Rehearsal: Guitar Amp Issues

🔇 No sound

If the amp has power but you're struggling to get it to work, try the following:

1. Make sure all dials are set to zero and the power is on.
2. Bypass your pedalboard and connect your guitar directly to the amp to test — if that works, the issue is with one of your cables or pedals.
3. Make sure the distortion channel is off and the amp is set to "clean." Check this on the external footswitch too, if applicable.
4. Turn up the (Input) Gain and (Output) Volume/Master knobs halfway. You should now have sound.
5. Still no luck? The amp head at the back may not be fully connected to the cab — follow the speaker cable from the cabinet; it should connect to the Speaker port on the amp head.

🔧 More troubleshooting for no sound

• Marshall amp heads are digital and can be reset by setting all dials on the front down to zero, then slowly bringing up the ones you need again.
• Double-check the cable linking the head to the cab — make sure it's plugged into the "Speaker/Loudspeakers" output ports on the amp, not send/return. If there's a second speaker port, try that one instead.
• Try using another instrument cable directly into the front of the amp.
• If you're using a pedalboard, make sure all your pedals are interconnected and powered correctly.
• Test your guitar setup directly into another amp or the mixer.
• Check the Mute button is off — on some amps it's a switch on the back, sometimes labelled "Standby."
• Make sure both the speaker or speakon cable are fully inserted into the back of the head and cabinet — they're chunkier than a standard jack cable.

🔌 No power

If the amp won't turn on, check the following:

• Check the back of the amp — is it connected to power correctly?
• Connected but not turning on? Try a different power outlet.
• Test it with a power cable from one of the other amps in the room.

⚡ Crackling when turning the knobs up or down

This may just be dust buildup. Message us on live chat at support.pirate.com so we can report it to our site tech, who can clean the dials when on site.

📢 Rattling speaker or feedback noise

Try a different guitar cable, or check it's properly attached to both your guitar and amp. Do the same with the speaker cable at the back of the amp and cabinet, if applicable. Make sure the Input Gain and Master output knobs are set to reasonable levels.