ACOUSTIC 165 sounds bad

[JHow]

Is what you are calling "V2" the reverb driver? Specifically, are pins 1-2-3 the reverb input? I ask because the 86 volts on the plate looked low relative to the other triodes, but I wasn't sure which one is V1, V2, etc. I didn't see a label on the schematic. Also, which tube did you end up using, 12AT7 or 12AX7?

V2 (12AX7) P1:86v P2:-21mV P3:0.8v P6:220v P7:0.3-2.2 (oscillating) P8:1.7v P9:2.7v

[plook]

Thanks for all the kind help on this. I eventually nailed the problem to bad 40+40@500 can filter caps and as for the reverb, that was due to two of the three springs being broken, so have a new pan on order.

I don't have a footswitch though and if anyone can give me any details on making one that would be great. I want to make it from walnut to match the cab and would need a picture to work from and schematic of how to wire it up. The switches i think: reverb, EQ, channel 1+2.

[J M Fahey]

Unfortunately, I remember very well them being farty.
Sorry.
They *could* be equalized into something better, but you had to experiment quite a bit.
Oh well.
"Farty" usually means too much bass before distortion, so probably lowering coupling cap values before the distorting stage usually helps ... but you'll have to work on it.
Good luck.

[Gtr_tech]

Oh yes......very farty. Prolly a combination of too much low end thru the preamp stages and too much overall gain at each stage causing intermittant stage cutoff. The real estate is there to make something that sounds good tho....

[Jazz P Bass]

Nothing inherently special about the footswitch circuit.
Vol 1&2, Reverb & Graphic all use an On/Off maintained pushbutton switch.
Three switches wired up to a common ground.
Link: Carling Tech: Pushbutton Switches

[tone165]

165 Combo> i am have similar problem with my Acoustic 165. All new tube were installed, sockets cleaned, pots and eq sliders cleaned,jacks sprayed and cleaned. The amp started out fine then the output volume dropped with vol.1 and vol.2, also the EQ is not boosting frequencies, instead when sliders go up it seems to be cutting freqs. vs. the flat position.
Plook you mention replacing the 40+40uf cap can(s) what did you replace them with?
I hope someone on this topic can help fix this amp. I have owned this since new (1980),not heavy use and closet stored it in a road case for 5+ years.