Clicking noise (w/ video)

[robertshriv]

Hi, long time lurker, first time poster....

My mark v started making a clicking noise the other day, as seen in the video below. The noise occurs equally through all channels, wattages, and rectifier settings.

There is no loss of function in the amp, no volume/tone loss, etc - it sounds great!

Things I have tried so far include tapping the power tubes listening for abnormal noises, checking the footswitch cable connection, plugging into different outlets, and putting my phone on the other side of the room (it has been the same band space for years without issues so I'm not sure it's electrical interference but I checked what I could there). Unplugging the guitar cable from the amp made the noise quieter, but it was still present.

Because the camera was very close to the speaker, the ambient noise from the amp sounds worse than what it is; it's not problematic. Although it's louder on ch 1 than on 2 or 3. When I touch the guitar strings/vol knob/etc the ambient noise AND the clicking noise quiet considerably, but do not go away completely.

http://youtu.be/rf2Y80G7G6w

 

[Mungo Zen]

Watched the video:

The clicking is always at that rate? It sounds like a click or metronome; you don't have something on a MIDI clock do you?

I would strip down to guitar -> amp -> cab (even remove the foot switch and hard set a channel) and then swap out the cab and speaker cable. Having already eliminated the guitar and lead, if it still clicks then you are looking at the amp or power.

If you are looking at power, try using a different power cable, and if possible get a power conditioner (some power bars offer clean power). Or try a different location to really eliminate the power possibility.

Good Luck!

 

[Monstercastle]

Do you have a clock on the wall?

 

[robertshriv]

Did some more troubleshooting at the band space this afternoon.....

Using a different instrument cable, a different power cord (taken from another amp), plugging straight into the amp (bypassing my Maxon od-9), bypassing the FX loop, disconnecting the footswitch, different speaker cable, trying a different cab, changing all 4 power tubes (Mesa-branded 6L6), and using another electrical outlet didn't do anything. Still ticking.

I changed the V1 preamp tube (had a Mesa-branded SPAX7, replaced w/ one of the Mesa-branded 12AX7s from the factory) and the ticking got quieter, but didn't go away. I ran out of time at that point, but I'll check the other preamp tubes next.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[jb's 52]

Maybe something periodically hitting a fan blade?

 

[LesPaul70]

Another possibility would be a wrist watch. Specifically if you are a lefty or otherwise wear it on your picking arm.

I've had similar experiences when I was muting the strings with my fretting hand and a high-output passive pickup started picking up the ticking of my wrist watch.

 

[Mungo Zen]

It sounds like you have done some pretty good back checking. Have you tried calling Mesa (I would at this point)?

 

[LesPaul70]

What makes me think could be a clock or a watch is the 1 second interval (more or less). Microphonic preamp tube picking up the ticking?

 

[robertshriv]

Wow, thank you so much for the replies!

I am headed back to the band space tonight to swap out some more preamp tubes (I retubed it after a year of heavy playing with new Mesa-branded power/rectifier tubes and SPAX7's; I kept the factory tubes as spares & that's what I'm using now).

If that doesn't work I'll definitely call warranty support - I figured Mesa would tell me first to check the tubes! And also that it might be worth checking this board anyway.

I don't wear a wristwatch, but I've been running this bad boy in the loop maybe that has something to do with it :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[robertshriv]

Hmmm, well, I replaced all the tubes at the band space last night (one by one!!) and none of them made any difference.

So I brought it home with me, and just for kicks I fired it up when I got home late last night and it did not tick! But it made almost constant light static....

Tonight I pulled the chassis and cleaned all the tube sockets with CRC contact cleaner. After that, it seemed normal - a little bit of background noise, yes, but I cannot say that the amp has ever really been without that. Through all of this, it has sounded fine - the channels, modes, wattages, reverb, fx loop, solo all work fine.

Maybe it is in fact the power at the band space - perhaps a voltage regulator (ugh, $$$$) is in my future.

Thanks to all who replied to this post; I will update if anything happens

 

[robertshriv]

The problem is almost certainly a grounding (or other electrical) issue at the band space.

I returned the amp to the band space, and it resumed clicking. However, it stopped clicking when we shut down one of the two electrical circuits (I long ago tried using the other circuit, but it still clicked so I moved on). So we'll start troubleshooting that now (the band space is a loft above a standalone garage).

It obviously is not an amplifier issue so I don't see that there's any more work to do here, thanks again everyone. Happy boogie-ing!

 

[Mungo Zen]

Stoked to hear that the amp is performing! Sucks to hear about the power. I use a Furman power conditioner and it kills all kinds of ground and line noise. I realize this is a rack unit and not everyone has a rack but it is an example of a great piece of hardware for just under $100. It made a huge difference when gigging and running into terrible power in some venues.

http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&&id=M-8x2