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Post by pieman on Nov 25, 2008 19:38:19 GMT -7
UPS delivered a "mint" Carmen Ghia today. By the serial number it is a 2007. As advertised, the physical condition is mint, but the sound output is not.
I brought it in and let it warm up in the house for about four hours before I turned it on. It had been in transit for four days.
Before I played a note, the amp sounded crinkly, like saran wrap being crushed. I could not play much (kids were going to bed and my wife was already complaining about the volume), so I could not poke around.
I seem to remember this happening several years ago when I bought an amp and somebody said it was either the preamp or the rectifier tubes.
Your best guess? Bad tube? Recommended replacement vendor? I don't think anything is loose. The tube clips, etc. seem pretty tight.
I think I may go go back to the seller and ask for some cash back. I paid the buy it now price and they have 10,000 on-line sales, so this is not a mom-and-pop shop that would get hurt by this. Best guess on what to ask for?
Other than that, I cannot wait to let 'er rip tomorrow and over Thanksgiving weekend. Happy Thanksgiving.
tk
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Post by smolder on Nov 25, 2008 19:44:50 GMT -7
Note to self: always remove tubes prior to shipping.
I would think that you will want at least an extra preamp tube and a backup set of power tubes. These won't run to much and will allow you to trouble shoot all but the rectifier tube.
Pull each tube, inspect and replace making sure that they are well seated.
Others will weigh in here with more experience than I, but my understanding is that rectifier tubes either work, or they don't work. That does not sound like your situation.
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Post by zdogma on Nov 26, 2008 9:27:27 GMT -7
Yes, I'd agree mostly. The rectifier can cause a bit of crackling if the socket is loose, but its usually a loud on/off popping. I'd tighten all the big chassis bolts on top of the head before I did anything with tubes. I'd try the preamp tubese next, with any known good 12AX7 (normally its 12AX7 V1 and 5751 in V2)
I'd then try the output tubes, and the rectifier last. I'd highly recommend a NOS 5Y3 rectifier for this amp, they're cheap, last well and are less prone to rattling than the new production ones.
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Post by myles on Nov 26, 2008 14:09:49 GMT -7
Go to Mike at www.kcanostubes.com or Doug at www.dougstubes.com and grab a midrange duet of JJ EL84S tubes and a good 12AX7 for the front end. If you still have issues send me a PM and I will give you my phone number and will help step you through the problem.
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