How to troubleshoot tube guitar amp noise using a dummy load resistor

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  • čas přidán 3. 06. 2019
  • A great Tech Tip from D-lab electronics. If you are planning to troubleshoot noise hiss buzz etc in your amplifier, make sure to utilize a dummy load resistor. If you use the internal amplifier speaker, the speaker can become a microphone, making everything appear sensitive, fooling you! The resistor technique snubs out that possibility. For your reference, you can use a low wattage type, since you are not applying much output. No need for a giant 100 watt resistor. I used 25 watt type, since I had a few spares around. Always be cautious when working around these high voltage devices. Have fun!

Komentáře • 84

  • @timbianco5325

    I never thought of that happening with the speaker… great video Terry thanks for sharing it

  • @donaldfilbert4832
    @donaldfilbert4832 Před 5 lety +8

    Excellent tip Terry !! I forgot that a speaker is also a microphone !!

  • @TheTrueVoiceOfReason
    @TheTrueVoiceOfReason Před 5 lety +2

    Mine came from a junkyard in the 70's. The owner, Fred, called it his "Big Dummy" load. He had his son Lamont get it for me.

  • @bcarr3116
    @bcarr3116 Před 5 lety +2

    Once again you taught a new tech tip. All the Best man. B

  • @gearheadted9210
    @gearheadted9210 Před 5 lety +11

    Thats really cool and totally makes sense thanks Dlab!

  • @kendavis8046
    @kendavis8046 Před 5 lety +2

    Dang, Terry, you are giving away all your secrets! Thanks, and since I don't do amp repairs in any form (other than watching you, and Uncle Doug, and El Paso Amps, and Brad, and some others that I won't mention in hopes of not offending anyone), I won't be a competitor. Thumbs up, as always.

  • @mastercheif117ize
    @mastercheif117ize Před 5 lety +1

    Thanks DLab! Great info on using a dummy load otherwise someone like myself could be running in circles!

  • @xmenken1
    @xmenken1 Před 5 lety +1

    What a genius! Even your voice could affect the readings.

  • @coteguitars8457
    @coteguitars8457 Před 5 lety +1

    Great tip. Been in the game for a while, still always love learning!

  • @FB-gm6el

    i'd like to see a video about the oscilloscope, basic operations/explainer, and a general overview as to how it pertains to tube amplifier testing/ maintenance. always been mysterious yet intriguing to me. thanks for all the great vids!

  • @jessferrera3155
    @jessferrera3155 Před 5 lety +4

    Now that’s a good tech tip right there. Thanks for sharing your discovery/knowledge on this!

  • @johnstitt2615
    @johnstitt2615 Před 5 lety +1

    Damn fine way of checking.

  • @chewbactimusprime
    @chewbactimusprime Před 5 lety +1

    Ok, gotta make myself a dummy load resistor now..

  • @gitcoach
    @gitcoach Před 5 lety +1

    Terry I have been watching your videos for some time and getting a lot of useful information. I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this no nonsense presentation. It was the best ever. Give us more like this. Thanks for sharing.

  • @fbloggs
    @fbloggs Před rokem

    Excellent tip! Many thanks for putting this video out there.

  • @randelcross
    @randelcross Před 5 lety +2

    Great tip d-lab... Love your process!.... I like to reproduce problems in troubleshooting that's why I'm diggin' this channel!! Excellent work Terry....

  • @ianbutler1983
    @ianbutler1983 Před 5 lety +1

    I never would have thought of that, thanks. I have filed it away in the deep recesses of my twisted mind.

  • @larrydering1598
    @larrydering1598 Před 4 lety

    That's great information and a clear demonstration of the best way to test. Thanks for posting this.

  • @Finom1
    @Finom1 Před 5 lety +6

    Hi Terry, thank you for another educational video.

  • @goodun6081
    @goodun6081 Před 5 lety +1

    Our test-panel systems at work (audio repair shop) have switching between dummy loads (4 or 8 ohm, selectable) and speakers ---- but the speakers are on a shelf four feet above the work bench, far enough away to be at least somewhat mechanically decoupled from the amp chassis and any microphone-like behavior is minimal; and therefore we can leave the speakers "on" when performing a tap test, and poking/prodding at the circuit board. We put a 400 hz tone through the amp so that noise spikes or pulses can be seen on the scope, and simultaneously use a distortion meter so we can look for a jump in distortion level as we do our tap test.