...Right here's the situation :(

I have a Hot Rod III Deluxe, and have had it for about 6-7 Months... But Ii have started to notice a rattle that seems to be coming from the two valves? I don't know if they are valves or what but they rattle, quite a bit and I want to know what to do to stop it (be it replacing or fixing).

They have some sort of foam around them which I presume is to help stop rattles and vibrations but... it doenst do anything :confused:

Here is a pic from another user, hope he or she doesnt mind me using is but the layout is the same so here goes...

HELP ME!

There might be a loose chassis screw hanging around up there. Which could mean that the seperate tube circuit board could be loose. Remove that back panel, its all very open and laid out inside there.

BTW awesome thermal pic whoever took it.

Okay I'll be sure to check that out, Thanks! :)

I have an older Hot Rod Deluxe and I find things loosen up, especially if you crank it up. I've put lock washers on what I can. Keeps the rattles down and they don't come loose as much.

If it is coming through your speakers it could be the output valves. Get a screwdriver. Turn your amp on without the guitar plugged in. Take it out of standby and turn it up to performance volume. Tap the output tubes on the glass with the screwdriver. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE BUT THE GLASS. Any tube, including preamplifier tubes will make a small noise. If it sounds like a kickdrum, you have a badly microphonic tube and both output tubes need to be replaced. You can check the preamplifier tubes the same way. Those often howl as opposed to rattle.

Use a chopstick or a wooden spoon if you don't want to risk electrocution or shattering the tube. Keep one hand in your pocket anytime you go dinking around the electrical areas of your amp. Better safe than fried!

guitarist=moth
back of amp=bug zapper

Use a chopstick or a wooden spoon if you don't want to risk electrocution or shattering the tube. Keep one hand in your pocket anytime you go dinking around the electrical areas of your amp. Better safe than fried!

I thought using a screwdriver was slightly risky!

I thought using a screwdriver was slightly risky!

You can use a regular one and tap the tube with the plastic handle end.
Just make sure the metal of the screwdriver doesn't touch anything inside the amp, or you'll risk getting zapped.

Taking a wooden stick, rod, dowel will be safer.

Those amps have relatively small sockets and the tubes loosen up easily. So I too would check there - I wouldnt tap around with a screwdriver even held by the plastic handle etc. Its gonna end up with some pain. Use a wooden chopstick. I too would check the output tubes frist and then the preamp tubes.

If its not the tubes and you find any loose components - loosened up sockets or screws - a dab or three of fingernail polish on the nuts and thread will do the trick. I would do this on the nuts that hold the chassis in also, and on the speaker nuts that mount it to the cabinet, and also on the nuts that hold the baffle baord in place.

Those amps have relatively small sockets and the tubes loosen up easily. So I too would check there - I wouldnt tap around with a screwdriver even held by the plastic handle etc. Its gonna end up with some pain. Use a wooden chopstick. I too would check the output tubes frist and then the preamp tubes.

If its not the tubes and you find any loose components - loosened up sockets or screws - a dab or three of fingernail polish on the nuts and thread will do the trick. I would do this on the nuts that hold the chassis in also, and on the speaker nuts that mount it to the cabinet, and also on the nuts that hold the baffle baord in place.

Yeah I used a wooden chopstick, to avoid getting fried and to avoid breaking any tubes - no problem with bad tubes, which means it must be something loose inside? Gonna have a look tomorrow!
Oh and thanks for the tip about nail varnish i'm sure it will come in handy, what colour should I go with? aha :p

Yeah I used a wooden chopstick, to avoid getting fried and to avoid breaking any tubes - no problem with bad tubes, which means it must be something loose inside? Gonna have a look tomorrow!
Oh and thanks for the tip about nail varnish i'm sure it will come in handy, what colour should I go with? aha :p

Well actually a bright color is good - easy to see when you want to remove a nut or if over time it cracks. I actually did choose a color for the amps I've built - a bright hideous yellow which is actually easy to see after its been applied - helps me see if I've done it right. So don't use clear!!!

The other times I've noticed rattle like a vibration is - 1) bad output tubes (which passed the chopstick test nevertheless) 2) bad solder/cold solder joint in one of the tube socket pins - so that when you hit a loud chord or note the wire rattles between connected and disconnected. This produces a sound that feels like a purely mechanical rattle. Last time it happened I spent an hour checking all the nuts and mechanical connections and tube socket connections etc - all in vain. On the plus side this takes only seconds to fix if you have relatively easy access to the socket pins.

So, I turned it on & tested for micro phonic tubes... Not that!

When I tap the tubes I don't get micro phonic symptoms, I hear the rattle - they both glow but the rattle seems to be something else...

Next up is removal of the back to check for loose screws - failing that... I dont know!