Fender Studio Lead Guitar Amp problem

[pronouncedeyen]

Hi - total guitar electronics newbie here so be kind.

I got an 80s era Fender Studio Lead 125W guitar amp from a neighbor who said "it just needs to be soldered". Well that neighbor is now gone and I don't have a clue. I tried it out with my guitar and it doesn't put out any sound at all when the channel select knob is on channel 1 but it puts out a tiny bit of distorted sound when it's on channel 2. I took the rack out of the amp and took a look at the board. I was hoping a wire would be loose but no such luck.

Does anyone know if this is a common problem? Is one connection on the PC board usually responsible for this kind of problem?

Another question: what is the long rectangular thing in the bottom of the case that plugs into the board from underneath with 2 gray RCA connectors? It's wrapped in vinyl and I have absolutely no idea what that would be!

[Enzo]

It is your spring reverb pan ( some call it a reverb tank). It is what makes the reverb sound.


Your loss of sound could be numerous things. If the amp has an effects loop, plug a spare cord from effects send jack to effects return jack directly. ANy help?

[52 Bill]

Does anyone know if this is a common problem? Is one connection on the PC board usually responsible for this kind of problem?

Another question: what is the long rectangular thing in the bottom of the case that plugs into the board from underneath with 2 gray RCA connectors? It's wrapped in vinyl and I have absolutely no idea what that would be!

Welcome to the place.

First off there are as many ways for an amp to fail as there are ways for it to work, so there is no simple answer. In the maintanence section, read the sticky post about break jacks and see if that helps. Check the speakers and wires.

Also turn on the amp and try giving the it a good Enzo whack to see if there is something loose that will cause the signal to return when it is vibrated by a mechanical thump.

And turn down the reverb control before you thump it or it may make a very loud crashing sound when the reverb tank/springs that are mounted in a metal tank inside the bag on the bottom of the case is shaken up. In fact if the reverb tank does make a loud crash when the amp is thumped, that will prove that the power amp is working.

Edit: Yeah, what Enzo said.

[Jazz P Bass]

First off there are as many ways for an amp to fail as there are ways for it to work, so there is no simple answer.

Awesome statement.

[52 Bill]

Awesome statement.

Enzo and I were simul-posting, that must have been something that he was thinking and got channeled to my post.

[Enzo]

In my case it is usually more like a drain than a channel...