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New tube amp, what do I have?


totalcomfort

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Picked this up for 100.00 and it works as best I can tell. Plays good except one channel seems weak compared to the other. Plays at a much lower volume on channel B vs A. Going to jump in head first as this is my first tube amp. Any advice what to check or info would be greatly appreciated. 

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1 hour ago, Curious_George said:

 

Power switch (no matter the position) does not imply anything. 

You are right. Schiit stubbornly puts their power switches on the back of their stuff. It seems like a pain on a tube era console stereo. It even seems like a pain on an organ. Less so on a Leslie unit or an external organ amp or a guitar amp.

 

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First check to see if it is the tubes that are causing the problem. Start by switching the 7199 tubes. Then switch one each of the EL34's. Also, while you are at it, as a safety measure, remove the fuse and make sure it's the right rating and proper type of fuse.  It looks like it's a 3amp slow-blow.

 

Then remove and re-seat the tubes a few times and check for looseness.If some of the sockets are loose they can be re-tightened from underneath using a dental pic. Also check the bottom. If there is no bottom plate, or if there is one and it has holes in it, put the amp on feet for air circulation. While you have it upside down, do a eyeball inspection. Check for broken resistors, loose connectors, rust and leaks around the capacitors. Also clean the surface, tape off the transformers and spray paint with high temp paint.  Then get it to a tech for a rebuild. Until you do, do not ever leave the room with it on for more time then it takes to go to the bathroom.  Do not ever leave the house with it on.

 

Properly restored, it should sound great.

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19 minutes ago, thebes said:

First check to see if it is the tubes that are causing the problem. Start by switching the 7199 tubes. Then switch one each of the EL34's. Also, while you are at it, as a safety measure, remove the fuse and make sure it's the right rating and proper type of fuse.  It looks like it's a 3amp slow-blow.

 

Then remove and re-seat the tubes a few times and check for looseness.If some of the sockets are loose they can be re-tightened from underneath using a dental pic. Also check the bottom. If there is no bottom plate, or if there is one and it has holes in it, put the amp on feet for air circulation. While you have it upside down, do a eyeball inspection. Check for broken resistors, loose connectors, rust and leaks around the capacitors. Also clean the surface, tape off the transformers and spray paint with high temp paint.  Then get it to a tech for a rebuild. Until you do, do not ever leave the room with it on for more time then it takes to go to the bathroom.  Do not ever leave the house with it on.

 

Properly restored, it should sound great.

Totally agree with all of the above, except, I would clean it and get it to a reputable tech FIRST.  Get the tubes tested.  

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