Judo Chop Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 (edited) In our rehearsal room the other night my usually loud amp (Marshall MB4210) sounded really weedy, and was picking up next door's cover band when I turned up the volume on my bass (Fender PJ). I tried messing about with the amp settings and the bass pots, but it wouldn't go past a certain volume. The guitarist was also getting next door's band coming through his amp when he turned his guitar up, meaning we had 'Won't Get Fooled Again' blaring through all of our songs I initially put it down to bad wiring on the jazz pickup I recently had installed in my bass so when I got home I turned one pickup at a time to full volume, kept my amp settings the same and plucked an open E, both pickups read out at 100 decibels each. Then I plugged my Squier Precision in as a reference and that also came out at 100 decibels. So now I'm confused! If it's not my bass that's causing the problem, what is it? Can bad wiring in the building (more of a big shed than anything) we rehearse in affect my amp? I should also add that it was the first time I've had problems hearing myself there, and also the first time we've picked up interference from the band next door. Anybody got a clue? Edited February 9, 2013 by Jack Cahalane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapiro Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1360398156' post='1969720'] So now I'm confused! If it's not my bass that's causing the problem, what is it? Can bad wiring in the building (more of a big shed than anything) we rehearse in affect my amp? I should also add that it was the first time I've had problems hearing myself there, and also the first time we've picked up interference from the band next door. [/quote] It certainly sounds like bad earthing to me. The old rehearsal space in Cambridge had the same issue as my mate rewired the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Yes, this happens in the rehearsal rooms we use - next door's stuff not only comes through the walls, but over the amps too. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1360406728' post='1969829'] Yes, this happens in the rehearsal rooms we use - next door's stuff not only comes through the walls, but over the amps too. G. [/quote] Does it make your amp sound weak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1360409542' post='1969886'] Does it make your amp sound weak? [/quote] Not that I've noticed. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='gapiro' timestamp='1360399238' post='1969726'] It certainly sounds like bad earthing to me. The old rehearsal space in Cambridge had the same issue as my mate rewired the place. [/quote] Is your mate a bad electrician then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I would get a plug in tester for a few quid and try all the sockets in the venue, you might find no earth or a weak one probably even a few with other problems like reversed polarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1360418740' post='1970052'] I would get a plug in tester for a few quid and try all the sockets in the venue, you might find no earth or a weak one probably even a few with other problems like reversed polarity [/quote] That's a good idea, would trying another socket help in the meantime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1360418740' post='1970052'] I would get a plug in tester for a few quid and try all the sockets in the venue, you might find no earth or a weak one probably even a few with other problems like reversed polarity [/quote] +1 Essential safety device for all gigging musicians - you've no idea if the venue electrics have been installed by an electrician or a myopic DIY bodger and it only takes a couple of seconds to test a socket. We've found a few dubious sockets over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1360420544' post='1970090'] That's a good idea, would trying another socket help in the meantime? [/quote] If I was uncertain about the wiring at the place I would want to try the plugin tester all over the place [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/mains-socket-tester-9800"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/mains-socket-tester-9800[/url] before plugging something like my Genz 9.2 Max head into any of them, thats a thousand quid head ruined if something is wrong! You can pick them up for less than £5 if you look around in fact [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/240V-UK-Mains-Test-Power-Plug-In-Trailing-Socket-Tester-Wiring-Safety-Check-13A-/150757510856?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2319d90ec8"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/240V-UK-Mains-Test-Power-Plug-In-Trailing-Socket-Tester-Wiring-Safety-Check-13A-/150757510856?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2319d90ec8[/url] so I would be sorting that out first IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 (edited) I have actually just bought one of the £3.29 ebay ones to put in my gig bag to save taking my work one with me Edited February 9, 2013 by stingrayPete1977 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1360424346' post='1970156'] If I was uncertain about the wiring at the place I would want to try the plugin tester all over the place [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/mains-socket-tester-9800"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/mains-socket-tester-9800[/url] before plugging something like my Genz 9.2 Max head into any of them, thats a thousand quid head ruined if something is wrong! You can pick them up for less than £5 if you look around in fact [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/240V-UK-Mains-Test-Power-Plug-In-Trailing-Socket-Tester-Wiring-Safety-Check-13A-/150757510856?