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Post by gregg on Jan 12, 2007 13:16:32 GMT -7
I know this is a subjective question but I'll give it try since the collective wisdom about Z products around here can't be beat.
As I noted in a thread a few weeks ago, I got a new to me Ghia from a local fellow board member at a great price. I've had a bit of time with it now and I've got a question.
When I dropped by to try out the amp, the first thing that I was told was about the hum. He said he wasn't sure if it was normal for the Ghia or not but it never seemed to be an issue. Obviously all tube amps have a bit of hum - it's inherent in the gain structure but ....
It didn't bother me then (obviously) and doesn't really bother me now but now that I've got a few more spare hours in the week, I wanted to see if a trip to the tech might be in order.
Ok - on to the hum. It doesn't seem to vary with volume and def. isn't a rattle. It sounds like a reg. 60 hz. hum. It's a bit louder when the amp is warming up but them after it gets to operating conditions, it drops ever so slightly in volume and is just a constant backgroud hum ... Not loud but there even when the volume is completely off/down. Can't hear it when I'm playing and it doesn't seem to affect performance but still it's there when I finger mute the strings.
Seems like it would affect the recordability of the amp a bit if this was normal but I've got NO experience in a studio setting.
Any thoughts?
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Post by yinielin on Jan 12, 2007 13:59:30 GMT -7
Mine doesnt do this. It kinda hums when volume gets louder and louder but I believe thats normal with tubes.
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Post by bustertheboy on Jan 12, 2007 15:46:04 GMT -7
Mine has little hum- quietest amp I've ever heard- also little hiss. This depends on which tubes I've got in- some do hiss and have an earth thing- touch metal on amp or touch tubes and it changes- which is also a capacitance thing. Try swapping first valve- preamp (closest to right looking from back). This is unlikely because it gets louder as the amp is turned up. If it is really loud that may be power caps. Maybe contact Dr Z. By the way have you excluded the leads (guitar and speaker), effects and guitar from the equation? Brett
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Post by zdogma on Jan 12, 2007 16:17:17 GMT -7
Yeah, mine has very little hum except at 3 oclock and beyond, and even then its not bad.
Less than my fenders by a long shot, about the same as the Univalve.
Suspect V1 preamp tube.
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Post by myles on Feb 8, 2007 10:35:03 GMT -7
Right off the bat get rid of the current output tubes and put in a fresh MATCHED duet.
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Post by Don on Feb 16, 2007 21:58:32 GMT -7
Right off the bat get rid of the current output tubes and put in a fresh MATCHED duet. I have two Ghias, and they are SO quiet. One of the very first things I noticed about these amps, is how quiet they really are. I can turn them up and not even know that they're on. I kid you not.
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colm
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by colm on Feb 24, 2007 10:51:46 GMT -7
My Carmen hums as well. It increases with the volume and has not altered any despite a complete retube.I love the amp but this is begining to drive me crazy. I imported the Amp from the US and I am using a step down transformer to bring the voltage from 220V to 110V. I would really appreciate any thoughts on how to resolve this issue. Perhaps I could swap the transformer for an export version,if such was available? Please help
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Post by Matt H. on Feb 24, 2007 12:33:44 GMT -7
Mine is really quiet. The only time there is any noise is when I play facing it. Step away a bit or turn around and it's gone. I was recording with it a couple nights ago and I was getting subtle noise from lights. I shut the lights off and had a couple candles going - Maybe the ambience helped my playing?
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Danny
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Danny on Feb 24, 2007 14:04:03 GMT -7
Mine had quite a hum, even after all tubes were changed. I recently bought new guitar cable and speaker cable (direct from head outlet to speaker connections in cabinet) from www.lavacable.com/VanDenHul.htm I am amazed at how the hum has almost disappeared.
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Danny
New Member
Posts: 39
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Post by Danny on Feb 24, 2007 14:07:22 GMT -7
Forgot to mention that i now run the tone control at noonish instead of 9 o'clock with much better sound. Darn m*nster cable....
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Post by straightblues on Feb 26, 2007 17:00:57 GMT -7
Mine has almost zero hum. Check tubes and if it isn't the tubes take it in for a check up.
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Post by squeallydan on Mar 6, 2007 10:43:02 GMT -7
My old Maz Sr. hummed a lot. I changed the tubes and it went away. It was a very quiet amp and so was my Ghia. As miles said, change the tubes and I bet it will make a big improvement.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 6, 2007 11:52:55 GMT -7
Colm: I once tried a little vintage Marshall combo. Since it was British the store was using a step-up transformer. It hummed so much that it was zero fun to play. I would suspect the step-down transformer may be your problem. Perhaps if you email Dr Z they would be able to tell you what to do.
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Post by Shannon on Mar 6, 2007 13:21:45 GMT -7
I played a club last weekend and the only outlet I had to plug my Ghia into was with a neon sign. And for the first time since I bought it, I left my Furman Power Factor Pro at home. I knew when I saw it that I'd be fighting 'hum' all night. No hum. I couldn't believe it. I don't know if the Ghia is just that clean or the moon was in the right phase, but I never heard a sound I didn't make. ;D
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Post by Curt on Mar 6, 2007 13:55:29 GMT -7
'twas the green tolex................
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Post by Lefty on Mar 6, 2007 15:52:21 GMT -7
Tubes or maybe filter cap gone bad. I had this problem with my Z-28 a few years ago. Shipped it to the Doc...no more hum. So quiet I can hear a mouse fart...when I'm not playing.
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Post by myles on Mar 7, 2007 18:33:45 GMT -7
My Carmen hums as well. It increases with the volume and has not altered any despite a complete retube.I love the amp but this is begining to drive me crazy. I imported the Amp from the US and I am using a step down transformer to bring the voltage from 220V to 110V. I would really appreciate any thoughts on how to resolve this issue. Perhaps I could swap the transformer for an export version,if such was available? Please help I would contact the Doc and get a proper transformer. Step up/down transformers are generally hum machines.
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Mar 8, 2007 2:56:45 GMT -7
Will he sell export (240V) trannies as a spare? I never thought to ask. I will ask!
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Post by gregg on Mar 14, 2007 18:40:26 GMT -7
If it is really loud that may be power caps. Brett Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. A buddy is going to use the amp for a couple of shows when he's in town in a few weeks and I wanted it to be in tip top shape so I took it to my trusted tech. Turned out to be a power cap. The amp is almost 10 years old so it seems like that cap lived a full life. When I got it home and plugged it in, WOW! Quiet as anything I've ever heard. Is it also possible that it's louder and clearer - sure seems like it. Thanks y'all.
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