Amp problemo

[ckjamm]

alright guys, yesterday i made a thread on here asking for some help buying my first bass. i bought a hohner rockwood performer 4 string today, the guy also gave me a gear 4 music amp and a lead. the amp is constantly buzzing very loudly though.

the amp options from left to right are
INPUT - GAIN - BOOST - VOLUME - TREBLE - MIDDLE - BASS - CD IN - HEAD PHONES - POWER
if that helps?

the buzzing is near unbearable so please reply soon haha

 

[bongomania]

Bass plugs into input. Set all knobs at 12:00 to start, and adjust to taste.

If the buzzing changes loudness depending on where you stand, then the problem may be the bass, not the amp.

 

[ckjamm]

cheers ill try moving the bass around now since I set them all to 12 anyway

edit: if it is the bass then is there some sort of problem with it? how would I go about fixing it?

 

[Downunderwonder]

Sheilding, grounding out of whack, you kinda need to know what's what before getting into that stuff.

Basic stuff like changing bass, cable, amp is what you need to be looking at to find which bit has the problem.

 

[deeptubes]

Fluorescent lights, even the compact ones, can cause a buzz/hum in guitar and bass amps and stereos. I had a CFL causing a nasty buzz on my iPod input cord on the mancave stereo. Changed to an incandescent bulb, buzz went away. Some tv's and computer screens will do it, too.

If it's not being caused by an outside source, turn the amp on with nothing plugged into the input. Does it buzz? If yes, it's probably the amp, assuming it's plugged into a properly grounded outlet. If no buzz, hold both ends of the guitar cable and plug one end into the input. Does it buzz? If so, it's probably a cord issue. If not, plug the other end into the bass. If it starts buzzing, it's a bass issue.

This is probably the easiest way to start narrowing it down. That's a very entry level amp. My gut says it's likely the amp.

 

[nashvillebill]

...turn the amp on with nothing plugged into the input. Does it buzz? ...

This is the very first test to do. If the amp buzzes, it's the amp, especially if it's a loud obnoxious buzz.

 

[ckjamm]

turn amp on - no buzz
cord plugged in - BUZZZZZZZZZZZ

hopefully it is the cord then, much cheaper to replace.

 

[pocketgroove]

turn amp on - no buzz
cord plugged in - BUZZZZZZZZZZZ

hopefully it is the cord then, much cheaper to replace.

That definitely sounds like the cable. They don't cost much, so the best bet would be to pick one up and try it out.

Good luck!

 

[5port]

1) Connect bass to amp

2) Turn volume up

3) Take a wire and touch the bridge with one end and touch the 1/4 jack (shield) with the other end.

If buzzing stops = internal ground from bridge on bass is broken or not making contact

If buzzing persists = guitar cord could be bad

 

[ckjamm]

yeah I definitely think its the cord then. thanks for the help guys looks like im buying a new cord tonight then

 

[ckjamm]

another quick question.. I just tried plugging headphones into the headphone socket, stops the buzzing noise but unfortunately it makes no noise through the headphones

 

[pocketgroove]

another quick question.. I just tried plugging headphones into the headphone socket, stops the buzzing noise but unfortunately it makes no noise through the headphones

Is the volume up on your bass and amp? Not likely, but is there a level knob for the headphone jack? Since it's an inexpensive amp, there's a possibility that the headphone jack simply doesn't work.

 

[ckjamm]

Yeah the volume is turned up haha. no, no level knob for headphone jack. I'm thinking same thing. Need a bigger amp anyway really. and I'm going to just buy myself a pocket amp anyway until I can get one. thanks for the input everyone

 

[pocketgroove]

Sorry that didn't work out better for you. Amps are tough to get into, but there are a ton of good, inexpensive options now.

Good luck!