blown capacitator?

TragicTravisty · Post by **TragicTravisty** » 30 Nov 2008, 17:03

Hi, i picked up a traynor mark 3 yesterday (250$), but its distorting really unpleasantly. When the master volume channel has the preamp cranked, no matter where the master is, its got this distortion. When i crank the non-master volume channel, its there too, and its also very quiet for an amp thats supposed to be as loud as the twin. The distortion sounds like very bad solid state distortion, and its not dynamic at all. Whats my problem?

soulsonic · Post by **soulsonic** » 01 Dec 2008, 06:54

I'm currently repairing one of these that seems to have some sort of similar problems. I'll let you know how it goes.
First off, you should check the tubes; that's always the most likely to fail first.

TragicTravisty · Post by **TragicTravisty** » 01 Dec 2008, 16:17

ok, ill try the preamp tubes in my bassman to start. What does a bad cap sound like? also, on the master volume channel, the problem area seems to be coming before the power amp, and after the tone stack. it might be the reverb or tremelo i guess... but its also on the non-master channel... the tubes are original mullards, they all light up, but ill give it a shot none the less. its at least half as quiet as my bassman... so if this thing is putting out less than 5 watts, there's definitely something wrong.

if the tubes are working, whats the next probable place to look?

TragicTravisty · Post by **TragicTravisty** » 01 Dec 2008, 16:20

by the way, i could definitely tell that the volumes from the channels were affecting each other (added brightness at either extreme), and that when in the non-master, non-effects channel, the signal was bleeding into the other channel. That might have been the design of the combo w/reverb tank though.

Fuzzer · Post by **Fuzzer** » 01 Dec 2008, 17:21

In my experience, problems with filter caps reflect in a loud hum, and sometimes ghost notes as you play, also a very stiff and bass-lacking tone from the amp.

You can take a look at them, to check that none of them are leaking any fluid, or with the little blisters on the tops.

soulsonic · Post by **soulsonic** » 18 Dec 2008, 02:56

Check out my post in the Marshall SLP thread... it looks like the Traynor Mark 3 I'm working on has a dead output transformer.
Looks like you should test the transformer in yours and see if maybe that's what's wrong with yours too.

TragicTravisty · Post by **TragicTravisty** » 19 Dec 2008, 05:08

i'll go check your post, but how do i test it? (any recommended and free reading for an amp noob?) also, how much will a good transformer cost? im seeing minimum prices of around 70$, but how much will paying more benefit my amp? thanks for keeping me posted.

TragicTravisty · Post by **TragicTravisty** » 19 Dec 2008, 05:18

i checked that thread, and read that article. looks like im finally getting a multimeter

. by the way, the guy w/the marshal said it sounded fine but quiet.... mine sounds like shit and quiet. what does this mean?