Why Your Tube Amp Hums (and When to Worry)
Date Published
A little hum is normal — a loud one is not
Every tube amp has some residual hum. But a sudden increase usually points at aging filter capacitors, a failing power tube, or a grounding issue. Here is how we track it down on the bench.
If your amp has gotten noticeably louder in the hum department, stop using it and bring it in — a failing filter cap can take other parts with it.