Hello everyone

Before telling u all my problem, I'd like to mention I'm not very familiar with technical problems related to guitar, so please pardon my stupidity.

I have a Fender Mexican 2006 Strat, a Marshall Mg-10 CD (i know it sucks but i never knew alot about amps back then) and a DigiTech RP250 processor.

When I'd bought all this they played fine, but about a month or two after buying the processor a loud hum started coming from the amp. The intensity of the hum/noise differed from each patch, like for high distortion ones it was loud. But all this happens only sometimes. Random I mean. This never happened at the time of buying nor did it start until about 2 months of buying the processor.

Is this a problem with the guitar (i hope not), the amp, or the processor?
And how do i check?

Any tips on solving it too please

Thanks

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Ŧเгєรuקгค007

Well...from the guitar you described....it sounds like a garden variety case of the dreaded 60 CYCLE HUM which is inherent in regular single coil pickups. It's been that way for 50 some-odd years now.
You can...however...spend a little extra money and get NOISELESS Strat replacement pickups. MY personal favorite are the DiMarzio AREA series of pickups. I have all of them in a number of my guitars and LOVE them!!
I don't sacrifice any "Stratty-ness" and they're dead quiet.

I, personally, am an analog guy and do not like the Digitech processor you're using....that may not help the situation any....but that's just my $.02!

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I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!

Hi firesupra007: well the very first thing to do is plug the guitar into the amp without the DigiTech and see if the noise is still there. That will tell you whether it is the processor or not.

If the noise is there without the DigiTech then you've got to try another guitar in the amp, and ideally your guitar into a different amp. That will establish whether it is the amp or the guitar.

Also, it might be the cable or 60 cylce hum, as mentioned above. All address-able issues...

Cheers - C

Try another power-source like in another room. I have the same thing happening and I'm sure it's something like a microwave messing up the current.

cheers Serge

It might also be a case of crappy cables......check those as well.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Thanks for the info.
I noticed another thing while playing. The noise which used to come while playing with distortion and others, dies out when I turn the volume knob to 9.5 and 10. But when its between 4-8 the noise is heard alot.
Why is that? ?

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Ŧเгєรuקгค007

I'd say that was more a bad solder connection to one of the pots, probably the ground to the volume pot.

Also I'd like to add that with certain of my amps and certain effects, I can't use the same wall socket for both. The noise becomes intollerable. It's something to do with the wiring in my house, it's worse sometimes and better others. Depending on what else is on in the house. Also it's worse in some rooms than it is in others. The kitchen is bad, so is a certain socket in the bedroom.

I agree with what Ceri said.

I would start by taking things out of the loop.
By that I mean make it simple. Just plug your guitar directly into the amp and see if the problem is there. If it is, it's either your guitar or your amp. If it's not, then it's something else your using. A process of elimination.
Do the above and if all good then introduce the Digitech and see what happens.

That way you can isolate the issue. If the problem occurs before the Digitech, use a friends amp and see what happens.

Hopefully it's not the problem nikininja mentioned!

cheers

Well, I think it's time to try playing in a different room. I only hope the noise doesn't continue.
As you say, the noise sometimes is really intollerable. But it sometimes comes back to normal. Then goes back again, like a pendulum!

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Ŧเгєรuקгค007

Hi There.

I am a strong believer in that a beginner should not be using pedals, Just a guitar, amp and cord.

This will help you develop feel and attack without overloading you will all a multi effects pedal can provide.

I would suggest you put the pedal away for now, get a high quality cord 9I use Monster cables) and get a good tube amp.
A Fender Blues JR or a Peavey classic 30 or Delta blues.

These amps will breath tone into your playing, and be loud enough for small gig's and if miked can handle anything.

Also check to see if in the room your playing someone had installed one of those Florescent bulbs, they can be noisy and all hell, get rid of it and use a standard old incandescent bulb.

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Yes, I know what you mean. But I'm not exactly a beginner when it comes to playing the guitar. What I meant was I'm not that great with all the technical stuff related to the guitar. I still have a lot to learn, and what I find here in this forum seems to shower me with knowledge , especially the Strat builds.
About the cables, could you suggest a few good ones, and how much would they cost? And yes, I have inquired about tube amps and will be getting one soon .

Thanks

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Ŧเгєรuקгค007

Does the noise go away when you hold the guitar and touch the strings or bridge?

Good to have you here, 007.

When you do figure out that the issue is; please post the solution here on the forum.

Since you would normally expect a noise problem to get worse with volume if it is an effect or 60 cycle hum issue, I would think niki is on the right track.

I have seen dirty connections cause hum issues but doubt that is the case with such new equipment. If you have had a leaking battery in your effect unit, that would change things.

Another thing to check is the grounding wire on the trem claw. If that was not grounding right, then the hum would be awful. The hum associated with it is better when touching the strings, but I noticed with the one guitar that had that problem, the sound was crap even when I was touching the strings.

Yes, in fact it does. Well, almost 99% of the time anyway. There were 2 instances where the noise had reduced considerably, but could be heard. Otherwise I have to hold on to the strings to stop the noise.

Well, today my cousins turned up and were quite bored after awhile. So my guitar had to be taken out. I connected it to the drawing room socket and to my intense pleasure, there was NO sound being emitted from the amp .
So I guess my room socket is screwed up. I still gotta try connecting it in other places. Hope it works out fine. I will keep you guys posted about any more problems and if there are, will be looking forward to solutions to it from you.

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Ŧเгєรuקгค007