Thanks for the feedback (no pun intended) to all.

I may have solved the issue. The transformer I am using is a 2-prong, french style (round pegs) plug that I was told is not grounded.

I'm wondering: If I attach a wire (speaker wire for example) to a screw on the transformer box and connect it to the wall socket, will this provide a ground?

Yuppers, I grounded to the chassis. I had an electronics teach as my office do the soldering based on a wiring diagram. (I know just enough about circuits to be dangerous, but haven't smoked a device yet! :dbtu: )

Cheers,

Hello All,

In the late sixties when I was around 10, I found a Fender Champ Amp under the Christmas tree. Next to it was a blue Harmony dual pick-up solid body electric guitar. The Harmony was given away a long time ago by my mom, but the Champ sat idle in the attic collecting dust for many years.

The amp is now once again with me and, except for a bit of oxidation on the chassis and few dried out wires, it powers up and sounds as good as it did through my teen age years.

I have one small issue for which I am hoping you can provide me some guidance. When I plug in my new Epiphone Sheraton II, I feel a slight tingle in the strings, and there is a noticeable hum from the amp. The hum disappears when I touch the strings. I recently swapped out the two-pronged power cord with a 3-pronged grounded plug, and removed the 'death cap' as recommended on a few bulletin boards.

I am living in Qatar and am using a 220 to 110v step down transformer to power the amp. I've tested my Epi with a 220v solid state Marshall amp and all plays well. I'm wondering if the old wiring is leaking voltage to the chassis? I'm also wondering about the grounding in this villa. The construction quality is less than desirable and it wouldn't surprise to discover there isn't a true ground.

Can you provide any suggestions to solve my problem, or should I simply shelve the amp until I return to the  U.S.?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.