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Post subject: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:01 am
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My 4-month old DRRI is now making static-type noise when I turn it on -- even with the volume at zero and nothing plugged into the inputs. Naturally, it gets louder as the volume knob is turned up.

Up until now, it was quiet when turned on without the guitar input -- and relatively quiet after the guitar input.

So, just thought I would seek the collective wisdom of the forum on where I should start trouble-shooting to find the root of the unwanted noise.

** Disclaimer: I know zilch about electronics and tube amps (so any advice is greatly appreciated). :-)


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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 11:50 am
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There are several kind of noise: 50-60 Hz called hum, white noise as shhhhhhhh, pop noise ...
If it is hum, you may have an issue with earth connection.
If it is white noise then a valve can be involved.
But difficult to say.

Well as you amp is still under warranty (excepted valves usually 3 months), I strongly recommand to contact your 7ender dealer.

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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:47 pm
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i find that other stuff like mixers, lighing, can cause some static noise on the amp, try using a different plug or different extension cable from another plug, of if you have tried that already, take it back, if you have no experience with valve amps then its not wize to try look at it urself, its potentially deadly to go prodding around in a valve amp... but if you do... do ur looking with something non conductive...

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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 4:38 pm
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Your four-month old DRRI has fifty-six months of warranty left.

Use it.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:35 pm
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Hi Cotton121,

+1 on checking warranty.

Static sound, is likely a preamp or PI tube, but tubes are only covered for 90 days.

Does the noise increase with volume increase on either channel, with reverb turned down? If it only does it on the normal channel, I would suspect V1. If only on the vibrato channel, suspect V2. If both channels, it could be the PI (V6), or the vibrato (V5). :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:34 pm
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Thanks to everyone for the replies - very much appreciated. I took the amp to local Fender service rep this afternoon and was told the noise coming from the amp was normal. I'm still confused on how it went from almost silent to a noticeable static-type sound, which grows louder as you turn up the volume, even without the guitar input, but the tech guys were adamant that the sound was normal for a tube amp.

I was comparing it with my son's Orange Tiny Terror combo, which is practically silent in the same room and without the guitar input, even if you turn the volume to 10. Their answer was different amps - different tubes, components, etc. The DRRI noise - both channels - is not the type that actually affects the sound when playing but it's noticeable when switced "on," so I thought something was wrong with it.

So, do most tube amps have an inherent hiss/static sound when switched from "standby" to "on"? I guess I assumed they would be almost silent until the guitar was plugged in. Thanks to all...


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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:25 pm
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Every one of my thirteen Fender amps (11 vintage -- two re-issues, including a DRRI) is as quiet as a church mouse.

Find another amp tech.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 10:39 pm
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+1 Retroverbial

Cotton121 wrote:
...Up until now, it was quiet when turned on without the guitar input -- and relatively quiet after the guitar input...


:wink:

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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:08 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Every one of my thirteen Fender amps (11 vintage -- two re-issues, including a DRRI) is as quiet as a church mouse.

Find another amp tech.

Arjay


+1

You can compare with another one in the show room, if you have a microphone record it, post a youtube in order to ear.

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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:30 am
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Cotton 211,

Your amp could need new tube . Alsi I suspected bad solder in power supply.

Do as Retroverbial and Tis-san ; find a good technician.


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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:07 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Every one of my thirteen Fender amps (11 vintage -- two re-issues, including a DRRI) is as quiet as a church mouse.

Find another amp tech.

Arjay


Ugh. That's what I suspected. Thanks Arjay (and all).


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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:08 pm
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Well, still very frustrated with the unwanted noise that's coming from my new DRRI.

I recorded this at lunch today with just the VoiceMemos app on my iPhone, so you will need to turn up your computer volume to hear it properly. Here it is on SoundCloud:

http://soundcloud.com/cotton121/drri-11-22-11/

This is with NO guitar input at all, just the amp turned on.

The first 5 seconds or so is with Volume on 1 (off). Then a few seconds turned to 4. Then a few seconds turned to 6-8. Then the last few seconds at 10.

It did not make hiss noise this badly the first few weeks after buying it new. I took it to TWO different Nashville shops a few weeks ago after my original posts -- both said it was "normal tube noise." I just find that hard to believe -- of course, both were listening to it in their noisy shops. Since then, I believe it has gotten worse.

It's incredibly annoying when it's just me, the DRRI amp and my guitar and I'm trying to play something mellow and soothing. My brain here's the d*!^m hiss more than it does my attempt to learn whatever I'm trying to play. Meanwhile, my son's Orange TT across the room is as quiet as a mouse -- until he strokes his LP.

Btw, the DRRI is connected to a dedicated electrical line/outlet that I had installed in our guitar room. And plugged-in through a surge protector. Next I'm gonna try standing on one leg with a tin-foil cap! :)

Does this sound like "normal tube noise" to you guys? Do I just start pulling and replacing tubes until I hope I find the culprit?

Many thanks to all...


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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:36 pm
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I just listen your noise. It could be a bad tube. Or bad contact / solder. How old is this amp ?

What I suggest to you is to do some easy tests ;

1- Remove the first preamp tube, at the right of the amp , view from the back. Amp OFF
Power ON and listen if you ear the noise.
a- If no noise, this mean noise is commig from this stage ; tube or components or solder/ contact. Try a new tube
b- If noise , do the same thing with the second tube......the third ........

Don't do this test with power tubes ; ther will be no sound at all

This test will help us to help you.
Or find a good amp tech. Not a guitar shop


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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:31 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
I just listen your noise. It could be a bad tube. Or bad contact / solder. How old is this amp ?

What I suggest to you is to do some easy tests ;

1- Remove the first preamp tube, at the right of the amp , view from the back. Amp OFF
Power ON and listen if you ear the noise.
a- If no noise, this mean noise is commig from this stage ; tube or components or solder/ contact. Try a new tube
b- If noise , do the same thing with the second tube......the third ........

Don't do this test with power tubes ; ther will be no sound at all

This test will help us to help you.
Or find a good amp tech. Not a guitar shop


Thanks for the reply -- I will try the steps that you suggest. The amp is about 4 months old. I took it to two of the most reputable amp shops in the Nashville area. I think it has gotten even worse since then.


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Post subject: Re: Help with DRRI noise...
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:10 pm
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OK -- here are the results:

The hiss on the Vibrato channel stops when I remove the preamp tube that is fourth from the right. The diagram says it is a 12AX7A. The tube that I pulled out is a GrooveTube ST-ECC83-S.

The hiss on the Normal channel stops when I remove the sixth preamp tube (located closest to the power tubes). The diagram says it is a 12AT7. The tube that I pulled out is a GrooveTube GT-ECC81-S.

So, a trip to GC for replacements should solve the hiss problem, yes?


Last edited by Cotton121 on Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:55 am, edited 2 times in total.

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