Fender Twin Reverb II static??

[chrisxx]

I hope someone can help.....

I have a mid-eighties Fender Twin Reverb II that's making me nuts.

It's been moved/stored 5 times in the last ten years but the last time I used it everything was fine. I plugged it in recently and got sheer, consistent static every time I play a note or even bump it. It's NOT the spring reverb noise, just static. I've used Caig Deoxit on every possible contact point (pots, speaker connections, toggles, inputs etc...) but without result.

I guess all that's left are the transformers and tubes. The 3 power tubes look to be performing normally emitting a bright blue color when on/hot. I have not removed the covers from the other tubes as I don't know what to look for other than inconsistency in color when hot. Can anyone tell me if the static problem IS in fact tubes? If so, how do I know which one is bad? I don't have a tester as I think they went the way of the nickel Coke. Also, do these tubes retain a charge like a TV tube and can the tube pins oxidize?

Any informative comments would be most appreciated.

Thanks sincerely for taking the time to assist!

Chrisxx
chrisxx@earthlink.net

[Enzo]

Pull the covers off. Wiggle each tube, and also tap on them with a pencil or your fingernail. If any are loose in their sockets or otherwise making intermittant contact, you'll hear them react.

Use a rubber mallet or your fist and hit the end of the chassis. Does this make noise? Helps expose loose contacts.

Look for loose hardware. Pull the knobs. ANy controls have a loose nut? In any case, loosen each control nut and each jack nut and then retighten then firm. This will refresh the contact with the panel/chassis.

Wiggle the rear covers of all the controls, any respond?

Make sure the mounting bolts for all the transformers are tight.

With the amp running on your bench and connected to a speaker somewhere, use an insulated probe - fancy talk for a stick, in fact a chopstick works great - and tap on each part on the part board. SHove them side to side a little even. Also wiggle the wires to the tube sockets and to the controls. ANyone react?

At various places along the front of the part board little bare wires will come out and solder to the chassis. Any of them coming loose? Wiggle them, any react?

Now all the above is for "static" that only happens when sound from the speaker vibrates things. In other words, unplug the internal speaker and connect the amp to a remote cab and the problem is gone, yes?

If static just goes continuous, even without a guitar, then it is a different problem.

[Jag]

Are you sure there are only 3 power tubes?

[chrisxx]

Fender static...

Jag,

My apologies...there are actually $ power tubes. Any thoughts?

Enzo,

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll give them all a try.

Thanks again!

Chrisxx

P. S. I'm new to the forum so I hope I'm doing this correctly.

[chrisxx]

Fender static...

Sorry if this is a duplicate! I'm new to the forum.

Jag,

My apologies...ther are 4 power tubes. Any thoughts?

Enzo,

Thanks for your suggestions...I'll try them all.

Thanks again!

Chrisxx

[Don Moose]

If you open one of your own posts, there is an 'edit' button that lets you make corrections.

When done, look for the 'save' button to commit the changes.

Hope this helps!