Bizarre feedback problem - anyone else experienced this?
Played local village hall last night. On stage setting up, plugged in and got squealing feedback at very modest volume. PA only being used for mic's and bass, and we had all those muted. Tried everything to work out what was going on. No-one else having problems (3 other acoustics, one other electric and a bass). Played the same venue last year with same rig at much higher volumes and no problems. Tried changing guitars, same problem. Changed leads, same problem. Removed pedal board and went straight into amp (Mesa Lone Star Special), same problem. Plugged in to other guitarist's Marshall acoustic (right next to mine) - no feedback. Plugged into borrowed Orange head and cab, feedback returns (having removed the Mesa and put the Orange in same place). Took amp (Mesa) and my guitar (PRS Singlecut) into room next door and no feedback, even when very loud (room was empty and very echoey), but, and here's the really baffling bit, as I walked into the hall with the guitar leaving the amp in the other room the squealing returned. So with amp in side room and guitar in same side room no squealing, but with amp in side room and guitar in hall we get squealing feedback. That's amp and guitar in different rooms! Anyone have any ideas what might be going on here?
Ended up playing the gig with the Orange stack and riding the volume and tone pots all night to keep things under control. A very quiet night!
Any ideas on cause and ideally a cure gratefully appreciated.
Cheers.
Induction loop. I'll bet the main hall has one fitted and the other room doesn't.
+1Originally Posted by mart
What was the other electric that wasn't having problems? What amp were they using?
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Gretsch through a solid state Marshall.
That's what I was expecting. It will be caused by the valve amp's output transformer coupling back to the guitar pickups via the induction loop. Solid-state amps don't have output transformers. Same as why there was no problem with the bass amp.
You may hate the idea, but if you can't get them to turn off the loop, I'd take a solid-state amp (one with a valve preamp will be OK) next time.
"Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand" - Homer Simpson
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Thanks Guys, I'll make some calls tomorrow to confirm if the hall has a loop or not. Will let you know.
Yep, its confirmed, there is a loop in the hall. I'll know what to do next time we play there.
Many thanks for your help, much appreciated.
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