Hello all, I'm new to the Blackstar family and really love my new HT-60 Stage but got an issue:

I swear, every single tube amp I have ever owned has done this. Not sure if I just have super sonic hearing or what. When I play on the either OD channels, no issue, sounds great. When I switch over to the clean channel (with either voicing) I get what sounds like a tube ping or "rattle". The guys I bought it from tells me he changed the preamp tubes, what are the OEM tubes they put in them so I can check?

I hesitate to use the work "rattle" it really does sound more like a ping noise. I hit a high E (or any high note for that matter) note and it plays fine through the 2x12 speakers but you can hear something ringing. I checked the tubes and they are seated firmly but the pre amp tubes are not locked down like the power tubes are.

Its the craziset thing, are tube amps just prone to these odd noises and pings? I'm gonna email Blackstart tech support as well but wanted to ask here and see if anyone else has had this problem. Other than that, the amp is a joy to play. Any help is greatly appriciated.

Mods, did I put this in the wrong fourm? Maybe we can move this to the HT section? Thanks

first off ,welcome to the Blackstar Club, glad to have you here, bro' [you're from the MLP Forum, riiiight?]

Secondly, it sounds like a reverb tank issue, but unfortunately, withthe digital reverb, that's not the case--I'd say take it over to an amp tech to check it out, that's likely your best solution.

Yes Gerry tis me from the LP forums! I have contacted Blackstar and they have advised I contact one of their authorized repair shop and have tech take a look. I have emailed a place near by and they want me to call in the morning. If and or when I get a resolution, I'll be sure and update here. Just can't believe I'm the only one with this problem.

currently i have 4 2x12 amps and none of them do this - but i'm going to bet its microphonic preamp tube
lighty tap on each tube with a pencil and see if you can hear one of them make that sound more

its either that or you need to run premium instead of regular

Is it too late for bets???

Pre amp tubes dude, check out one by one..

Oh, and welcome to the board. Seems that everyone started buying stage 60 once I sold mine

Thanks guys, I've come to the same conclusion myself. Not sure why I didn't immediatly think that could be it. I pulled all 3 out and one of them is rattling when I shake it (lightly). I did the pencil test and that one that rattles does have some slight noise when I tap but nothing real noticable. Is this "microphanic" sound loud or is it more slight. Even when I turn my amp OFF I hear something pinging. I'm thinking ist's gotta be one of those preamp tubes. I'm off tomorrow to buy some new preamp tubes.

Should I buy 3 and replace them all or buy 1 and go through replacing one at a time? I'm almost certain that middle preamp tube is the problem child. Could I pull all 3 out and only power on with 1 instead of 3 or do they all have to be seated for the amp to function normally? I thought someone on one of these amp websites tested one at a time but I could be wrong. Thanks again for the help!

KK, what made you sell your HT-60? Didn't like it?

go for broke and replace all 3, just to be on the safe side--and check out all the threads on preamp tubes to enlighten you what to check out--I recently changed the preamp and power amp tubes with my HT20, going with Mullard EL34s in the power-amp section and JJ Gold-Tipped ECC83s--and man, what a difference it makes!!! You're gonna dig your amp even more so-- Good luck, bro', let us know how it goes!!

yea - just replace them all - not that much of an investment...besides your just gonna do it anyway even if they good

yep, it's inevitable, LOL!!!

like I've said, you'll dig your amp even more--unless you wanna change the speakers ,too!!

Thanks for all the replies guys!! A trip to Harrys Guitar shop, 3 JJ preamp tubes later, NO PING!! Amp sounds even better, OD channels are a bit noisey (welcome to the wonderful world of high gain) but an ISP Decimator has remedied that as well. Finally I can sit back and enjoy this amazing amp.

way to go, bro'!! Glad it worked out ,now enjoy that amp!!

Glad you managed to get rid of the ping