Tube amp question

[lhrocker]

If you don't have a guitar plugged into the input of a tube amp and dime all the controls, should you hear any static/low popping?

[fett]

Yep. That is the nature of the beast. And, yes I have had many tube amps. There will always be leakage. Every fucking part of a tube amp has the ability to make noise. Transfomers, more than meets the eyes, can do it.

[lhrocker]

So my amp should be normal? I get the static popping from the 2 channels, worse on the high gain, but if I plug a pod or something into the fx return, it is quiet - unless I play.

[fett]

A little noise on a tube amp is normal. Does the noise interfer with the actual sound when playing?

[lhrocker]

It just doesn't sound right. I may retube it to see if that resolves the issue, but the amp may need servicing. Thank God for my Vetta.

[CharvelRocker]

Lose tubes maybe?

[lhrocker]

Pulled and reseated everything as well as checked the bias. I gotta take it in, I guess.

[jgcable]

Pete, all of my tube amps made noise when everything was dimed out.

[lhrocker]

John, when I don't dime it, I still get the static. I maybe need to go to a store and check out "good" tube amps to see if mine is bad. I think it is, but who knows.

[emperor_black]

You mean nothing plugged in, all controls low, amp still has static? then there is surely a problem. try plugging in an empty guitar cable (minus guitar) and see if the problem exists. On my 5150, with nothing plugged in, the amp was damn quiet. But if I remember correctly, on the XXX, it used to make some sound with nothing plugged in.

[jgcable]

Try spraying some contact cleaner in the loop jacks. If that doesn't work it is most surely one of your preamp tubes.

[lhrocker]

The amp currently has Ruby 6L6's and Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH. Are these good tubes? If not, I'll replace them - I need to find out what the issue is and rather not bring it to a service facility unless absolutely necessary.

[lhrocker]

Maybe the static is just the floor noise. When playing thru each preamp, the guitar volume is loud. If I stop playing, the static is there but very low and this is with the master at about 8 oclock.

I think this is why I never messed with tubes.

[jgcable]

The amp currently has Ruby 6L6's and Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH. Are these good tubes? If not, I'll replace them - I need to find out what the issue is and rather not bring it to a service facility unless absolutely necessary.

Its most likely 1 preamp tube Pete. Try swapping them around.

[lhrocker]

Well, I replaced all 3 preamp tubes with GT Gold series 12AX7, which was the only thing I could get on short notice. Everything is now quiet - no more static popping at any volume, and the drive channel is really rich and fat now. Thanx to everyone for all your help. Should I keep the old set or buy a less expensive set of AX7's for backup?

John - did you sell your 2x12 Randall cab yet? Need anything - please pm or email me.