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Post subject: Blues Jr. radio? Need some advice.
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:25 pm
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Roadie
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I have been playing with a two year old Blues Jr. which was purchased new and resides in my music room. It does not get moved and played normally at pretty low volume. In the area of 3-5. The other day I purchased a Boss DB-2 (Blues driver pedal) and although I love it and the gain it provides, my amp is now acting like a radio and I can hear a station playing in the background.

I have noticed this previously when using a Digitech RP350 but it is much more bothersome with the BD-2.

I realize that a tube amp has components/circuits in it similar to a radio but is there a way to get ride of the background noise?

Any help would be appreciated.


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:29 pm
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If you don't already own some, buy yourself a few quality shielded cables.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:40 pm
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I agree with Retro, I don't feel about an amp issue but a cable wrongly grounded may be too much amplification done by the pedal that amplifies the pick-up signal.
Is it AM radio ?
That I can explain by detection the AM "envelop" by any diode in the signal path. For FM, as far as there is not no PLL, Foster demodulator, it has to be converted to AM by a BPF and detected as an AM.

Make sure the ground is well connected to earth and try to put a wire from the chassis ground to the pedal ground:
1st case --> Big hum --> means that there is already a gound connection and you create a loop (bad for common mode)
2nd case lower noise, you probably have a ground issue
Let us know 8)

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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:57 pm
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Arjay & Tissan,

Thanks for the quick response. AM radio? Now it is getting interesting. I never bothered to track down the station. Will try to do so. Also I have a long 14-18 foot cable run to the amp connected by a marginal Chinese cable. Will check that too. Input from guitar to pedal is a good Monster cable. Is the Fender cable they gave me with the Amer. Strat considered a good shielded cable?

You guys are talking to a mechanical engineer so you can guess how good I am with electrical circuitry, although I did take a course once in transistor theory. Didn't do well at all. I do understand truss rods though. :0)

Thanks again and I will update.


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:16 pm
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Cambo wrote:
Arjay & Tissan,

Thanks for the quick response. AM radio? Now it is getting interesting. I never bothered to track down the station. Will try to do so. Also I have a long 14-18 foot cable run to the amp connected by a marginal Chinese cable. Will check that too. Input from guitar to pedal is a good Monster cable. Is the Fender cable they gave me with the Amer. Strat considered a good shielded cable?

You guys are talking to a mechanical engineer so you can guess how good I am with electrical circuitry, although I did take a course once in transistor theory. Didn't do well at all. I do understand truss rods though. :0)

Thanks again and I will update.


A twisted/shielded pair cable such as the higher price Plant Waves cables would be a good choice in a situation like this. The shield is connected at the source end of the cable only which is plugged into the guitar.

I am a EE and have worked with many/know enough about ME stuff to be dangerous to myself and those around me. :lol:

If that doesn't help, you could always team up with an EE and build yourself a good screen room to practice in. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:22 pm
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A screen room sounds more expensive than a few good cables. As an alternative, I can find the radio station and practice along with their music.
Knowing my luck, here in Milwaukee, it will be a polka station.


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:29 pm
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+1 on good cables. I use George L's and they're really quiet. They're pretty skinny and not really as flexible as some but I like them. There's a bunch of good cables out there. I wouldn't recommend coiled cords.

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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:54 pm
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Cambo wrote:
Knowing my luck, here in Milwaukee, it will be a polka station.


Hey, hey! I'm Polish on my mother's side (Paskoski). I LOVE polka music! :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:17 pm
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Sorry about that. No offense intended.
I knew I was in trouble right after I sent it. :0)

I'll bet an electric accordion played through a Blues Overdrive pedal would really get the old kielbasa moving!


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:25 pm
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Cambo wrote:
Sorry about that. No offense intended.
I knew I was in trouble right after I sent it. :0)

I'll bet an electric accordion played through a Blues Overdrive pedal would really get the old kielbasa moving!


No offense taken.

Mmmmmm. Kielbasa. :lol:

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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:54 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
Mmmmmm. Kielbasa.


+1 :!: :!: :!:

Arjay

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:47 pm
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i'm polish too- and the next big kielbasa day is only 18 days away.

than again, everyday is a good day for kielbasa, as long as there is plent of placzek to go with it :D


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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:39 pm
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I agree with the cable solution. I have an amp that picks up radio stations ONLY when I use my Standard Monster cable, which now sits unused in my tool box. I also have a fender cable, and that one works fine with the same amp. I no longer buy Standard Monster and stick with Mogami. Those have been working pretty good for me. There are many manufactures out there that produce pretty good cables. You just gotta try them until you find what sounds good to you.

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Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 5:31 am
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Don't get too caught up in all the hype either. Some cables will make your signal so clean it can ruin your tone. Try a bunch because they really do effect your tone. The shielding is really important. Don't confuse the jacket/covering material like plastic. cloth, or rubber with shielding.

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:23 pm
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Guys, You nailed it. Thanks No more radio !!!!!

I sold the wife's dog when she wasn't looking and bought a pair of Mogami Gold cables. I I have lots of cables, plugged into lots of stuff to give me options as the mood hits. Guitar / RP350 simulator/ looper to amp, guitar to Digitech Vocal Harmonizer / looper to amp, bass guitar to bass effects simulator, and guitar to Boss BD-2 & Clapton pedals to amp. Looks real cool but sound needed improving especially with radio playing in background.

Most cables now coiled up in box and I will rewire with Mogami's as needed. Saving my money for a few smaller ones.

I wonder how long it will take before the wife notices the dog is missing?


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