ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1406
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Jul 11 2021 02:15 PM
I'm plugging my Strat into an El Capistan then splitting left & right outputs of El Cap between:
1) Surfy Bear to Fender Deluxe
2) Fender Jr.
I'm picking up significant hum that I don't get when I just plug into El Cap-Bear-Deluxe out of left output. Any suggestions on how I can get the stereo effect of the El Capistan without the hum? Maybe it's the cables? Probably something obvious. Input appreciated.
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
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Last edited: Jul 11, 2021 14:17:01
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Jul 11 2021 03:20 PM
I've been running two amps out of my El Cap since I bought it and have never had this problem. Is everything plugged into the same wall outlet?
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Last edited: Jul 11, 2021 15:20:54
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shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 623
Vancouver BC
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Posted on Jul 11 2021 05:51 PM
Ah, this sounds like a ground loop issue. This is a common issue when running a signal to 2 amps. There are many, many sources on the internet which go into great detail about this. Try a google search of "ground loop 2 amps". I hope this will help.
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
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nedorama
Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 229
South Bay, CA
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Posted on Jul 11 2021 11:37 PM
All amps and pedalboards need to be on the same power strip in the same outlet. Elimninate the obvious culprits first...
—
'65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; 77 Vibrolux Reverb; '81 Princeton Reverb
'65-66 Hilgen Basso Grande
Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab
Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals
Farfisa Compact Duo
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1406
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Jul 12 2021 07:11 AM
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1379
New Orleans
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Posted on Jul 12 2021 12:31 PM
I use two amps and getting multiple HumX hum eliminators helped a lot! It still hums a little tho, but not that horrible 60-cycle hum. More like the usual single coil hum, more like 120-cycle? Can you tell if your hum is 60-cycle or 120-cycle?
Weird story - I got a cheap passive high pass box, and when it’s upside down on the ground, almost all noise goes away. If it accidentally rights itself, the hum returns. I don’t get that at all, wish I were smarter.
Dan
— Daniel Deathtide
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1406
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Jul 12 2021 05:32 PM
Thanks, did the one outlet but still getting low end hum. Didn't have time to try various configurations or plugging in to different outlets. That may need to wait until Thursday.
Then I plugged into just one amp and noted I'm getting hum from my Fender pickups. It goes away in position 2.
Death - Not sure how I can easily check if it's 60 or 120 cycles. Is there something I can pick up on Amazon or the hardware store?
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single)
BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1406
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Jul 12 2021 05:45 PM
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nedorama
Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 229
South Bay, CA
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Posted on Jul 12 2021 07:01 PM
Easiest way to check between 60hz and 120 hz is unplug from the amp, turn it on and then increase the volume. I think it's the filter caps that stay at the same hum volume vs. ground issues (or may have it backwards).
—
'65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; 77 Vibrolux Reverb; '81 Princeton Reverb
'65-66 Hilgen Basso Grande
Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab
Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals
Farfisa Compact Duo
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1379
New Orleans
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Posted on Jul 12 2021 07:40 PM
If it’s a low hum it’s probably a 60-cycle hum from a ground loop. Try a HumX eliminator? Ground loops are tough to beat without isolating transformers.
That’s super weird that it’s only when both are plugged in tho! I mean, if each have no ground loop by themselves, they shouldn’t when they’re connected.
Hey have you tried splitting the signal with a different pedal? I wonder if the pedal is making a ground loop somehow? I have several ways of splitting the guitar signal and two seem to behave identically. One is a Boss LS-2 selector pedal (I just use it to split), and a stereo trem pedal. I also have a Lehle splitter but that thing adds so much noise I can’t use it!
— Daniel Deathtide
Last edited: Jul 12, 2021 19:41:31
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jul 13 2021 12:32 AM
Whenever you run into two amps, there is a good chance that you will have some hum. Basically, the path to ground has to be precisely the same for both amps, and that can happen, but don’t count on it. There are ABY boxes that can take care of this problem, and that’s probably going to be the solution. The HumX eliminators Death Tide mention are probably a good path, although I don’t know the product.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1406
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Jul 13 2021 07:15 AM
Thanks all! I think I'll take the ABY path for now and slowly work on identifying the culprit as I record more and have time to goof with it.
Means a lot that everyone jumped in to give suggestions. Enjoy the rest of your day!
Best and Blessed,
Art
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single)
BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1379
New Orleans
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Posted on Jul 13 2021 08:46 AM
Hey that Radial Bigshot ABY pedal is large, but looks like it uses a transformer, which is great for breaking ground loops. The pedal works passively, but the LED lights need the 9 volts. It also has a phase switch which I could use when using two channels on the same amp. They're pretty cheap at around $100. Might solve everything! I’m about to get one for the phase switch...
Dan
— Daniel Deathtide
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shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 623
Vancouver BC
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Posted on Jul 13 2021 09:01 AM
The OP mentioned about doing the split right from the stereo outs from an effects pedal which is the reason I did not suggest an ABY switcher. I use the Radial ABY Twin city switcher and the ground lift and polarity switcher are useful to me. A great little solution box. https://www.radialeng.com/product/twin-city
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
Last edited: Jul 13, 2021 09:04:38
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1406
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Jul 13 2021 09:11 AM
Yeah, originally I was hoping it was a plug and play fix. So I've changed course for now. Thanks for the confirmation ot the ABY Radial.
This is what I'm starting with, around $169
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single)
BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy
Last edited: Jul 13, 2021 09:14:22
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4562
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jul 13 2021 11:53 PM
I’ll be interested to hear how it does for you. It looks like a good unit.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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OaklandA
Joined: Nov 01, 2017
Posts: 83
Arizona
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Posted on Aug 05 2021 11:10 PM
If you're not happy with the Radial, try a grounding adapter on one of the amps. They're cheap and look like this:
Last edited: Aug 05, 2021 23:12:00
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Aug 06 2021 07:55 AM
I found out why my reverb unit hums.
It doesn't know the words.
(As Clarry would say, "I'm here all week" ) 
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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ArtS
Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1406
Isle of Kent, MD
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Posted on Aug 06 2021 09:12 AM
da-ron wrote:
I found out why my reverb unit hums.
It doesn't know the words.
(As Clarry would say, "I'm here all week" )
Ba boom! (Slight laughter from Nags Head Pier crowd)...
— Surf.The most dangerous of genres...
Surfcat
MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus
THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single)
BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus
YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf
BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy
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nedorama
Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 229
South Bay, CA
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Posted on Aug 06 2021 11:07 AM
OaklandA wrote:
If you're not happy with the Radial, try a grounding adapter on one of the amps. They're cheap and look like this:
Do not use these. Get a Hum-X that does this the right way. Removing the ground is stupid and potentially dangerous. Yes the Hum-X is more expensive but you're not going to potentially get shocked.
—
'65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; 77 Vibrolux Reverb; '81 Princeton Reverb
'65-66 Hilgen Basso Grande
Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab
Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals
Farfisa Compact Duo
|
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