French Toast Newbie Question

[The Bone]

Hello. Just got my Danelectro French Toast and plugged it in. Cool! 8) Is it unusual to receive radio signals through the amp via the pedal? I have a Hot Rod Deville 212, which I have never received any radio signals through, no when I plugged my French Toast in, when I'm not playing, I can hear radio signals...

[MJ Harnish]

Normally you should not pick up extra RF noise with a properly build and shielded pedal, although a LOT depends on your particular environment (e.g., if you're really close to a transmitting tower). Most OD/dist/fuzz pedals involve quite a bit of gain so they can unmask RF that normally is too low to hear. I once had a really cheap SS-amp that would pick up one radio station clear as day; you literally could play along with the songs!

If you never pick up RF stuff at your house with any other pedals, I would guess that the shield ground on the pedal casing is bad and you need to return it. OTOH, I've never fooled with the cheap Danos but know they use plastic housings so this might be pretty normal for them (though I've never heard any complaints before).

[The Actionman]

You may be picking it up there. I am unfamiliar with the Hot Rod, but most newer amps have an effects loop that can eliminate a lot of noise...maybe try that if it's an option.

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by The Actionman

You may be picking it up there. I am unfamiliar with the Hot Rod, but most newer amps have an effects loop that can eliminate a lot of noise...maybe try that if it's an option.

I've got a Hot Rod and a French Toast (modded). I'm not a big fan of placing that pedal in the effects loop.

I did notice that the original plastic housing was micro-phonic (you could tap the side of the pedal and hear it through the speaker). I liked the pedal so much that I had it put in a metal housing, with CTS pots, jacks and switches. Also put that little mini-toggle on a seperate foot switch (with an LED), and made the whole thing true bypass. No noise now!

[11 Gauge]

...then you might have a faulty pedal. they are so inexpensive that i wouldn't even bother fooling with it - just return it and grab another one (or 2 or 3).

mine is dead quiet. OTOH i've had a few mainly older fuzzes that picked up a ton of AM stations...

the gain levels on the French Toast are obscene - this could be part of the problem as well - you could be amplifying a source of noise that exists elsewhere in your guitar/pedal chain.

but DEFINITELY given the availability/price thing with the Dano minis, I would grab another one before I did anything else. keep it cheap, simple, and headache free.

if the noise is still there, you may then want to invest some $ into having the guts put into a shielded box, if you really fall in love with the F.T.

[The Gainster]

I have used the FT in the past and had many problems with reliability.

I bought the Electric Smile that H.L. Wilson builds and have been very very happy. No issues at all.

The Electric Smile is the real deal. I use it at every gig.
My .02 :)
http://www.addrock.com/
I have a few clips if you would like to hear them.

They are on the 1st and third page.

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/thegai...uments&.view=l