The noise! The noise!!!

Landy67 · #1 12-19-2012, 04:56 PM

Help me Mr Wizard!

My Genz Benz Streamliner has just developed a tremendous buzzing! I've tried it with both my Stingray and my Godin A4. It's a horrible noise, like a 60 cycle hum. It only makes the noise when I have something plugged in (Bass, Mandolin, Acoustic guitar, Hammer Dulcimer) I've tried two cables, Road Hog 10' and a Mogami Gold 8' and it's the same with each. If I touch a string, the bridge, the amp, or anything metal, the noise goes away.

I use this amp all day long. I work from home, and I have my MP3 player connected to the AUX in (it doesn't make the noise when I'm listening to music.) Several times a day I'll take a break, plug an instrument in and play along with a song. It's been fine all day, and it just started tonight.

What should I do? Is there another thing I can do to test? My guess is there's a bad ground in the pre-amp. I don't know what else I can do to test it. I really don't want to be without this thing, I use it 16 hours a day!

What do you recommend?

Ozonbass · #2 12-19-2012, 05:06 PM

Had a similar problem with my genz. Try a little deoxIT in the effects loop. Run a patch cord in and out of the send/return a few times. Called GB and this was the suggestion I got (from Jeff Genzler no less, still floors me that he sometimes answers the phone)...seems to have worked great.

will33 · #3 12-19-2012, 05:08 PM

See if the ground prong on the power cord is broke off in the wall socket or whatever you have it plugged into.

fdeck · #4 12-19-2012, 05:25 PM

Definitely check the grounding of the power cord, and the socket. This might be the time to get an outlet tester. Next, it's possible that the ground connection of your input jack has worked loose.

agedhorse · #5 12-19-2012, 05:25 PM

If the noise is present only when something is plugged in, it's almost certain to be either something with the power cable/circuit or with the input source and cabling.

What happens when you plug into the master effects return?

B-string · #6 12-19-2012, 06:11 PM

Have you tried it with the MP3 player disconnected?

Landy67 · #7 12-19-2012, 07:03 PM

CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!!!

I checked the ground on the power cable, and then I replaced it. It didn't make a difference.
I removed the MP3 player.
I tried plugging the bass into the effects return.

Everything had the same buzz in the amp. Then I tried my Fernades Nomad, Mandolin, and acoustic guitar, and there wasn't any buzz.

It seems that my MM Stingray, and my Godin A4 Ultra have both developed a ground problem simultaneously. What are the chances of two top of the line basses developing a ground problem at the same time?

What should I try next?

Landy67 · #8 12-19-2012, 07:08 PM

I just tried the Stingray and Godin in my Pignose Hog amp, and the Stingray still makes the noise, but the Godin doesn't.

Just to throw a monkey wrench into the troubleshooting process.

B-string · #9 12-19-2012, 07:21 PM

Try tightening the screws on the bridge. Sounds like the ground under the bridge may not be making good contact?

jlepre · #10 12-19-2012, 07:22 PM

Change the battery. I had the same problem with my STM-900 and it turned out that my battery in my SR5 needed replacement.

will33 · #11 12-19-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Change the battery. I had the same problem with my STM-900 and it turned out that my battery in my SR5 needed replacement.

Prolly so...

Landy67 · #12 12-20-2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Change the battery. I had the same problem with my STM-900 and it turned out that my battery in my SR5 needed replacement.

And we have a winner! New batteries fixed the problem.

Thanks!

jlepre · #13 12-20-2012, 08:00 AM

I knew it. I was actually on the phone with a tech at Genz, and he asked me when was the last time I changed my battery. I felt like such a moron LOL

Landy67 · #14 12-20-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

I knew it. I was actually on the phone with a tech at Genz, and he asked me when was the last time I changed my battery. I felt like such a moron LOL

And I should know not to leave the basses that have active pickups plugged in when I'm not using them.

willsellout · #15 12-20-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Change the battery. I had the same problem with my STM-900 and it turned out that my battery in my SR5 needed replacement.

This was my first thought.

agedhorse · #16 12-20-2012, 11:16 AM

This kind of thing happens all the time. In fact, over 1/2 of all "defective" amps I see turn out to have some cause unrelated to the amp itself. This is why I stress good troubleshooting efforts.

ProgRocker · #17 12-20-2012, 11:27 AM

I know how that is. I used to have a Fender "Urge" bass, and one day the bridge pup stopped working. So, I asked the tec I go to what he thought was wrong. He asked: "Have you checked the battery?"

Heh, I hadn't. It was my first bass with active electronics, and I didn't know it was active. I was really green back then.