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Post by cinimod8791 on Jul 22, 2021 16:40:25 GMT -7
I have three other amps in the space that I crank on a regular basis, but my ZWreck is the only amp that makes this noise.
I figured I would put this here before I look elsewhere for information. The amp has between 30 and 40 hours on it tops. I mostly play my Buddas and Bad Cat. Not that the ZWreck doesn't sound as good if not better, but my other options get me where I want to be at a much lower volume.
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Post by purpletele on Jul 22, 2021 18:51:45 GMT -7
I have three other amps in the space that I crank on a regular basis, but my ZWreck is the only amp that makes this noise. I figured I would put this here before I look elsewhere for information. The amp has between 30 and 40 hours on it tops. I mostly play my Buddas and Bad Cat. Not that the ZWreck doesn't sound as good if not better, but my other options get me where I want to be at a much lower volume. That is an interesting repeating 16th note polyrythym. Can you determine if it's the Master or the Volume that sets it off? It seems like a good first question.
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Post by Don A on Jul 22, 2021 18:53:45 GMT -7
That ain't right. My Z Wreck Jr didn't do that.
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Post by cinimod8791 on Jul 22, 2021 19:12:34 GMT -7
I have three other amps in the space that I crank on a regular basis, but my ZWreck is the only amp that makes this noise. I figured I would put this here before I look elsewhere for information. The amp has between 30 and 40 hours on it tops. I mostly play my Buddas and Bad Cat. Not that the ZWreck doesn't sound as good if not better, but my other options get me where I want to be at a much lower volume. That is an interesting repeating 16th note polyrythym. Can you determine if it's the Master or the Volume that sets it off? It seems like a good first question. Actually, that's not a polyrhythm. It's a super annoying singular rhythmic sound that only occurs when I crank my Z Wreck Jr. Side note, when I ran my ZWreck Jr through a Fryette Power Station the same sound anomaly occurred.
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Post by KeithA on Jul 22, 2021 19:39:37 GMT -7
Sounds like some element of motorboating. From what I understand this usually some sort of parasitic oscillation in the preamp section (for various reasons).
To try simple things first, have you tried swapping out preamp tubes one-by-one with a known, good 12ax7 to see if it makes any difference?
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Post by cinimod8791 on Jul 23, 2021 3:11:46 GMT -7
Sounds like some element of motorboating. From what I understand this usually some sort of parasitic oscillation in the preamp section (for various reasons). To try simple things first, have you tried swapping out preamp tubes one-by-one with a known, good 12ax7 to see if it makes any difference? I have not. I will try that. Thank you.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jul 23, 2021 3:11:48 GMT -7
Could it be picking up a digital signal of some sort? Is it near a wireless modem/router or cell phone?
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Post by KeithA on Jul 23, 2021 3:23:53 GMT -7
Could it be picking up a digital signal of some sort? Is it near a wireless modem/router or cell phone? That was my first thought, too! I dismissed it as it doesn’t seem to happen to the other two amps in the same room. However, still may be worth checking out!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jul 23, 2021 3:30:05 GMT -7
Yeah, I thought of that too. Maybe the Wreck could be more sensitive to RF somehow, who knows. My money is on a bad preamp tube though. On another note, I can’t help but chuckle a bit when I see the term motorboating these days. Not with the newest connotation anyway…. It’s an immaturity thing on my part I suppose.
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Post by KeithA on Jul 23, 2021 4:06:25 GMT -7
Yeah, I thought of that too. Maybe the Wreck could be more sensitive to RF somehow, who knows. My money is on a bad preamp tube though. On another note, I can’t help but chuckle a bit when I see the term motorboating these days. Not with the newest connotation anyway…. It’s an immaturity thing on my part I suppose. Lol, you are not alone. It was only a few years ago that I even heard of it with respect to tube amps! I still had the same thoughts as you last night as i was typing my answer
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jul 23, 2021 7:55:53 GMT -7
Yeah - motorboating tubes doesn’t sound near as fun 😎
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Post by Don A on Jul 23, 2021 8:09:08 GMT -7
Does it do that if you play it in another place- plugged into a different outlet?
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Post by DRZ on Jul 23, 2021 10:04:21 GMT -7
Guys Dominic has had the amp for 15 months. He did register it and he lives in Ohio, he can exercise his warranty. My problem is it may very well be an environment issue at his location that his other amps don't see and I will not be able to reproduce here. We have built 350 Z Wreck Jr's I have heard each one and I have never heard this issue. It sounds like my old Harley at a fast idle. He does have a cord plugged in , what's on the other end ? Don from repairs has PM him because he really didn't supply enough info to try and troubleshoot, asking many questions which might help solve the mystery. We'll get to bottom of it.
