Dimmer light buzz

[Axtman]

My office, where I have my practice amp, has a dimmer switch and LED overhead lights. I get a bad buzz on my bass.

I think I installed the dimmer back when the lights had incandescent bulbs. I probably should look for a new dimmer specifically designed for LED lights. Have you had a similar problem?

[The Dude]

I recently installed LED replacement bulbs in my basement where we rehearse. I don't have a dimmer, but still have noise that wasn't previously there. I haven't investigated or had time to diagnose the problem, yet. I suspect it might be switching supplies in the bulbs. These are the bulbs that replace florescent tubes and the ballast is removed. It may not be the dimmer, but the bulbs themselves in your situation. I'm only speculating since I have the same problem without a dimmer. My next step will be to take an old school lamp into the basement so I can see, then turn off the LED lights and see if the problem is still there.

[Mick Bailey]

I had noise from a regular thyristor dimmer used with a 100w incandescent bulb and this caused loud buzzing through my amp, more so when dimmed. I switched to a dimmable LED bulb and kept the same dimmer, but that also buzzed, though nowhere near as much as before. The dimming didn't operate very well - kind of all-or-nothing at extremes of rotation and nor much graduation in between. I bought a dedicated LED dimmer and the operation of that is better, but the dimming lags behind the control rotation, like having a time delay. It's better for noise, but not completely silent. If I walk up closer to the light it buzzes through my Tele, not so bad with humbuckers, as you'd expect.

I don't get the noise through the amp any more, just proximity noise through the guitar pickups but I'm OK with that.

[Axtman]

I used to rehearse with a band in the living room/dining room. The outlet in the dining area made my bass/amp buzz like crazy. One day I brought an extension cord and plugged the amp across the room—no more buzz. I suspect the offending outlet wiring was connected to the dining room table chandelier.