Help me diagnose this weird sound coming from my amp

[thrashinbatman]

So a few months back my Engl Savage started making this funky noise. Whenever you play low notes, what seems like the transformer buzzes kind of loudly. When you turn the master down it stops, but when you have it at rehearsal/show volume the sound appears. Here's a video of it:

I've been trying to limit my usage of it in case this is really bad, but do any of you dudes recognize this sound? Is it take into the shop bad, or is it something I can fix on my own?

 

[glip22]

Does it do it with the guitar not plugged in?

 

[thrashinbatman]

It only happens when I play low notes on the guitar, so no.

 

[napalmdeath]

Try a different guitar. Are they active pickups?

 

[glip22]

I would start with process of elimination as suggested. Different guitar, different cable. Replace V1 pre tube. I have had similar noise and it was not the amp.

 

[napalmdeath]

I would start with process of elimination as suggested. Different guitar, different cable. Replace V1 pre tube. I have had similar noise and it was not the amp.

Which is why I was wondering if he had EMG's. Could be a battery going dead.

I'd check V1 and the phase inverter too.

 

[thrashinbatman]

I would start with process of elimination as suggested. Different guitar, different cable. Replace V1 pre tube. I have had similar noise and it was not the amp.

Which is why I was wondering if he had EMG's. Could be a battery going dead.

I'd check V1 and the phase inverter too.

That clip was done with a passive, some no name pickup. It happens regardless. I'll check the V1 pre tube, see if that sorts it.

 

[Racerxrated]

Tubes are almost always the source of weird unnatural noises. Pre tubes especially.

 

[SpiderWars]

I wouldn't continue doing that. I don't really understand the video, I don't hear any sound from the amp (other than the buzzing). Since I'm not hearing sound my guess is that the power in that transformer has nowhere to go (like a speaker or some other load). What is the load, is there a speaker or attenuator or something?

 

[thrashinbatman]

I wouldn't continue doing that. I don't really understand the video, I don't hear any sound from the amp (other than the buzzing). Since I'm not hearing sound my guess is that the power in that transformer has nowhere to go (like a speaker or some other load). What is the load, is there a speaker or attenuator or something?

It's hooked into a Torpedo Reload. I think even when it's hooked to a cab it makes the sound, but it's been so long since I've hooked it up to a cab that I don't remember.

 

[panhead]

It is the transformer making that sound mostly from being so quiet on the load of the reload. you wouldn't hear that cranked through a cab I don't think, if you do its most likely the trans

 

[SpiderWars]

I wouldn't continue doing that. I don't really understand the video, I don't hear any sound from the amp (other than the buzzing). Since I'm not hearing sound my guess is that the power in that transformer has nowhere to go (like a speaker or some other load). What is the load, is there a speaker or attenuator or something?

It's hooked into a Torpedo Reload. I think even when it's hooked to a cab it makes the sound, but it's been so long since I've hooked it up to a cab that I don't remember.

I'd verify good speaker cable first but I suspect you've done that. After that I'd suspect either the Torpedo or some other issue that arose from continued playing under poor conditions. Any sort of constant stress be it a cable or the Torpedo such that it "worked until it didn't". I suppose it could be the speaker jack itself too.

Sometimes you have to just start eliminating causes so at least you what isn't the problem. Good luck, I hope it's something cheap and easy.

 

[panhead]

When an amp is hooked to a dummy load and turned up with no speaker sound that's what it does ok

 

[thrashinbatman]

When an amp is hooked to a dummy load and turned up with no speaker sound that's what it does ok

But none of my other amps do that.

 

[Goat]

Grasp the transformer housings (covers), and hit your low E... If the buzzing stops, you'll need to pad the housings. Try attaching a soft credit card size magnet on the offending housing. If the magnet(s) don't quell the buzzing, you may need to coat the interior with some silicon. You can get blue silicon from your local pool store, or Home Depot.

 

[mnemonic]

Yep, just buzzing from the transformer. It could be loose bell housing vibrating that just needs to be tightened down, or it could be plates or windings vibrating inside the transformer. Into a load box with the master high, that’s a lot of current going though the transformer. When I first tried a load box with a jet city jca50, I put the master higher than I ever have, and it did the same thing. If you turn the master even higher it will probably do it on all notes and not just low notes.

Whether it’s a problem or not, I don’t know. Some transformers buzz and it’s no problem. But maybe there is also an underlying issue, best to consult an experienced tech or amp builder, probably.

 

[glip22]

Did you try the suggestions? Different cable, guitar, pretubes, nothing in effects loop, no attentuators?

 

[napalmdeath]

I wouldn't continue doing that. I don't really understand the video, I don't hear any sound from the amp (other than the buzzing). Since I'm not hearing sound my guess is that the power in that transformer has nowhere to go (like a speaker or some other load). What is the load, is there a speaker or attenuator or something?

It's hooked into a Torpedo Reload. I think even when it's hooked to a cab it makes the sound, but it's been so long since I've hooked it up to a cab that I don't remember.

Hook it up to a cab, for crying out loud!

 

[Devin]

My Fender Prosonic did this. Amp sounded amazing and never had any issues so I just chalked it up to "some amps do that"

I wouldn't worry about it if the amp is otherwise working as expected

 

[thrashinbatman]

I wouldn't continue doing that. I don't really understand the video, I don't hear any sound from the amp (other than the buzzing). Since I'm not hearing sound my guess is that the power in that transformer has nowhere to go (like a speaker or some other load). What is the load, is there a speaker or attenuator or something?

It's hooked into a Torpedo Reload. I think even when it's hooked to a cab it makes the sound, but it's been so long since I've hooked it up to a cab that I don't remember.

Hook it up to a cab, for crying out loud!

my cabs are all at my band's practice space! this scenario has reminded me how important it is to keep a cab at the house at all times. guess i'll need to buy another.