bassman AA165 volume does not go to 0

[Glen G]

I am working on an old bassman aa165 according to the tube chart but component visually it resembles the lay out for an ab165. Any way on both the bass channel and the normall channel the volume will not go all the way to 0, at or around the #3 on the volume knob the volume will jump from barley audable to where it should be at 3 or 4 on the knob.

After checking every thing in the amp, voltages are correct all the resistors read within tollerance, the only thing I find is both volume controls remain around 32 to 36 ohms above ground. I suspect the contorls are bad?

Any help would be appriciated. Thanks

[52 Bill]

It could be bad or dirty pots. Try cleaning the pots with a little contact cleaner like Deoxit.

Also be sure to check the ground connections on the pots. Be sure the pots mounting nuts are tightened down securely.

[Glen G]

bassmann aa165 volume does not go to 0

Yep did all that, even metered the pots as I rotated them and it was smooth all the way through the span. pot gnd to chassis gnd dead short as it should be.

With the volume pot totaly disconnected, and in the volume off position there is 36 ohms on the normal channel and 32 ohms on the bass channel from the wiper to the grounded lug.

So I am guessing these should go all the way to 0? They are the original pots.

Thanks

[Mr. Droopy-Drawers]

Just for the heck of it, run a jumper lead from the pot ground terminal to chassis ground. Try it now. The pot may be flaky. Unless it is a rare vintage piece you want to keep original, swap the pot. If it is rare and collectible, take the pot apart and clean the carbon track with a good white rubber eraser. Then lube it again. You'll get it sooner or later.