Amp Crackling

[Jonesie]

Here's a question for our amp techs here. My Vox Night Train occasionally crackles when I turn it on. The volume control makes the crackle quieter or louder. Am I right in thinking it's likely a preamp tube?

[JSett]

I mean, it could be any tube really but I'd roll tubes in each location one by one and see where it stops.

'Crackling' can be several different sounds and several different causes.

[Brock the Mod]

Get a chopstick and lightly tap your tubes. Should be able to tell which one is non functioning?

[øøøøøøø]

If it’s impacted by the volume control it probably is very early in the amp, likely the first tube as you’ve surmised

Is it *only* at turn-on?

What if you rock the tube in its socket, remove, and re-insert?

If the issue is due to poor contact as a result of socket/pin oxidation, this may help