Z
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Post by cinimod8791 on Jul 23, 2021 14:51:28 GMT -7
Guys Dominic has had the amp for 15 months. He did register it and he lives in Ohio, he can exercise his warranty. Yes, I'm not far from you guys and it would be no problem to bring it by the shop if needed.My problem is it may very well be an environment issue at his location that his other amps don't see and I will not be able to reproduce here. It does reside near an internet modem that someone suggested could be the problem. I will move the amp into another room this weekend and try it again. We have built 350 Z Wreck Jr's I have heard each one and I have never heard this issue. My mom always said I was special.It sounds like my old Harley at a fast idle. He does have a cord plugged in , what's on the other end ? My EB Music Man. Guitar -> cable -> Amp. Just the way it should be Don from repairs has PM him because he really didn't supply enough info to try and troubleshoot, asking many questions which might help solve the mystery. We'll get to bottom of it. I have no doubt that you will help me out. Forgive me, it is not my intention to question the quality of your products. I've been a long time user and fan and until now have never had issue. I replied to Don's email and will try some of the suggestion when I get time this weekend. Thanks for the quick reply. Z
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Post by zpilot on Jul 23, 2021 20:37:04 GMT -7
Sounds like something ZZ Top would have used to write a hit song around.
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Post by simpleton on Jul 24, 2021 14:11:45 GMT -7
Sounds like something ZZ Top would have used to write a hit song around. This thread “has legs, and knows how to use them”.
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Post by cinimod8791 on Jul 25, 2021 12:34:08 GMT -7
Guys Dominic has had the amp for 15 months. He did register it and he lives in Ohio, he can exercise his warranty. My problem is it may very well be an environment issue at his location that his other amps don't see and I will not be able to reproduce here. We have built 350 Z Wreck Jr's I have heard each one and I have never heard this issue. It sounds like my old Harley at a fast idle. He does have a cord plugged in , what's on the other end ? Don from repairs has PM him because he really didn't supply enough info to try and troubleshoot, asking many questions which might help solve the mystery. We'll get to bottom of it. Z It was the amps location in proximity of my work station where I have an HD monitor, wireless modem, monitors, etc. Once I moved it far enough away the oscillating sound stopped. So strange, none of my other amps picked up on this, but the Z Wreck did and did what amplifiers do, made it louder. I'm glad to know that this can be an issue. I was oblivious to it, but now I know. I'm not sure if I should delete the tread, or leave it up for others to find if they encounter a similar issue.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jul 25, 2021 13:36:04 GMT -7
I vote to leave it, this can certainly help others in the future.
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Post by Don A on Jul 25, 2021 14:16:03 GMT -7
I vote to leave it, this can certainly help others in the future. I agree!
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Post by DRZ on Jul 26, 2021 6:16:38 GMT -7
Guys Dominic has had the amp for 15 months. He did register it and he lives in Ohio, he can exercise his warranty. My problem is it may very well be an environment issue at his location that his other amps don't see and I will not be able to reproduce here. We have built 350 Z Wreck Jr's I have heard each one and I have never heard this issue. It sounds like my old Harley at a fast idle. He does have a cord plugged in , what's on the other end ? Don from repairs has PM him because he really didn't supply enough info to try and troubleshoot, asking many questions which might help solve the mystery. We'll get to bottom of it. Z It was the amps location in proximity of my work station where I have an HD monitor, wireless modem, monitors, etc. Once I moved it far enough away the oscillating sound stopped. So strange, none of my other amps picked up on this, but the Z Wreck did and did what amplifiers do, made it louder. I'm glad to know that this can be an issue. I was oblivious to it, but now I know. I'm not sure if I should delete the tread, or leave it up for other to find if they encounter a similar issue. Yes I believe this post should stay up . Notice I did suspect an environmental issue in my response. A strong repeating artifact with a set frequency is not generated in a tube amp, but the amp is always the source in the owners eyes. You guys would be surprised at how many calls we get with noise problems that are caused by CELL PHONES !!!!! Yes the increase in cellular, and digital equipment can cause havoc on sensitive tube amps like the Z Wreck Jr. But it is easy to solve , just move the amp to another location and problem will disappear. Why is the Z Wreck so susceptible to this you ask and not say a Bad Cat in the same room, well the dynamic input sensitivity of the Z wreck is a double edged sword, it allows for extreme touch sensitivity not equaled in lesser amps but also has big ears to pick up everything. And like I have said hundreds of times these problems don't show up on stage , only in a confined multi used room at home. Z
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jul 26, 2021 7:19:40 GMT -7
Makes me wonder; as we further saturate the RF spectrum with advanced tech (5G and above) if this will become a bigger issue, particularly for urban dwellers in dense environments.
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Post by zpilot on Jul 26, 2021 9:22:37 GMT -7
I played a large gig last year where the sound man supposedly had a music degree and had taken audio engineering courses. We were experiencing a clicking noise in the system and he could not find the cause. Finally I walked out to the board and incredibly found he had his cell phone LYING ON THE MIXER. I learned that that could cause problems from a post on this forum several years ago. Leave the post up.
Also, does anyone know if they teach this in college level audio courses?
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Post by LT on Jul 27, 2021 8:05:22 GMT -7
I had the same situation in my previous house. My Z's would sometimes pick up sounds that my Boogie's wouldn't. Glad it was a simple fix.
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Post by cinimod8791 on Jul 29, 2021 8:44:50 GMT -7
Yeah, I guess I should've known better. Years ago I used to use an old Nady wireless live in my gigging days that usually worked okay, but at this particular venue I couldn't use it because it would pick up the drive through orders for the mexican fast food place around the corner.
We were sound checking and all of a sudden an order for three tacos al pastor and a chimichanga with guac came through my amp.
Consequently I noticed that my tone was a lot better when I abandoned the wireless. Eventually I stopped using it all together.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 29, 2021 9:24:42 GMT -7
Thread moved to Answers (Resolved) category.
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