1 Topic by chooseyourblues (edited by chooseyourblues 2010-07-10 15:23:30)

  • From: Belfast
  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 110

Topic: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

OK weird question I know, but i am sitting here playing my new Vintage Modern 2466 head and cab and am getting weird static through the speakers. I would normally panic and start looking for the sale receipt so I could return it but truth be told i always get weird noises through my amps when I position it here in my little home studio. Same thing happened with my Twin, Re-issue Bassman and my Mesa Boogie. Seems to be brought on if we have very heavy rain, (guess might have something to do with static / lightning stuff... i'm not a scientist.
Just wondered if anyone else had an explanation or had similar 'spooky' goings on. A couple of years ago my amp picked up a baby crying... freaked the living Sh1t out of me until I figured it must have been a baby monitor or something... but never was sure. Haven't been able to watch Spinal Tap or Poltergeist since... aghhhhhhh

Guitars: 95 Les Paul Standard, Relic Strat,
Amps: 1973 Marshall JMP 50 head and Vintage Modern Cab. I use no effects other than a Cry Baby on occasions.
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

Get a Monster Power Conditioner. It will filter that stuff out and protect your equipment from power surges.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MONPRO2500

  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 121

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

Hi,

I agree with wharris. A power conditioner (Monster, Furman etc.) protects your gear in many ways. Your problem can also be caused by poor quality cables. All cables (including cables between pedals and even a rack) acts like a giant antenna. Good quality cables with good shielding is a must. You can consider balanced connections if you have long cables between your pedal board and amp(s). I use a ebTech Hum eliminator which also converts to balanced connections, which allows you to use TRS-cables for the long runs and eliminates much of the RFI-noise which is everywhere!

Keep rocking!
André

  • From: Belfast
  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 110

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

André wrote:

Hi,

I agree with wharris. A power conditioner (Monster, Furman etc.) protects your gear in many ways. Your problem can also be caused by poor quality cables. All cables (including cables between pedals and even a rack) acts like a giant antenna. Good quality cables with good shielding is a must. You can consider balanced connections if you have long cables between your pedal board and amp(s). I use a ebTech Hum eliminator which also converts to balanced connections, which allows you to use TRS-cables for the long runs and eliminates much of the RFI-noise which is everywhere!

Keep rocking!
André




I am a semi-pro player, I use hi end gear including George L cables. I don't use effects, I understand the importance of good cables.

Guitars: 95 Les Paul Standard, Relic Strat,
Amps: 1973 Marshall JMP 50 head and Vintage Modern Cab. I use no effects other than a Cry Baby on occasions.
  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

Deffo.

Re power conditioners, I've just bought an Olson on Pete Cornish's recommedation. I asked him about Furmans and he said something along the lines of @@!!£$!%%&*** piece of @@££$$%% ££$$.......

www.olson.co.uk

Very cheap too.

Makes a MASSIVE difference.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

chooseyourblues wrote:
André wrote:

Hi,

I agree with wharris. A power conditioner (Monster, Furman etc.) protects your gear in many ways. Your problem can also be caused by poor quality cables. All cables (including cables between pedals and even a rack) acts like a giant antenna. Good quality cables with good shielding is a must. You can consider balanced connections if you have long cables between your pedal board and amp(s). I use a ebTech Hum eliminator which also converts to balanced connections, which allows you to use TRS-cables for the long runs and eliminates much of the RFI-noise which is everywhere!

Keep rocking!
André




I am a semi-pro player, I use hi end gear including George L cables. I don't use effects, I understand the importance of good cables.

Do you like George L's?

I don't- I'll use them occasionally when nothing else around, but I think they lose bottom and mids. Also, if you lug your rig around a lot then the jacks come undone.

Home made Evidence Melody is my patch cable of choice.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • From: Belfast
  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 110

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

jakey wrote:
chooseyourblues wrote:
André wrote:

Hi,

I agree with wharris. A power conditioner (Monster, Furman etc.) protects your gear in many ways. Your problem can also be caused by poor quality cables. All cables (including cables between pedals and even a rack) acts like a giant antenna. Good quality cables with good shielding is a must. You can consider balanced connections if you have long cables between your pedal board and amp(s). I use a ebTech Hum eliminator which also converts to balanced connections, which allows you to use TRS-cables for the long runs and eliminates much of the RFI-noise which is everywhere!

Keep rocking!
André




I am a semi-pro player, I use hi end gear including George L cables. I don't use effects, I understand the importance of good cables.

Do you like George L's?

I don't- I'll use them occasionally when nothing else around, but I think they lose bottom and mids. Also, if you lug your rig around a lot then the jacks come undone.

Home made Evidence Melody is my patch cable of choice.


Like I said earlier, I don't use effects in this rig, so no patch leads.

I use 2 George L 20ft cables, one into the wah the other into the amp, they have heat shrinked ends so the jacks don't come undone. I have tried, Monster, Van Damme, Planet Waves, Whirlwind and many more. I find the George L to be the best and most durable for what i need with no tone loss or additions IMO.

Guitars: 95 Les Paul Standard, Relic Strat,
Amps: 1973 Marshall JMP 50 head and Vintage Modern Cab. I use no effects other than a Cry Baby on occasions.
  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

chooseyourblues wrote:
jakey wrote:
chooseyourblues wrote:




I am a semi-pro player, I use hi end gear including George L cables. I don't use effects, I understand the importance of good cables.

Do you like George L's?

I don't- I'll use them occasionally when nothing else around, but I think they lose bottom and mids. Also, if you lug your rig around a lot then the jacks come undone.

Home made Evidence Melody is my patch cable of choice.


Like I said earlier, I don't use effects in this rig, so no patch leads.

I use 2 George L 20ft cables, one into the wah the other into the amp, they have heat shrinked ends so the jacks don't come undone. I have tried, Monster, Van Damme, Planet Waves, Whirlwind and many more. I find the George L to be the best and most durable for what i need with no tone loss or additions IMO.

Understood re ends- I do the same with a couple of Evidence monorail cables I have going from board to rack.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Does The Weather Ever Freak Your Amp Out?

My whole rig is George L wired....love them!  Easy to put together, easy to cut to exact lengths, and easy to fix if needed.  I like the clarity that they provide to my tone.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.