Is the buzz in my Rhodes Mk 1 normal?

[poot]

Hi,

I'm a newbie; first post. Nice looking Forum.

I just bought a Mark 1 Rhodes/suitcase. Great sounding keyboard, but I have a couple questions for you. (I'm a drummer, not a keyboard player, so I'm pretty low-tech.)

When I turn on the amp, I hear a low-level buzz. I'm thinking that's normal, as I've been around a lot of Fender guitar amps, and they all seem to have that. It's not tied to the volume; in other words the buzz doesn't get louder when you turn up the gain. What do you think?

And when I turn on the oscillator, there's a low-level, but audible "tup-tup" sound proportionate to the speed setting (i.e., goes from slow to fast as you turn the dial). Again, it's not tied to the volume, and when you play the keyboard, the oscillation sounds great. The "tup-tup" sound goes away when I turn the oscillator off. Is that a problem? I've tried plugging into several different circuits in my house, and I don't think it's a grounding problem.

Thanks for your input, and have a great weekend!

[Ben]

Hi!

Oscillator :?: Did you mention the vibrato on/off switch :?:

I think I can help you. Mine 1981 suitcase had the same problem - there was "tup-tup" sound exactly as you described in your post, but mine also had this buzz & "tup" noise when vibrato was turned off, but the noise was more quiet than if switch was on, and had lower frequency - (If i set the speed for e.g. 6, the "tup" sound was quicker in the "on" position than in the "off" position).

How did I get rid out of this problem:

1) Check your power amp cable for loose plug-in. Mine had loose connection plug, and that resulted in all that noises. I had to push the plug in the floor (down) direction to be sure that everything connects. If not -

2) Get your preamp electronics inspected by professional electronic technician (on www.fenderrhodes.com => service => manuals are the electronics schematics for preamps, etc. Mine had broken (fried) speed control knob

I'm not electronic expert but that helped my piano

Hope that helps

Regards,
Ben

[poot]

Ben, thanks for the reply.

Yes, I meant vibrato. Just couldn't think of the right word. I'll try a different power cable and see if that helps.

Regards,

Tim

[spuchtelwulz]

i have those soundproblems with my fender twin amp...this low-level buzzing,i think it's normal and it's vintage so why get rid of that?and those tub-tub noises are also normal,because what happens to the rhodes-sound also happens to the buzz-noise that's why it tub-tubs when you dont play!
When you play in a band you wont hear it anyway!

[starnetmusic]

It's normal.