It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:39 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: normal tube amp noise?
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:06 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:56 pm
Posts: 131
My main question is concerning a NOS Tweed BJ, but I'm also curious about my DRRI.

Basically, what kinds of noises are normal for tube amps?

What I'm hearing out of my BJ is hard to describe. It sounds kind of like a metallic hiss/whoosh; like air being let out of a tire with a metallic quality. It only occurs after certain notes. It's subtle, but audible.

I also get some similar noises out of the DRRI, but they aren't as noticable.

Is that just typical tube noise?

Thanks.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:27 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:32 pm
Posts: 1384
Location: uɐʇsıʞɔnuɐɔ 'puɐlʇɐlɟ
Many tube amps have a hiss to them that gets louder the higher you have the volume set. Just part of their existence,
http://psg.com/~dlamkins/lamkins-guitar ... e/amp-hiss

However an odd noise being produced after some notes is not expected, you might try the "pencil eraser tap test" on each tube to see if one of them responds with a pile of unexpected noises indicating it has gone microphonic and should be replaced.

_________________
Keep on Truckin, Going full speed ahead down the highway to hades.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:54 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:56 pm
Posts: 131
I did the tap test and found that the 1st 12AX7 (all the way to the right when looking at the amp from the rear) made the noise. I don't have any new tubes to try out, but I swapped it with the one next to it and it didn't make any noise in the 2nd position. The noise still came from the 1st position. So I'm thinking the tubes aren't bad. But I'm a novice with tube amps so I could be wrong.

Thanks.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:04 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:32 pm
Posts: 1384
Location: uɐʇsıʞɔnuɐɔ 'puɐlʇɐlɟ
Hopefully someone with more tube know how jumps in .
I haven't had that happen, I've had a few tubes go bad over the years but usually I just put in a new tube and the problem goes away.

The problem should have moved with the tube, so I suspect you are right and it is not a tube issue.

_________________
Keep on Truckin, Going full speed ahead down the highway to hades.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:08 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:51 am
Posts: 461
Location: USA
peterp wrote:
Many tube amps have a hiss to them that gets louder the higher you have the volume set. Just part of their existence,
http://psg.com/~dlamkins/lamkins-guitar ... e/amp-hiss

However an odd noise being produced after some notes is not expected, you might try the "pencil eraser tap test" on each tube to see if one of them responds with a pile of unexpected noises indicating it has gone microphonic and should be replaced.


I just checked out the article, because my blues junior hisses and when I play or I have a fan on, you cannot hear it. I really like the recommendation to play louder. That's exacly what I do.

_________________
www.GuitarLingerie.com


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:57 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:56 pm
Posts: 131
Thanks for all of the thoughts. I ended up replacing all of the 12ax7 tubes and the problem was resolved.

Now I just need to re-tube my DRRI and I'll be all set!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: