Mark III effects loop problem

[UsrName]

I took my newly acquired green stripe to practice last night and when I hooked up an eq in the loop, the volume started cutting in and out, kinda like I was doing a volume swell. It did this on all channels. It was a Boss GE-7 and the cables, which were the only ones I had, were 20 footers. What could be the problem? Bad tube? Cables too long?

 

[MrMarkIII]

Poor connection between the cables and the loop jacks. They get a slight coating of corrosion from disuse, then go intermittent from the vibration. Try wiggling the cables around in the jacks. Get some DeOxit contact cleaner (don't use WD-40) at Radio Shack. Squirt it on the plug, not into the jack. Wiggle, rinse, and repeat.
It's not the length of the cable, but the weight of the long cable may be pulling the plug out of correct alignment in the jack. I actually had some cables that were supposed to be good, but the plugs were actually a teensy bit smaller in diameter, and made the same poor connection. Some people will do anything to save a few pennies.
Hope this helps

 

[UsrName]

I have some electronics cleaner. I'll try that and see if it helps. Thanks.