My high power switch does not work on my VHT special 6 1 10 guitar combo amp

Hello,

I've seen a bunch of Marshall Combos and a very common failure comes from broken resistor legs at pre-amp and power amp modules insides, they are the low-value/2-3W rated and the soldered legs broke so easy because of enclosure vibrations, let me know a bit more to improve help...

You are using a Gretsch with this? This is a tiny amp useful for ONLY low levels as a practice amp. If you turn up the gain the unit will distort as the tiny speaker just can't handle high levels. An appropriate level would be if *********** could tolerate sitting alongside it. For the hum situation... does it hum with NOTHING plugged in? If so, probably the wrong adapter is being used. If it doesn't, then your guitar is probably picking up magnetic interference... major source of that type interference is "wall warts" power adapters. The only solution is to keep distance from the source to your guitar. Poor quality guitar cables can let in hum as well.

This would be expected. Very high quality audio equipment like mixers for instance will have a soft mute during changes... you just don't find that on any of the guitar amps... The popping is lost in the rest of the "noise". I won't go into the technical explanation other than any slight charge difference at switch contacts or electronic switches will generate a pop when the circuit is closed.

i) Disconnect one lead of loudspeaker & insert an open-ended guitar cable into headphone socket.

ii) Put a dc voltmeter across open end jack then turn Frontman ON for a few seconds.

iii) The reading should be about 0volts - if the voltage is high (27v), then it is likely that the PA chip TDA1514A has blown.

iv) If,however, the voltage is correct in iii) , then reconnect speaker & put guitar cable into the POWER AMP IN socket & connect other end to guitar...Turn on briefly, if there is still hum then fault is in the output stages & will require chassis removal to solve.

This unit has a lot of gain. It is probably normal. It is important to balance the inout gain and master gains of guitar amps. Not too high a setting for either.

Just because the voves are lit doesn't mean there is the high voltage power to the valves.

ALSO the smaller valves have TWO heaters in them and if one half has burned out that would cause the symptom. Check if the smaller 12AX7/12AT7 types all have two heaters burning. Verify that the standby switch has not gotten bumped off.

The unit will require repair and if you are not adept at electronics, you will need to take it to a shop. Likely there is failure in the power supply or amplifier that has blown the fuse. Replacing the fuse WITHOUT repairing the cause MAY do additional damage.

The amp can accept most anything you can get out of a distortion pedal. If you play it too loud you can damage any amp.

I would HIGHLY recommend you either take your amp to the store where you are buying your pedal and try it with your guitar before buying.

ALSO don't forget to get a power adapter as the pedals "eat: batteries.

You should check if the thing does it with a guitar plugged in.

The shorting switch for input connectors that keeps the input grounded are prone to failure.

Nine times out of ten, any problem with an amp having no sound coming out, it's a wiring issue. Make sure all of the wires internal to the amp are propely hooked up. Also, try switching out the quarter inch cord you are using from your guitar to your amp. Could be a bad cable. Unless you have blown the speaker completely, something is loose or not hooked up properly.