Acoustic bass plus nylon wounds

blatt · #1 03-01-2011, 11:14 AM

Hello

I know this topic was discussed many times before, but I couldn't find a solution yet.
I've lost ground after stringing my acoustic bass with nylon wound strings and it hums badly ever since.
Tried to connect a ground wire between my wrist and jack, but it only cuts the hum in half, while creating lots of problems with playing.
Did anybody ever solve this matter?
Thanks a bunch.

LAPetrarca · #2 03-01-2011, 11:29 AM

I've got tapewounds on my Michael Kelly and have not had any ground or hum issues.

blatt · #3 03-01-2011, 11:35 AM

Hmm, what could it be then?
Got no problems with metal strings.
BTW, dunno what mike is inside the bass - it's mounted under the bridge.

JTE · #4 03-01-2011, 12:07 PM

If it's a typical piezo pickup, there's no ground connection to the strings. The buzz must be unrelated to the actual strings. When you restrung the bass, did you take all the strings off at once? That may have allowed the piezo element under the saddle to move. I'd get an inspection mirror and look to see if any connections are broken between the under-saddle pickup and the output. If the bass has a pre-amp, check to make sure the battery is good (at least 7.5 VDC) and firmly mounted.

John

blatt · #5 03-01-2011, 01:33 PM

I did change strings one by one , but I think the mike
is actually under the top. No battery. One cable runs from mike to jack.
Going to use a mirror.
It's an Eko b4 guitar Selmer style with plain wooden bridge like this one here

blatt · #6 03-03-2011, 08:52 AM

I've checked the inside of the bass - there's a small rectangle bar attached to the soundboard under the bridge area from inside.
It's black, about 1 1/2 inch long and about 1/4 inch wide, no markings.
Only one cable goes to the jack.
Looks like this one.
What could it be and how to get rid of the ground noise?
Shield the cable maybe?