Help! Piezo Pop

[teokiatuan]

Hi there

I've had my JP6 for a little more than half a year now, and i have to say its held up really well and i'm very happy with my purchase and customer support.

Thing is though, when i using the piezo and i plug my guitar into the amp, about half the time there is a very loud popping noise. The other half its the same sound, but alot softer, and i have to brace myself for the loud pop. If i don't i get a heart attack.

The problem has occured on two of my amps, a randall ninja combo and a Carvin Legacy, As well as on two cables, a homemade canare cable with neutrik heads, and the Planet Waves Circuit Breaker cables.

What's the problem?
Is this a natural occurence?
How do i fix it?

Thanks
kt

 

[izzy]

IMO you should plug into the amp when it's on standby (or the master vol off) or plug into the guitar first, then into the amp. The problem as noted is then a non issue (if I understood you correctly). Mileages vary.

 

[whitestrat]

Thing is though, when i using the piezo and i plug my guitar into the amp, about half the time there is a very loud popping noise.

Um... Teo, the trick is to plug in the guitar when the amp is OFF.

When the amp is on, there is some sort of charge build up, if I remember my sketchy electronics correctly. Capacitance of some form, I think. When you plug in the cable, you are essentially closing that circuit, causing the build up to be discharged, hence the pop. Usually a standby switch isolates the speaker from the amp head, in essence (I think) and therefore does not have the pop.

The reason why it's louder with the piezo compared to the mag pups, I think, is possibly an issue regarding difference in impedance.

I think Beej will have to chime in here to correct my wrong assumptions and offer REAL technical advice.

 

[teokiatuan]

Strange, i think one of the pops happened even when on standby, although i can't be a 100% sure. Will try it out when i get home.

Thanks
kt

 

[Oh3AreSicks]

If it pops while in standby it's an amp issue and not the guitar.

 

[beej]

If it pops while in standby it's an amp issue and not the guitar.

Yep.

 

[teokiatuan]

A correction on my part, it does not pop in standby...

Do you guys have to do this as well?

 

[Lou]

The pop is caused from the active electronics of the piezo. You are turning on the circuit when you insert the cable. This will happen with any piezo equipped guitar. Solution: Amp on stand by or lower the amp volume.

 

[Oh3AreSicks]

Maybe these will help you out.

DAddarioPlanet Waves » Cables & Connectors > Instrument » Circuit Breaker Series

From the site:

Planet Waves' Circuit Breaker; cables have a built-in mute switch to save your equipment from loud pops and squeals when you change guitars with a live amp or PA system. When the button is pushed, the cable shorts while remaining plugged into your guitar, making on-stage guitar changes a snap. Once the cable is shorted, remove the cable from the guitar being used and plug the cable into the next instrument. Simply press the button again to re-activate the cable signal.

 

[teokiatuan]

As mentioned in my first post, i'm already using the Circuit Breaker cables...

 

[patpark]

i would never plug a guitar in with a live amp. in other words, always have the volume down on the amp or use a mute switch (ab box) when switching guitars. your just going to do damage to the amp and speakers if you continue plugging in while the amp is on.

 

[Oh3AreSicks]

As mentioned in my first post, i'm already using the Circuit Breaker cables...

Then they aren't working. That is what they are made for. If there is no circuit between the cable end and the amp then there will be no pop.

 

[koogie2k]

Always....always put your amp on stand-by before you plug in.

 

[Oh3AreSicks]

Always....always put your amp on stand-by before you plug in.

This.
It's so easy to just flip the switch. Just do it. haha

 

[izzy]

This.
It's so easy to just flip the switch. Just do it.

this

 

[beej]

Or get a stompbox with a mute switch, like a decent tuner.