57 deluxe - volume problem?

newi123

So I recently bought a 57 custom deluxe. I'd swear it's lost some volume since I've had it - maybe 2 months.

I run it with a princeton 68, and when I bought the deluxe it seemed as loud if not slightly louder than the princeton. Now the princeton seems significantly louder. So I don't think its that I've just adjusted to the deluxe volume.

What if anything could cause this? All help appreciated before talking to the shop or recruiting a tech.

Thanks!

ICBM

A dying valve is the most likely.

newi123

I've swapped the power valves - would a preamp or rectifier have a similar effect? Cheers......

ICBM

newi123 said:

I've swapped the power valves - would a preamp or rectifier have a similar effect? Cheers......

It could do. Have a close look at the rectifier - there should be two filaments, like a preamp valve. If only one is working that would reduce the volume a bit, but also probably cause hum. If both are working it's probably OK.

The same with the preamp valves, but I would expect both to look OK - if either had a dead half, either one channel wouldn't work at all, or the whole amp wouldn't. But loss of gain/performance is also a possibility.

newi123

Ok - I do think it's down a bit on gain too!

Thanks for your help. Always appreciated!

57Deluxe

sorry - do I need to speak up??

PinstripePhil

What speaker was in it? Jensen Alnico, Cel Blues, etc, drop volume when they break in. And then become unusable outside of a studio. Suggest you put a Cel G12H30 in there.  Strong chance it will solve the problem.   

ICBM

PinstripePhil said:

What speaker was in it? Jensen Alnico, Cel Blues, etc, drop volume when they break in.

I've never come across that, ever - if anything they increase in volume as the cone loosens up.

RiftAmps

ICBM said:

PinstripePhil said:

What speaker was in it? Jensen Alnico, Cel Blues, etc, drop volume when they break in.

I've never come across that, ever - if anything they increase in volume as the cone loosens up.

+1 on what @ICBM said.

newi123

ICBM said:

PinstripePhil said:

What speaker was in it? Jensen Alnico, Cel Blues, etc, drop volume when they break in.

I've never come across that, ever - if anything they increase in volume as the cone loosens up.

Seemed to gain a bit when I swapped the rectifier valve.

Hadn't considered speakers getting louder. The bench mark for how loud the deluxe is is the princeton. But I have changed the speaker in the princeton, so maybe that's got louder with a bit of use rather than the deluxe losing volume. 

Gassage

You do realise the two vol controls are interactive?

newi123

Gassage said:

You do realise the two vol controls are interactive?

Yes - plugged into the instrument input - the Mic volume actually makes it quieter if the Mic volume is up full. Is that correct?

Gassage

newi123 said:

Gassage said:

You do realise the two vol controls are interactive?

Yes - plugged into the instrument input - the Mic volume actually makes it quieter if the Mic volume is up full. Is that correct?

Yes, c 75% is full dirt on the unused pot, IIRC>

munckee

As a comparison how are they. I'm currently still in love with my 68 Princeton but always fancied a tweed deluxe. 

newi123

Gassage said:

newi123 said:

Gassage said:

You do realise the two vol controls are interactive?

Yes - plugged into the instrument input - the Mic volume actually makes it quieter if the Mic volume is up full. Is that correct?

Yes, c 75% is full dirt on the unused pot, IIRC>

That sounds about right - cheers!

newi123

munckee said:

As a comparison how are they. I'm currently still in love with my 68 Princeton but always fancied a tweed deluxe. 

I'm actually much preferring the 68! 

Modulus_Amps

newi123 said:

 But I have changed the speaker in the princeton, so maybe that's got louder with a bit of use rather than the deluxe losing volume. 

When did you change the speaker and what did you put it, that could easily be the issue.

newi123

Changed for an eminence rajun cajun three months or so ago - has been gigged regularly since then, so it's prob wearing in nicely.