#1
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Is my amp broken?
Hi everyone,
First time I'm experiencing this since I'm only starting to play electric now. I noticed that a week ago my guitar or amp started to make a whitenoise/static sound. At first I thought it was my guitar but I opened it up to see and found no loose wiring. Basically it would make a static sound when the cord is connected to the amp (no guitar yet at this point). When plugging in my guitar the noise would disappear once I touch the strings or any metal part on the guitar. The only thing that would eliminate it is when using a wireless system so that's what I've been doing. So today, it got worse, the whitenoise static sound changed into a loud static/crackling sound. It would only start once I plug in the cord only. Plugging in my guitar doesn't fix it unless I hold the guitar in playing position and I have to be touching any metal part. Simply touching a metal part without actually holding it in playing position doesn't eliminate the noise. Youtube links below. First one is not mine but the sound is the same when it was "better". Second one is me. I've tried a few things such as turning off my lights, turning off my computer, plugging it into another power source. No luck 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7WkFEVbxu8 (before-not my video) 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XS9...ature=youtu.be (mine) If you're watching with headphones, don't have it cranked to max volume. It gets pretty loud. |
#2
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When you have a new noise issue and it goes away when you touch a metal part of your guitar then it may be a grounding issue (as you already thought of). Perhaps there's a loose connection at the output jack - did you check the soldering point there? It's common for the screw to come lose and twist/loosen the wires.
Given that it goes away with the wireless I'm guessing it's not an issue with the amp's input jack or the guitar's input jack. Is there a different cable/connection that is used with the wireless? Did you try a different cable? |
#3
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I'll check if the input jack connection is loose so I'll take it apart again tomorrow.
I only have two cables. One is attached to the wireless receiver/charger of the actual wireless jack which goes through the amp. The other one is connected to a looper pedal. I've tried using both cables and they both are noisy. I don't think it's an issue with the guitar, but I could be wrong. I tested it with a multimeter under ohms setting, and everything including the input jack wire tested ok, meaning the meter hand moved, is that correct? Unfortunately all shops are closed right now so I can't take it to a guitar tech yet... |
#4
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I wouldn't be surprised if you have a bad cable. Are you running your looper pedal off battery or wall wart? If you're using a/c power, is the amp and looper plugged into the same outlet or power strip? If not, they should be. That could be creating a ground loop issue. Do yourself a favor and get some new instrument and patch cables that have Neutrik connectors. Then see what happens.
Have you tried a different outlet in the house? Some appliances, like refrigerators make a lot of a/c hum. Try a different circuit in the house. Also, you should never turn your amp on with a cable plugged into it and no guitar hooked up. You will experience that static sound every time. Do not turn your amp on unless your guitar is hooked up to it.
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As my username suggests, huge fan of Yamaha products. Own many acoustic-electric models from 2009-present and a couple electric. Lots of PA too. Last edited by YamahaGuy; 09-07-2020 at 07:40 AM. |
#5
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Above; never turn your amp on without having guitar plugged into it.
Are you sure you're using instrument cables only in your guitar to looper to amp connections and not a speaker cable?
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2001 Goodall RGCC 2004 Goodall RPC-14 2022 Emerald X20 Hyvibe 2021 Emerald X7 Select 2020 Emerald X10 Woody Select 3-way 2016 Emerald X20 Artisan 2002 Gibson J185EC JJ Cale 2009 Gibson EC-20 1974 Alvarez Dreadnought 2013 Woody Tahitian hybrid Uke 2008 Zager 3/4 Size Some camp fire guitars, classical's, & electric's |
#6
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#7
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Also tried other plugs in the house with the same result. |
#8
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Yes. I bought two cables from the guitar store just to have this setup. One is a Planet Waves brand and the other is Ernie Ball.
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#9
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I've emailed Vox about this so we'll see if they reply. I don't want to resort to replacing the 12AX7 yet.... |
#10
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Tried it again after a few hours. The annoying loud crackle is gone and now it's just static hissing just like this---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7WkFEVbxu8
The only thing different that day was that it was raining pretty hard outside. Not sure if that is the cause? |
#11
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#12
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Sounds like the problem may be your guitar, or at least part of it.
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Roy Ibanez, Recording King, Gretsch, Martin G&L, Squier, Orange (x 2), Bugera, JBL, Soundcraft Our duo website - UPDATED 7/26/19 |
#13
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When i first powered on my vox ac15hw the very first day,i had exactly the same hissing as this, and freaked out, for me thankfully it was just a combination of top boost volume and normal volume was cranked. When I dialed those down and dialed back up correctly it was gone, and comes in again as i crank the gain On top boost. I am also new to electric, so unsure if this is at all helpful. What i did do at the time was : Switch out cables (didn’t help in my case) Moved amp to various plug out lets and off any extension leads etc (didn’t help) Made sure i had no other electrical equipment close by that could cause interference (didn’t help) Twisted a lot of knobs till i figured out what made it worse and better, before figuring out its normal and dialed it out. Your first video however, is more concerning with that rattle and hum. |
#14
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I finally figured it out! I feel pretty silly about this but I just had noise cancelling off all along! I didn't even know it had this feature. Had to read the manual again as the controls are not really that intuitive but problem solved! |
#15
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Might feel like a noob, but better than the alternative, was exactly my experience the first time too haha Switch on, freak out, think its broken, all the frustration of returning It etc. Soooooo much better if its simply a user error Enjoy it, and have loads of fun and noise |