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Post new topic Fender Vibrosonic Reverb - goes silent temporarily
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Author Topic:  Fender Vibrosonic Reverb - goes silent temporarily
Brandon Schafer


From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 16 Sep 2020 3:13 pm    
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So, I’ve a lovely sounding Fender Vibrosonic Reverb (pretty much a Twin Reverb chassis with a different output transformer).

Here’s what happens when I use it. It sounds amazing while it’s running the Vibrato channel on volume 5, the master volume is on 10. Eventually, it goes silent. Then, I can put the amp on standby and it will work fine again for awhile until it goes silent again. I can then repeat the standby remedy.

The only thing I’ve done that’s “odd” is remove preamp tube V1 since I don’t use the Normal channel. It isn’t a cabling or connection issue as far as I’ve been able to diagnose.

Is it as simple as it’s overheating? Is there another gotcha to look out for?

For the record, it has had a recent electrolytic recap, so the caps are good. What say you amp gurus?!?!?
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Brandon Schafer


From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 16 Sep 2020 5:49 pm    
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I’ve been futzing around trying to figure this out. One thing that has become clear is that another way to resolve the issue is to run my volume pedal the full length of its throw a few times. It’s like the extra signal snaps something back into place for a while...

I’m sure that was the least scientific explanation ever, but it’s what I’ve got! Hahaha
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Bill Sinclair


From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
Post  Posted 16 Sep 2020 7:18 pm    
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Sometimes when you crank a volume pot to its extreme, the wiper can lift off of the carbon track. Try putting the master volume at 9 instead of 10. Also, put the V1 tube back in and see if you have the same problem in the normal channel. That will tell you whether it's in the preamp stage or not.
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Gene Tani


From:
Pac NW
Post  Posted 16 Sep 2020 9:37 pm    
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How old are tubes? Easiest tests are visual, look for usual orange glow, glass coating, tap with chopstick lightly

https://www.thetubestore.com/how-to-tell-if-your-tube-is-bad

https://tonetopics.com/tell-amps-tubes-gone-bad/

You can google for other blogs that say how to use multimeter
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Tony Prior


From:
Charlotte NC
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2020 5:13 am    
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it ain't the tubes. There is a broken connection, loose connection, faulty connection , cold solder joint, maybe even a POT wiper as mentioned above etc

A recent cap job, ? Perhaps a bad PS connection, NO HI DC, ( cap job ) NO Output.


have that CAP job inspected. Its not a bad tube.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
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CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
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Pete Burak

 

From:
Portland, OR USA
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2020 9:41 am    
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You might ask Ken Fox. He is the main Tube Amp guy I know on this Forum.
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Brandon Schafer


From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2020 2:35 pm    
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Thanks, all!

I have eliminated tubes as the culprit at this point. I’ll give an update as I investigate and figure out more!

I’m preparing to replace the speaker cable to see if it may be flaky.
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Tony Prior


From:
Charlotte NC
Post  Posted 18 Sep 2020 1:39 am    
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always go back to the point of last service and working performance. You know ,it worked great until I.... Exclamation
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
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Larry Dering


From:
Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 18 Sep 2020 5:27 am    
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Tony is 100% on the money. Always go to the last service and inspect for a fault. Bad solder joint done in the cap job is where I would be and I've fixed plenty for the same symptoms.
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