Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

[jayK]

Hi,

I just bought a little amp for my office (the one in the title) and I have one issue with it that I'm sure you guys have the answer for.

When I have the volume and drive settings above 5, and choose one of the high gain combos (british or california for amp, hot or high gain for mode) it produces an ear splitting high pitched squeal when I hold my hand over the strings near the bridge pickup (squier 51 humbucker). It stops when I just play, but when I rest my palm there the squeal is audible and as I raise my hand it gets louder.

The amp works and sounds fine, and on the "clean" settings it does not exhibit this tendency. Behringer said the pickup might be "microphonic".

Any ideas are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[jayK]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

+

 

[Ball&Chain]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

Does it do this with other guitars? Without knowing that, I would guess that it is a grounding problem with your guitar.

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

Do you touch the pickup when it squeals?

 

[jayK]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

I tried another guitar, and it still did it, although it seemed a bit less sensitive.

No, I don't physically touch the pickup, the squeal actually intensifies as I raise my hand from the strings until I start picking again.

It's such a pain in the ass, the amp sounds really good for an el cheapo & I really dont want to send it back and get another one, etc, etc.

 

[Ball&Chain]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

This may sound dumb, but how close are you to the amp when this happens? Sounds like you are running fairly high gain which might produce feedback if your are standing too close.

It is almost sounding like the ol jimmi hendrix method. Lift hand from guitar, place guitar near hi gain amp, let sonic cacophony ensue. :headbang:

 

[jayK]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

Yes, I am very close to the amp, about 1 to 1 1/2 feet..

I'll try moving back, thanks.

 

[jayK]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

BTW, even though this amp squeals, it has truly fantastic sounds for the price or any price for that matter.

If you're looking for a real cheap practice amp, look no further! The tweed setting combined with the "hot" mode produces a real tasty & crispy sound that no other amps I have can approach, and I have a Roland cube 30 & a pretty good small marshall modeling amp.. This tweed sound is tremendous, really to drool for, totally blows away rolands version, which compared to this amp is lame. Kind of reminds me of the "Nobodys fault but mine" sound, just awesome.

The UK settings even outdo the actual marshall amp, this thing is really quite amazing for the size & price (a paltry $60 dollars)

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

I've got a Behringer Vintager GM110 and couldn't agree more: For the price it's got some fantastic features and a great array of tones.

 

[jayK]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

KG,

How would you compare the 110 to the 108, same sounds just basically louder or is there more to it? Im really thinking about getting a 110, I'm just in love with this 108, I'm not believing what I'm hearing.

Thanks.

 

[Peterku]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

I'm just in love with this 108, I'm not believing what I'm hearing.

Yup, that's a nice little amp. I recently wanted to buy one or a GM110 to be able to record my ideas quickly via the headphone out of the GM108 or the direct out of the GM110, but the distributor didn't have them in stock. I have good memories of the GMX212 I used to have. It was really versatile, loud as hell, and fun to play. The Jensens sounded great in it. :headbang:

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Amp question Behringer vtone gm108

Hi Jay,

I've never compared the 108 to the 110 head-to-head but they seem like they're both great practice amps. The thing I love most about the 110 is the balanced XLR out -- I can go straight into a mixer or soundboard and it sounds great.

Not sure how loud the 108 gets but the 110 can get really loud if you want it to.
And yeah, it's got a great Jensen speaker in there.

- Keith