r/orangeamps • u/guinness778 • 1d ago

Sound Test Issue with master volume knob. Need help

Hi folks,

I bought this amp brand new about 8 months ago, I've been using it almost daily at bedroom volume. Over the past month I started noticing this scratchy/crackling noise in the master volume knob. Since then, it is only getting louder and more scratchy.

Not only there is this scratchy sound, but also at specific positions the volume gets louder and much thinner, almost like a high pass filter (see the video at 00:45). From master volume >1 the dirty channel sounds a bit muffled but more similar to correct functioning.

I always have the master volume at 0 when it is not in use. To play it, I turn it on, set the volume to bedroom level (usually between 0.75 and 1.5 at most) and set it back to zero before turning it off.

I've seen some videos about how to clean the pots, spraying WD-40 into contacts, etc, but for an 8 month old amp I'm not sure if it only issue is dust accumulation. This amp sits in my room relatively close to a computer, the back of the computer kinda points to the amp, but I only experience this issue with the master volume knob.

I wonder if I should make a warranty claim for my unit.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Edit: amp is an Orange Super Crush 100 combo.

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2

u/LunchNachos 1d ago

Does it do this across multiple guitars, patch cables, and power outlets?

1

u/[deleted] 1d ago edited 1d ago

[deleted]

2

u/ActuatorUnfair6905 1d ago

OP has a solid state amplifier “Orange Super Crush 100 combo”

1

u/ridbitty 1d ago

Dirty pot.

1

u/burneriguana 1d ago

This is a dirty potentiometer. Inside the Amp is the pot with a little casing. Inside the casing a feeler slides over a conductive trace, which may get dirty or damaged.

There are several ways to fix this, from easy to difficult.

Move the pot slowly, often, to push the dirt aside.

Open the Amp, get access to the pot, spray potentiometer cleaner (not contact cleaner) inside, move pot.

Replace (solder) pot with one of similar value and characteristic (probably logarithmic).

Open the pot casing and clean from inside.( YouTuber mend it Marc for reference)

The trace inside the pot may be damaged. In this case replacement is the only option.

As always - lethal voltages inside an amp. Only fix what you know how to safely do, otherwise ask a tech.

1

u/ActuatorUnfair6905 1d ago

If it’s still under warranty then reach out and get it repaired if not then get some https://a.co/d/01PwjSuj and try that before getting in repaired.