Question:
Hi. New here. I've recently purchased a closeout Kustom Wav 212 from MF - rated at 130 watts. Don't know if I have a problem with the amp, my house wiring, or guitar cables. Upon unpacking it and plugging it in I notice there is some audible hiss from the amp with all gains/volumes down and no instrument plugged in. When the effects are turned on I can hear the hiss and hum taking on the characteristics of the effect (flange esp.). Again with no cable plugged in - when I use the lead channel and turn the volume and gain up about halfway each - the hum is quite loud. I have moved the amp all over the house and nothing seems to change this. When I play (Rick 330) thru it the hum and hiss persist. This hiss sounds kind of like an empty AM radio station. Tone from the amp sounds great but I'm kind of wondering about the hiss, since my old amp Crate TD-50Chorus - didn't do this.
Any ideas?
Answer:
First of all, try a different guitar and a different cable, so if those are fine we can get them out of the equation.
-Nick
Answer:
Originally Posted by Only Alive First of all, try a different guitar and a different cable, so if those are fine we can get them out of the equation.
-Nick it's present without any of those...its just louder with them.
Answer:
Yeah - it's there with or without guitar - other guitar is 60's Fender Jaguar - hum/hiss not as pronounced. The pickups on the Ric are much hotter. You would not notice it in band play but as soon as the song stopped you would hear the hum. Hard to believe a new amp would come with problems so I hope it's our 50-yr old house and/or cables. Changing cable doesn't seem to make a difference but I don't have an ultra-high quality one either. I'll be taking it over to a friends (much newer) house soon to check it out there.
With no cable plugged in and the volumes at half there is fairly loud hum. Perhaps this is not a valid thing, if the guitar is plugged in - the hum is the same but the guitar sound would put a hole in your chest.
Answer:
hmm...well at normal guitar playing volume is it noticeable? it might be a bad ground with the amp...
Answer:
My guess is that it issss defective - specifically in the DSP section - probably a bad DSP chip or RAM or something. The only thing I can suggest is to make sure it isn't picking up up noise from your computer...other than that I would start the return/exchange process with MF.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve hmm...well at normal guitar playing volume is it noticeable? it might be a bad ground with the amp... Can't hear it when playing - but when you stop, definitely. Doesn't affect the tones at all. Hum/hiss changes when different preamp settings are invoked - 2 are tube 2 are transistor.
Is there a way to check this - that an amateur could perform?
I really like the amp sounds (apart from the noise). MF had it on clearance for 1/3 of the list and have no others to exchange. If there were a problem, would the savings on the amp itself merit any repair necessary (if necessary)? It came factory sealed. Warranty should apply out of MF's 45 day return. . . don't want to pay shipping on a 56 pound amp though.
Thanks.