Buzzing

[mbrann]

First time posting here. I've been lurking about for some time and have been really getting a lot of great info here but now it's time to ask for help. I don't know if my question really belongs here or not but here goes.

I have been playing through my current amp for at least a year now without problem but recently it has started to make a nasty buzzing sound. The buzzing is muted somewhat when I mute the strings. My other amp, guitar and cords buzz also. So, I assume it's the house. From my search on this forum it seems like it could be a grounding problem but I'm not sure where the "loop" is and everything suggest that finding it could be a big challenge. Do I have a grounding loop problem and will the isolation transformers do the trick?

An interesting thing is my son's SS Marshall MG doen't buzz at all. Are some amp designs more or less prone this problem?

Anyway, thanks in advance. The problem is so bad tonight that I can't even practice and I really need the practice!

Mike

 

[onemind]

Mike, first thing to try is a ground lift....you know those two prong to three prong adapters....if that knocks out most of the buzz you know you have a ground loop. Also is the problem just with single coils? Also (sorry!) is your son's amp not buzzing when it's plugged into the same, or different outlet. Did you change anything electrically in the house? (e.g. add fluorescent lighting)

Steve

 

[mbrann]

I havn't tried single coils lately but thats easily done. My son's amp is in another room but I did take my amp and plugged it into the same outlet as his amp and used his cab. My amp buzzed and his didn't. I said I thought it was the house previously because my other, normally quiet amp, buzzed also. But maybe I chasing the wrong thing?

THanks,
Mike

 

[onemind]

Mike, couple of other quick thoughts, is it possible your son's amp has a two prong cord (I'm not familiar with the model), If not do any amps in the house have a ground lift switch? Does your "normally quiet" amp buzz when plugged in in your son's room....

 

[mbrann]

I think tonight I'll move the amps around and see what happens. I do have one dedicated circuit in the house that I thought I could try and it sounds like the ground lift switch will be easy enough as well. There have no changes to the wiring in the house or to any major appliances lately. I do have fluorescent lights in the basement but I get the noise when these are off as well. I can't help but think it's something simple and I'll shake my head when I figure it out.

Thanks,
M

 

[mbrann]

An interesting update on this buzzing problem. For the last few days it's been completely quiet! Great tone no nosie. I couldn't figure out what had changed to cause this but last night I noticed that my kid's Sony Playstation was in the kitchen. When I asked about it they said they had broken it a few days ago and it needed repair. It's possible that we may have purchased this new and smaller Playstation around the same time my amp started to buzz. Could the Playstation cause this sort of problem?

M