PS-2A: Low-end disappeared

Stage & Studio
1

After about a year of use, my PS-2A has lost all its low end… at least when I have the toggle all the way up on the DEEP setting. If I switch the toggle to the middle WARM position, it adds too much bass, but it sounds like it has a blanket over it.

I’m thinking this is too weird for a wonky tube, but I haven’t opened it yet. If anyone had thoughts, I’d be keen to hear them.

2

Hey @jeremydhartley and welcome to the community :tada:

I am trying to think of a way to debug this without opening it or replacing the tubes.

Can you record two tracks:

  1. Your guitar signal from the PS-2A line out
  2. Your guitar signal from the FX send (or line out) from your amp.

When I say record I mean, using a DAW if you have a recording setup.

These signals should be fairly similar. If they sound similar then this is telling us that everything before the PS-2A’s power amp is working fine. So we next need to look at the power amp.

Regards

Dan

3

Thanks! I’ll try to do this soon.

Just to put this out there: I tried the PS with three different amps and got the same result. Previously, the sound from the PS was faithful, so this is definitely a change.

4

Ok so, if the PS line out signal has also lost bass then we can say that the issue could be in the reactive load circuit. As we are sure the sounds going in, does not have the problem.

5

Thanks! My next experiment will be with just the line out/DAW then.

I tested it again with my amp last night, and the experience was the same. When the PS bass toggle is in the middle “warm” position, the sound is bassy and lacks presence. When I flip it up to “deep,” the sound becomes extremely shrill and quacky.

So I know: If it turns out to be the reactive load circuit, does that mean it’s no longer safe for my amps? If it ends up being broken, will I need to take it to a technician? Is this something a regular amp tech can fix, or do I need to use a Fryette tech?

6

Hey Jeremy,

If that has such a powerful effect, then yes, that is where the issue could be. To be on the safe side, I think it is best to get it serviced. However, it is probably still safe to use because the DC resistance will still be 8 Ohms (or whatever you have selected); it’s just that the impedance at higher frequencies seems to be no longer behaving as a speaker.

Here some repair options:

Regards,

Dan