barbar, I should've posted in the amp forum, but I went into panic mode and all I could think was this forum.

That does deserve soem ribbing hukes!!!!! BUt as you are new here (welcome by the way ) and because we are a decent bunch of folks here we will just have a bit of a giggle and let you away with it......for now

Have fun!


BTW I tend to use a drive pedal with the pathfinder anyway as there is a HUGE difference in volume between the clean and drive channels........my only real issue with the amp.

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

I trained as a tech years ago and the first thing they taught us to do was to try out whatever the thing was that was reported broken. 80% of things that are supposedly broken were simply not plugged in. So, you fall into the 20% to your credit.....having had it plugged in.

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

Oh, man, thanks for the welcome. I promise to check my knobs first next time.



Years ago I first started working as a tech support guy for computer users. I have my share of stories. Now it was my turn to be on the other side.