Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Jima321 on September 08, 2012, 08:38:10 pm

Title: My twin reverb loses volume/gets real distorted after about an hour of jamming
Post by: Jima321 on September 08, 2012, 08:38:10 pm
AB763 stock circuit:  This happens regardless of channel using.  Turn it of for 10-15 minutes sounds wonderfull again.  Could this be a tube going bad?  I must reiterate this amp sounds great until this happens--lots of power.

Background:  I hand wired this amp several years ago, but never played it this much till recently playing at open mic bars.  I am not a EE--just had an amp to use as a reference when I built this one. 

As far as test tools, I have a multimeter and and a tube bias tool for the 6L6s.  Any insight as to what the issue might be would be appreciated.  R/Jim
Title: Re: My twin reverb loses volume/gets real distorted after about an hour of jamming
Post by: John on September 08, 2012, 09:19:28 pm
Try chopsticking (carefully) all your solder joints, resistors, caps... everything basically, with the amp turned on. It sort of sounds as if something gets hot enough to expand and short out or not connect just right, and then when it cools down you have a good joint again. Could be a lead broken inside a component, anything. Hopefully when you hit the bad spot you'll hear it through the speaker. HTH!
Title: Re: My twin reverb loses volume/gets real distorted after about an hour of jamming
Post by: stratele52 on September 09, 2012, 05:24:48 am
If you have a bias tool , it would be easier to check bias  and monitoring bias from 15 minutes to distorted output.

Phase inverter cricuit ( Look for bad solder ) and / or PI tube to replace.

If bias is good , look for a bad solder.