5150 lost its balls

[kickinwing65]

I've had a 5150 for almost a year now, Re tubed it with JJ's and it sounded amazing. After spending a month in the cold garage, then bringing up to the studio after about an hour warm up then trying it out it now sounds like it has lost a lot of its balls. Where I would normally have the lead gain at 3.5 I have to have it around 6. The tubes are less than 6 months old and sounded way better before I kept it in the garage. I reseated all the tubes and still have the same problem. Just wanted to know if anybody has ran into this situation before and maybe there is a simple fix...

 

[ahjteam]

might be just minor moisture. Keep it in a dry place and on standby for a few hours. If it doesn't work properly tomorrow, give us a shout.

 

[kickinwing65]

Forgot to put this in the post: thats the thing, when I brought it to the warm studio was about 3 weeks ago, I've been playing it off and on since then, and My buddy is jamming on it at the moment and its been on for a good 2 hours now. Still no luck

 

[JeffTD]

Change the tubes.

 

[madbutcher]

Could it be the common 5150 problem of having to clean out the FX jacks?

 

[JonWormwood]

Could it be the common 5150 problem of having to clean out the FX jacks?

Yeah pop all the tubes out and reseat them.

and then try a jumper cable in the fx loop to get the jizz out and shit

 

[MetalSound]

yep, it sounds like the old fx loop problem. i had this too. solved it by changing the send and return jacks.

 

[kickinwing65]

Whats the easiest way to fix this?

 

[PhilTheBeard]

to clean out your fx jacks with some contact cleaner see if that works.

 

[Glenn Fricker]

Was the cabinet in the garage too? If so, tighten ALL the screws.


Then watch what happens.

 

[kickinwing65]

I tried a jumper between the fx send and return, sounds no different, the cab was in the studio, I just put Veteran 30's in it so all the screws and wiring are secure. I'm thinking of digging out the valveking from the trailer outside, letting it warm up inside for a day or two then seeing if that has any more balls, Maybe I'll swap the tubes as well.

 

[BrettT]

I tried a jumper between the fx send and return, sounds no different

Take a jumper and spray some contact cleaner on the connector. Make the connector have rough sex with the fx send and return for a bit. Remove the jumper and try it again.

 

[kickinwing65]

Off to find some contact cleaner

 

[GuitarHack]

Change the First Preamp Tube with an older one if you still have them. The one closest to the Input Jack. That is if it has just lost some gain and not overall volume. If the jumper between the FX loop jacks didn't help, I wouldn't think it's a dirty jack problem.

 

[onqel]

how is the low end response now vs before? first thing that came to mind is the pregain-pot bypass cap.. (have been staring at the schematic lately...)

 

[streetwise]

how is the low end response now vs before? first thing that came to mind is the pregain-pot bypass cap.. (have been staring at the schematic lately...)

I don't think non-polarized caps would fail, if you're not driving them with too high voltage. How does it have anything to do with low end response anyway? Bypassing a gain pot with a capacitor just gives you some high frequencies. It won't affect the low end.

I'd say corroded jacks, preamp tube bases, or possibly a failing power filter cap in the preamp power supply? Don't store your amp in a cold & humid area Ô_o

 

[kickinwing65]

Yeah, I'll have to dig up some old tubes, if all else fails I know a kid who might buy it for $800 har har

 

[onqel]

Bypassing a gain pot with a capacitor just gives you some high frequencies. It won't affect the low end.

I meant high end offcourse I shouldn't come with "tips" when I'm drunk either

 

[kickinwing65]

Replaced the preamp tube closest to the input jack, sounds worlds better! thanks guys

 

[JeffTD]

Yeah, I'll have to dig up some old tubes, if all else fails I know a kid who might buy it for $800 har har

What the fuck is up with dudes on this forum selling broken gear lately?