Laney VC30-210 intermittent volume drop

Voxman

Was playing my VC30 today and a couple of times the volume dropped for a while and then came back.  Valves all glowing normally.  

Any thoughts as to why this happened?  I was going to take to a band practice but now I'm nervous about the amp's reliability? 

midlifecrisis

Not had this with my vc30 but had it with other amps. First try a patch lead in the send and return. If it doesn't happen set like this it may just need cleaning the send/return sockets. A squirt of switch cleaner on a jack plug and insert in and out a few times. 

ICBM

The VC30 FX loop won't do that - it's the one advantage of the otherwise totally crap loop that Laney use.

First thing to check is the preamp valves - it won't be a power valve. Relace each preamp valve in turn with a known good one. If it's an intermittent problem it may be difficult to positively identify though.

Voxman

Cheers guys - @ICBM I'll check the pre-amp tubes - I might actually treat it to a new set.   How easy is it to convert it to a better effect loop (presumably you mean series?)?

ICBM

Not too difficult. You need to remove the resistor in the dry path and either just keep a patch cable in the loop when you're not using it, or connect the jack switches. It's also possible to bypass the level pot when the loop isn't in use if you want to get really clever, although that does need a bit more fiddling.

Voxman

Thanks @ICBM ;