Old story (sorry) Pro Jr. noise...

johnny diesel · November 24th, 2003, 10:24 AM

Picked up a Jr. rather cheap with the intention of running it through a 2x10 vox cab. Surpirse!! The strong ringing noise isn't limited to the Weber 10F100 speaker in the Jr - when I plug it into another cab, the noise carries on.
I know there are countles threads on how to achieve the ultimate Jr. tone. I just want to get a noise-free sound of this litle demon.

What's the quick fix?
Thanks
johnnie

John E · November 24th, 2003, 10:40 AM

No fix that I know of for small lightweight combos... it's the EL84 tubes. I love the tone of amps with these tubes, and my primary gigger is a 1x12 EL84 based amp... but in my experience when EL84's are used in small lightweight combos you get sleigh bells with your guitar tone... the speaker shakes the cabinet. It's a tradeoff for portability. I'm used to it so it doesn't really bother me to much as live at a gig the "jingling" doesn't get amplified. Easiest fix I know of if is to use them in a head... seperate the tubes from the speaker. Or use a HEAVY duty cabinet. You can try tightening stuff down(ie. every screw in sight) or maybe using foam etc. where the chassis mounts to serve as a shock absorber... hmmm may have to try that myself.

Rob DiStefano · November 24th, 2003, 11:25 AM

If yer using the PJr. as a head only (not its using its speaker at all) that should take care of the tinkles - if not, I'd suspect one or more of the following ...

* the PJr. is too close to the external speaker cab and is picking up its vibes

* the PJr. combo cab should be placed on a thick, dense foam pad to isolate external vibrations

* like JohnE sez, tighten down everything in the PJr. chassis and cab

Good luck - EL84's have great tone ... and unfortunately that darned tinkle too.

eryque · November 24th, 2003, 12:12 PM

I've never noticed it with Blues Jrs. (though I haven't been listening), maybe the retainer springs like the BJ uses would help? If the PJ doesn't have it already, that is.

Rob DiStefano · November 24th, 2003, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eryque

I've never noticed it with Blues Jrs. (though I haven't been listening), maybe the retainer springs like the BJ uses would help? If the PJ doesn't have it already, that is.

I've used EL84 tube spring retainers for a C20, C30, PJr., BJr., Carvin Nomad and BelAir, umm, what else? whatever, they don't work because the tinkle in coming from inside the tube, not that the tube rattles in the socket.

Marky D. · November 24th, 2003, 12:35 PM

On my PJ, I tried some different tubes and it helped..

Good luck!

eryque · November 24th, 2003, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Quote:

Originally Posted by eryque

I've never noticed it with Blues Jrs. (though I haven't been listening), maybe the retainer springs like the BJ uses would help? If the PJ doesn't have it already, that is.

I've used EL84 tube spring retainers for a C20, C30, PJr., BJr., Carvin Nomad and BelAir, umm, what else? whatever, they don't work because the tinkle in coming from inside the tube, not that the tube rattles in the socket.

Well, then obviously the rattles are being conducted to the tube innards through the pins, right? Maybe the best solution is to get tiny foam tape and wrap the tube pins so the vibration gets damped right at the source.

8)

TexGoneNW · November 24th, 2003, 11:41 PM

I'd sure try a tube swap. Nice thing about PJ amps is that the tubes are pretty cheap.

Spoto · November 25th, 2003, 10:51 AM

I retubed my Jr. with JJ's and it made a huge difference. Really woke up the amp.
I also put in a Jensen P10R which is better than stock but I would rethink it if I could do over again.
Someone needs to design a point to point amp based on the Jr. Instant winner!
I've pretty much decided on getting a Celestion Greenback for my Champ 12.
Anyone have any experience with this speaker?
It's described as having a woody, warm tone.
Of course I would love to get the Celestion Blue but too many $'s.
Thanks

da dougster · November 29th, 2003, 12:27 AM

After I tightened everything ( and I do mean everything) up, put in new tubes and removed the retainers, the rattle stopped. I fully expect some part of it to return as the tubes get worn in however.

