Peavey Basic 60 Static

[olivero1]

Hello all.

I am new to this forum and I have searched for any brand amp that has my problem and I did not find anything. But I did notice that the users of this forum are very well informed and I hope that I can use your collective knowledge to help me out.

I have a Peavey Basic 60 and the volume will drop really low if I slap my bass really hard on the strings when I am playing. To get it back I have to slightly turn the Pre volume to get it back or sometimes it it will come back on its own. There is slight static when I turn the Pre, but nothing that makes me think that the potentiometer has carbon buildup or going bad. (I could be very wrong, though).

I have also run a pre-amp into the Power Input and it works great. So my thoughts are back to the Pre potentiometer again.

I have pulled the "head" out and it is very clean - no dust, cobwebs, critters, etc.

I really do not know much history on this amp, I have had for less than a month and was given to me by a family member who is leaving the country. When I picked it up he had in his garage, but I do not think it was kept there long.

Any thoughts what I can do to resolve this?

I was thinking of shooting some electrical cleaner into the potentiometer, but then found this board. I am pretty sure I can replace the part, I have the basic tools (meters, solder and iron and some time).

Thanks for your time and help!

[Gtr_tech]

CLeaning the pot(s) won't hurt. Is there a loop? It may be marked "preamp out" and "power amp in". If so, clean those jacks....they need to pass signal through the shorting contacts when no cables are plugged into them. If you're feeling brave, pull the board out and check for cracked solder joints.

[lowell]

yes follow gtr_tech's good advice. I've replaced many a pot to fix such an issue... if cleaner doesn't do it that is.

[olivero1]

CLeaning the pot(s) won't hurt. Is there a loop? It may be marked "preamp out" and "power amp in". If so, clean those jacks....they need to pass signal through the shorting contacts when no cables are plugged into them. If you're feeling brave, pull the board out and check for cracked solder joints.

Thanks for your reply. I have pulled the board and checked the solder joints. None are loose and their are no cold solder connections either.

I checked the loop connections and the contacts are clean and working properly. The shorting contacts are clean and have a good tight connection.

I also sprayed the pots and gave the board another good look.

I put the amp back together and have given it a good workout. The drops in volume have gone away!

BUT!

Now the pre pot has a swish sound when you turn it. Is it safe to say I have a future pot replacement ahead? If so, should I replace them all?

Thanks for all the input Gtr_tech and lowell!

[lowell]

sounds like it. i wouldn't replace any pots that aren't causing issues... the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy.

[olivero1]

sounds like it. i wouldn't replace any pots that aren't causing issues... the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy.

Good philosophy and is easy on the wallet!

THANKS!