[WSPHead]

I have a Crate Vintage Club 30 watt combo. My clean channel will cut out, and crackle. I first thought it was something to do with the volume knob but this happens without it being touched. The overdrive channel is fine. Any ideas what the problem is and what it will cost to fix/get it fixed?

[tigerstrat]

It could be your power tubes. How long and what level of usage since last replaced?

Or it could be a pre tube but thats usually a microphonic rattly noise. Have the bias checked/adjusted when installing a new set of power tubes.

[WSPHead]

Thanks man, I'll give it a go!

[tigerstrat]

oh but I just saw you said the OD channel is fine... so its probably not the power tubes.

try switching the 12ax7 in the V1 socket (almost always going to be the 12ax7 furthest away from the power tubes) with the 12ax7 in the V2 socket, and see if the problem moves to the OD channel and clears up in the Clean. If this is the case, you've found your bad 12ax7.

[WSPHead]

If I took the back off of the amp and took a picture would you mind helping point out which tubes to swap?

I have had this amp for 5 years and have not had it worked on. I have put about an average of 2 hours a week on it.

[bucketorain]

maybe some wire needs to be re soddered?

[tigerstrat]

5 years moderate use is due for power tubes imho. You said you checked the volume knob, check everything else, esp jacks and pots, probably pcb-mounted on this amp, which in my experience means the solder connections get stressed with use and break at inopportune times an need to be resoldered all the time.

[WSPHead]

Here are a couple of pics of the inside of my amp. Would you mind telling me what is what? Thanks!!