Unwanted volume decrease

[doc]

Quick amp guru question -
I have a TR Ruby that sometimes will have a volume drop, especially when cranked. The tone doesn't change much and still sounds okay, it just loses some steam. I've changed tubes without much difference. On one occasion it did stop working briefly. Any initial thoughts on the likely problem?

[justonwo]

Is this a new problem? When I posted on the TGP about the same problem on my Double Deluxe (volume drop when cranked), a few suggested it might be blocking distortion. For me, it only happened when cranked with humbuckers.

http://www.aikenamps.com/BlockingDistortion.html

I'm by no means a guru. Just throwing that out there.

[melody maker]

I Assume You're Sure Its Not The Instrument? Pots?

[doc]

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty sure the pots and instrument are fine. I think blocking distortion is a possibility, although as I said I haven't noticed much tonal change, just an intermittent noticable drop in volume. I haven't owned the amp all that long and don't play it exclusively, but I noticed it fairly quickly after getting it, so I suspect it has done this for awhile.

[Blue Strat]

Is the change abrupt or gradual? Are there any other noises? Does it always do it when you crank the amp or just sometimes? Does it do this when you're at half volume or other volumes?

[doc]

I usually run it into a Weber Mass to be able to play in the basement with a fair amount of attenuation, and the amp usually has the gain 1/2 way up (the Master is out of the loop in its usual configuration). From there into a 1-12 cab usually (and the impedences are all correct). The loss appears to be fairly sudden, and seems to improve suddenly as well. I get the impression it is more frequent when I have it up a bit higher, but I'm not completely sure about that. I haven't noticed any other noises.

[Blue Strat]

The first thing to do when troubleshooting an amp is to remove all other variables....in this case, that would be the attenuator.

[doc]

Alrighty then. I'll have to get out the earplugs and wait until the wife is out.:) Thanks.