5e3 troubleshooting

[nova]

I have a 5e3 kit that I bought off a member here. I have a static problem and I'm hoping that someone might be able to help point me in the right direction.

When plugged into the bright channel, after about a minute, static will start to build and become progressively louder. If I were to wait for about a minute longer, it overwhelms the sound so that all you hear is static.

I haven't tested the other channel extensively but it doesn't appear to have the problem.

So what do you think I should look at? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks and Merry Christmas,
Mike

[Webfoot]

Try replacing the tube V1.

[Oatie]

Agree,
check all your pre-amp tubes, and even the 5Y3GT, what type of power tubes you using?

[nova]

The power tubes are JJ 6v6. Thanks, I'll have to buy some preamp tubes and try it out.

Thanks,
Mike

[bluesjuke]

Sure it's not coming from your guitar and you notice it more on the bright channel?
Try rubbing a Bounce fabric softner sheet over your pickguard and see if it goes away.

[guitarcapo]

Sounds like a preamp tube problem.

[bluesjuke]

Could also be a pin cleaning is due.
You could try taking out the preamp tubes and putting them back in a few times.

[nova]

Ok thanks for the advice. Now the emparassing part. I have no useful skills at all, and could use some coaching on how to extract the tube. I got the metal sleeve off just fine, but it looks like there may be something else holding the tube in the socket (it doesn't come out with a gentle tug). Is there more to it? Sorry for the stupid question but I don't want to damage the device anymore than necessary.

Thanks for all the help.

[trailrun100s]

Originally Posted by nova

Ok thanks for the advice. Now the emparassing part. I have no useful skills at all, and could use some coaching on how to extract the tube. I got the metal sleeve off just fine, but it looks like there may be something else holding the tube in the socket (it doesn't come out with a gentle tug). Is there more to it? Sorry for the stupid question but I don't want to damage the device anymore than necessary.

Thanks for all the help.

gently rock it as you pull it out...

[DrewB]

Rotate it out with a with a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mudshark in your mythology. Here it goes now, the circular motion. Rub it!

[DrewB]

Rotate it out with a with a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mudshark in your mythology. Here it goes now, the circular motion. Rub it!

[bluesjuke]

^^^^^^
DO NOT use the above method, Zappa himself would not advise that.
The tubes pull straight in and out, no rotation at all.
Slight side to side wiggling as first advised is a good method.

(I know it was humor but when someone's doing it for the first time......)

[DrewB]

Well, I guess "vigorous" was misleading, but gently rotating it in a circular motion should be fine.

[ccteleman]

You might also clean the input jacks with deoxit. Since the inputs are interactive clean contacts on all four is important.

Solved a high pitch noise on mine that at first seemed like a tube.

Great amp, have fun.

[bluesjuke]

Cleaning the jacks are important especially for those that jump inputs.
Best to not leave jumpers plugged in long term as oxidation will build up more quickly in that long term condition.