Strobo-Flip causes "ghost note"

[Don R Brown]

Just started hearing something weird while tuning, and tracked it down to the Strobo-Flip. When I pick any one of the top 4 strings (S-10 PSG), after muting the string the amp continues to carry that note, altho at a lower volume. VP does not alter it and it doesn't seem to decay. Picking any other string halts it although if I pick one of the 3 other top strings, THAT note will replace the first. Turning off the tuner and turning it on again clears the tone.

It doesn't really bother me, and I do have a back-up, but just wondering what is going on. I don't want to have it quit altogether if I'm playing out somewhere.

Thanks!

[Tucker Jackson]

That is really weird.

Can you describe your signal chain? Is the tuner in line... or is it fed by second jack off of the volume pedal?

Any other effects units in your signal chain?

Is your amp digital?

[Don R Brown]

Tucker, it's a Stage One to a Goodrich 120L. In to pedal first jack, Strobo-Flip to second, 3rd is out to Roland 80XL, only one 1/4" input. I have used the tuner before and it was fine. I use slight reverb and delay on the amp itself, turning them all the way off does not change anything.

I have taken it out twice since posting, once to practice once to play, and to be honest didn't think of listening for it at either place. What really baffles me is it's only the first 4 strings - 5th string has no "ghost". I can't think of anything I'm using or doing that's different from every time past.

[Tucker Jackson]

Thanks for that rundown.

I'm about 90% sure that the tones are being created in the amp. And turning the tuner on and off sends enough of a pop/jolt to interrupt the digital error.

The logic: the tuner is plugged into a jack on the volume pedal that only handles output. So, even if you, say, unplugged the tuner from the volume pedal and plugged in a regular guitar to that same jack, the guitar would not be able to send a note down the chain to the amp.

And yet, you are getting a perfect G# note after playing and then muting the strings. One of the devices in your chain is recreating that tone after you have muted it, but only the amp has the ability to do that.

If you have another amp (or mixer or headphone system), try playing through that. The problem should go away, if my theory is correct.

If you only have the one amp, next time it happens, try reaching over to the amp and twisting the knob to change the amp model. Just switch the knob to another amp setting. I imagine the ghost note will stop. And then try to recreate the problem under the new amp model.

Roland suggests unplugging the unit from power, then plugging it back in to reset certain errors.

Either way, if you are willing to lose any saved settings you have made on the amp, you can do a factory reset. It's easy, see this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2tAA9Mec8

Please let us know the outcome.

[Bob Sykes]

Try running the strobo-flip on battery power (if you aren't already)

[Don R Brown]

Sorry for the delayed response - I appreciate the input! I played out Saturday night and had family stuff going on, just now got it set back up here at home.

This morning I got out another tuner, and my NV112, to be able to change out one at a time. Before doing anything else, I set everything back up just as it had been.

Almost predictably, the ghost notes are gone. Same equipment, same amp settings, you name it. Just could NOT make it happen. It disappeared just as suddenly as it showed up. Before starting this thread I had already changed cables, pedals, even changed which wall outlet the tuner was plugged into, no change. But somehow it seems the "ghost" departed at the venue. (was my playing THAT bad? )

If it comes back your advice will be the first places I'll start, and will certainly post my findings here. It was not anything serious but I like to understand why things happen.

Thanks again for the help!