popping noise in a 66 pro reverb.

[Jack Daniels]

I just picked up a 66 pro reverb. (my all time favorite amp). This one appears to be all original condition...no maintenence. (still has the 2 prong plug too)

If I turn it on and leave it sit, about every 10 minutes I hear a low freq pop. Also, I play a low G note, the amp crackles. Other notes don't seem to affect it. Eventually this will go in for a 3 prong plug and filter caps. Do you think the popping noise is a cap? Also, is it possible that the crackling while playing a low G note is tubes?

Thanks,

JD

[plexi67]

Probably just needs a good tune up,or maintenence. And some good tubes. Any good tech should be able to get it sounding strong again.

[RussB]

I just picked up a 66 pro reverb. (my all time favorite amp). This one appears to be all original condition...no maintenence. (still has the 2 prong plug too)


Thanks,

JD


In your question, was the answer.


time for maintenance. do you really think a 43 year old amp is plug 'n play?

[Jack Daniels]

Well Russ, your question is a loaded...

I have a absolutely mint 66 ProReverb at home that has never even had a screw turned on it. Original everything including caps. It runs as quite as the day my dad purchased it new in 66. However, it only gets used a few hours a month, sometimes not even that much. So I know its possible that 43 year old amp can be fine with no maintenence.

HOWEVER: No. In general, I think an amp needs maintenence ever 15-20 years for caps.... and tubes every year or so. My question was more about the symtoms and what they specifically meant. Does popping usually indicate caps on an amp that has not been re-capped? Or could other things cause popping? Does caps have resonante freq that can cause them to go haywire (like crackelling) or is that more a symptom of tubes?

That was what I was asking. I already have a date with my tech that is a few weeks out, but in the meantime, I wanted to mess with this some.

JD

[Tomo]

I love Pro Reverbs.

Tomo

[Jack Daniels]

I love Pro Reverbs.

Tomo

Now that I have a second one that I can (or will be able to) gig with, I can now say publicly, they are the most underated fender amps in history. (I didn't want to cause a rush before I grabbed #2).

If SRV would have used these, the Pro Reverb would have been the sought after amp instead of the Vibroverb (which I used to own). The pro is a great amp. I think a 2x12 combo is the tits for gigging. Big tone without to much bottom end like a single 15 VibroVerb. Sweet highs that are not to crisp like 10's. 12's are really the perfect guitar speaker. Put that together with 40 watts of Blackface sweetness and 6L6 tubes and YOWSA~! Great tone. Even with the slightly smaller OT these amps rock. I find the small OT allows you to crank these up without ripping your head off.


Cheers!

jd

[Japhyfish]

I've gigged with a 66 Pro Reverb for the last 12 years and I love it. I've had typical maintenance work done with it (caps year ago)- no mods.

Recently I had some noise issues so I had the pots & tube sockets cleaned and tubes... but there are still intermittent crackles and pops which get louder if the reverb is above 3. It starts when switched amp is switched on from standby the 1st time and then comes back from time to time throughout gig.

Any thoughts on how to clean this up. I keep bringing it in for work and the problem won't completely go away.

[mark norwine]

crackle & pop on an unmaintained old amp is almost always due to bad plate load resistors. That's where the frying bacon lives.

[phsyconoodler]

A regular pop is most likely the reverb driver tube.They do that quite often in Fender amps.

[Gene]

A check up is beneficial.

Plate resistors on V1 and V2. The buzzing on the note G can be a pain. Mine buzzed on the note A!

I found by experimenting with the chassis bolt screw a turn here and there and the buzz changed pitch! talk about a "tune up".

Actually, it ended up being the wire mesh screen in the cabinet. I had to tighten them up.

[GearHeadFred]

Electrolytic caps just don't do well at 44 years old... I would suggest replacing the e-caps and the 2-prong cord, and clip the death-cap.

Then evaluate where you are.. There are some good ideas in this thread.. but do the "must do's" before you start troubleshooting the amp.