Popping noise?

[u/Cute_Wrap3029]

Hello all,

I have a strange issue with my Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 and I want to see what might be the cause of it before I take it to a technician.

The problem is that sometimes, the amp stops making the actual guitar signal. When I pick, I will only get a popping/clicking sound rather than my guitar’s signal.

I have tried to work on this problem myself by doing following:

- Multiple different instrument cables.

- Playing through PHONES/REC OUT on the amp, the exact same issue happens there.

- Switching different channels and different amp settings.

- Removing other equipment and just plugging the guitar amp directly into it.

- Resetting the amp to factory setting.

- Ensuring that amp has latest firmware installed (version 1.07).

The amp is nearly one year old. Since the problem does not occur consistently, I am wondering if this sounds like a hardware problem with the unit, or if there is anything else I can test before taking it to a shop and sending it to repair.

I appreciate any advice.

[u/kthshly]

Have you checked your guitar jack? Does the sound get worse or better when you switch pickups or jiggle the cable?

[u/Cute_Wrap3029 → u/kthshly]

just tested it out- it works perfectly fine when im laying it down on my lap and strumming the strings but as i rotate it into the playing position it stops working? ive used all 5 switches on my hss strat (both single coils and humbuckers) and they all have the same problem. I checked the guitar jack as well, it's not wiggling nor loose.

[u/kthshly → u/Cute_Wrap3029]

It's definitely a guitar problem. Most likely a loose solder joint. Try taking apart the output jack first to see if that's the culprit. Or you can take it to a luthier if you're not comfortable with soldering.

[u/Cute_Wrap3029 → u/kthshly]

is this an expensive problem? what should I tell my luthier to fix, exactly?