I also found that some of the rattle was coming from my stereo set up and moving the amp away from there helped too ( it was sitting directly in front, about 10-12 inches away).

Quote:

unfortunately that darned tinkle too.

you're right, but I'll never say that word :^)

Rob DiStefano · November 29th, 2003, 05:12 AM

I've got a Classic 30 coming next week - guess I'm back in the "EL84 Tinkle Club"

da dougster · November 30th, 2003, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da dougster

I also found that some of the rattle was coming from my stereo set up and moving the amp away from there helped too ( it was sitting directly in front, about 10-12 inches away).

Just to make this a bit clearer, the Pro Jr was making my stereo rack rattle, not the other way around. Never did figure out what exactly was rattling, just that having an open back guitar amp that close to the stereo was a bad thing. That's something to consider, whether the guitar amp is making something in the room rattle....

November 24th, 2003, 10:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
johnny diesel TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 13	Old story (sorry) Pro Jr. noise... Picked up a Jr. rather cheap with the intention of running it through a 2x10 vox cab. Surpirse!! The strong ringing noise isn't limited to the Weber 10F100 speaker in the Jr - when I plug it into another cab, the noise carries on. I know there are countles threads on how to achieve the ultimate Jr. tone. I just want to get a noise-free sound of this litle demon. What's the quick fix? Thanks johnnie

November 24th, 2003, 10:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
John E Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,396	Unfortunately... No fix that I know of for small lightweight combos... it's the EL84 tubes. I love the tone of amps with these tubes, and my primary gigger is a 1x12 EL84 based amp... but in my experience when EL84's are used in small lightweight combos you get sleigh bells with your guitar tone... the speaker shakes the cabinet. It's a tradeoff for portability. I'm used to it so it doesn't really bother me to much as live at a gig the "jingling" doesn't get amplified. Easiest fix I know of if is to use them in a head... seperate the tubes from the speaker. Or use a HEAVY duty cabinet. You can try tightening stuff down(ie. every screw in sight) or maybe using foam etc. where the chassis mounts to serve as a shock absorber... hmmm may have to try that myself.

November 24th, 2003, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 62 Posts: 4,674	re: EL84 tinkle bells If yer using the PJr. as a head only (not its using its speaker at all) that should take care of the tinkles - if not, I'd suspect one or more of the following ... * the PJr. is too close to the external speaker cab and is picking up its vibes * the PJr. combo cab should be placed on a thick, dense foam pad to isolate external vibrations * like JohnE sez, tighten down everything in the PJr. chassis and cab Good luck - EL84's have great tone ... and unfortunately that darned tinkle too.

November 24th, 2003, 12:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Marky D. Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Age: 47 Posts: 314	Different tubes On my PJ, I tried some different tubes and it helped.. Good luck!

November 24th, 2003, 11:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
TexGoneNW Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 50 Posts: 907 4 Photos	Microphonic tubes? I'd sure try a tube swap. Nice thing about PJ amps is that the tubes are pretty cheap.

November 24th, 2003, 12:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 6,977 44 Photos	I've never noticed it with Blues Jrs. (though I haven't been listening), maybe the retainer springs like the BJ uses would help? If the PJ doesn't have it already, that is.

November 25th, 2003, 10:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Spoto Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 261	Pro Junior I retubed my Jr. with JJ's and it made a huge difference. Really woke up the amp. I also put in a Jensen P10R which is better than stock but I would rethink it if I could do over again. Someone needs to design a point to point amp based on the Jr. Instant winner! I've pretty much decided on getting a Celestion Greenback for my Champ 12. Anyone have any experience with this speaker? It's described as having a woody, warm tone. Of course I would love to get the Celestion Blue but too many $'s. Thanks

November 29th, 2003, 05:12 AM	#11 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 62 Posts: 4,674	I've got a Classic 30 coming next week - guess I'm back in the "EL84 Tinkle Club"