Every guitarist wants an amazing playing experience, but that’s impossible when the musical instrument’s amplifier cuts out randomly.
The interval of these random cutouts differs from player to player; annoyance.
One might even dread getting a gig because you are almost sure of disappointing your fans.
It explains why you are looking for a solution that will fix this problem once and for all.
Unfortunately, there is no direct answer to that since there are various reasons why your guitar amp cuts out randomly.
From tubes to audio sockets to the quality of the speaker to the cables, here is a detailed discussion on why the guitar amp cuts out randomly.
We will also discuss possible solutions, so keep reading.
Why Does My Guitar Amp Cut Out Randomly
If you notice that your guitar amp keeps cutting out randomly, the culprit could be one of the following incidences;
Faulty Electrical Outlet
Before assuming your guitar amp has an issue, confirm that the electrical outlet you plugged it into works excellently.
You can verify that by plugging it into another electric outlet, and if the problem goes away, it is the issue, and you have found the solution.
Cable Issues
Again, here’s a reason with nothing to do with your guitar amp.
Check whether its jack is good, and don’t overlook the cord’s cable.
If one or even the two are faulty, they need a replacement for the guitar amp to stop misbehaving.
If you aren’t sure, try another power cord and see if there are any changes.
Alternatively, try using the cable with another guitar amp.
If you will replace the power cord, buy a thicker one next time to withstand outside pressure, such as when you accidentally step on it.
Besides power cables, the guitar cable can also be a problem, thus compromising the signal and failing to block noise excellently.
Sometimes, the cable works well but is loosely connected to the audio socket.
If that’s the case, connecting it firmly will solve that issue.
The Room Effect
In other instances, it may be the room where the guitar amp is causing it to cut off randomly.
That’s why guitarists will notice that the guitar amp misbehaves while playing in a certain room.
In most cases, the rooms are usually small, and the sound has a substantial buzz.
The reason for that is the reflection of the sound from the room’s walls back to your guitar amp.
Changing its position or the room can make a huge difference.
Dysfunctional Tone Pots
Your guitar and amp pots can make sounds that keep cutting out if they are not working properly.
It could be a single-tone pot or more; you can identify that by turning the pots around and observing whether the sound will cut out.
Broken Solder Joints
The solder joint on the guitar amp’s circuit board can break for various reasons.
They include physical damage, extremely high or low humidity or rapid temperature change.
Under such circumstances, the amp starts cutting out randomly.
Bad Jacks
For instance, plug-in jacks often loosen, and wires can detach from them.
Amp jacks that allow you to plug in your phone or guitar cable and the amp sockets also get bad.
Damaged Guitar
The guitar amp cutting out could indicate that it is time to buy a new guitar.
The current one is old and damaged and thus needs repair or replacement.
Cheap Guitar Amps
If you drive a guitar amp at high volume, it may start cutting out if it can’t handle high voltage.
Unfortunately, that only occurs in poor-quality amplifiers.
Incompatible Impedance
The issue arises when dealing with independent speakers and amps.
Unless the impedance of the pair matches, expect cutting out.
For example, avoid a low-impedance amp, a high-impedance speaker, and vice versa.
Loose Grounding Wire
It prevents electricity from flowing from your guitar amp, leading to voltage overload.
Consequently, the amp’s failed sail trips cause cut out.
How Do You Fix a Guitar Amp That Cuts Out?
Possible solutions to your guitar amp cutting out randomly include the following;
- Repair or replace the audio jack to connect the guitar and the amplifier properly.
- Ensuring that all the connections are firm.
- Replacing any faulty cable.
- Changing the room, you use your guitar amp or change its position instead.
- Repair or replace the electrical outlet.
- Repair or replace the power cord.
- Fix the solder joints using the solder iron and solder sucker.
- Clean the tone pots to remove unwanted residues such as dust, dirt and oil.
- Clean the amp jacks using rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to remove dirt.
- Repair or replace the guitar.
- Repair or replace the speakers with high-quality ones.
- Ensure that the impedance rating of the speakers and the amp are compatible.
- Fix the loose grounding wires.
- Seek professional help if the other recommendations fail.
Remember that how you fix an issue depends on the cause of the problem.
How Do You Ensure That Your Guitar Amp Doesn’t Cut Off Randomly?
Since prevention is better than cure, consider these tips for your guitar amps to be safe.
- Ensure you store your guitar in a hard case or a dry place, especially when you won’t use it for a long time.
- Dust and clean the guitar amp often.
- Lubricate the pots regularly to avoid rust.
- Wipe the surface to prevent dust accumulation.
- Ensure that the humidity of the room you keep the guitar amp ranges between 45% and 55% to prevent corrosion and rust.
- Ensure the temperatures don’t change rapidly since the consequent expansion and contraction can damage the guitar amp.
What Can Damage a Guitar Amp?
Various things can damage a guitar amp.
You should take note of them to avoid them at all costs and prevent damage to your guitar amp.
The most common ones include the following;
- If you add too much volume to your guitar amp, that’s enough to make it malfunction.
- Overheating the amplifier
- Overloading the guitar amp
- Connecting the speakers incorrectly
There are low chances of the channels getting damaged simultaneously.
On the contrary, one channel starts, and its counterpart follows suit afterward.
Can You Repair a Guitar Amp?
Before throwing away your guitar amp, it is good noting that there are high chances of fixing it with the appropriate repair.
All that’s necessary is to identify and replace the damaged part with a functional component.
Whether it is the transformer or the power supply, you can repair your guitar amp and enjoy its sound as if nothing happened.
Sometimes, you must troubleshoot it to identify where the problem is coming from.
Nevertheless, as soon as you identify the problem’s cause, there is a high chance of fixing it using relevant repair.
