1972 Ampeg VT-22

[leewall6165]

I have a 1972 Ampeg VT-22 that I just got cleaned up and the tubes are new but when I plug in the guitar it breaks up with a very noisy static.wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what could be causing this.new speaker wire and guitar cord.still the same result.

[acorkos]

make sure you have plugged the speaker cable into the main speaker jack and not the extension speaker jack

[Intergalactic Tourister]

What is meant by cleaned?

If with water, let it dry off first.

Also, while/if your waiting:

*Following the bread crumb trail back through what was changed and "cleaned" and inspect it.

*Perhaps try putting your old tubes back in and test it.

*Double check the wiring and components to make sure you didn't knock anything loose or forgot to reattach something.

Sorry, I'm sure you tried all that but I'd need more info on what was exactly done to the amp.

[leewall6165]

make sure you have plugged the speaker cable into the main speaker jack and not the extension speaker jack

done that too.

[g1]

Whenever I have this problem with mine, it is almost always dirty/oxidized preamp tube sockets/pins.

[leewall6165]

how do you clean them out? some kind of spray I assume?

[leewall6165]

I took it to a electronic repair shop and had him clean up the components and wiring.it sat around on a shelf for about 5 years.it worked last time I used it but it needed to be dusted out.it was never tried out and it only cost me about 60 dollars.the tubes are new as in never really been used much even though they're about 15 years old.I don't think that's the problem.I may have to take it back and plug in the guitar to show him what's going on.

[olddawg]

The rocker switches on these old Ampegs are notorious for causing all kinds of havoc. The VT 22 is the same amp as the V2 head.

[nashvillebill]

The VT 22 is the combo version of the V4, at least that's what's on my V4 schematic. Isn't the VT40 the combo version of the V2? (They numbered them kinda backwards it appears...)

[Intergalactic Tourister]

Oh, so a repair man cleaned it out.

In that case its probably not the tubes then (but a good thing to try anyway).

Other than the dust, and the info you posted, all I can say is it might be a just a bad cap somewhere. Also, if it was dirty enough warrant a good cleaning I'd suspect that a wire could have oxidized a bit causing a semi conducting effect. I don't know if your looking inside the amp yourself but check for corrosion on wires and connections... not to mention solder joints that look stale or cracked.

These are just some first steps you could do in your situation without really needlessly jacking with the amps components.

[Intergalactic Tourister]

I personally wouldn't use a spray- yet.

Look at all the pins to see if there oxidized (check the tubes pins as well). And if they are use a toothpick, which would be sufficient for now, to rub the pins down. And then check if it sounds better. If it does, then clean the pins even more.

[Thebluesman]

Oh, so a repair man cleaned it out.

In that case its probably not the tubes then (but a good thing to try anyway).

Other than the dust, and the info you posted, all I can say is it might be a just a bad cap somewhere. Also, if it was dirty enough warrant a good cleaning I'd suspect that a wire could have oxidized a bit causing a semi conducting effect. I don't know if your looking inside the amp yourself but check for corrosion on wires and connections... not to mention solder joints that look stale or cracked.

These are just some first steps you could do in your situation without really needlessly jacking with the amps components.

Hi guys,

Warning: SAFETY FIRST, Just keep in mind that if you are checking for loose connections or wires, there are high voltage present (appr. 300VAC) in those amps even if the power is off you might get zap. Let a tech do the job if you aren't sure what you're doing.

[Gtr_tech]

More like ~500vdc.....

[Thebluesman]

More like ~500vdc.....

Yes, you're right! up to 545Vdc at the output transfer.