Low hum

[TS2]

I recently purchased a new tube amp (B-52 AT 112) which sounds amazing. But when I got it home I noticed it has a low hum in the background when I am not playing. It is there even when I unplug, so I know it is not my pickups. Is this just a characteristic of tube amps, or is it something I should be concerned about? Thanks.

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Low hum

I think its a characteristic of tube amps, my Epi Valve hums a bit too. I've just got used to it.

It could also be picking up interference form things in your house eg fridge, lights, dirty electrical mains. If I have my kitchen lights on (they're 50w halogens with transformers) my amp makes more background noise, there's not much I can do about it.

 

[TS2]

Re: Low hum

...bump...

 

[Smilemon]

Re: Low hum

There are two transformers, an output and and an input... There is like. electrons going between the two.... Causing hum. You can shield the transformers, put an antenna between the two which is grounded to the chassis, or just get used to it..

 

[TS2]

Re: Low hum

Ok, so after playing for a couple hours I noticed the amp starts off with no-to-slight hum. It increases to a pretty noticable hum after a little while, then goes back to a low hum after that. What could be going on to cause this fluctuation?

 

[TS2]

Re: Low hum

After further review, I noticed that it is not really a hum that I hear, but more like static, and it only happens when I switch it on from standby mode. Nothing else around it was on...no lights, nothing in the electrical socket.....nothing. Nothing was plugged into the input either, so it wasn't coming from the guitar or the cord. Can anyone please tell me what is going on...it is really starting to bother me....

 

[Mephis]

Re: Low hum

If it's only noticable when it's loud, that's just a general trait of a tube amp.

 

[TS2]

Re: Low hum

No...it is noticable at very low volumes...like around 1.