M-8E with some problems...

[unknowndude]

Hey, I don't know a whole lot about the world of guitar amps, so bear with me.

Anyway, I recently got out my mom's old M-8E, that she got as a child in the early 60's. Anyway, from browsing this site it seems like it should be a decent amp, but this one starts making a farty, buzzing noise at any point at or above 3, which definately isn't normal. It's similar to the sounds of other amps with messed up speakers, so I'm assuming the speaker has to go (which is an original Jensen, by the looks of it).

Could anything else be causing additional problems? There are 3 different tubes, a 12AX7 and two larger ones. The larger ones have pins in the bottom missing, which seems odd- is this normal? I guess that, considering its age I should take it to a shop and have all of its components cleaned out and wiring checked to ensure everything's working. One of the inputs doesn't work.

If it needs a new speaker (8" I think), what is reccomended as a replacement? The closest new replacement seems to be the Jensen Alnico, but it's pricey. Could I try others, what would work well? Also, what tubes should be used as replacements?

Thanks!

[tracy]

Best to have it checked out by a good tech. Might not be the speaker at all. Internal components can cause this symptom as well. So can tubes. Don't be hasty to dump the tubes though. I've got plenty of 50 year old tubes that have alot of life left. Missing tube pins are normal on octals (like how you tell the difference between a 5Z4 and a 5AR4 if the numbers are gone, or between a 6V6 and a 6K6). M8E's are cool; not too loud but feisty. Good luck with it!