Tube amplifier

[DarkKnight]

Hello everyone!

What could cause an old tube amplifier to emit a high-pitched whine that changes frequency with volume adjustment, and disappears when touching the chassis? Are there ways to fix this without altering the amp's vintage sound?

[machinist]

Hi DarkKnight!

The high-pitched whine is probably due to a grounding issue or some kind of electromagnetic interference. Since the noise changes when adjusting the volume and stops when touching the chassis, it's likely that the amp isn't properly grounded or shielded, which allows unwanted noise to creep in. This can also happen if some of the internal components, like capacitors or resistors, have aged and aren’t functioning as well as they used to. To fix it without changing the amp’s vintage sound, start by checking the grounding connections and tightening or cleaning them. Replacing old capacitors—especially in the power supply—can also help, but make sure to use high-quality replacements that match the vintage style of the originals. Also check the shielding inside the chassis to ensure it’s blocking interference properly. Lastly, simple things like reseating the tubes or making sure the power and signal cables are routed correctly can sometimes make a big difference. All of these fixes should help reduce the whine while keeping the original tone intact.

I hope this helps.

[DarkKnight]

Thank you machinist!