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2319d90ec8"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/240V-UK-Mains-Test-Power-Plug-In-Trailing-Socket-Tester-Wiring-Safety-Check-13A-/150757510856?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2319d90ec8[/url] so I would be sorting that out first IMO [/quote] I'm going there tonight so I won't be able to test it with that yet, can it be isolated to a single socket or would faulty wiring affect every socket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I could be anything from a faulty socket face even just one half of a double socket going back to possibly just the circuit the socket is on if the earth has come away somewhere or even no earth right at the beginning of the wiring so nothing in the whole place has an earth, so it could be anything really, certainly if you find one socket that works ok use that one for now and try the others once you have a tester. I dont supose you have one of those plug in RCD devices on your lawnmower or anywhere do you? That would be worth using for now if you or anyone else in the band has one, any DIY place would have a tester is there anywhere on route? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1360427176' post='1970212'] I could be anything from a faulty socket face even just one half of a double socket going back to possibly just the circuit the socket is on if the earth has come away somewhere or even no earth right at the beginning of the wiring so nothing in the whole place has an earth, so it could be anything really, certainly if you find one socket that works ok use that one for now and try the others once you have a tester. I dont supose you have one of those plug in RCD devices on your lawnmower or anywhere do you? That would be worth using for now if you or anyone else in the band has one, any DIY place would have a tester is there anywhere on route? [/quote] I don't seem have one in the house, there's a B&Q on the way though I'll have a look in there Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 They will have one mate, just looking on their crap site but cant search for one but they must sell them maybe with either the tools or the sockets and cable etc. One of these shared between the band might be an idea if the place is a bit of a dive, use it for all your gear at gigs from then on too. [url="http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/electrical/switches-sockets/rcd-plugs-sockets/adaptors___plugs/B-and-Q-Safety-Rcd-Adaptor-ARCDNB-Black-10278509?skuId=10709166"]http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/electrical/switches-sockets/rcd-plugs-sockets/adaptors___plugs/B-and-Q-Safety-Rcd-Adaptor-ARCDNB-Black-10278509?skuId=10709166[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Big shed? Is this an out building supplied from another building? If so it's likely that the building earth is suspect. Make sure you are using an RCD. £10 from B&Q that could save your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1360435484' post='1970481'] Big shed? Is this an out building supplied from another building? If so it's likely that the building earth is suspect. Make sure you are using an RCD. £10 from B&Q that could save your life. [/quote] A big soundproof building split into two rooms, corrugated iron on the outside. I'm not too sure where the power comes from, probably the owner's house which is a few metres away but I couldn't really say. I was in the other room tonight and we were the only band in, I could hear myself just fine this time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 It probably also depends on the size of cable and breaker running from the house. Two loud bands will be pulling a fair amount of current, add lights and you could get voltage sag which might account for loss in volume when two bands are in. All sounds a bit dodgy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judo Chop Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1360447114' post='1970743'] It probably also depends on the size of cable and breaker running from the house. Two loud bands will be pulling a fair amount of current, add lights and you could get voltage sag which might account for loss in volume when two bands are in. All sounds a bit dodgy. [/quote] I'll have a word with the owner on Wednesday, I don"t fancy getting electrocuted even if it is only costing us £6 an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapiro Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1360418637' post='1970048'] Is your mate a bad electrician then? [/quote] Oops. Meant to say he rewired it to fix it after new owners bought the studios Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 [quote name='gapiro' timestamp='1360484319' post='1970952'] Oops. Meant to say he rewired it to fix it after new owners bought the studios [/quote] its not very often I get to comment on someones grammer or spelling, you have got to let me have that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 It's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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