Volume problem w/Crate BV120

[guitarsjb]

My distortion channel has LOW volume..but my clean channel is fine. My clean channel was set on 4 and I had to turn it down a bit for practice, but my distortion channel was on 8 to keep up. [img]/images/graemlins/help.gif[/img] I don't know what's wrong with it.

[zeegler]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Dirty volume pot maybe? I don't know, that's weird Jeri.

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Preamp tube.

[zeegler]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Willie might be right. I wish I knew more about tube amps. Maybe try switching the preamp tubes around.

[guitarsjb]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

I went out this afternoon and bought new preamp tubes. I had changed one about a month ago, so I just decided to replace the rest after Boxcar Willies post. I'm changing them tomorrow. Thanks for the input BW.

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

If you want a more cost effective way to test for bad preamp tubes, you can just buy one and switch one at a time til you find the culprit. Always make sure you have your amp off and unplugged before doing that though!

[guitarsjb]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

I did that when I replaced the last one. I bought this amp used anyhow, and didn't know when the tubes had been replaced last. This way I know all the preamp tubes are O.K.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

preamp tubes *usually* don't wear out very quickly if at all. The biggest killers of preamp tubes are physical damage - being dropped or shaken. This is why combo amps are really hard on tubes... they shake the crap out of them! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] One thing you can do also if you have extra preamp tubes is to swap them around for lower noise/higher gain. makes it easier if you have a tube tester, but you can do it without one.

BTW, Happy birthday! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Pete

[zeegler]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

So did ya figure it out yet?

[guitarsjb]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Yep, it was a preamp tube. I just replaced all of them, and it's working fine. Thanks again.

[zeegler]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Cool stuff!!!

[paulbag]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

I'm trying to figure out why I go thru tubes so quickly in my BV120's. How often does the average amp go thru tubes if being used say...3 rehearsals a week?

[zeegler]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Mines 2 years old with the orginal tubes. One 4 hour rehearsal a week.

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Paulbag, are you leaving your amp on standby for a few minutes before powering up and down? I usually try to leave mine on standby for as long as possible at practice and at shows....as soon as the speaker cable and the power cable are plugged in (the first things to plug in) I turn it on, then set up my pedalboard, tune my guitar, etc.

[paulbag]

Re: Volume problem w/Crate BV120

Oh yeah bro...I give it MORE than enough time warming up on standby. What's killing me is I have 2 of these heads, and when functioning properly they sound very mean. But both have been a bit quirky. I'm wondering if it may be something in my rig...G-Major, BBE 362, or something thats not quite right and burning up my tubes or something??? While we're on the subject though, what are the most cost effective replacement tubes? I know Zeeg recommended one but I forget [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]