Any tips to reduce amp buzz? (Possibly 60Hz hum)

[jgottsman11]

My amp buzzes and hums when I turn the guitar left and right and there is only one sweet spot that doesn't hum. Anyone have any tips on how to cure that? I've tried power conditioners and that HumX that you put between the amp power cable and the outlet but neither did much.

[JeffreyAK]

Some good info and tips here, http://www.prosoundweb.com/topics/st...ctric_guitars/ In my experience, a good high-end cable gets rid of most of my noise problems, particularly with effects boxes and high gain. Does the hum go away or change if you use a different, or much shorter, cable into the amp?

[clintj]

That's likely coming from external sources if it's affected by guitar orientation. You might try relocating your setup elsewhere in the room and see if it improves. Do you have any dimmers, window A/C units, compact fluorescent lights, or other potentially noisy electronics in the immediate area, i.e. within a room or two of your amp?

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[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

My amp buzzes and hums when I turn the guitar left and right and there is only one sweet spot that doesn't hum. Anyone have any tips on how to cure that? I've tried power conditioners and that HumX that you put between the amp power cable and the outlet but neither did much.

Hi jgottsman11…

Hello and welcome to the forum! Glad you joined and tossed in a question…

What amp/model? Does it do this everywhere or only at a certain electrical outlet in your home?

With every guitar or only a particular model?

With every cable you own, or only one particular guitar cable?

We are sorely lacking info with which to give you a solid lead which might point to the answer.

[MikeBmusic]

Buzz is different than 60Hz hum. What you are describing would seem to be RFI from some device other than your guitar/amp. Some guitars are more prone to this than others. Answers to LJ's questions would help s.

[jgottsman11]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi jgottsman11…

Hello and welcome to the forum! Glad you joined and tossed in a question…

What amp/model? Does it do this everywhere or only at a certain electrical outlet in your home?

With every guitar or only a particular model?

With every cable you own, or only one particular guitar cable?

We are sorely lacking info with which to give you a solid lead which might point to the answer.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I believe I've got some nice cables but ill go pick up a few high end ones after classes today. I'm using a fender hot rod deluxe III and I've ran all my guitars through it to compare noises. Some are much louder than others. My room has flourescent lights that can be dimmed along with other electronics like my tv, cable box, xbox, etc. Using a delay, reverb, and looper pedal. I've tried turning off the lights and tv and everything and no change. Some days are better than others. I'll try relocating to a room with minimal electronics and also go buy some new pedal cables and longer cables.

[jgottsman11]

I unplugged the router I have in my room and it decreased the buzz quite significantly. still there a little bit but that's a good step. hopefully I can keep troubleshooting and pinpoint the rest of the culprits

[smurph1]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I believe I've got some nice cables but ill go pick up a few high end ones after classes today. I'm using a fender hot rod deluxe III and I've ran all my guitars through it to compare noises. Some are much louder than others. My room has flourescent lights that can be dimmed along with other electronics like my tv, cable box, xbox, etc. Using a delay, reverb, and looper pedal. I've tried turning off the lights and tv and everything and no change. Some days are better than others. I'll try relocating to a room with minimal electronics and also go buy some new pedal cables and longer cables.

My understanding is that dimmers can cause hum problems. I either read that or someone told me that. YMMV. Welcome to the forum!!

[Steve DeRosa]

No booze or smoke for your amp until after the gig...

[MikeBmusic]

Yes, dimmers can cause electric noise. But that noise is typically transmitted through the electric circuits, not as RFI (which the OP's post would indicate - the noise changes as he moves around.

[cattzap]

Try some LED lights. First of all, you will be floored by the better light you get. It's a whiter light. Then there's the reduction of heat. I have alot of bulbs in my living room, and it made a difference on ac cooling. On top of all that they last a long long time and cost pennies a year to run. Lowes is now carrying alot of direct replacement led's for recessed lighting. Home depot carries led tubes that allow you to toss out the ballast in a florescent fixture. I put 4 tubes in my kitchen and was floored by how much better it was.

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by jgottsman11

My amp buzzes and hums when I turn the guitar left and right and there is only one sweet spot that doesn't hum. Anyone have any tips on how to cure that? I've tried power conditioners and that HumX that you put between the amp power cable and the outlet but neither did much.

That sweet spot is called a null.

I'm guessing that your guitar has single coil pickups which tend to pick up any stray crud in the room. I don't think there is much you can do about it with the possible exception of wrapping your cable(s) around a torroid donut at each end.

[aknow]

Often Gibson electrics (especially newer ones) have an unfavorable hum.
I eliminated that in two 2015 models by lining the cavities with copper foil tape. I've also found that even overly expensive cables have humming problems. Often replacing a cable in the loop, will eliminate most humming.
I was shocked when my amp was humming like crazy, and I replaced an expensive new cable (over $75.00) and the extraneous humming was gone!
Good luck.

[muscmp]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

That sweet spot is called a null.

I'm guessing that your guitar has single coil pickups which tend to pick up any stray crud in the room. I don't think there is much you can do about it with the possible exception of wrapping your cable(s) around a torroid donut at each end.

i'd agree. but, you could try putting foil tape in the pickup cavities and under the controls. it sure helped my strat.

play music!