hi everyone,
i just got a Line 6 Lowdown 110 amp.

http://line6.com/lowdown/studio110.html

sadly, it makes a rather irritating buzz (even when the volume is down). i've tried different cords and basses, etc... but it always makes the buzz. i don't notice it when i'm playing, but if there's a pause in the tune i hear that awful buzz. if i was rocking out on stage with a band this wouldn't be an issue, but with solo bass tunes it is extremely bothersome as the buzz is very noticeable.

is this normal for all amps? are any amps silent when its bass isn't being played? is there anything i can do about this?

ANY ADVICE IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

thank you very much,
brian

It doesn't sound normal ... How old is the amp? How has it traveled? (As far as in the back seat, slamming around, and such). This is labeled as a "Studio Amp", so noise should be close to zero and line 6 is pretty good at keeping studio noise to a minimum. To find the problem, you may want to take your bass to a music store and plug it into an amp exactly like this one and try others as well. Still got a noise, then it is your bass. There may be some 60 cycle hum, but how bad is this hum. If you can hear it in a gig situation, then that's too loud. There is not a "silent" amp, because if it were, you would be like Charlie Chaplin on bass, all pantomime and no music. Seriously, cables and basses are the usual culprit, but you've changed them, so I would bet bad wiring on the amp. I hope this helps somewhat.

hey, thanks for your reply.
the bass is brand new! I ordered it online. It makes the same noise with different bases and with different cords. It is quite buzzy and it is very noticeable if the volume is turned up over 1/2 way or the treble is turned up. would you say this isn't normal then? should i try to return it? obviously, it just ruins the whole effect of solo bass if there is this annoying buzz during the soft bits... do you (or anyone) know of any small amps that are quiet? i know people say you get what you pay for, but i don't want a massive amp. just something that doesn't buzz!!!

Any flourescent lights nearby or a CRT monitor?

Or any appliances?

Or Neons?

nah, there's nothing like that. i've tried it in different outlets as well. do all amps buzz a little bit???

no

nah, there's nothing like that. i've tried it in different outlets as well. do all amps buzz a little bit???

When I'm running at ridiculously loud levels (gigging levels), the most I ever get is a hissing that is barely audible.

Okay, I would say that if you can, return the amp. It may be just that. And, again, if at all possible, take your bass and the best cable that you own to a guitar store and plug and play. If you have active elctronics in your bass (Pickups or EQ), make sure that those are fresh. Find your Line 6 amp first, and try it out. If it makes the same noise, then ditch the idea of it. As far as amps with little noise in a little package, how much Stage Volume do you need? If you run DI to a board, then this can be low, but if your sound is solely dependant on your amp, then a decent sized 1X10 or 2X10 should do it. I hope that this guides you in some small way towards your musical journey.

Hey c_joseph, you have been very helpful. I really appreciate your replies. I just went over to the shop and have luckily been able to return it. the other line 6s made the same noise.
would you (or anyone else) be able to recommend to me a bass amp that makes no noise and doesn't hiss or buzz? anywhere up to $500, for small gigs and practice. cheers!

U could probably get a Fender Rumble, (100W, 15") for about $350. or another Rumble with 2X10's and 100W for a little more.
Fender, Ibanez and Ampeg all make a 15" kick-back (Where there speaker angles up to you) for about $350-$400.
My guess on the Line 6 is that they added so much to the processing, that it adds noise, which happens if you add too much spice to your stew.

This is my process: :bassist: Take the bass that you play the most to the store with you, (they should let you). Set the amp's eq to all flat (if cut/boost principle) or to 5 (if a 0-10 principle). This way, you are getting the truest sound of your bass. Play at least one thing in every style that you will EVER play. Don't worry about the other guys in the store. This is about you, and you have got to be selfish for this to work. Don't play at a low volume, play at a reasonable, (Yes, REASONABLE) volume. This is how you find your groove and your sound for your purchase. How can you add to someone else's music if your equipment takes away from your music?
There's my buck and a quarter.:smug: