Holy Grail = Un-Holy Noise?

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:03 am

So I just got a Holy Grail, pre-nano version

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While I love the sound of the effect, the pedal is extremly noisy. There is a high pitched buzz/whine that is constantly present even when the pedal is turned off. I tried different patch cords, putting it in different parts of the signal chain, yelling at it, shaking my fist at it, but nothing seems to work. Does anybody know if this is a normal problem with this pedal? Maybe the nano-version is less noisy?

Thanks in advance.

sp3k · Post by **sp3k** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:15 am

My band mate uses one, and no noise...

Hiwatt Bob · Post by **Hiwatt Bob** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:20 am

What power supply are you using?

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:46 am

Hiwatt Bob wrote:What power supply are you using?

Great question. I'm using a one-spot. From what I've read the one-spot can be noisy, but after I remove the Grail the noise is gone.

I do have the original power supply, tho, so I will give that a try.

Lucamo · Post by **Lucamo** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:00 am

My reverb actually kills the noise from the bad wiring in my house and the single coils...

It is a Malekko though.

foofoo982 · Post by **foofoo982** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:56 am

Mine hasn't given me any issues, and uses a weird 1/8" power plug type thing that becomes loose at times, but no noise issues.

S. Thompson · Post by **S. Thompson** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:39 pm

This is a problem with using the one-spot on the holy grail. You have to use the one that came with the holy grail.

At least you know the pedal isn't messed up!

- Steve

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:53 pm

Sounds like the same problem I have with Line 6 Tonecore pedals and my multi-output FX PSU. Requires a separate PSU for the Line 6.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:01 pm

i found my ehx pedals were noisy with the daisy chain via the one spot but ok with my JSF one. I now just use the onespot to power my MBM Tonebender on its own and its fine on its own

Dingus · Post by **Dingus** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:02 pm

Yeah, as mentioned above you have to use the power supply that came with it. I can't remember if it's a mA thing or not, but I think so.

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 10:02 pm

cool, thanks for all the responses. I'll try the original power supply as soon as I get a chance.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:01 pm

Big box holy grails humm when daisy chained on a psu. They just do. I've seen numerous bands live that have
the same whine/buzz you are describing because its daisy chained.
The nano grai is the same thing but it has some power filtering so no hum issues. A 100uf cap from 9v to ground might not hurt but I don't know the effect it will have on a digital effect.

The malekko I based off of the Belton diy reverb brick. Unless its the smaller Chicklet reverb, no idea how that fits in a 1590a enclosure.

Empires · Post by **Empires** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:16 pm

I found something similar with my SMMwH, Boss Space Echo and to a lesser extent Memory Boy.

I bought another power supply/daisy chain and wired them alternately. Boom, no hum.

I guess it's a complicated grounding issue or exceeding the current rating of the power supply.

One of our electronics experts could probably shed some light on it

ambientnoize · Post by **ambientnoize** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:37 pm

its a ploy to get us to buy EHX power supplies! </cynicism>

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:17 am

Just wanted to give an update on this. Thanks again for all the helpful info.

I sold the big box holy grail and bought a nano-version for the same price (lucky me). You guys were totally right about the power supply issue. I now use the nano daisy-chained thru the onespot with no hum!

Will have to post pics of my pedal board now. It's really come together