Fender Bassman microphonic issue!

Fender Amp Discussion

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

Post Reply
Retrorod
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 15, 2023 9:36 pm

Fender Bassman microphonic issue!

Post by Retrorod »

I did a full Ecap replacement on a '68-'69 dripedge Bassman. It is an AC568 circuit although the tube chart is stamped AB165. I added a bias adjustment trimpot to the balance pot. I left the circuit stock.
My voltages seem to be running correctly. All new tubes installed. The issue I am having is extreme microphonics in V3. A loud ping when tapping the tube and chassis. Much more than normal. Changing the tube does not help. I do not get any crackling noise on the board such as a bad solder joint would cause.
I am running out of ideas on the cause.
Can anyone give me some help?
WhopperPlate
Posts: 1127
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:04 am
Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Re: Fender Bassman microphonic issue!

Post by WhopperPlate »

How many tubes did you swap in? Brand new ? Helps to get them ordered tested for microphonics and noise. Wouldn’t be the first time a new tube was pinging out the gate.

What brand tubes? Fwiw I have found tungsols to be very prone to microphonics, also sensitive to parasitic oscillations . Always have much better luck with JJ

Sometimes a wire resring against the chassis can be very microphonic, especially pvc solid core , but I usually find thats the case in long leads in higher gain circuits. Trainwreck comes to mind.

Once I discovered a faulty potentiometer that was microphonic believe it or not

What brand of caps did you use? I have found similarly microphonic and parasitic oscillation sensitivity with F&T caps.

Might not be any one thing , and a perfect storm of components, but who knows until you sort it out.

Hope this gives you some food for thought
Charlie
Stevem
Posts: 5144
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:01 pm
Location: 1/3rd the way out one of the arms of the Milkyway.

Re: Fender Bassman microphonic issue!

Post by Stevem »

I have had my share of new tubes that were microphonic, so as posted above you should review that possibility.

Also if you pass enough gain thru even a new Disc type cap you can talk into them as if they where a microphone.

Any original caps like these should be suspect of creating the issue you have.

In any Fender the first thing I do just for the sake of tone no less microphonics is to replace that cheap PI input cap with a orange drop type.
When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!

Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
Retrorod
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 15, 2023 9:36 pm

Re: Fender Bassman microphonic issue!

Post by Retrorod »

Well, I did put a new JJ in V3 and it is significantly quieter than any of the new Mullard tubes. Go figure.
WhopperPlate
Posts: 1127
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:04 am
Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Re: Fender Bassman microphonic issue!

Post by WhopperPlate »

Retrorod wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 4:32 pm Well, I did put a new JJ in V3 and it is significantly quieter than any of the new Mullard tubes. Go figure.
Tubes are no.1 usual suspect
Charlie
Post Reply