Buzz appears from time to time in amp with no input
I bought an electric guitar and a second-hand Fender Frontman amp one month ago.
Sometimes, I had some hum issues. Loud hum would appear and build through time, especially when the guitar is plugged but not played. The hum would reduce when I touch the strings.
Also, once or twice, I experienced some little electric shocks touching my guitar strings. I thought about incorrect grounding, so I brought the amp to an amp tech.
He discovered the socket cable was a European plug plugged into a UE-UK adapter (I live in UK), and so that the ground may not be transmitted by the adapter. So he changed the plug with a real UK one.
But now I still have issues. A loud buzz sometimes appears and cannot be stopped unless I turn off the amp. When I do so, there is often a rather loud pop sound.
I don't think my guitar is the problem: with no input or when only a jack cable is in the amp, the buzz appears anyway. The buzz changes and becomes louder when I touch the jack. Also, when the guitar is plugged in, the buzz becomes louder when I touch the strings.
So... still a ground issue? Happens with all the sockets in my house. Should I buy a socket tester and test the grounding of my home, or is it rather the amp itself?
Here's a video in which the buzz can be heard: sendvid.com/x4bhbuif
Also, the earth of the socket seems to be OK according to a socket tester.
(1)1 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
This is the question you should be asking the electrician who re-wired the mains lead. It would have been a good idea to have the guitar and lead along with the amp., he could then test everything properly, and just maybe, the noise would have gone.
And, yes, it's a good idea to own a socket tester. Mine goes to every gig, and may well have saved lives, let alone equipment, when I refuse to plug into un-earthed sockets occasionally. It's just got to be done!
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2025 All Rights reserved.