originalskankster

I bought the VS265R combo amp from my older brother about 2 months ago.
(it's a 2x12 hybrid combo amp which basically means it has one preamp tube.)
he recently got it back from the shop after it wouldn't recognize a guitar plugged in, but that's not important, that was fixed.
-About a month ago, my amp starting crackling and popping while i was playing it, and sometimes it would just make a loud hum/buzzing noise after a little while but once i turned it off and turned it back on all the problems went away.
-But, about a week ago, whenever i turned it on, i'd wait for the tube to warm up like usual, but the only thing that happens is the obnoxiously loud humming/buzzing sound. I've never used a tube amp, or an amp with a tube in it so it might be that, but i took it apart and didn't notice any problems (but i'm not amp tech)
anyone who could help me, please email me or reply to this or something. i want to get this fixed myself so i don't have to pay a million dollars to have a shop work on it for me

zeusecho

Try a new preamp tube, they don't necessarily "look" bad when they go. If it's not that you may need a tech.

I like the Tung Sol 12AX7 I got from Doug's Tubes in my DSL.

12AX7 Preamp Tubes

__________________
Marshall DSL50
H&K Switchblade 50W Combo
Line6 4x12 (Hellatone 30s and 60s X pattern)

Gibson LP Custom
ESP MH-301
Merz Custom Acoustic
Taylor 355ce 12 String

originalskankster

thanks for the advice.
i'm taking it to my friend who owns a shop down the road to take a look at it for me.
he won't charge me for looking at it so i have nothing to lose.
but i have a question about the tube you showed me.
i was planning on buying a tung-sol anyway, but what's the difference between standard test and balanced triodes?
i'm assuming the bal. triodes are better because they're a little more expensive.
but i'm not sure.

zeusecho

The balanced triodes are only for the Phase Inverter (PI) spot (wich that is not on the Valvestate) and from what I have heard you don't even need to use them in the PI becuase a slight imbalance is good.

So no, don't get balanced triodes.

__________________
Marshall DSL50
H&K Switchblade 50W Combo
Line6 4x12 (Hellatone 30s and 60s X pattern)

Gibson LP Custom
ESP MH-301
Merz Custom Acoustic
Taylor 355ce 12 String

originalskankster

ok, thanks.
and i took it to that guy i told you about.
he said it's probably not the tube but that capacitors.
and he gave me this guy's card to call who is apparently really good with that stuff.
and although i was trying to avoid it, i thin i may have to pay around 50-100 dollars to get it fixed

zeusecho

Good luck with it man. You may want to try some different tubes in there either way since it's pretty easy to do (should be able to do it yourself) and relatively cheap.

Give the Tung Sol, Shuguang, and Penta from Doug's tubes a try. You may like what one them will do for the tone.

12AX7 Preamp Tubes

__________________
Marshall DSL50
H&K Switchblade 50W Combo
Line6 4x12 (Hellatone 30s and 60s X pattern)

Gibson LP Custom
ESP MH-301
Merz Custom Acoustic
Taylor 355ce 12 String