Amp issue: what would you do?

[hamo]

Hey so, the controls on my Line 6 Spider Valve HD100 Mk2 are playing up, as I've mentioned elsewhere.

I have been doing some reading, and it seems like there is a bit of a known issue with the controls when you're playing with the master down really low, as I do for at-home playing. It's random volume drops, occasional switching into pedal edit mode (which doesn't affect the sound, just what's on the display screen), and if I touch the master (or sometimes when I don't), a loud pop or volume jump.

Now, I could take it to an amp tech, but I'm not sure if it would be a cheap fix, or if there even is a fix if this is a known issue. To be honest, I'm starting to think it would be easier to flick it on and try to find something simpler. If I sell it, I'll be up front about the issue, and I won't be expecting to get a lot for it, which will limit what I could replace it with.

Thoughts? What would you do in this situation?

[godgrinder]

Just put up with it.

If you turn the master up a bit and turn the channel volume lower does it still act up?

[hamo]

Just put up with it.

If you turn the master up a bit and turn the channel volume lower does it still act up?

Interesting take. Given my innate laziness and the amount of times a year that I actually get to fire the thing up, it might end up being the way I go...

[sizzlingbadger]

Sounds like a common issue on those amps. Several peeps have sent in for service and still have the issue too. When you mix DSP and valves in the same box you have design very carefully to avoid valve noise causing problems in the digital circuits. Could be time consuming and difficult for an amp tech to track down as most don't know much about DSP or have the tools to work with it.

I would either put up with it or use it as a good excuse to get a replacement amp. Go with something simple and cheap like a Jet City.

[sidewinder]

Jet City are great. If you're playing at such low volumes just get a Blackstar HT1 or HT5. If you still want to use a massive cab at the low volumes get the head version.

I look at it from the other angle, if you've only got limited time to play you best make the most of it, so sell that sucker (or at least get a fix quote).

[jeremyb]

Sell it, buy a boss katana, job done.

[willow13]

I would say go Jet City ... but um yeah nah

[Mattallica]

What about putting a cheapo volume pedal in the fx loop to bring the signal down so you can bring the master volume up?

Something like this: http://www.musicplanet.co.nz/electro-ha ... l-pad.html

Or even better, something that will eat a bit of noise too: http://www.musicplanet.co.nz/silencer-n ... encer.html

I use the silencer in the loop of a dark micro terror to make the master volume more usable at low settings

[hamo]

Yep, loved the Jet City, but been there done that, I'd still like something reasonably grunty with a good master volume. I've built up a decent set of pedals, and it feels a tad redundant with the onboard effects. Also, the channel volume is stored in the presets, so there can be quite a big jump/drop between them. I know the answer should be "spend some time setting it up properly", but I've kind of gone back to the same issue I had with the HD500 (and might have with the Katana) - too much tweaking, not enough playing.

I'd ideally like to try a really clean head like a Fender or a Jansen and smack it with pedals for dirt.

[godgrinder]

I'd ideally like to try a really clean head like a Fender or a Jansen and smack it with pedals for dirt.

Or a Holden. The thing with old amps is that you'd better drop it to a tech to eliminate all potential issues first than waiting until something blows up. So while they're cheap there's some hidden cost to it.

[willow13]

I think I have said this before but it still sounds to me like you don't actually know what tone you want.....work that out first before diving into getting anything

[hamo]

I think I have said this before but it still sounds to me like you don't actually know what tone you want.....work that out first before diving into getting anything

You'd think that, and you'd probably be right, but this thing has all the tones! I'm just finding it a bit fiddly and latterly temperamental. I could probably get around the problems by spending some more time setting things up, but I'm just not sure I have the patience. I mainly want lush cleans, southern rock dirt, and Master of Puppets gain on tap. I'd happily live with a Marshall JCM/DSL style amp, or what you have with the EVH, ultimately something like a Splawn or a Bogner or a Friedman or even a Mesa Dual Rec; but obviously none of these are in my non-existent budget... One day I'll get there.

I'm now a bit worried that it's damp in the room the amp lives. I'm going to chuck the dehumidifier in there, but might need to look into other ways to dry it out a bit.

[willow13]

look into other ways to dry it out a bit.

turn of all the effects?

[Molly]

Drop it and ask the insurance fairy for a new one.

[hamo]

Drop it and ask the insurance fairy for a new one.

We must be due another earthquake. Or at least a flood.

That makes me wonder though, when it comes to amps, what do insurance pay out for? If the kids dropped a cup of water on it? Dampness affecting the electronics? Cats pissing on it?