Amps and fan noise

[dannybuoy]

I've just bought and about to return an Aguilar TH500 as I can't stand it when the fans kick on full after 20 minutes use. I know it's all part of the cooling system that allows this amp to run at full power without thermal shutdowns, which is something some other micros may struggle with. But when it comes on the amp is still cool to the touch, I just wish it had more of an intelligent fan speed control so that it was on at slow speed then ramped up gradually as required, instead of sounding like a vacuum cleaner being turned on halfway through my practice session.

I've had other amps in the past that have been whisper quiet, such as the Genz Benz Streamliner and Markbass LMII.

My Orange Terror Bass was noisy too but I put in quieter computer fan and it's now unnoticeable but still provides plenty of airflow and has no issues running for hours in a warm room at high volume.

I'm interested in trying a Mesa Walkabout, I hear these are noisy buggers too but again some people have ended up modding them.


So, my questions to you all are:

- Which amps have you used that had an unbearably loud fan?
- Which amps have you used that were quiet?
- Have you ever modded the fan on your amp?

 

[vin*tone]

...I'm interested in trying a Mesa Walkabout, I hear these are noisy buggers too but again some people have ended up modding them...

yep. I's an easy fix - and once done it's whisper quiet. That's the benefit of having a standard 80mm computer case fan.

I found the same thing with the GK Fusion. Great amp but when the leaf blower starts up in the middle of a quiet practice session you'll know about it.

 

[Smoove-Groove]

My peavey databass' fan is quite noisy. Sometimes it sounds like it's getting into the circuitry and I can hear it in the speaker. I'm gonna try to fix this somehow.

 

[dannybuoy]

Yeah, the ToneHammer pops through the speaker when the fan engages too.

 

[eukatheude]

Never found it to be an issue honestly...

 

[CL400Peavey]

I have never noticed fan noise at a gig.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

I wish I could hear an amp fan.

 

[dannybuoy]

I have never noticed fan noise at a gig.

Me neither, and at a gig, I would rather have a loud fan if it would end up in my amp being more reliable.

I'm just waiting for amp manufacturers to realise that many people also like to use their amps for solo practice at moderately low volume, or for recording a mic'ed up cab. If their cooling systems were designed so the fans only really kick in at high speed when they really need to, I would be a happier bunny.

 

[Pimmsley]

...and in the Tone hammer thread we tried to tell you that that you might have got a dud.

Quiet fan, Tone Hammer 350.

Quiet fan, Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2

 

[Tbone76]

I have a TH350, and I can barely tell when the fan is on. It's extremely quiet. My Ampeg PF800 also has a very quiet fan. My Ampeg BA112v2 combo has a loud fan, but I can't hear it while playing.

 

[beans-on-toast]

As has been said, there are ultra-quiet fans that can be installed in amps that take care of the noise. I have one made by Ebm-Papst in my vintage SVT and you can't hear it. The one in my Mesa/Boogie tube amp came with an on-off switch. So not all amps need a fan, but it is better to cool them if you can.

Higher cost is the reason why manufacturers don't use the quieter fans. On the other hand, these amps are intended to be played loud, and at gig volumes, the less expensive fans with their associated noise is not an issue in the eyes of many manufacturers.

 

[ultra60]

with home use, SVT-CL fan sounds like it's about to launch. Gig use its not noticeable.

 

[edencab]

if you can get a hold of Tryanor gear (made in Canada ) they have a 200watt and 500w head.....my 200w is so quiet you need to put your ear an inch away from the fan to hear it...I would assume the 500 is the same as it is the same platform only bigger.....I love the 200w .sounds great , full of features, loud for 200w, good reviews here.....see post #23 http://www.talkbass.com/threads/best-combo-head-cabinet-under-1400-dollars.1103047/page-2

http://traynoramps.com/bass/small_block/product/sb500h/

 

[Jeff Scott]

Hartke 3500 - Sounded like a plane taking off
Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 - Barely loud enough to heard in a quiet room
None that I recall

 

[B-string]

Sounds like you got one with a bad fan? I have not owned any amp with a noisy fan. Fans can be damaged in shipping by a hard drop after it leaves the manufacturer.

 

[BassmanPaul]

My Orange Terror Bass was noisy too but I put in quieter computer fan and it's now unnoticeable but still provides plenty of airflow and has no issues running for hours in a warm room at high volume.

You're very lucky then. You could well have destroyed your Amp. I hope you found a fan with the same or better CFM rating.

 

[wolffire99]

Yeah, the ToneHammer pops through the speaker when the fan engages too.

There's definitely a problem. Why not send it to aguilar to get fixed?

 

[dannybuoy]

You're very lucky then. You could well have destroyed you Amp. I hope you found a fan with the same or better CFM rating.

Probably not, as I have no idea how to work out what the original one was rated for! I don't think the cooling system is a precision engineered component on that thing anyway, wouldn't surprise me if they just bunged on the cheapest fan they could find. But you're right that has been at the back of my mind and I've considered looking for an adjustable one so I can have it low at home and whack it up when in a band situation. But for now I used the method of 'put your hand over the vent to make sure there's a decent amount of air moving and touch the amp to make sure it's not getting too hot' method, which seems to be working out so far.

Aguilar replied to say that's how the fan is expected to behave by the way. No idea why some people seem to have silent fans and others don't.

 

[dannybuoy]

There's definitely a problem. Why not send it to aguilar to get fixed?

Because I literally just bought it, I can return it to the store instead. Plus other people in the megathreads and Aguilar themselves have stated this is just how it is.

 

[wolffire99]

It looks like only a small % of the total. If you like the amp otherwise I think it's worth getting it fixed.