Amp Noise:

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Creamyapples1

Creamyapples1

www.murphycabs.com
Amp Noise: (now with sound clip)

I've had my Fender amp for about a year now. I've recently moved to a new place and I've notice a little more "hum" or noise from my amp than what I've experienced in the past. I was playing around today and noticed when the amp was on, but nothing was plugged intot he input jack, the amp is pretty much silent, when I plug a cord into it I get the noise, straight to guitar, still the noise, tried different guitars, noise. Just enough to be annoying, am I experiencing grounding issues where the amp is plugged in or have I just not cared enough to notice in the past? I was wondering if anyone would have any advice, suggestions, tips, tricks, the usual. Thanks guys!
 
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I've been through the "perils" of determining what causes that hum/hiss. Most commonly it's the instrument itself (input jack, wiring). So first, check the guitar(s). Next, carefully examine the 1/4 cord or cords for nicks, breaks, tears, lumps anything like that. A lower quality cable can ad some hiss and "dirt", but not a lot. The biggest source is usually what is called "line noise" or "power line noise". That stuff gets complicated, but somehow, somewhere, a wire inside OR outside of your house was wired badly/impoperly and will contibute to the noise. This can be solved by adding a "power" or line conditioner, often used for sensitive electrical equipment (hospital computers, mainframes). You plug one of these puppies into your basic wall outlet, and then plug in what you want to. I use on for my computer and guitar amp and it make a GIGANTIC difference in AC line noise and power fluctiations. There are different ratings, capacities, and such. A few minutes on Google will give you a good idea.

-Of course, this is just my solution. It worked for me! :D
 
yup....sounds like it could be a ground...
is it a tube amp?
if so....
It might be the pre-amp tube...
 
Certain types of lighting can (will) cause radiated noise ( hard to cure) and line noise which is easier to cure with a line conditioner. Line conditioners usually kill about 90 % of the time.
 
Also, is there a tv or computer close to where you are when you play guitar? Many times that will cause the amp to hum.
 
I'll see if I can record some of the noise later today, the amp is fine if nothing is plugged into it, but as soon as I plug something in, there is an audible change. This happens with computers and lights on or off. I didn't have the problem until I moved in here, at my old house it was fine with the same guitars. I also tried 23423423 different cables, all witht he same results.
 
Creamyapples1 said:
I'll see if I can record some of the noise later today, the amp is fine if nothing is plugged into it, but as soon as I plug something in, there is an audible change. This happens with computers and lights on or off. I didn't have the problem until I moved in here, at my old house it was fine with the same guitars. I also tried 23423423 different cables, all witht he same results.
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"I also tried 23423423 different cables, all witht he same results."

Better double check that cable :D

I'm thinking it's where you are plugged in. Try different outlets in your house, a power conditioner is a great idea.
 
Does the hum go away if you touch the metalwork on your guitar?
 
no, I'm about to just say screw it and not even worry about it anymore lol
 
does the noise change if you move around the room or change the angle of the guitar in respect to the amp? is a crt computer monitor on close by?

you never said if the amp is tube, solid state, or digital. digital amps are prone to noise with dirty power.

i'd REALLY inspect your guitar cable well too.
 
my bad, it's a Fender Dynatouch Stage 1000. No CRTs period, and it's the same whether I'm in front of the amp or down the hall. I checked over my cables, they seemed fine, I unscrewed the housings and the connections are tight, nothing touching, no frayed wire, etc. I tried damn near every cable I could get my hands on, all the same results.
 
Creamyapples1 said:
my bad, it's a Fender Dynatouch Stage 1000. No CRTs period, and it's the same whether I'm in front of the amp or down the hall. I checked over my cables, they seemed fine, I unscrewed the housings and the connections are tight, nothing touching, no frayed wire, etc. I tried damn near every cable I could get my hands on, all the same results.
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Some amps short their input to ground when nothing is plugged in. To see if that is the case and the problem is in the amp not the connections, get a 1/4 plug that has nothing soldered to it, insert it into the amp's input, and see if you still have the noise.
 
I did try just plugging a cable into the amp with no guitar on the other end, and it was just as apparent as before, so I think I can rule out the guitars as the problem.
 
Acoustics in your old place may have been better and the hum has always been there. I would borrow another guitar and another amp, to isolate the problem.
 
Creamyapples1 said:
I didn't have the problem until I moved in here, at my old house it was fine with the same guitars.
Click to expand...

It's most likely the power in your new house. Try a power conditioner, or take the amp to a friend's house and try it there.
 
dirtythermos said:
It's most likely the power in your new house. Try a power conditioner, or take the amp to a friend's house and try it there.
Click to expand...

Exactly the same situation I was in. It's simply the power in your house fluctuating and creating hum. A line/power conditioner will most likeley take care of it!
 
Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated. Oddly enough, in over a decade of playing, using misc. amps, etc. This is the first time I've encountered this problem. I'll pick up a line conditioner or something similar in the next day or so and see if that takes care of it. Thanks again!

jaykeMURD, I see you're from Ohio as well, where at?
 
You may try one of those ground checkers from Radio Shack to check all your outlets since it started in your new home. Some utility companies dont have a well regulated 60 cycles on their AC lines, plus you can never tell what kind of wiring lurks behind the walls. :confused:
 
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