Help me diagnose my squeeling problem...

  • Thread starter Thread starter The_Kid
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The_Kid

The_Kid

Active member
So I finally get all the pieces together to setup and run my talkbox again. (yeah I know, snicker, laugh amongst yourselves, but people here like it :rock: ) Anyway, my setup basically consists of

Guitar > wireless > Morley A/B/Y box > Boss NS-2 > Channel A - Boss GT8/JSX > 4x12, Channel B goes to second amp > Heil Talkbox.

My issue came when I got a squeeling high pitched feedback out of nowhere that would kind of just come and go when it wanted. It didnt matter if I was playing or not, it didnt matter which amp I was playing through (JSX or talkbox). Although it did happen more when I was on my non talkbox channel. When it would squeel during playing it would actually cut my signal going to my JSX, while Channel B was not engaged. Only remedy was to shut off the Talkbox amp and just not use it.

Now I've known a few stomp boxes (fish n chips) to squeel similar when they are turned on and the battery is close to eminent death, but I never noticed that about my NS-2 or a A/B/Y pedal. I changed batteries anyway, cause the NS-2 needed it and the A/B/Y hadnt been used in awhile anyway.

Any ideas where this could be coming from? I havent set it up again and tried to duplicate the issue, but any ideas would be helpful.

THanks for any help.
 
OT - Is electric city music still open over there? I always liked going there. With that birds eye maple counter.
 
no it isnt. That place closed a few years ago. Are you from this area? We have a guitar center here now, YAY!!! :thumbsdown:

I used to live in Mukilteo if you know north of seattle at all.
 
I lived in Green Bay 98-01. Have lived in Marinette,Menominee,Escanaba,Gladstone,Marquette,Houghton,born in Hancock, mothers from the Soo,Milwaukee,Chicago,Boston,New York,Orlando,Tampa,Portland,grew up in Detroit. I know I missed a few. Third time I have lived in the Seattle area since 86. So yes I do know that area. I bought my Fuzz Factory and a few other things from Electric City. I own a old EH talk box [78]. Never had that kind of problem. Talked to my cousin in Menominee yesterday- hear its hot out there.....
 
I had a similar problem when using a electronic switching A/B box, only with the guitar volume low or off!
Instant fix was a Star Touch A/B box, isolated ground. It is all true bypass mechanical switching. You may hear a slight click when recording with it, but it is the best thing for live performance, 100% reliable and no one will ever hear it.
I'm assuming you are lifting the ground on the talkbox amp to remove ground loop.
You're right, the talk box is a show stealer live, people love it.
 
I am unaware of any ground loop problem while using my talkbox. I've never lifted the ground or anything like that. I used the A/B box that I am using for a good year and a half and never had this problem. So i'm confused :confused: as to whats going weird now. I'm gonna try a different amp with it and see if that makes it any different.
 
I used a 5150 combo for my main amp, and a StudioPro 110 for the talk box. When the problem occurs, try a cheater plug on the talkbox amp, if this fixes it, it's a ground loop.
If not, unplug the A/B box and try each amp separately to trouble-shoot the A/B box.
Do the ground lift first, as removing the A/B will also eliminate the ground loop, and you might fix the wrong problem.
 
I guess I'm not understanding why there would be a ground loop issue...
 
Oh -
The grounds of both amps are connected through the negative of the cable, through the A/B box. So you have a large continuous circle, or loop of the ground. Your grounds need to be isolated, so they connect to the ground in the wiring like branches of a tree. Your two amps are grounded to the wiring, but their grounds are also connected together, creating an excellent antenna to pick up all kinds of electronic noise. Use a "cheater plug" to lift the ground on either of the amps, preferably amp two, if the amplifier does not have a ground lift switch.
You are still safely grounded through the A/B box. To verify this, leave the A/B box powered up, and turn off and unplug both amps. You should have continuity between the ground pin on both amp power cords.
 
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