engl powerball static problems

[denmyos]

i just bought a engl powerball /w cab.
It's my first tube amp, so i have no idea if it's normal behavior for a tube.

the problems is that the dirty channels, is really noisy, like static electricity. when i touch the volume on my guitar, it gets lower.
When i walk around playing the sound (static sound) changes, getting low or louder.
I just bought new cables, (a local store brand) but that didn't help.

i have a LTD MH-1000 guitar
and a fender squier
the noise is alot worse, on the single coil. on the squier.

any help is appreciated

[sumgai]

denmyos,

to these here forums!

Couple of questions for ya.....

If you've got two guitars, and if this is your first tube amp, then it follows that you have or had at least one solid state amp prior to now. Did your guitars make as much noise with the other amp?

Is the amp under warranty? If so, talk to the dealer. Otherwise, you'll be wanting to keep a good technician on your SpeedDial.

Have you tried the amp and guitars at another location (outside your home (or wherever you have the equipment stashed))? And the results are......?

Bottom line is, tube amps are not any more noisy than any other kind of amp. Generally, quality gets you a quieter unit, but even a high-end amp might have an issue right from Day One. Try the above, and get back to us, eh?


sumgai

[denmyos]

well, what can i say, my amp went up in flames to day.
while i was playing it, it suddenly died, and sparks and smoke came out of it.
Don't know what to make of it, i have'nt dare plug it back in.
So im gonna take to the dealer tomorrow, and see what he say's.
I also took my LTD apart, and realize that a cord from the jack, was making a sound every time i touch it.
When i flick the white cord, i can clearly hear it through the pickups.
Is this right?

i bought the amp 2 hand, but the guy i bought it from, is pretty knowed in the store.
So i called the store, they told me that they would give me a good deal on the repare.

denmyos

[sumgai]

Den,

Bad berries about that amp fire. Just thank your lucky stars that since the electrical circuit breaker didn't trip, you didn't lose your whole house! (With protection like that, you need a lot of homeowner's insurance!)

Depending on several factors, product warranties sometimes are transferred to new owners, given some provisions. Usually, it's a call, or a post card or website visit, to the manufacturer. But not always, that's true. In such cases, the dealer is your only friend.

It's too soon to tell, but before you trot that bag of melted shrapnel in for repair, you might wanna speak to your state's Attorney General's office, and ask for someone who will take your complaint about a hazardous product. If Engl has a history of amps that go GeBlooie (tm, ChrisK), then you might be in a better position to request free repairs.

I'm not saying thing here, I'm just sayin', ya know.

I also took my LTD apart, and realize that a cord from the jack, was making a sound every time i touch it.
When i flick the white cord, i can clearly hear it through the pickups.
Is this right?

Something sounds fishy here, and I'm not in Denmark! Did you mispeak by saying that when you "flick the white wire, you hear noise coming out of the pickups? That's bizarre!

I'm sure you must mean that you hear crackling noises from your amp (when it's not busy burning down), right? Even so, no, you should hear nothing, the wire should not make any noise while being mildly jiggled. (Technical term for flicking the wire. Very strongly yanking the wire, that's a different story.

Good luck, and keep us posted.


sumgai

[denmyos]

I got my amp back from repare, and now the tube monitor is lighting up, so im gonna return to the shop again.

I was wondering how fragile is a tupe amp, cause im not having a car, so i usually just stuff the amp in my backpack. And get on the train. Of cause im real careful when i put the backpack down.

[bisonkills]

Hey there all,

First post. Hoping I can get some guidance.

I have a similar problem with my ENGL Fireball 60w head.

I'm getting a lot of hiss, with a bit of crackle and pop from the amp. It almost sounds a bit like low level radio interferrance.

It's only really noticable when not playing. It shows up on both the gain and clean channel, although is far more noticiable with the gain kicked in.

The noise is not coming from my guitar or the FX loop chain. It still makes the same noise with nothing plugged in at all!

Normally this wouldn't be a problem but I'm heading into the studio in a few weeks and fear it may be audible on recordings.

Help please!

[ChrisK]

Help please

Sure, first and foremost, both you and the studio should buy fire insurance!

and now the tube monitor is lighting up

What's a "tube monitor"?

[sumgai]

Chris,

and now the tube monitor is lighting up

What's a "tube monitor"?

From the Engl amplifier's Owner's Manual:

In addition, an electronic surveillance system monitors the active power tubes (that is, two or all four tubes depending on Lo/Hi Power setting). The Status LED flashes to alert you to a defective power tube, blinking in different patterns to identify the given tube. Specifically, it lights up briefly at regular intervals - once for V1, twice for V2, thrice for V3, and four times for V4.

[ChrisK]

Specifically, it lights up briefly at regular intervals - once for V1, twice for V2, thrice for V3, and four times for V4.

And fice (5ive) times means that you better check yer fire insurance?

[sumgai]

Chris,

Specifically, it lights up briefly at regular intervals - once for V1, twice for V2, thrice for V3, and four times for V4.

And fice (5ive) times means that you better check yer fire insurance?

No, the premium for that was supposed to be part of your purchase price. However, shady discount dealers may cut corners, so check your receipt to be sure.


sumgai

[masteraxeman]

Pops and crackles from your amp many times can mean your power tubes are biased way to hot