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Post subject: amplifier buzz
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:21 pm
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I just bought a used fender pro junior online from guitar center and it was shipped to me from out of state. I was told the amp was in a near mint condition, but now after setting it up, I've noticed a steady low pitch buzz that it emits when turned on. The buzz is there even without my guitar plugged in and is present at all volumes (it also doesn't increase in volume when I turn the amp up). I've tried plugging into a different outlet, but that didn't work. I also looked at the tubes and they look OK to me (glowing low lit orange). I did have to plug the tubes into the amp after it was shipped and 2 of the tubes are longer than the others. This is my first electric guitar and amp so I don't have that much knowledge on the subject of troubleshooting these things. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated!


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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 3:34 pm
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Hi rrentz,

The buzz is probably the normal 60 or 120 Hertz noise that is inherent in many of the smaller amps (the input voltage runs at 60 Hertz). As long as it isn't annoyingly loud, it is OK. In order to make 'em cheaper, they don't worry about a little noise in the amp as it would cost more to reduce it. Almost all tube amps will have that sound to varying degrees. There are things that you can do to reduce the hum, but many of them will void your warranty if you do. Hope that helps. :)

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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:07 pm
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As it is under warranty, if you bring back your amp to the dealer and explain your complain about "hum", you have a good change to get maintenance such as capacitors replacing ...
8)

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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:00 pm
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Hey RR, I would try one of those 3 prong to 2 prong(ground-lift) adapters. It may just be noise introduced through the ground line in the house wiring. If the amp is quieted down with the adapter, all you need is a ground filter. I'm not saying to use the amp without a proper ground, this is just a test. You know what I mean ? Welcome to the forum. Art

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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:08 pm
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Geeze!!! I forgot to ask if you had some type of guide to help you get the tubes in the right order, and if the amp plays OK ? My Bad ! Art

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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:04 am
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I'm sure the OP put the tubes in the correct order since there is a tube chart inside the cabinet. And if he mixed up the 12AX7's and EL84's the amp probably wouldn't be working.

I bet the noise is normal. One way to verify is to take the amp to a few freinds' homes and try it out in a few different outlets. If the noise is the same everywhere, then that rules out the wiring in your house. Take it to a Guitar Center and compare it to another Pro Jr or similar amp, if they all have the same noise then you're OK. All tube amps have some background white noise. But you shouldn't be able to hear it while you are playing since the noise should be very slight.

I googled "Pro Junior hum" for ya. Maybe there is some info here: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sour ... oEBU_Q2w5c

I remember when I got my first tube amp. I was running around the house and music stores like a goofball trying to figure out if the slight noise from mine sounded normal or not compared to other tube amps. Yes it was normal.

However, like any mass produced item, it could be a bad component. It happens. Worst case scenario is return it if it's noisier than the other amps you compared it to, get your money back and find another one. Try it before you buy it. Can you return an used item from Guitar Center?

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