The ShadowMusic Web Community

Hi all

I wonder if anyone can help me with a technical problem. For several years I've been using an Acetone amp, which as I'm sure most of you will know is the Award Sessionette, modified to better simulate Hank's sounds.

It's served me very well but recently I encountered a problem while playing in a large church with an induction loop as part of its PA system. I found that the voices from their mics were coming out of my amp loud and clear. In fact I had to keep my volume low to stop feedback.

I wondered if there is a modification that would filter out these magnetic-field signals. As I was a TV and video engineer for many years (remember when we used to repair things rather than throw them away?) I have a fair grasp of electronics.

Any advice would be most welcome

Thank you

Graham

The cure is - turn off the induction loop!

The church obviously has one of the older type of loops and trying to screen or filter the guitar from it is a pretty hopeless task. Jim N will remember when The Secrets played 'The Rock'n'Roll Revival Show 2001' in The Royal Victoria Hall Theatre, Southborough, alongside Graham Fenton, The Scorpions, The Moontrekkers and others. We had the same effect and sussed out that it was the loop that was causing the problem, but were told "it couldn't be switched off separately". Hmmm. Result - no-one played at their best because turning up just a fraction too far resulted in squeals from the amps.

If a guitar band is playing in a church then even deaf people won't need a loop to hear. The induction loop will have it's own amplifier, so turn it off. If you are playing as part of a service then you may have to have someone standing by to turn off the loop amp when you play and turn it back on when the vicar speaks.
Ray

Hi Ray

Yes I have switched off the loop amplifier on the rare occasions I played electric guitar in my own church (I play mainly keyboard for worship) but on this recent occasion in another church it would have required the co-operation of the guy on the sound desk, which sadly wasn't forthcoming.

I wondered whether this susceptibility to induction loops was a peculiarity of the Award amp and if so was there any filtering available. In future I'll find out if a place has a loop system before agreeing to play the Strat there.

cheers

Graham

Try a different amp - preferably a really old one with no effects and limited top-end treble?
I think I get a similar problem when playing my Strat at a guitar club held in a sports centre where there is somtimes a Karate Instructor using a wireless mic / headset, in the room next door. This could be either induction loop or bluetooth?
I use one of my small practice amps - either a vintage VOX Escort Busker or a Marshall MG30CFX. The Marshall picks up the Karate Instructor quite nicely with the treble EQ boosted and digital reverb turned up - whereas the VOX does not!

Years ago when playing at the local Town Hall you could get messages from the Police Station next door coming through the amps! MInd you, they werent very good at harmonising with our vocalist!

Maybe they kept the 'beat'.