rusty champ tranformer

[Decko]

Hi All,

Left my Champ in the basement for a couple years. Just pulled it out for a spin.

Right off the bat I noticed the flubby lowend.

Could that be caused by a rusty transformer...you know eddy currents etc?

Danny

[FYL]

Rust is OK. You may brush it gently, it'll look nicer but that won't change a thing tone-wise.

Check your jack sockets, connectors, etc. for oxidation. Check board conductivity. Check filtering caps. Ditto for the speaker.

[Decko]

Hi,

Checked jacks, filter caps, okay.

I did notice a quiet distorted signal that seemed to follow the notes being played.

What could cause that?

D

[ToneMerc]

Bad filter caps, did you check them for leakage?

TM

[selloutrr]

the best you can do is pray the transformer with a rust prevention spray paint to stop the rust from continueing. brushing the rust can cause the plates to arch leading to a ruined transformer.

The flabb or flubber is most likely power/filter cap related.
or possibly the speaker if it's rubbing or warped from moisture.

you may want to check voltage to the rectifier and make sure it's not being starved.

[Decko]

How do you check for leakage on the filter caps?

I will check the voltages to the rectifier.

One more observation: The notes along low E string of the guitar are definitely distorted even at 4 oclock on the volume. Buzzy and very ugly sounding.

Thanks Gents for the input.

Danny

[aclempoppi]

Dan, I would clean the tube sockets and verify that all tubes are in good shape(through substitution). Then if no change I'd consider a cap can R&R. Firing up an amp that has been sitting for some time, can be pretty stressful on the filter cap dielectric. The OT should be fine, but like the guys said,be gentle with any attempt to clean and preserve. Art

[Decko]

Hi All,

Changed the cap can. Much better. Tighter.

The amp does break up much sooner than I would prefer. 4 on the volume it starts to break up. Perhaps this has much to do with the hot humbuckers on the guitar.

How can I reduce the breakup? Run the preamp tube hotter?

Thanks,
Danny

[selloutrr]

you should try a different preamp tube. 12ax7 / au7 / at7