contact cleaner or isopropyl alcohol for tube contacts?

[tempus fugit]

Hey all;

I've got a scratchy noise in my tube guitar amp. I suspect it's emanating
somewhere from the power amp section, as it is present in both channels, and
doesn't increase in volume when the volume is turned up. Before I get into
replacing anything, I thought I'd try cleaning the tube contacts and
reseating the tubes to see if that helps. Should I use contact cleaner or
alcohol (or something else) to clean them?

Thanks

 

[Tom Biasi]

"tempus fugit" <toccata@quitspammingme.ciaccess.com> wrote in message
news:56818$4711882d$d1d89b53$19280@PRIMUS.CA...

Hey all;

I've got a scratchy noise in my tube guitar amp. I suspect it's emanating
somewhere from the power amp section, as it is present in both channels,
and
doesn't increase in volume when the volume is turned up. Before I get into
replacing anything, I thought I'd try cleaning the tube contacts and
reseating the tubes to see if that helps. Should I use contact cleaner or
alcohol (or something else) to clean them?

Thanks

Here is some info for you:
http://www.harpamps.com/micKdiy/Retensioning-Sockets.html

Tom

 

[Rich Grise]

On Sat, 13 Oct 2007 23:07:49 -0400, tempus fugit wrote:

I've got a scratchy noise in my tube guitar amp. I suspect it's emanating
somewhere from the power amp section, as it is present in both channels, and
doesn't increase in volume when the volume is turned up. Before I get into
replacing anything, I thought I'd try cleaning the tube contacts and
reseating the tubes to see if that helps. Should I use contact cleaner or
alcohol (or something else) to clean them?

All you should need to do is pull them out and plug them back
in - that should break through the oxide. If they're visibly
corroded, then you might need more heroic measures.

Also, get some contact cleaner and clean all of the pots and
any switches that aren't sealed.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[shaq]

On Oct 14, 12:58 pm, Rich Grise <r...@example.net> wrote:

On Sat, 13 Oct 2007 23:07:49 -0400, tempus fugit wrote:

I've got a scratchy noise in my tube guitar amp. I suspect it's emanating
somewhere from the power amp section, as it is present in both channels, and
doesn't increase in volume when the volume is turned up. Before I get into
replacing anything, I thought I'd try cleaning the tube contacts and
reseating the tubes to see if that helps. Should I usecontact cleaneror
alcohol (or something else) to clean them?

All you should need to do is pull them out and plug them back
in - that should break through the oxide. If they're visibly
corroded, then you might need more heroic measures.

Also, get somecontact cleanerand clean all of the pots and
any switches that aren't sealed.

Good Luck!
Rich

There is a product that works wonders on connections, pots and
switches. Dissolves the oxidation (without harm to metals) and
actually improves the connections. Go to www.deoxit.com
I use it on everything from my audio/video stuff, batteries, light
bulbs and computers - even my cell phone connections.
Mike