| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic "Buzzing"
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  "Buzzing"
Harold Bullard


From:
Harrisonville, MO 64701 USA
Post  Posted 29 Jan 2024 12:58 pm    
Reply with quote

Saturday night I played an American Legion hall up in Independence Mo. Played it many times. Nice big place. Nice big stage. Ceiling mounted stage lights which I assume are on a different circuit than the stage. The stage has 8 floor mounted electrical outlets. Don't know if they're on more than one circuit.

But every time we play there, there is an awful "buzzing" noise. It seems to be coming from the instrument amps, not the PA. It's not a ground hum, it's like a thousand bees. The lead player says whatever amp and/or guitar he brings it's the same. My stuff is all run through a power conditioner, but that doesn't seem to help. And it's present with me, the bass, the rhythm & the lead. Everyone but the drummer.

Does this sound familiar to anybody? Is there a gizmo I plug in somewhere to stop it?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
mtulbert


From:
Plano, Texas 75023
Post  Posted 29 Jan 2024 1:34 pm    
Reply with quote

LED lights are notorious with messing with guitar pickups. I have the same situation in my house with an LED Chandelier that drives my steel crazy when the lights are on. Havent been able to stop it or isolate it either.

Could be the issue if you see LED lights being used in the facility somewhere.
_________________
Mark T


Infinity D-10 Justice SD-10 Judge Revelation Octal Preamp, Fractal AXE III, Fender FRFR 12
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 29 Jan 2024 2:51 pm    
Reply with quote

All lighting, except incandescent bulbs, can cause the hum and buzz that’s picked up by guitar pickups. (And even they can cause problems if they’re on a dimmer.). You can sometimes reduce the noise by relocating your instruments on the stage, but that’s impossible on smaller stages. I’ve had cases where everything was tolerable until they dimmed the lights in the hall, then all the amps sounded like electric razors. You can try a Hum-X or other hum debugger, but it may not remove much of the hum and buzz. There are also notch filters that will help, but they’re not cheap, and they do affect you're tone. Power conditioners and line filters usually won’t help because the noise is being radiated by the offending devices, and goes directly into your pickups. The best solution, unfortunately, is using humbucking pickups.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 29 Jan 2024 5:07 pm    
Reply with quote

One of the worst things is florescent lights. Th ballast in the light can be the problem. Neon lights can be a problem They use a ballast too. Some old signs were real bad.

A bad pole transformer suppling power to the building could be a problem, Would be the place to start. Check the incoming voltage.

If the kitchen is near, Can cause problems, Some deep friers can be a problem.

Some security systems with motion detectors can cause problems also.

Check the location with an amp. When you have time to check everything. Check clocks, And smoke and fire detectors too.

Hum on stage is a bands nightmare.
Good Luck in a cure

BE WATCHING THIS POST, To see what you find.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
ajm

 

From:
Los Angeles
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2024 1:12 pm    
Reply with quote

Since no one asked:
Guitar
Guitar
Bass
Steel

Are any of these players using humbucking pickups?
If so, do they also have the problem?
View user's profile Send private message
Stephen Cowell


From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jan 2024 9:52 pm    
Reply with quote

Hardware store dimmers are the main culprit... clubs find them easy to use and cheap... real dimmers are expensive. Look for dimmers in the light show, in the green room, etc. When turned all the way up the noise goes away... they're not chopping the waves anymore.
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Harold Bullard


From:
Harrisonville, MO 64701 USA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2024 4:35 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks for all the input and ideas. Since this club has most of the ideas offered, I think I'll just have to grin and bear it. But it sure is annoying.

Oh, and no one is using humbuckers. I tried one once and it made my guitar sound awful. I went back to single coil.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron