TC G SYSTEM OUTPUT PROBLEM. MAYBE VOLTAGE/ROOM POWER ISSUE?

[guitarman1111]

I've had a TC G System for about a year. I own a triple recto that I had modified to a serial fx loop. I also bought a Mini Recto. Both work perfectly with the Gsys at home. Here is the problem. I tried to use a car battery (playing at a camp site) with an ac converter to power the mini and gsys...and on the distorted channel got almost no signal strength/output to the mini recto. I went home...and had no problems with the mini or triple recto. Now I am at a practice studio in las vegas and have the same issue (almost no signal strength/output to the mini recto). Note that this is signal to the distortion channel...there is almost no sound produced by the distorted mini recto...clean channal produces slightly more volume but not good signal. I've heard of Tone suck...not sure if it is this. By why would my set up be fine at home, but not at a practice studio??? Thanks guys!

 

[elvis]

First, most inverters are not true sine wave out. A lot of equipment does not work well with inverters, and I doubt the G System would work well even with a decent inverter.

Second, I recommend isolating the problem. Disconnect the G system and see if the amp works by itself. If not, either the power in the room is jacked up, or the amp has an issue.

If the amp works fine, try adding just the part of the G system that goes in the FX loop. If it's OK, try the front end as well. If it's not OK, I suspect a power problem. Either Volts are too low (common problem) or some other wiring issue, like ground fault. Get an AC tester, or better, a line conditioner with a voltage meter (or at least an LED display for low or high line voltage).

If the room wasn't wired by an electrician, it could be miswired to the point of life-threatening (GND returned to neutral, for example).

 

[UnderJollyRoger]

If the room wasn't wired by an electrician, it could be miswired to the point of life-threatening (GND returned to neutral, for example).

That, and a car battery, while not possessing high voltage, is able to deliver an extreme amount of current, enough to melt metals and such ...

This does not help with the original problem, I know, just telling ...

 

[guitarman1111]

Thank you!!!!
The amp is newish and works fine.
If I bypass the fx loop (switch on the back of the mini recto) and I have guitar direct input to front of recto then the signal is good...using the fx loop with guitar direct into front of recto and the gsys problem is there...I think it's a room problem.
Thx!!!!!!!!

 

[elvis]

No prob.

If the line voltage reads low, try other outlets in the room. Many times a huge number of AC power outlets are wired in series, so the last one gets a lot of drop. Other times, one other device on the same circuit (air conditioner, freezer, etc) can cause a line drop. If you're lucky, the room outlets are not all on the same circuit.

I recommend more care with the G System. I have one also. Even though they are built like a tank, they are sensitive to electrical problems. Plugging into inverters or unknown power systems can cost you $1500 in a heartbeat.

Good luck!

 

[guitarman1111]

Live and learn....thank you!!!!

 

[guitarman1111]

So if I create just a fx loop then iy works.
I.e. Instrument amp input direct
Fx out to gsys insert return
Gsys output to amp fx return

Totally bizarre....but his works. The only problem is no expression pedal since it is early in the chain...any ideas now?