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Hissing Noise

This noise usually occurs whether or not there is signal to the amplifier. Additionally, it rises and falls as the volume is raised and lowered. This type of noise can have one of two causes:

Pre-amp tube problem

If you suspect that the problem originates with a pre-amp tube, the best way to rule it out is to exchange the pre-amp tube with one you know does not hum. Be careful that you aren’t simply using a low gain tube, however. Good pre-amp tubes have good gain, good tone and do not hum.

How can you know if it might be the pre-amp tubes?

Start by having the amplifier on and in play mode, then remove the phase inverter tube. This is the pre-amp tube closest to the power tubes. If you no longer hear the hum, it likely originates with your phase inverter tube or other pre-amp tubes. Now, you want to use a process of elimination. Replace the phase inverter tube and remove the pre-amp tube next to it. If the noise continues, it is your phase inverter tube. If not, keep removing and replacing the pre-amp tubes in order to discover which one is creating the noise.

Plate load resistor problem

Begin with a visual inspection. An arcing plate load resistor may look charred or burnt.

The Chopstick Test

If you cannot visually detect the bad resistor, you can use the “chopstick” test. To conduct this test, you first remove the chassis from the cabinet. Then you hook up a speaker and turn the amp “on” and set it to “play” mode. Turn the volume controls up all the way and using a wooden chopstick to probe, gently poke the components at their joint, wire and component connections. If a component, such as a resistor, is loose, you will hear noise when you poke or tap the resistor.

Check every component, because the noise may not originate with the exact resistor you are tapping, but the one closest to it that is reacting to the shock. Go through the resistors in the chassis systematically as you would the pre-amp tubes.

These two methods should eliminate the hum in your amp.

Source: Weber, G. (1997). Tube Amp Talk for the Guitarist and Tech, p. 17-25. Kendrick Books: Texas

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This entry was posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 at 9:24 am and is filed under Equipment, How-to. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.