| Author | Message | ||
     Chris Man (applejuice) Username: applejuice Registered: 02-2007 |
Recently, I aquired a 210-65 (model without 12ax7). It's probably been modded quite a bit, but seems in good shape. Has a line-out addition at the back and the high/low switch doesn't seem to do anything. Also the deep switch seems very subtle if it too does anyting ?! Anyway, when striking a low B-tone at reasonable volume, there was a nasty buzzing sound. At first I thought it might be the speakers being damaged. But getting close to back of the amp, the buzzing appeared to be coming from the tubes. Took them out and one of them was rattling when shaken. So I went to the store and got some new EL34 Svetlanas (it had some Marshall Svetlanas when I got it). Swapped them for the new ones - no re-biasing, don't know how and didn't want to carry it to a shop. Damn, the buzzing was still there. After lots of B-note striking whilst checking the cabinet, I found the clamps around one of the tubes was buzzing. Removed the tube, pressed the clamps together, replaced the tube and it seemed to help, but the buzzing was still there. So I took out the chassis and tightened a lose screw holding the main board in the vicinity of the tubes. Better, but still buzzing. Arrggh !! Finally, while striking that B, I found that pressing the metal plate behind the tubes made the buzzing go away! The attachment part of the plate was slightly bent and was vibrating - hitting the chassis. My cheapskate solution was to loosen the 4 holding screws, insert some thin cardboard pieces between the plate and the chassis and tighten it up again. Presto, no more buzzing - I became a happy camper! I am now quite pleased with my 210, even more so after having been through the trouble with it. It sounds fabulous with a Strat when using the bridge and middle single coils at the same time. Bright switched on. Tone settings around 5. I haven't yet managed to get quite as satisfactory a sound from my Washburn Falcon (LesPaul type guitar with humbuckers), I guess the Washburn is too warm/bluesy, though I was very happy with it through a JC120. PS, I don't use any pedals - they make too much noise. | ||
| Edward Solberg (edward_solberg) Username: edward_solberg Registered: 05-2006 |
chris, I don't think such an animal as a guitar "too warm/bluesy" has yet been made when we're discussing a mm 210 sixty-five. I've had mine since 1975, bro and I've screamed my humbucker-equipped: es 335, guild s-100 (like an SG), and several other guitars with very HOT humbucker or P90 pickups and the amp loves 'em! you'll find your tone eventually, just keep playing the amp and trying new settings 'til you've found your "sweet spot" for each axe. in regard to your comment that the hi-lo power switch didn't seem to make much difference... it probably isn't broken, bro. You will rarely notice much difference except in those rare (at my age becoming VERY rare, thankfully) situations where you are needing another boost of clean headroom to cut through a too-loud mix at a jam. the extra power gives you that cleaner signal at high volumes.... you will probably notice that in low power (while not noticibly lower in volume) your tone will break up into output tube distortion-country much sooner.... since you've got the 12ax7, you've most likely got one of the early ones where the amp wattage is spelled out in black script ("sixty-five") on a silver badge: these (no offense guys with "65's") are the sweet ones with the warmer tone and breakup! that's the upside. there is also a downside to having the 12ax7 PI in a low percentage risk toward output section failure (see the posts in the TUBE topic under the thread about "care of 12ax7...." for more complete information on this subject). enjoy your new amp, man. ed s. | ||
| Edward Solberg (edward_solberg) Username: edward_solberg Registered: 05-2006 |
oops, my bad. you said you had the model WITHOUT the PI tube. not to worry, most of what I wrote still applies to your amp. [I think I may need to get a new prescription on my glasses, man!] ed |