Amp picking up radio

Kentl · 03-12-2010, 04:18 PM

it is and as cool as it is i need to know if it damnge the amp and or alarm clock it is picking it up form?

CStephenson · 03-12-2010, 04:41 PM

is it picking it up with the guitar plugged in or not?

**Rainer.** · 03-12-2010, 04:54 PM

It won't damage the amp. It's a fairly common problem, especially with reverb tanks.

Just depends on the room you're in, generally.

CStephenson · 03-12-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

It won't damage the amp. It's a fairly common problem, especially with reverb tanks.

Just depends on the room you're in, generally.

Is it really that common? I've really only experienced it with single coils and unshielded guitars. A quick copper shielding seems to take care of it for me.

**scared2mosh** · 03-12-2010, 06:08 PM

One sunday morning we had to cancel worship in the HS group because the soundsystem was picking up 95.5 Detroit. For those who don't know, it's a stupid horrible rap station.

I dont think anything is damaged or could get damaged, but you might want to get a different alarm clock if you don't use it's radio frequently.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 03-12-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentl

it is and as cool as it is i need to know if it damnge the amp and or alarm clock it is picking it up form?

okay, I have had this a few times...

one amp I had would do this if anything was in the effects loop.

check your cord. Sometimes, bad cords can act just like an antenna.

I have had a tube do this once, (was picking up a mariachi station) but obviously a spider jam does not have tubes to pick up radio.

It probably is picking it up out of the air, not the alarm clock.

If it is a constant problem, I might shield the top of the chassis, if a change of guitar cord didn't remedy the problem.

**bravesfan007** · 03-12-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CStephenson

Is it really that common? I've really only experienced it with single coils and unshielded guitars. A quick copper shielding seems to take care of it for me.

It really is that common. I've had it happen to me while in buildings and also outside. One instance that stands out in my mind is one camp that had their services outside and the band in a small pavilion/shelter thing. Needless to say my amp decided to pick up the local religious station one night and had a pastor screaming and wheezing coming through it during the alter call. Not exactly the best timing, but it was better than the mariachi band one church service.

Kentl · 03-12-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

okay, I have had this a few times...

one amp I had would do this if anything was in the effects loop.

check your cord. Sometimes, bad cords can act just like an antenna.

I have had a tube do this once, (was picking up a mariachi station) but obviously a spider jam does not have tubes to pick up radio.

It probably is picking it up out of the air, not the alarm clock.If it is a constant problem, I might shield the top of the chassis, if a change of guitar cord didn't remedy the problem.

oh ok we said it was becuse when we changed the staion on the alarm it chnged with

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 03-12-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentl

oh ok we said it was becuse when we changed the staion on the alarm it chnged with

okay... that sounds like it might actually be the radio... ...that would be most unusual

Stratopastor · 03-20-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentl

oh ok we said it was becuse when we changed the staion on the alarm it chnged with

Radios usually 'leak' a kind of stray signal of their own. If the sound coming from the amp changes when you change station on the radio, your guitar rig is picking up the stray signal.

But it does show you've got a problem with your guitar rig. and you need to fix it before some other radio signal messes up a performance in front of people!

Swop out one thing at a time - amp, cords, guitar, FX, outlet extensions, to see where the weakness lies.

**Sean.thomson** · 03-20-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

okay, I have had this a few times...

one amp I had would do this if anything was in the effects loop.

check your cord. Sometimes, bad cords can act just like an antenna.

I have had a tube do this once, (was picking up a mariachi station) but obviously a spider jam does not have tubes to pick up radio.

It probably is picking it up out of the air, not the alarm clock.

If it is a constant problem, I might shield the top of the chassis, if a change of guitar cord didn't remedy the problem.

I wish I had a pedal that would do this...

RubberChipmunk · 03-20-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean.thomson

I wish I had a pedal that would do this...

I could try and build you one, but you'd have to supply your own mariachi station for it to pick up.

**Sean.thomson** · 03-20-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubberChipmunk

I could try and build you one, but you'd have to supply your own mariachi station for it to pick up.

That's my only problem. We use to have one in Columbia but it went kaputz....

Maybe with an MP3 player and an FM transmitter thing? Hmmmm....

CStephenson · 03-20-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean.thomson

That's my only problem. We use to have one in Columbia but it went kaputz....

Maybe with an MP3 player and an FM transmitter thing? Hmmmm....

Or an MP3 player playing Mariachi, a 1/8" stereo to 1/4" mono adapter and a single switch in a box plugged into your amp. Could turn it on whenever you wanted LOL

RubberChipmunk · 03-20-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean.thomson

That's my only problem. We use to have one in Columbia but it went kaputz....

Maybe with an MP3 player and an FM transmitter thing? Hmmmm....

Actually, given the possibility of an FM transmitter... an effect actually designed to pick up radio stations might not be a terrible idea...