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Post subject: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 1:37 pm
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Hello there!

May I ask you gentlemen for advice? I´ve purchased an brand new Fender Super Sonic 100 Head, just one week ago. This amp sounds fantastic, BUT as soon as I power it up, there is this buzzing noise... It´s well known that Super Sonics aren´t the most quiet amps, as they seem to have quite a lot of background noise. My amp is hissing too, but that hum is much more nerve-racking.

- The hum sounds a bit like a guitar with noisy single-coils. Rather deep sounding...
- It´s always there, regardless of the cable or whether I plug in my guitar or not
- All knobs are set to 0, also the gain and volume knob. The hum is still there.
- The hum is present in both channels
- What´s interesting: If I turn up the amp´s volume, the hum doesn´t change!
The noise always stays at the same volume.
- I´ve tried it in two different buildings. The hum doesen´t change at all, so it shouldn´t be down to the power line.
- It gets REALLY loud if I turn on the built in reverb. I can´t even turn the reverb knob past 5, because the hiss and buzz gets that loud.

Now, what could it be? Super Sonics are said to be hissing quite a bit, I´ve also heard of buzzing FX channels, but that omnipresent hum in both channels and all levels is surprising to me.

The only thing I didn´t try out yet is to change the speaker cable.
By the way, I´m using the brand new Fender speaker cable that came with the amp.
It´s a very bulky cable. What puzzles me is the fact that the hum doesn´t change, wheather the volume knobs are set to 0 or 10.

Does anyone own the SS 100 Head and have experienced the same problem?

Thank you in advance!

Daniel


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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 1:48 pm
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Hi sir_danish,

It could be a ground issue. Are you sure that your ground plug is intact (three prong plug), and that the outlets you are using are properly grounded?

Also, double check that you are using a speaker cable for the speaker connection and not an instrument cable.

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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 2:11 pm
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shimmilou,

yes, I'm using a proper speaker cable. It' the original Fender speaker cable that came with the amp.
Also, I've tried different power sockets in different buildings. My MusicMan Sixtyfive and my Super Twin Reverb don't hum or hiss at all when plugged into the same power sockets, at least they don't do so with the volume at 0. My Super Sonic does.


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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 2:16 pm
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Well, that leaves the reverb cables or tank as the next likely place to check. However, if it is under warranty, an exchange might be prudent.

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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 2:42 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
However, if it is under warranty, an exchange might be prudent.


Only a week old and all that aggravation?

:shock:

The honeymoon is over -- take the sonofabitch back!

:evil:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:14 pm
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Your problem definately sounds like something I would rather take back and replace if it is that new. But just in case you don't here is some tips.

- Check that the autobias controller at the back is not indicating a biasing fault.
- Because the hum persists with all volume knobs at zero there must be a power supply issue - such as said on here already - Bad Earth, OR the PSU DC Smoothing Capacitors could be BAD - in which case send the amp back.
- Hum could be PSU Tranny cables inside amp running too close to other signal cables/circuits and may need re-routing adjustment.
- The supplied speaker cables are not that bulky, I would upgrade those (get bigger copper ones anyway) even if it has no relevance to your hum issues.
- The reverb cables should definately be upgraded, get high grade shielded cables and connectors - it will reduce reverb hiss drastically.
- because you say the hum gets louder with the reverb hiss when reverb volume is increased definately points to PSU tranny induced noise I think. But you can test how far into the reverb stage this hum is being induced by pulling first the reverb send cable and then last the return cable. (please remember to turn amp on standby before removing reverb cables - otherwise BIG NOISE :shock:)

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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 3:27 am
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Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your help.

This is a short video that demonstrates the problem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pp5wOOheBc

My phone automatically compresses the recorded sound, so the hum is not perfectly hearable. Please pay attention to the wavering volume of the humming noise at the end of the video. I´ve tried different cables today, without success. It´s not the power cable, nor is it the speaker cable.

Obviously I´ll have to send the amp to a Fender authorized repair center.
The guy who sold me the amp is not obliged to take the amp back or replace it, because I bought it in the store. Of course I´ve tested the amp before the purchase, but I didn´t notice any strange sounds there in the shop. ..


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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 8:26 am
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The Reverb Hum is definitely a little too much, but the hum you hear with reverb on zero sounds fairly normal for that amp, you had to put your phone right by the speaker to hear it. Your amp could do with some power tranny cable arrangement inside the chassis maybe.

BUT that reverb definitely needs good quality cables as the fender ones are crap. Also check the cable routing to the reverb pan and maybe route reverb cables away from the power tranny. Unfortunately with the SS Head the reverb pan sits right under that huge power tranny and that might be why my SS Twin does no suffer those symptoms.

Also check all valves are seated in there bases correctly.

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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 2:32 pm
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What exactly happens if I press both arrow buttons on the rear of the amp, while starting it up? Does this cause something like a bias reset? The status LEDs start to blink red, orange and red again if I do that trick. I thought this could help, but the hum remains unchanged in volume and tone.

As the reverb seems to be the source of trouble, a specialist will have to repair my new amp. I don' have the skills (or guts) to replace or rearrange the cables, but thanks to your help I know that something needs to be done.

My good old Super Twin Reverb and Music Man Sixtyfive have been doing their job for several decades without complaints...


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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 7:10 pm
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sir_danish wrote:
What exactly happens if I press both arrow buttons on the rear of the amp, while starting it up?...


Where did you get that?

From the manual:

NOTE: Press the up and down arrows simultaneously for one second to
restore factory automatic bias settings.


It doesn't say anything about pressing the buttons while starting up.

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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 12:43 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Where did you get that?


I got it from here:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=69283

"When hold the "up" and "down" buttons of the bias control when turing the amp on; it makes a sort of reset, the 4 valve control leds are turn on red, then orange and red again."

I don´t know if it really makes a reset, I hope I didn´t screw up anything... I should have kept my hands off it.


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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:44 am
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The autobias "RESET" just clears the stored user setting level and initiates a bias re-test and adjust. Should not make any difference to your current amp issues, and won't damage anything.

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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:47 am
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Ok, I've disconnected the reverb tank. The hum is still there, but of course doesn't get louder if I turn the reverb knob, as there is no reverb connected anymore.

Conclusion: hum is there, with and without connected reverb. Turning the volume knobs doesn't change the humming noise in any way. Next step: Trying the amp in another building to rule out bad grounding.
If the problem still exists, I'll give up and send it to a Fender specialist.

Thank you all for your help!


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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:44 am
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I have none of these issues with my new SS 100, sounds to me like you may have a bad tube early on in the preamp.


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Post subject: Re: Super Sonic 100 Head omnipresent hum
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:36 am
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He could swap tubes to check, and because he says the hum is on both channels it only effectively means V1, V7, V8 or V9 could be the culprit. So he could keep reverb unplugged and swap V5 with V9, and then V3 with V1, then if still humming try V4 with V7 or V8.

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