3 pin vs 2 pin

You're still wondering where's that background humming/ hissing's coming from after you did well to shield your guitar's electronics/ cavities & switched to low-noise/ noiseless cables- it's the power supply plug (PSP).

In the pic above, the left PSP is utilizing a 3-pin plug. The extra pin is an earth pin, it grounds the equipment but more importantly, it eliminates humming for your amp. The PSP on the right, sporting a 2-pin version, can be converted into a 3-pin make; simply purchase a 3-pin plug from any electronics/ hardware shops & do the necessary replacement (you know nuts about electronics- then get someone else to show you; it's a simple replacement really...).

Your radio/ computer's using the same 3-pin cable plug- could it be used, then? Of course...

At the end of it all, it's a futile effort to simply check for noise leakages from your cables & guitars but ignoring the amp's grounding...

NOTE: This plug replacement CANNOT cure the single coil (pickup) hum...

Dean: Dime Time

In a fitting tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell, Dean now offers the Dime Time humbucker (neck)...
...as proven on the flip side.

Behringer: VT911

The Behringer VT911 is equipped with a single 12AX7 pre-amp tube. Upon activation, try as you might but you can't see the tube glowing in the pedal's innards. This raises the question; is the tube in there working?

Yes it is, but the tube is wired not to glow as evidence of its operation. Part of the reason I bought this pedal was to hear tonal differences upon a tube swap, this would be a better consolation of functionality than seeing some visual indicators. True enough, there was tonal differences, albeit minor, when this procedure took place (default Chinese tube made way for an EHX 12AX7).

There are other manufacturers out there who equip their tube laden products (Eg: Rocktron for its Silver Dragon distortion pedal, Zoom for their G-series multi-FX units) with a small, rear bulb which would light up upon the pedal's activation, to emulate a tube glow. No, you are not short-changed because the tube is functional. Manufacturers do not want owners to be alarmed with a no-glow situation the reason this arrangement was adopted.

So how mini is it?

So how 'mini' is the mini amp? After seeing pics of mini amps, people would want to know how small it is (because some of them would need to smuggle it into the house & avoid the keen detection of spouses & mums...) so here's Fender's Mini Twin amp in context, in the company of a canned drink.

BEEZ: Out of action

Beez called me today to say he'll be out of action till 19th Nov to undergo surgery + recover. Apparently, Beez's RSI (fishing-related, he said...) on the hand is recurring, so here's wishing the technical wizard a speedy recovery & good health.

New Fender @ Swee Lee

I didn't know the Highway1 Texas Tele's available here (@ Swee Lee), otherwise I would have just bought this one instead of modding my H1 Tele (i'm after the very sensible brass string saddles...). Anyway, this guitar also features an ash body (regular H1 models sport an alder body) & a '52 profile neck. Neat.

• Promo price: $1,388
• Product availability: Swee Lee Co.