60Hz Buzz Killing Me
My $200 bass amp has an annoying 60Hz buzz which is really annoying. I tried lifting the ground, but that did not help. The amp is solid state and I am told there are no serviceable parts. I am wondering if there is some kind of affordable line conditioner that would eliminate, or reduce, this buzz. Since it is for a bass amp, I am not really interested in rack solutions. I have done some electronic projects, with instructions, so a DIY solution may be within my ability. Any suggestions and/or help appreciated.
Comments
1. Brand
2. Guitar and pickups
3. Stand alone problem or when connected to other gear(audio, USB?)
4. Cords and room noise
so... try this http://www.ebtechaudio.com/humxdes.html Just lifting the ground pin with a 3-to-2 adapter actually disables the EMI shielding on many newer amps(including old Rockmans) besides the safety void hazard.
also EQing down 60, 120, 180 Hz may make it better http://www.rane.com/par-h.html see \"humbucking pickup\" and \"hum components\"
This assumes an external problem exists with your stand alone bass amp, cord, and guitar(base). Engineering short comings exist on all gear hence the thriving mod and upgrade industry.
Thanks for all your informative posts on software and to the other members and mods. Thank you indeed.
And props to you too, zap. I 'ppreciate your precise pithy pertinent posts
By the way, I think I damaged this bass amp when we were playing at a local establishment. The sound man at the club said that they had problems with \"dirty\" electricity. I think my amp got zapped that night from their dirty electricity. I never had a problem with the amp before. So I hope this Hum X will clean up the buzz and get it back to performance condition.
First, if you are not familiar with amps, high voltage components I do not recommend getting into the amplifier. If you have experience and are careful... first, look at the simplest parts in the signal circuits:
Do this, check all your insert jacks. Many times the plastic or nylon jack assys have shorting plugs. These can become oxidized and prevent good conductivity resulting in buzzzz.
Roll a very thin piece of fine sandpaper to about the length of a cigarette. Insert into jacks and rotate 2-4 times to clean the debris. Do this for input jacks and other jacks like fx loops etc.
If the jacks are pc mount, you could have poor connections on the jack terminals affixed to the main board. Capacitors and other Hi current components can become intermittent as the components (heaviest ones on the board) vibrate and shake the terminals loose at their solder points. Weak solder points generally have a ring around the pc board connection at the components terminal. We find this often in bass amps, powered speakers and other equip due to transit and internal vibrations from the sound source. Many times the parts become unsecured and floating around the amp itself.
Dirty ac should not really be cause for your problems. That may be coincidental. Buzzing is caused by either the power supply or signal ground sources. varying ac would perhaps cause buzz, but once you change sources of voltage it should have went away.
OK, tried that. Turned my bass amp to full volume without a guitar plugged in - dead silence. There is no buzz unless the guitar is plugged in. Tried two different bass guitars, one with active pickups, one without. Tried different cords. The buzz is really loud when my hands are not on the strings of the bass. When I put my hands on the strings, the buzz almost goes away, but still is there much quieter. Same thing on both guitars/cords.
I guess that narrows it down to the jacks. I will try some of your other suggestions to fix the buzz. At least I am more hopeful that I may be able to fix it using your other suggestions. Thanks for the help guys.
Prob already tested this also:
Be sure your bridge and saddles are GROUNDED.. check the continuity between the sleeve (ground of the guitar jack) and the bridge. Often times a wire can be added from the shield area of the guitar pots, sleeve pin , and go right to the bridge with a small screw or strong tape.