Vox AD120VT Owners??

popmerchant · Post by **popmerchant** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:51 pm

Hey all... wasn't sure where to post this.

I was wondering if anyone else has a Vox Valvetronix AD120VT combo. I ask because I have had mine for a couple of years now, but recently I've been having a problem with it. I wanted to see if anyone else has had the same type of problem.

Here's the deal... I can be playing my RIC though it, or any guitar, and it will suddenly go silent! No sound at all! I switch sound banks, and nothing. however, I can still use the tuner, which I thought was weird. Then, just as abruptly as the sound went away, it'll come back! Sometimes if I hit the amp on the top, or side, with my hand that will jolt the sound back, but even that doesn't work every time.

Has anyone else experienced a similar issue with the AD120VT??

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:20 am

Sounds like a cold solder joint somewhere. I have the AD60VT.

popmerchant · Post by **popmerchant** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:39 am

I've never really done much stuff with fixing amps or anything, so would that be something I could...

1. See easily if I opened up the amp?
2. Fix it myself?

I just hate to take it in to the shop for something simple, that I, or a friend with better skills, could fix up ourselves.

Thanks for the info, though!

325_fan · Post by **325_fan** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:16 am

I'd do a little exploration if it were mine. Take apart what you can easily put back together and look for unusual loose wiring.

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:30 am

Before taking it apart, try cleaning and lubing all the input and output jacks on the amp. Use a good electronics cleaner and run a plug in and out of each jack several times. Don't forget the headphone out. This is usually the main culprit. It oxidizes and then cuts out the speaker. I have the AD120VTH head and it has similar issues. I clean and lube all the jacks (inputs, phones, line outs and speaker outs) at least once a month.

...Dean

popmerchant · Post by **popmerchant** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:02 pm

I'll definitely check and clean all the jacks. Do they sell cleaner specifically for cleaning audio jacks like that??

Thanks for all the advice so far everyone!!

mdbuck · Post by **mdbuck** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:05 pm

What Bitzerguy and Popmerchant said...

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:12 am

They sell potentiometer cleaner/lube. Usually a spray. I'm not sure of brand names, but any decent electronic supply house has it.

...Dean

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:20 pm

One other thing that I could think of is that there is a 12AX7 tube in the circuit somewhere (I have the head version of the amp but have not poked around the insides yet) - it's supposed to last a long, long time, but if you have access to a tube tester, it might be worth checking while you're going through the cleaning procedure.

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 8:37 am

Good thought Gary.

The AD120's have 2 x 12AX7 tubes. 1 for each power amp section (left and right). Mine are over three years old now, and play every night for minimum three hours (6-8 per night on weekends). But all tubes are not alike, and testing them cannot hurt at all.

...Dean

icabod · Post by **icabod** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 8:56 am

Try Caig Laboratories DeoxIT D5..cleans connectors, pots, contacts, etc. I use it to clean the pots in my QSC amps when the pots crackle, and works wonders. I get it from a sound co. in Toronto I deal with, but Caig is www.caig.com ...good luck

popmerchant · Post by **popmerchant** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:21 am

Thanks everyone! Looks like just cleaning out the phones and effects jacks in the back of the amp did the trick. It hasn't cut out on me since I've been doing that.

Thanks for all the tips!!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 3:45 pm

Glad to hear that all is well now, John.