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210 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Feb 27, 2012 8:55 AM by meambobbo RSS
dleted Just Startin'
dleted
3 posts since
Aug 13, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 25, 2012 7:48 PM

HD500 Loud Buzz

Hello!

 

I have an annoying buzz issue with my HD500 that is driving me crazy and thought I might find some answers here. First let me begin by saying that I have new cables, old cable powered monitors, headphones, connected to a computer via USB, not connected, plugged into a grounded circuit, also tried undgrounded. and it buzzes no matter what. The buzz it generates is LOUD but my MXR Smartgate kills it out for the most part. The guitar is my Jackson DKMG with EMG 81/85 active pickups. I usually run highgain and this only worsens the issues.

 

If the guitar is plugged in and volume is all the way down, no buzz at all. If my guitar cable is unplugged from the HD500 also no buzz. The buzz only happens when the guitar is plugged in and volume it up. It doesn't stop if I do things like touch the strings, or the HD500. It does however change in intensity if I change what direction I stand in relation to the POD.  As in if I face the unit I can minimize the buzz, if I turn 90 degrees it gets really loud. I also tried it in a part of my house that has complete new electical wiring and grounding. What is more odd is that the buzzing is most intense when headphones are used. Doesn't matter which headphones are used either.

 

Any ideas are welcome!

 

 

Thanks,

Zack

Tags: problem, buzz, buzzing, 500, hd500
  • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo
    meambobbo
    1,702 posts since
    Dec 13, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 25, 2012 9:10 PM (in response to dleted)
    Re: HD500 Loud Buzz

    sounds like your guitar's electronics cavity isn't sheilded or something isn't grounded.

    • jimsreynolds Power User
      jimsreynolds
      2,227 posts since
      Jun 27, 43450
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 26, 2012 8:15 AM (in response to meambobbo)
      Re: HD500 Loud Buzz

      +1 Meam.  Active pickups are generally very quiet.   It sounds like dicey wiring to me.

       

      Have you tried another guitar?

      • birro Iknowathingortwo
        birro
        172 posts since
        Jun 27, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 26, 2012 9:02 AM (in response to jimsreynolds)
        Re: HD500 Loud Buzz

        +1 meam and jim

        Another thing that came into my mind is the switch nearby the top of the expression pedal, the "Guitar In". Have you tried setting it to PAD in order to reduce the signal provided by the high gain pickups you have? But have in mind that meam and jim's advice are definitely the way. It looks like a grounding issue from the guitar, not the HD500 at all.

  • leegoodrick Just Startin'
    leegoodrick
    11 posts since
    Mar 14, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 26, 2012 9:13 AM (in response to dleted)
    Re: HD500 Loud Buzz

    Tried a fresh battery for your EMGs?

  • dleted Just Startin'
    dleted
    3 posts since
    Aug 13, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 26, 2012 10:37 AM (in response to dleted)
    Re: HD500 Loud Buzz

    Thanks for the replies. I am trying the fresh battery in a while (need to get one!). I have tried the pad switch with no difference to the buzz. I will also check out the grounding inside my jackson. I think that it is wired to the fork part of my Floyd. I will report back later with my findings. Thanks again for the feedback!

  • dleted Just Startin'
    dleted
    3 posts since
    Aug 13, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 27, 2012 7:12 AM (in response to dleted)
    Re: HD500 Loud Buzz

    Wow, I am going crazy with this. bought a new battery, not the issue. I spent the night looking into the wiring inside my DKMG and have found that Jackson did a wierd wiring job on it. At least compared to the recommended wiring from EMG. EMG 81/85 are not supposed to be grounded to anything. They provide their own ground inside the pickups and are themselves fully shielded. I ended up ordering a solderless kit from EMG so I can take out all of te Jackson nonsense and see it that is the problem. I hope it is. I may even shiedl the control cavity. If not I am going to just give up and let my SmartGate do it's job. If anyone has any other ideas, or bad experiences with EMG + HD500 let me know.

     

    Thanks!

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