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So Ive had this problem awhile but it comes and goes...but Im sick of it now.

I usually have to have it cranked up to max gain or just below to get any decent signal. Also, it seems to just cut out every once in awhile. To get the signal to come back in I sometimes unplug and plug the mic back in...Ive even got the signal to come back by whacking the mic (an old mic lol) against something or screaming REALLY LOUD into it. I know that sounds crazy but its fkn true...I was hoping it was just the bad mic but its all my mics.

Is it maybe my mic cable? Do I have a tube or something out or loose in my Brick? Dont know much about tubes so any help would be most appreciated.

Also, I found a similar posting on SOS forums...I dont have a membership so I couldnt comment though. There didnt seem to be a clear solution.

http://www.soundons…"]Forum - GENERAL DISCUSSIONS : Music Recording Technology[/]="http://www.soundons…"]Forum - GENERAL DISCUSSIONS : Music Recording Technology[/]

THANKS!

Comments

hueseph Tue, 12/14/2010 - 21:31

Probably a cold solder point but it sounds like there might be something else. A capacitor going? How old is this preamp? At any rate the fortunate thing is that the Brick is made with decent components and they aren't micro sized so, it's easy to work with. IE: it's repairable. If you know of a decent electronics repair shop I bet they could fix it for you without a lot of trouble.

JLiRD808 Wed, 12/15/2010 - 05:39

Thanks guys! The Bricks about 3 yrs old...its been acting this way for about a year though.

Are u saying that if its a capacitor a basic electronics repair place could do it...not just an authorized GT repair place? I just google imaged what a swollen capacitor looks like (no electronics background) and will try to open it up and look tonite. I'll post a pic if Im unsure. I should just be able to replace that with another one from Radio Shack or something right?

And also...just to double check...Im not supposed to touch the tubes without gloves right?!

THANKS AGAIN!!

btw...it was working great last nite...for about 15 mins then plagued me the rest of the nite until I gave up.

fiddler59 Wed, 12/15/2010 - 11:00

I have been having the same problem with my Brick. I just gave up and stuck it in a corner. I have a Hamptone HVTP2 tube pre now and I am much happier......plus if something goes wrong it is infinitely easier to trouble shoot. I much prefer the sound of my Hamptone plus it has a lot more gain than the brick. It is more expensive but on a per channel basis it is not that much more expensive.

David B

JLiRD808 Wed, 12/15/2010 - 16:35

Link555, post: 359051 wrote: squiggly I like that...yep I can take a look at it no problem. I am in Canada though...the shipping is always interesting these days. Next time I am in your neck the wood you'll owe me a beer and some surfing ;)

Can I get ur address? Feel free to PM me...I opened it up but cant see whats going on lol...I see a very faint orange glow in each tube and thats it.

hueseph Wed, 12/15/2010 - 20:01

JLiRD808, post: 359033 wrote: LOL I have no idea what this means...was this meant for me? Also, u serious about me mailing it to u or u kidding? Im sorry Im kinda new around here...THX!!!

No. That was for me. Fortunately I'm not an electronic engineer or a hobbyist. I know how to build a distortion pedal that will blow up your amp though. If you're at all interested in that. Sounds great for about five minutes until the smell of smoke then the pop. After that there's no sound at all unfortunately. If I could only get an impulse model of those few minutes it would be awesome!

Yes. I'm kidding but no. I'm not kidding.

JLiRD808 Fri, 07/29/2011 - 19:34

Yeah I took it to Buddy Rogers Music repair guy. Theyre a Cincinnnati only music store chain...maybe not the "most reliable". We've got GC's here too...I could try them or just some electronics only spots.

I hope its capacitors...is there a sure fire way to check? Do they have to look swollen to be bad? They all kinda LOOK ok...but Im not an electronics expert.

THX!!!

hueseph Sun, 07/31/2011 - 13:43

Ok. That makes sense actually. A capacitor is supposed to hold a charge. If it's going, it may discharge too soon. So when you unplug the mic, it give the capacitor the time to charge up again. Even if it only takes a few milliseconds. When the mic is plugged in, there's a continuous draw so your volume drops. Somebody is probably going to come in and correct me soon. Hopefully they will if I am wrong. That makes a whole lot of sense to me though.

JLiRD808 Fri, 08/05/2011 - 09:47

LOL ^^

Well I'm super sad to say that the problem persists!! I plugged it back in when I got home and.....same fkn problem :mad::mad::mad: IT STILL CUTS IN AND OUT!!

I ordered a new 6205 tube since I know that the last repair tech did NOT replace that tube. If that doesn't work, I'm gonna replace the xlr output. I'm also getting in touch with this electronics guy again....this sucks!!

hueseph Fri, 08/05/2011 - 13:04

I hope you didn't pay him. If you did, get your money back. His job was not done. Did he bother to get his multi-tester out? I would dare risk shipping it to Link. I know he is a capable electrician. I've seen his work. He's meticulous. I realize it may seem like a risk but, I assure you it's better off in his hands than in the hands of some high school graduate who took a hobby shop class.

JLiRD808 Fri, 08/05/2011 - 16:18

We've sent some really cool emails back n forth...basically I can bring it back for free and he's got some other ideas what it could be. It was his assistant that did the work and now he's willing to take a personal look at it himself.

Is Link the guy in Vancouver? We sent a couple PM's back n forth about 6months ago regarding this lol...THX!!!