Fender Rhodes fuzz/noise with Line 6

[Peter Cherry]

Hi guys,
I am running my Rhodes through LINE 6 Amplifi TT modelling amp, but getting fuzz/hum/noise with Volume knob over level 5. Is it normal or is there any solution for it? I also tried battery powered Line 6 Pod and it is better, until I am not close to Rhodes with it.

Please check my video, is it kind of interference from electricity? But why when over Volume 5 only?

Thanks for any advice
Peter

[The Real MC]

The Line 6 box is a guitar amp modeler.

Guitar amps distort way too easily with electric pianos.  That includes modelers.  So yes, as you bring up the volume on the piano the Line 6 is going to get fuzzy.  Exactly what it supposed to do.

The pickups on Rhodes pianos are very sensitive to loading.  If the input impedance of anything you plug a Rhodes into is not high enough, the pickups become noisy.  That's likely the case with the Line 6.

Years ago I tried my Rhodes into my Vox Tonelab SE amp modeler and found the same problem.  Not a good pairing.

[Peter Cherry]

I found the simple solution! It was ground loop issue => when I connect e.g. harp or any negative pole on Line 6 input/outputs to the ground (earth wire) the fuzz will disappear:)

In general, I think Fender Rhodes is a kind of electric guitar, so it should be working fine with Line 6 Guitar amp modeler! Of course, it is digital, but that´s another story:)

Peter