Rowe Amplifier Blasts then little sound

[mauro]

A friend brought me an amplifier to look at and the jukebox is far away, which doesnt help. I'm guessing it's from a model R-85?
I'd like to help him out but with only the amp here it's difficult so I thought I'd ask for ideas.
The complaint is the first song blasts at full volume and turning the volume control does not change the loudness.
Then the volume slowly decreases on it's own until about the 7th or 8th record where it is very low, almost non existant.
I was thinking bad capacitors but that doesnt explain the volume control having no affect.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Mauro

[mauro]

A little more information:
On the preamp board there are what appears to be tiny light bulbs marked
DS1 and DS2
The DS1 must have broken away as there is only the two leads left. These are located right next to the input from the volume control.
Could this be causing the issue?

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mauro,
Yep--very well can be the problem-- Use 2 # 2182's in series, for each one of the originals- Glue them tom the board ! Ron Rich

[mauro]

Thanks Ron, hard to believe that a little bulb can cause all those symptoms.
How is it that the bulb can slowly cause the volume to decrease and cause the volume control to be inoperative?
Thanks for the tip on the bulb type!
I'll replace them and send it back, hopefully that's it as I have no way of testing it.
Thanks again,
Mauro

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mauro,
I really can not remember that circuit, but my memory says it is the volume control circuit ( 'course, remember that my memory is great--but not too long, and often lies !) Ron Rich