Nobody enjoys a buzzing guitar amp, whether practicing at home or playing for an audience. A little buzz when your amp is idle is normal and nothing to worry about, but if the buzz is loud and continues while you are playing, it can be distracting and even ruin your gig. There are many reasons why guitar amps buzz; some are much easier to fix than others.
When guitar amps buzz, it might be caused by a damaged cable, poor electrical grounding, dirty audio jacks, or ground loop problems. Some solutions include replacing a cable, soldering the ground wire, cleaning the jacks, and investing in a power stabilizer.
In this article, I will explain the issues that can lead to amp buzz and give you some easy fixes to make your amp sound better than ever. Let’s go!
Related: new to this topic? Start with our complete guide to amps and modeling.
1. A Damaged Cable Is Causing Your Amp To Buzz
A buzzing amp can be highly irritating when trying to rock out, but unfortunately, it happens. Many factors could cause an amp to buzz, but a damaged cable is one of the most common and straightforward issues to fix.
If your cable is old and bent in some places, it can cause static. Also, your cable is a problem if you hear a crackling sound. A damaged cable can cause all sorts of issues with the sound of your amp. It would be best if you had a solid connection between your guitar and amp for optimal sound quality.
How To Fix It
If you believe your cable is behind your amp’s annoying buzz, follow these easy steps:
- Check that you have plugged all your power cables securely.
- Unplug your guitar from your amp and remove the connecting cable.
- If the buzz continues, the problem is with your amp, not your cable.
- If the buzzing stops, check your cable for any visible issues.
If you have established that your cable is the issue, the easiest solution is to purchase a new cable. When buying a new cable, make sure it is a thick, good-quality cable like this Fender Professional Series Instrument Cable (available on Amazon.com).
It has an 8mm outer diameter wire jacket that will protect your wires from damage and Nickel-plated connectors, which will help minimize buzz. A good quality cable like this one will last a long time and ensure your amp has the best sound output.
If you enjoy a challenge and own a soldering iron, you can open the cable and check for any loose wires. If there are loose wires, you can use your DIY skills to solder the wires into place before securely taping the cable closed again.
It is a good idea to have a regular maintenance schedule where you check your guitar, amp, and all your accessories, including the cables.
Worn pedalboard cables are a common culprit. Our guide to the best patch cables shows which ones last.
2. Grounding Issues Are Causing Your Amp To Buzz
A Buzzing amp does not mean that it is faulty or that anything is wrong with the amp itself. Many factors that cause an amp to buzz have more to do with your guitar than the amp itself.
A guitar that is not grounded correctly can cause an amp to buzz. This problem is not an issue that is easy to see but happens often. To test this, plug your guitar in but don’t play it or even touch the strings. If there is buzzing, you might have a grounding issue.
How To Fix It
Repairing a grounding issue is more complicated than buying a new cable but not a difficult fix. Your grounding wire will most likely be in the same cavity as your guitar’s electrical wires. You can open up the cavity and have a look; if the ground wire is loose, soldering it into place will stop the buzz.
If you open the cavity but can’t find the grounding wire, it might connect to the tailpiece stud. When the grounding wire connects to the tailpiece stud, it is more challenging to get to, but you can still accomplish your task.
Investing in a guitar repair kit may be necessary, but you might be able to do the job with some of the tools you have lying around the house.
3. The Pickup Is Causing the Buzz in Your Amp
Many guitars have single-coil pickups, which can cause your amp to buzz. The guitar pickup can pick up interference from many different sources, and if you turn up the distortion, the buzz will most likely double in volume too.