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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 217
Location: Snåsa, Norway | Still into an electric mode, I try to figure out what's wrong with my amp (old Fender Sidekick 15, nothing special) before giving it up. It's got six pots, three for eq and Volume, Gain and Master.
I believe that Volume controls the level of the input signal, Gain the amount of distortion and Master the output volume. I've also read that on some amps cranking volume above 5 will result in distortion of the signal, but am not sure if this is the case with my amp.
To me it seems to be something wrong with the gain pot, when I turn it up the tone is unstable, it seems like the gain falls out and comes back. I suspect the pot to be bad or dirty, but there may be other reasons for this behaviour?
I think I'll try clean the pots with some electronic component cleaner, or is that a bad idea? Any precautions needed to be taken, apart from pulling out the power supply cord? :confused: | |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | When I have something cutting in and out, I usually check the whole signal chain. First, rule out your guitar (by playing another), Second try a new cable. Inside the combo, make sure all connections are secure. It that all checks out, then try dislodging any dust, give it a couple of sharp wanks, or try one of those spray air in a can things, if none of the above work, bring to a pro, or if you feel up to it replace the pot.
To me it sounds like a lose wire somewhere. | |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 217
Location: Snåsa, Norway | FYI - sprayed the pots with 2-propanol (electronic cleaner) and turned them form 0 to 10 some times, and the amp works ok again (not great sounding - never has been ;) , but works fine as a companion to my Digitech modelling guitar processor and saves me the hasty purchase of some cheap practise amp, may keep on looking for a real good one, though! :D | |
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Amp maintenance/troubleshooting