Distortion = dirty power?

T-Bal · #1 10-10-2008, 12:41 PM

I'm getting saturated distortion with all of my amps in my house. I've tried changing everything I can think of - cables, basses, cabinets, amps, cabinets, different outlets, low volume, all with the same result. Even with a 43 watt practice amp. Assuming this is some kind of power issue, but wondering what I can do about it. Would a power conditioner solve the problem or do I need to call an electrician? Any and all ideas are welcome!

fretlessman71 · #2 10-10-2008, 12:42 PM

Try the amp elsewhere first - and try friend's amps at your house to confirm.

MatticusMania · #3 10-10-2008, 12:58 PM

and youre using a passive bass, correct?

T-Bal · #4 10-10-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

and youre using a passive bass, correct?

Upright Bass, no preamp. Also checked it with electric - it's active, but the battery is pretty new.

Sam Sherry · #5 10-10-2008, 02:08 PM

Hiya, Tom. Always nice to see you.

A power conditioner may solve the symptom, but I suspect you want to at least diagnose the problem. If your voltage is that weird it could be a symptom of a more serious issue.

Some computer battery backups have a digital voltage readout. Or of course you could always plug a VOM into the wall (carefully, please) and see what it's reading. After that, consult The Professionals . . .

Good luck.

T-Bal · #6 10-10-2008, 02:19 PM

Sam,

Thanks, hope all is well with you! I reckon it'll take a few days to get to the bottom of this, but what's a VOM - Voltage sompmerother?

fretlessman71 · #7 10-10-2008, 02:28 PM

If you're playing an upright bass with piezo type pickup, there's a chance that you don't have good enough pressure on that pickup to get a good signal. It's worth eliminating that as a possibility before you worry about power.

Sam Sherry · #8 10-10-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bal

What's a VOM - Voltage sompmerother?

Volt-Ohm Meter.

Cheap, useful analog ones are about $15 at Radio Shack and digital ones start not much higher. They're very useful for checking cords, seeing exactly how low a battery is, wiring guitars and suchlike. The analog ones are superior for guitar benches because they'll show you which way your magnetic pickup is polarized. The digital ones are better for precision stuff like scouting your wall voltage.

drurb · #9 10-10-2008, 07:59 PM

If I understand correctly, the problem occurs across multiple stand-alone amps using two different sources (DB and BG). I would first make sure that both of those sources are actually in good order. Try a third source, such as a mic, an iPod or the like. If it's not the source, then given it occurs across multiple amps, that would lead one to suspect the mains. In that case, here's the best advice you've gotten so far:

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

Try the amp elsewhere first - and try friend's amps at your house to confirm.

If the power in your home is actually that bad (low or dirty), then you are likely to have difficulty with and/or damage other appliances and devices in your home.

T-Bal · #10 10-10-2008, 10:22 PM

Thanks for all the replies! drurb, your understanding is correct. I will do further testing tomorrow (too late for loud sounds now). We do have this one issue, when we run the microwave and the toaster oven at the same time, it trips the circuit breaker...

I started this thread and I guess I'm really not sure what "dirty" power is - someone enlighten me please!

drurb · #11 10-11-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bal

Thanks for all the replies! drurb, your understanding is correct. I will do further testing tomorrow (too late for loud sounds now). We do have this one issue, when we run the microwave and the toaster oven at the same time, it trips the circuit breaker...

I started this thread and I guess I'm really not sure what "dirty" power is - someone enlighten me please!

"Dirty" power means that the AC sine wave is not "pure" in that it has interference on it. This can be the result of strong radio frequencies somehow leaking into the circuit and/or faulty equipment on the pole, or transients and spikes produced by some faulty appliance in your home. Most of these can be eliminated via the use of a good EMI/RFI filter. Such filters are sometimes incorporated within fancy power strips and can even be purchased separately. If the power is that bad though, you'll want to attack it at the source. These problems should just not occur in a residence.

Another possibility is that your voltage is too low. That's why it was suggested that you check it with a VOM. Still, as I mentioned, the first step is to follow the "switcharoo" advice. That is, take your amp(s) somewhere else, bring another amp home. I'd embark on this only after making absolutely sure that the source is not the problem. Although it would be a strange coincidence indeed, it is possible that both the pickup on the bass and the BG are faulty. Try a different source, as I suggested.

As for the microwave tripping the breaker, that is usually the result of a simple overload. On the other hand, I once had a microwave that would trip a breaker with nothing else running on the circuit and with plenty of amperage to spare. In fact, I even put a power strip with a 10A breaker between the microwave and the wall and the damn thing tripped the 20A breaker at the box! Of course, I replace the breaker at the box. I even tested the current capability of the breaker. Same problem! This stumped even the pros. I finally replaced the microwave and the problem vanished. I believe the particular transients generated by the microwave interacted with the specific type of breaker in the box and caused the problem. Ah, but I digress...