So...I may have found the culprit

[brack23_5]

I'm getting ready to re-cap my bandmaster tonight.... I was bored today so I went and did the old chopstick test...trying to find out why vibrations was cuasing un ugly crackling when I hit bassy notes....

http://i627.photobucket.com/albums/tt353/beatle23_5/3329909284_f2e82cd657.jpg

So if you look at the second group of coupling caps....the group of four....the second from the left's lead, on the side of the tubes, has broken away from the solder joint....so it is left there to rub on the joint....

could this be the source of my problem....would it cause the noise I'm talking about?...I'm gonna resolder it when I have it on the bench tonight...just curious to your guys' thoughts....

[TweeDLX]

I'd almost put $$$ on it. I had a 5E3 build that was driving me crazy with a weird noise every time I played a note. Chopstick test revealed a similar thing: resistor with one end making contact with, but not soldered to the terminal.
Damn!:jo

Mike

[collinsamps]

I still cringe at the sight of 40 yo, leaky, dried bubbly cardboard lytics.........Get em out of there!

[brack23_5]

i Agree....they are being changed once i get it on the bench tonight:AOK

[TimmyP]

I had the same problem on a Matchless - broken but still connected unless it encountered enough vibration. (I need to get some chopsticks - I've been using Sharpies.)

[brack23_5]

Yep...caps changed...coupling cap re attacthed...and the bandy is back full force and sounding better than ever