P-bass buzz

[MoonlightBass]

I just got a new Squier P-bass (yes, I know, it's not a Fender). The buzz disappears when I touch anything metal on the guitar (the strings, the bridge, the cable jack, etc). The buzz disappears when I turn the tone knob all the way down. It gets louder when I touch the pickups under the bass strings (the one farther away from the bridge).

I suspect there's a problem with the grounding of that pickup. I bought this guitar (cheap!) on clearance from a Music and Arts store more than an hour from home, so I'd like to avoid having to drive up there to take it back.

Is this something I could fix myself? On the other hand, it should be under warranty- I suppose it would be much better to get it fixed under warranty.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[MoonlightBass]

By the way- the nearest factory-authorized service center is two hours away and not open on weekends. Figures.

[msaone]

Ground your amp.

[MoonlightBass]

Originally Posted by msaone

Ground your amp.

I know this is a stupid question, but how do I do that?

I don't have problems with buzz with any other of my guitars- just this one.

The amp is a Peavey Minx bass amp I got used in 1987 so it's been around a long time. It has a 3-prong plug, which I thought was grounded- but I don;t know much about the electronics of these things.

[MoonlightBass]

I found the solution to my problem. Dirty power due to fluorescent lights in the room. Play in the dark- buzz is gone. Period.

You learn something new every day!