Ok. I have been playing the electric guitar since July. I have a Squier Affinity strat. I use a Peavey Backstage guitar amp. when I turn it on, I have an annoying buzz in the background. When I touch the strings, it gets quieter but does not go away. What is it, and how can I fix it?
Originally posted by ketch90Cheap guitar, cheap amp, cheap cords. Buy acoustic!
Ok. I have been playing the electric guitar since July. I have a Squier Affinity strat. I use a Peavey Backstage guitar amp. when I turn it on, I have an annoying buzz in the background. When I touch the strings, it gets quieter but does not go away. What is it, and how can I fix it?
does this happen when your amp is clean (i.e. without distortion)? if not, does it happen when your amp is set to a low volume? have you tried your guitar in another amp, or another guitar in your amp?
edit: and cheap is okay for beginners-means you have to work harder to get a decent sound so it'll sound even better when you progress to a decent set up...
my guess is a cable problem- but try tightening your connections first- the input on your guitar might be loose, or the amp.
if that doesn't work, try a better cable. a good quality cable can make a world of difference. "Monster" cables are good- they're like $30 or so, but they have a life-time warrenty. all you have to do is walk in to any music store that sells them and hand them your old cord, and they hand you a new one. done deal. i bought a monster cable about 5 years ago and i've replaced it 3 or 4 times for free.
Originally posted by ketch90If I were you I'd just say to people who notice: "It took me ages to get this sound!"
Ok. I have been playing the electric guitar since July. I have a Squier Affinity strat. I use a Peavey Backstage guitar amp. when I turn it on, I have an annoying buzz in the background. When I touch the strings, it gets quieter but does not go away. What is it, and how can I fix it?
Originally posted by ketch90I have the same issue - it is more than likely cheap equipment. Just ignore it.
Ok. I have been playing the electric guitar since July. I have a Squier Affinity strat. I use a Peavey Backstage guitar amp. when I turn it on, I have an annoying buzz in the background. When I touch the strings, it gets quieter but does not go away. What is it, and how can I fix it?
It is most likely an earthing problem. The buzz you hear is white noise from badly earthed equipment. There are a number of solutions:
1) Better leads with insulating sheaths under the rubber.
2) Open up your guitar and check that the earthing wire from your pickups is directed away from the rest of the wiring.
3) Tighten all swithces, jack plates etc,
4) Have your amp looked at, it may be in need of a clean/repair.
Failing this, get a decent guitar or blow up your peavey (take pleasure in this, trust me, they all deserve to die) and get a new one.
Originally posted by ketch90Try a guitar with humbucker pickups
Ok. I have been playing the electric guitar since July. I have a Squier Affinity strat. I use a Peavey Backstage guitar amp. when I turn it on, I have an annoying buzz in the background. When I touch the strings, it gets quieter but does not go away. What is it, and how can I fix it?
I just posted this to see if I could say humbucker.
Originally posted by aspviper666Well I have the father of all humbuckers, its a fatherbucker for sure!
Try a guitar with humbucker pickups
I just posted this to see if I could say humbucker.
Seriously, see if you have a phase reversal switch on the power.
If you have a two pin ac plug, try turning it around, you may have
to carve on of the pins down to reverse it, they usually have a fat
one and a skinny one. If you are in the UK, it may be easier. Your
amp might have a phase reversal switch built in. If not, see if you
can get adapters that will let you do it. The problem is, on the ac
mains, one side is the 'hot' and one side 'ground'. If the wrong one
gets into the electronics it can lead to hums and its a simple job
just to turn around the plug. If not you could take the two wires out
of the three if thats what you have, green is ground, black and white
are the actual power lines. If you cut into the power line, take the
white and black wires and reverse them. Leave the green one alone
though. That will do the same thing as a reveral switch. Good luck,
Don.
Originally posted by ketch90What you describe is normal.
Ok. I have been playing the electric guitar since July. I have a Squier Affinity strat. I use a Peavey Backstage guitar amp. when I turn it on, I have an annoying buzz in the background. When I touch the strings, it gets quieter but does not go away. What is it, and how can I fix it?
It's normal to have a bit of noise, key here is "a bit"
If the noise is a bother while playing, there's a problem.
Flourescent lights are noted for inducing noise in electric guitars, likewise light dimmers.
Originally posted by ketch90I have a feeling it's got to do with the single coils picking up electrical interference, or interference from fluorescent lighting. You could try moving around your room to see if the hiss gets quieter, and if it does, stay there.
Ok. I have been playing the electric guitar since July. I have a Squier Affinity strat. I use a Peavey Backstage guitar amp. when I turn it on, I have an annoying buzz in the background. When I touch the strings, it gets quieter but does not go away. What is it, and how can I fix it?
If it doesn't change in volume, it's probably a grounding (earthing) problem, as several others have mentioned. You can try Dr. sonhouse's do-it-yourself project, just don't solder your fingers to your arse by mistake... 😵