Deluxe Reverb Help

[Tenbender]

I took in this '68 Deluxe not too long ago, clean with no issues. Used for a rehearsal the other night no problems, played it the next day and now it has no power and is distorted... I swapped out the rectifier tube and it sounded the same, could it be power tubes?

[PhatTele]

For those symptoms, I always work the problem in this order:

1) Tubes
2) Old electrolytic caps
3) Some other problem

Tubes and old electrolytic caps probably account for 90% of the flakiness in old amps. Meanwhile, the last 10% is harder to diagnose and could be a variety of things (e.g. bad component, bad wiring, bad solder connection, etc.)

If it's a newer amp, tubes, bad wiring, or some failed component (like a fried resister...usually because a tube went out) seem to be the main culprets.

[Twangbanger]

I've had amps do that.
Look in the back with the amp on and see if all the power tubes are lit up, then wiggle them around and see if the volume comes and goes. Could be a dirty or loose tube socket.

[tele_jas]

Originally Posted by Twangbanger

I've had amps do that.
Look in the back with the amp on and see if all the power tubes are lit up, then wiggle them around and see if the volume comes and goes. Could be a dirty or loose tube socket.

Yeah, remove all the tubes and re-seat them all....... That could cure your problem. Start with the power tubes, then try it... If that doesn't fix it, try the preamp tubes. If that doesn't work..... You might see if you can get borrow a 6v6 or a 12ax7 (if you don't have any spares) and try swapping out/exchanging one at a time - time consuming, but you can single out the problem tube.

If you can afford a complete set of tubes, it probably wouldn't hurt.... If none of that helps, it's a little more serous. Like a cap or filter or loose solder joint somewhere.

You might even make sure the speaker is tight in the cab.

[Tenbender]

Thanks guys, I dropped it off my my amp guy. I really need to learn how to bias an amp this year...