Polytone Baby Brute - Low volume hum

**Nohhyuk** · 02-20-2023, 05:17 PM

Thank you, KirkP! I will take it to the tech and give him your info. I really appreciate your help and the schematic. It's going to take a few weeks or months for me to drop off the amp and get it back. But, I will report the findings when I get it back.

**Nohhyuk** · 03-11-2023, 11:43 AM

Does anyone know of a reputable amp tech that is specialized in repairing Polytone amps? I’m willing to ship it in the US.

**Herbie** · 03-11-2023, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Nohhyuk

Does anyone know of a reputable amp tech that is specialized in repairing Polytone amps? I’m willing to ship it in the US.

Where do You live? Polytone founder was born in Milwaukee but all the Polytones are made in California, I believe.

I live in Tampere, Finland, EU and every ’normal’ audio electrician here have worked fine with my Polytones. All You need is the schematics and the rest is ’normal’ ’70s-’80s technology. Even I with my hobbyist skills have repaired or modified some Polytones.

Good luck!

**Nohhyuk** · 03-11-2023, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Herbie

Where do You live? Polytone founder was born in Milwaukee but all the Polytones are made in California, I believe.

I live in Tampere, Finland, EU and every ’normal’ audio electrician here have worked fine with my Polytones. All You need is the schematics and the rest is ’normal’ ’70s-’80s technology. Even I with my hobbyist skills have repaired or modified some Polytones.

Good luck!

I live in Minnesota, USA. I had it to 2 techs with no success. So, I’d like to send it to an expert in Polytones to try to get this amp finally fixed. Someone who is familiar with these amps that can troubleshoot it more easily.

**lammie200** · 03-11-2023, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Nohhyuk

I live in Minnesota, USA. I had it to 2 techs with no success. So, I’d like to send it to an expert in Polytones to try to get this amp finally fixed. Someone who is familiar with these amps that can troubleshoot it more easily.

I don't know if it was mentioned previously but I think that Henriksen Amplifiers may give you a decent credit towards one of their new amps if you send them your Polytone. Might be worth emailing them. I just traded in a Henriksen 112ER for a credit towards a Blu TEN. The Blu is dead quiet and very transparent. Can't say enough good things about it.

**Nohhyuk** · 03-11-2023, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by lammie200

I don't know if it was mentioned previously but I think that Henriksen Amplifiers may give you a decent credit towards one of their new amps if you send them your Polytone. Might be worth emailing them. I just traded in a Henriksen 112ER for a credit towards a Blu TEN. The Blu is dead quiet and very transparent. Can't say enough good things about it.

Thank you, lammie200, but I would like to get this fixed. I love it otherwise. And from what I hear, it shouldn’t be a tough repair for someone familiar with this amp.

**Nohhyuk** · 09-08-2023, 01:18 PM

After taking it to 3 different amp techs in 3 different cities, adding more shielding, and changing the transformer to a toroidal one (by Fuchs Audio), I’ve had it with this amp. The low hum is gone, there’s a new buzz worsened with turning up the reverb, and I think the amp rattles more with playing after all the shipping/repairs. Since then, I bought a new Henriksen Blu 6 amp. Should have bought this amp long ago—it’s perfect in every way—sounds great, powerful, no rattles, and absolutely no hum or buzz. In fact, I often times leave it on accidentally because it’s so quiet! Sold the Polytone. It was an expensive year long journey, but I learned a lot.