loud crackling problems - Crate V1512

[mpwicks]

I play through a Crate V1512 class A tube amp and need some help/advice.

Basically, whenever I play at moderate to high volume and/or gain, it starts crackling loudly. It reacts the same way if I turn everything down, unplug the instrument and just tap with my finger on top of the amp. It's pretty obnoxious.

Am I just dealing with some sort of loose connection, do I need to replace my tubes, or am I looking at something more serious?

Thanks,
matt

[Enzo]

If tapping the top of the amp triggers noise, then indeed there is something loose. It could be something in the amp on the circuit board, or it could be inside a tube, or it could be a tube socket.

Try tapping each tube individually, and wiggling each. If any are sensitive, they might be changed. How old are your power tubes?

And it might also be something inside needing solder. Most likely a large cement power resistor.

[mpwicks]

Replaced the tubes and the input jack, trouble seems to be gone now. Seemingly a simple problem with a simple fix.

Thanks for your advice Enzo, much appreciated.
matt