Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: warioblast on May 10, 2020, 04:29:51 pm

Title: Noise sensitivity
Post by: warioblast on May 10, 2020, 04:29:51 pm
I finally put my amp back into its headshell... I stayed without playing into an amp for 3 years...
It's a plexi / JCM800 hybrid built from a DSL50.

The amp is pretty quiet; I'm almost only hearing hum from the PT on the plexi channel. But it is very sensitive; and whenever I get close with the guitar it starts to hum quite loudly. Way louder than I remember. Like I said I havent played a tube amp for more than 3 years.
Could it be because my chassis has a lot of holes in it ? On the front pannel and on top. See pics.
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: vampwizzard on May 10, 2020, 05:06:59 pm
wario, did they use shielded conductors for the input signal to the first triode? Is there foil/metal grille on the back panel to keep the faraday cage closed?
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: shooter on May 10, 2020, 05:08:30 pm
change guitar and it's cable, retest
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: shooter on May 10, 2020, 05:48:28 pm
Adding to DummyLoads reading;

Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 11, 2020, 03:11:06 am
Look amp have too much gain.

A Plexi /JCM800 Hybrid.. from a DSL 50 ??   Show your schematic as built, it is a must to see what you do .
 
Picture inside the chassis may help us.
 
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: warioblast on May 11, 2020, 11:39:51 am
wario, did they use shielded conductors for the input signal to the first triode? Is there foil/metal grille on the back panel to keep the faraday cage closed?

I built the amp. I used shielded cables from the input jack to both preamp tubes. And yes the headsheel still has its metal cover on the bottom, like this (https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--2Y6Qn4oP--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1495569655/uomuetynudjgjugmwqm7.jpg)
My chassis is tightly bolted.

change guitar and it's cable, retest

Obviously I have way more hum with a tele or a strat. With a LP not so much. I tried different cables too.

Look amp have too much gain.

A Plexi /JCM800 Hybrid.. from a DSL 50 ??   Show your schematic as built, it is a must to see what you do .
 
Picture inside the chassis may help us.
 


There is not much left from the DSL 50  :icon_biggrin:
Headshell, chassis, transformers and front switches.

I do get less hum with lower gain settings.


Maybe I stayed too long without playing a tube amp.
But like I said the amp can be pretty quiet, but I may move from 5° and the hum kicks in.
The DSL was a very quiet amp. I looked at the schematic and it seems like the 2 first preamp tubes have DC heater. I might give it a try.




Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: shooter on May 11, 2020, 12:04:36 pm
Quote
the hum kicks in.
so, define "it"
60hz, 120hz, radio station bleed, "static", guitar feedback......
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 11, 2020, 12:27:23 pm
What is that ? i wish a better pictures with resolution

Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 11, 2020, 12:28:29 pm
I'll try 470K, one or two.

Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: warioblast on May 11, 2020, 05:03:49 pm
Quote
the hum kicks in.
so, define "it"
60hz, 120hz, radio station bleed, "static", guitar feedback......

I'll record a clip you'll be the judge. :icon_biggrin:

What is that ? i wish a better pictures with resolution



That's the relay. I used shielded cables there too, I know it looks messy.
The DSL50 restarted its life as a JTM50, 3 years ago. It looked pretty clean back then. I went through a lot of mods since. Hence the messy look, separate bias, turret strips...

I velcro'ed the back of the relay to the chassis so I have easy access to the pins in case of potential debug/mods.

I'll try 470K, one or two.



I'll give it a try ;)



Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: shooter on May 11, 2020, 05:33:01 pm
Quote
I'll record a clip you'll be the judge
mine are quiet, I have no reference  :m17
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 12, 2020, 03:19:54 am
Few years ago I built a Marshall 50 watts with master volume, model 2204 with a reverb ( Fender Circuit) . My own desing
All from scratch parts. It is very quiet and play very well.

I built many amps, never kits.
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: pdf64 on May 12, 2020, 03:56:21 am
If the hum noise is dependant on the setting of the vol control on the guitar, such that it disappears when it’s fully counter clockwise, then the noise is unrelated to the amp’s particular circuit per se. ie it’s purely related to degree of gain - frequency.
The same gain - frequency response from a pedal or whatever would result in the same noise, given the same environmental conditions, perhaps most significantly the proximity of the (energised) transformers.
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: warioblast on May 12, 2020, 08:41:37 am
^^
pdf64,
it does dissapear with the volume rolled off.
And the closer to the PT, the louder the hum / buzz... whatever you call it


Few years ago I built a Marshall 50 watts with master volume, model 2204 with a reverb ( Fender Circuit) . My own desing
All from scratch parts. It is very quiet and play very well.

I built many amps, never kits.

Would you mind sharing your schematic ?

Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 12, 2020, 08:46:11 am
I will post today.
It is on a paper sheet, I'll scan to make a PDF.
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 12, 2020, 02:29:30 pm
There are my schematic for my Marshall master volume with fender reverb
Sorry I can't scan in one piece.

I have to reduce file, forum write ; fil is too big = poor resolution

Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 12, 2020, 02:32:25 pm
Schematic last part.

Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: sluckey on May 12, 2020, 03:52:57 pm
Unreadable
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: warioblast on May 12, 2020, 03:55:25 pm
Thanks but I can't read anything  :sad:
Could you send the unedited scans at warioblast@outlook.fr
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 12, 2020, 06:13:08 pm
Send, sorry my scans are not perfect
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: warioblast on May 12, 2020, 06:43:22 pm
Thank you Latole ;)
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 12, 2020, 06:54:50 pm
I'll try to send you a better copy tomorrow
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: PRR on May 13, 2020, 12:38:03 am
.
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 13, 2020, 03:08:46 am
PRR you do a very good job with my schematic, no need a better copy, thank's
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: warioblast on May 13, 2020, 08:23:35 am
So do you guys think it's normal ?
Should I bother trying to install elevated or DC heaters ?
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: sluckey on May 13, 2020, 08:28:28 am
It's all good. Leave it alone. Different guitars will behave differently.
Title: Re: Noise sensitivity
Post by: Latole on May 13, 2020, 09:02:25 am
So do you guys think it's normal ?
Should I bother trying to install elevated or DC heaters ?

No on both, it is not the issue.

Repairing an amp that never worked without having the amp in front of you is very difficult.
If in addition the amp is a particular design and which does not exist, then this would be mission impossible.