Golden Tube SE 40 Hiss and Pop problem - Thoughts?

Have you tried reversing the tubes, channel to channel and see if the sound follows the tubes? If not, do so first. If that fails my guess would be a cap but you're going to need a techie to fix it.

It absolutely sounds like a failing tube. Either do as Newbee has suggested or drop in replacements if you have them. It's always a good idea with a tube amp to have a set of backup output tubes around, since tubes always seem to go bad on weekends when you can't do much about it! Anyway don't freak out, it's all in the care and feeding of a tube amp!

Thanks guys.

I'll swich channels on the tubes. I agree it's good to have some extras around, which I don't.

If you get stuck on trouble shooting your GT there is a group dedicated to GT:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/golden_tube/?yguid=200332169

Some very knowledgeable people there.

Cheers

Larry

Thanks, Diamondsouled. I know there was a group out there but I forgot where. I look forward to checking it out when I have some more time.

cheers,

robert

Check tube sockets! The GTA SE-40 did not have the best tube sockets. With the amp cold, take out the tubes for the channel making the noise one by one and reinsert, as to not change the placement or order of the tubes.

Frequently it's the 6SN7GT input tubes that are the culprits. Sometimes tubes will "walk" slightly within the sockets as they heat up and expand, then cool and contract.

-David