Weird thumping noise? help!

[mbdfs]

So i have a ibanez GSR 200, with a small 15w peavy 158 bass amp. this morning when i plugged into my amp to start practicing, as soon as i turned it on it makes a really weird consistent thumping noise. like "bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum" at a consistent rate. at first i thought it sounded like interference from a cell phone or something, but i cleared all electronics away from the bass and the amp and yet to no avail-- the thumping noise is still there.

i am new to the bass guitar, and new to music in general. anyone have any idea what the problem might be or how i may be able to fix it? again, the thumping noise only occurs when the bass it plugged into the amp and the amp is turned on.

thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Thunderitter]

Do you wear a wristwatch on your right hand?

 

[mbdfs]

nope no watch.....

 

[mbdfs]

here's so more information i can offer to anyone who might be able to help:

a) the thumping noise stays at a consistent volume, regardless of any of the volume controls.
b) when i strum, the thumping rate increases and goes at a faster rate.

 

[mbdfs]

c) the bass was near one of my magnetic name tags from work, is it a possibility that the magnet from my name tag had anything to do with it?

 

[Rafescow]

If I'm thinking about the correct noise, that used to happen to me too some time ago when I had only a little meteoro (here from brazil) 30w amp. I used to get that clicky and constant noise when I added treble boost and turned up volume a little bit. Since ibanez GSR only has volume and tones knobs (if I'm not wrong), I'd suggest you to experiment different settings on your amplifier, maybe you'll find a setup that will lower the thumping noise or even cancel it.

 

[David Jayne]

Try new batteries in your bass, but I think you're going to find the preamp is shot(in the bass).

 

[Electra Player]

Actually, this "heartbeat" is somewhat common in older Peaveys. My 100W KB/A does it sometimes, every now and again, but rarely.

Can't tell you the fix, but my amp has stopped doing it.

 

[mbdfs]

thanks everyone for your responses

it just stopped doing it all of a sudden, now it seems to be working normally. electra, how often did that happen to your old peavy? should i get a better amp?

 

[Electra Player]

thanks everyone for your responses

it just stopped doing it all of a sudden, now it seems to be working normally. electra, how often did that happen to your old peavy? should i get a better amp?

Happened 3 times in the year I've owned it. It's late 80s-early 90s, so it's older.

IMO, you're asking the wrong guy about a "better" amp, I'm a Peavey loyalist. All I can say is buy a bigger Peavey, and preferably newer.

I do love vintage Peavey, but if you want to sail smooth, go newer. Used is best for price. You can't beat it.