Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Full Version)

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britguy -> Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 5 2012 22:58:23)

I have a clip-on Bartlet Guitar Mike that I like to use now and then. Clips on to the soundhole. Works pretty good, but buzzes sometimes for no reason. ( Bruce B says maybe I don't have the clip tight enough.)

About half an hour ago I was using the mike on my guitar, playing through my little AS50D Marshall amp. When I stopped playing I could distinctly hear two voices talking, coming thrugh the amp speakers; one male, one female. It was two local radio stations! I had my thumb resting on the soundhole clip at the time. I removed my thumb - no voices. Put my thumb back on the clip, more voices. . . Continued doing this for a while, listening to the two radio voices and wondering what the @#$% was going on here??? And I'm still wondering what might have caused this weird effect !!!

Its almost as if my thumb and the guitar were acting as a radio antenna somehow; picking up and transmitting signals to the condenser mike and through the amplifier? Never had it happen before. . .

I know absolutely @#$%all about sound and radio technology. Can any sound or radio techie-whiz explain what might be going on here?

I'll check with Bruce Bartlett anyway, but was wondering if others had also experienced this interesting phenomenom. . .



El_Tortuga -> RE: Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 5 2012 23:11:04)

It might be you need to "ground loop" the outlet that the amp is plugged into. I get a little radio interference coming through my studio speakers, it's not enough to be a problem but it's still a bit irritating.

http://www.amazon.com/GROUND-LOOP-ISOLATOR-3-5-APPLICATIONS/dp/B001EAQTRI



kudo -> RE: Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 5 2012 23:53:45)

quote:

Can any sound or radio techie-whiz explain what might be going on here
I used to know the theory behind all this stuff in details years ago.. I even made a simple radio myself at one point. I am not into that stuff anymore. if you are interested in knowing theoretically whats going on, im sure you can look it up on the internet.
but for now I think you should get the "ground loop"



El Kiko -> RE: Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 6 2012 15:49:59)

Its not your guitar that is the Antenna but you , as your body is mainly water ( or perhaps whiskey in your case ) the same effect happens on those small portable T.V.s when you touch the ariel to adjust it ,you get a good picture then you leave go to watch and the lines come back , actually a large mass of water (you) can effect it as it approaches and doesnt even touch.
If you get the radio back , and raise your other arm you may be able to tune it in to get better reception.........can you hear me Now ..?//
Good earthing / screening of RF interference can get rid of this effect....



britguy -> RE: Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 6 2012 19:06:26)

quote:

Its not your guitar that is the Antenna but you , as your body is mainly water ( or perhaps whiskey in your case )


Really! So it's all that water in my decrepit old body that's causing the problem. H M M M; amazing what one learns on this Forum. . .

Incidentally, can't blame whiskey. Haven't drunk that stuff since I was in the service of Her Britannic Majesty (Suez Crisis, 1956). But I do enjoy a glass or two of Chardonnay. And if it means giving that up, then I'll continue to listen to the radio. . .



Richard Jernigan -> RE: Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 6 2012 19:14:00)

Giving up chardonnay wouldn't do the trick. It's not the water by itself. It's the electrolytes dissolved in your blood, bringing it to about the salinity of seawater that makes it a good conductor, and an effective antenna.

Pure water is quite a poor conductor. That's why we used the purest distilled water we could afford for coolant in our 200,000 volt, 6 megawatt radar transmitters. Made for a smaller explosion in case of a leak.

RNJ



Guest -> RE: Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 6 2012 19:46:47)

quote:

AS50D Marshall amp

does it do the same when plugged into another amp or a pa?
never had this issue with bartletts..



britguy -> RE: Why is my guitar a radio antenna??? (Mar. 6 2012 21:40:11)

quote:

does it do the same when plugged into another amp or a pa?
never had this issue with bartletts..


Actually, I've not tried to replicate the situation on another amp. I only have one other small cheapo one that I use for my digital piano.

But I've had the Bartlett mike for well over a year now, and apart from occasional buzzing feedback (caused by loose clip) I have been very happy with it. I practice with it almost every day and it has never produced this "radio" signal before. That's what puzzles me. Why now???

I'll try it again tonight and see if I still get the 'radio' reception?



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