Fender is a well-known name in the music instrument industry and has an array of well-designed musical instruments and accessories for their consumers. One of their products includes Fender Princeton 112 Plus, which is a great entry-level amp.
The amp has been designed with two channels with their separate equalizers, spring reverse, headphone outs, and effects loop. It’s a great choice for people who want sufficient volume for small-level gigs. However, there are some volume problems in this amp that are important to discuss!
Fender Princeton 112 Plus Volume Problem
- Check The Configuration
First of all, you must check the configuration to make sure the amp is properly connected to the guitar, and all their settings are optimized. Since configuration changes with the music genre, it is important to be careful about the settings.
For instance, you must ensure that the equalizer is set up properly and the volume is set according to the desired output.
- Clean The Knobs
If there is a constant fluctuation in the volume, you must check the knobs and make sure they are clean. This is because dust and dirt accumulation on the knobs can hinder their performance.
It is recommended to use a clean cloth and a glass cleaner for cleaning the knobs but make sure you don’t use too much cleaner because the liquid can get inside and damage the electrical components of the amp.
- Get The Volume Module Repaired
In case you are unable to select the correct volume settings, you can try getting the amp’s volume module repaired. The volume module in the amp helps make changes to the volumes, and if you are unable to select the volume settings, you must get the volume module checked by a Fender authorized repair store and get the repairs done.
Also, it’s better to avoid the regular music shops as unauthorized repairs can void your amp’s warranty.
- No Sound
If you are unable to hear any sound coming from the amp or if there are crackles and pops in the audio, the first step is to check the audio source. If you have connected the amp through a cable, make sure the cable is working normally.
For this purpose, use the cable with some musical instrument, and if it doesn’t work on the other instrument either, you must get it replaced with a new one. On the other hand, if the cable works fine on the other instrument, you have to check the source.
The amp and other audio systems are designed with various inputs and source options, including Bluetooth, RCA, optical audio, and 3.5mm audio. So, make sure that you have connected the cable to the correct audio source.
On the contrary, if changing the audio source doesn’t work, you need to check the cable between the amp and playback source as well as the cable between amp and speaker. That’s because it doesn’t matter how great the cable is; it wears out with time and needs a replacement.
Secondly, if you are using a wire that latches into the speaker’s port, clean it with sandpaper as it helps get rid of carbon deposits, resulting in a better connection. In addition to changing the cables, you must ensure that the jacks and ports are clean because dirty ports and jacks also cause disruption in sound.
Last but not least, you should always have some spare cables available, especially if you play regularly.
- Volume Direction Seems Wrong
If you have connected the amp and guitar setup to a multi-speaker surround sound system and it’s distributing audio signals in a different direction than intended, you must check the position of satellite speakers as the amp is not the culprit here.
You can consult the user manual to determine the correct placement of the speakers. In case you are using a wired sound system, you might have connected an incorrect cable to the amp’s output port. For this purpose, you have to trace the wires to determine which port leads to which speaker and check the user manual to see if it’s correct.
If you have used the incorrect ports, just disconnect the wire and plug it into the correct one. Last but not least, make sure that the amp, source audio, and cables support the sound format you are using.
- Humming
When there is humming in the sound output, the first step is to check the format of surround sound you are using on the audio source and make sure the amp supports the format.
In case there is a format incompatibility issue, you can change the format easily from the web-based interface of the amp (you can sign in to the Fender account). On the contrary, if you are already using the correct format, it’s likely that the cable you are using is either damaged or is not connected properly.
That’s because some formats demand HDMI cables because the audio signals are digital and are protected by DRM, while other formats work with RCA cables. So, check the cable and make sure you are using the correct ones.
On the other hand, if the cable is correct, you must check the shielding because damaged shielding can disrupt the signal processing, resulting in humming in the sound. There is also a step-by-step to help you fix the issue;
-
- First of all, connect the audio source to the power outlet as your amp (make sure the power outlet is drawing and passing the electrical signals properly). Also, once you connect the audio source and amp, don’t add anything else to the power outlet because it will stress the outlet, resulting in voltage issues
- Now, isolate every component to determine the problematic area and see if changing the audio source helps get rid of the humming
- Also, try connecting the amp to new and well-shielded cables. Secondly, you must ensure that the grounding wires are securely connected to the amp (there will be a small screw on the amp’s back panel)
These steps should help eliminate humming from the sound. However, if nothing works, it’s likely that the amp is damaged.
- Insufficient Bass & Treble In Sound Output
If your amp doesn’t have sufficient bass and treble in the sound output, there are various factors that you have to check, such as;
-
- First of all, there are chances that you are playing the amp at an extremely high volume because it increases the distortion and magnifies the sound quality errors
- Secondly, you have to recheck the equalizer settings, so check the controls as well as the playback source
- Thirdly, check the position of the audio systems because the satellite speakers, tweeters, and subwoofers are extremely sensitive and shouldn’t be placed in enclosed space
- Last but not least, check the cables and replace the damaged ones
In case nothing has helped you fix the bass and treble issues, you have to hire a professional AV technician to get the problem fixed.
- Volume Is Too High
In case you are playing music on the guitar and the amp is creating excessively loud music, you can use the dynamic range control (it is also known as loudness control). So, it’s recommended that you turn on loudness control as it helps reduce the volume of the loudest parts of the music.
The best thing about using loudness control is that it improves the volume of quiet parts of the sound output, resulting in optimal volume.
- Clipping At A Low Volume
If the amp is clipping when you set the low volume on the amp, you can try the following;
-
- The first step is to reduce the signal level and make sure that it matches the signal level of the amp
- The second step is to install a limiter for reducing and equalizing the signal levels
- Another solution is to use audiophiles
The Bottom Line
These are some common volume issues associated with Fender Princeton 112 Plus, and all of them are quite easy to fix. In case the problem is associated with connections and cables, they can be easily fixed on your own.
On the other hand, if the issue is associated with internal circuits, it’s recommended that you hire a service professional.