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Post subject: Princeton Reverb (Hum) Reissue
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 7:31 pm
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I got a brand new PRRI delivered today. Would have been terrific if the amp didn't hum when the reverb dial is turned up to 2 or beyond.

Totally disappointed. I tried every outlet in the house, and they all hum if the reverb is at least on 2. In more positive news, the sound of the hum really responds if the speed and intensity dials are turned up.

This hum occurs with the volume on 0, with nothing plugged in. It also occurs with an instrument plugged in.

I am exchanging this amp for another, but am not happy.

I'm not sure if this amp is defective or if something happened during shipment. In other news, why is it that UPS completely disregards orientation arrows? I wasn't thrilled to find the box on its side when I got home today. However, Fender packs these things really well, and I have to believe the packing materials are engineered for "worst case scenarios" (ie: the box being on its side or upside down).

Whatever, this sucks.

PS: For what it's worth (nothing to me right now) - this amp sounds terrific. Anybody that's worried about it not being loud enough, don't worry. I couldn't test for the widely reported "baffle rattle" problem as there's absolutely no way I can play loud enough to test it (problem reported at showing up on volume 5 and above). This amp can be extremely loud if you like that kind of thing. My ears hurt.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:27 am
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Once the amp has sufficiently cooled off, did you check to see that all the tubes are properly seated in their sockets?

On the reverb send and return, are they plugged in securely?

It may be you unfortunately got a bad amp, but hopefully you'll be able to return it and get a new one that's problem free.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:45 am
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it might of came with a noisy 12at7 tube


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:39 pm
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So I ended up testing for the "baffle rattle." Turned the amp up to volume 4, and played a low F# - the rattling noise was instantly recognizable.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:32 pm
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Got my replacement today. Guess what? It produces electrical hum with the reverb on 2-3 or higher, and way worse with the intensity and speed dials on.

What the hell? Returning the second one in a row. This one as well, produces a baffle rattle when playing a low F# with the volume up.

Don't care about the rattle as I'd never play loud enough for it to be a problem, but this reverb humming nonsense is done.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 7:49 pm
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Can someone with a PRRI test this for me? In a relatively quiet room (TV is OK, drummer not OK).

Turn on your amp and be ready to play guitar. Reverb dial on zero. Totally silent right, like the amp's not on?

Turn the reverb to 10. Hear something now?

Please someone test this


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 8:05 pm
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Are you sure it is not single coil hum....I get a hum with single coils but not with humbuckers.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 8:57 pm
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Dude, it happens even when no instruments are plugged in. It's the amp.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 3:48 am
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Is it to difficult to write the complete name of the amp when you ask your first question? what amp is PRRI ?


It would be easier to help you


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 3:51 am
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Are you sure that your house outlets are grounded ? or neutral and hot wire are not reverse ?

Is this amp is made in Mexico,or China ?


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:23 am
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PRRI = Princeton Reverb Reissue which are made in the US.

Dude,
For process of elimination try changing the outlet you are plugged into. I initially had a hum on mine and changed the outlet which seemed to be causing a hum on both my amps. Could be bad ground or something else plugged on the same circuit.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:19 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
Is it to difficult to write the complete name of the amp when you ask your first question? what amp is PRRI ?


It would be easier to help you


Is it difficult to read the title of the thread you're responding to?


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:21 pm
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Hey Joe, good idea, but to no avail. I tried every outlet in the house including turning off the power strips which all the "home entertainment" stuff (big $@! TV, electronics galore). I hate to send it back and semi-retire from guitar for awhile, but I just can't play this game any longer. It doesn't help that Fender won't respond to my e-mails, for all I know this could be normal.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:30 pm
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"Is it difficult to read the title of the thread you're responding to ? "

----Bakesalee


You are right, I'm sorry


Maybe all of your outlets are not grouded ! Or this is not the problem . Is your house is old ?

If your electic stove have an outlet, this one should be grouded


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 7:13 pm
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bakesalee wrote:
for all I know this could be normal.


This isn't normal under any circumstance -- however, it seems to be a common (and frequent) issue. I've heard a dozen anecdotal reports (some from friends) regarding brand-new PRRIs that exhibited the exact reverb symptoms of yours. All of these customers took theirs back for replacement within days of purchase and all received new amps that worked correctly. The cab rattle is a separate problem which I understand is also quite common. Apparently there are some engineering differences between the re-issues and the vintage amps but I"ve yet to compare a re-issue to my all-original '65 to annotate those difference(s).

Arjay


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