Dual Caliber DC3

[rtdmusic]

I purchased a used DC-3 for $650. I hope I was not ripped off.
The guy that I brought it from told me it only had a few hours on it??

Anyway, I have noticed when I play my high e string and notes on the e string, I hear a fast tremelo sound?? also noise when I adjust the eq board on front panel..... what can I do?

 

[plumptone]

Congrats on the DC-3 - it's a great amp. $650 seems a little steep, but if it's in good condition, you won't regret it.

Regarding the low number of hours - don't take the guy's word for it. Start by checking the pre-amp tubes. One by one replace with a known good one until the tremolo effect goes away. I have the same amp, and that's (on occasion) been a sign that I have a pre-amp tube going south.

The sliders on the eq get real dirty. Take the knobs off and look inside to see if there's a lot of crap in there, and clean out if necessary. Otherwise, just slide each one up and down a bit to try and loosen the crud up. If you use contact cleaner, be really careful that it's safe to use on plastic, and don't make the mistake I made, which was to use the stuff that has a lubricant - it loosens the sliders up too much.

Good luck.

 

[rtdmusic]

Thanks a lot for the reply. I will try what you said. Cosmetically speaking the amp is in great condition..although the color of the amp is kind of an unusual marble gray color. I hope I did not get ripped off. I can tell that this amp has the potential to be a great sounding amp.

I hope it is only tube related....do you have any more advice you can forward me?

Thank you so much.

 

[plumptone]

I have no other advice really at this point. Play with it a while, then if you have more issues, let us know. There are so many great folks on here all the time - it would be hightly unusual if someone can't point you in the right direction at least.

BTW - the color you have was a custom option - I've seen one like that before. The amp is usually standard black.

Again - good luck!

 

[rtdmusic]

I just went and purchased the 6 pre amp tubes (12ax7) and 4 EL84's and replaced all of the tubes to be safe.

Amp sounded clean....so far played it for around 20 minutes after changing out the tubes.

 

[plumptone]

Glad to hear it. If the problem wasn't the tubes, it would still be there. Sounds like you're up and running. Congrats. Enjoy that amp.

 

[pipedwho]

Oh man, here in Australia I just laid down AU$1300 (US$900) for a DC-2. I would have preferred to pay less, but cripes, this is one great amp.