Slight hum stops when you touch metal...

Michael Jewels · #1 10-05-2004, 11:23 AM

My Ibanez Musician is making a little noise.

There's a slight hum coming from the amp (not the amp, not the cord) that stops when I touch the metal part of the input jack while it's plugged into the bass. When I let go, it returns.

Is this a short?
Is it a grounding problem?

Any info appreciated.

Mike

brianrost · #2 10-05-2004, 11:48 AM

Does the noise go away when you touch the strings as well? If NOT then you probably have a bad ground somewhere in the bass (typically the strings are connected to ground through the bridge).

If the noise does go away, then it's typical...most basses will do this to some extent. If it's a LOT of noise and you get it in different rooms or with different amps then there still could be a bad ground in the bass.

Michael Jewels · #3 10-05-2004, 12:07 PM

The hum is slight while holding the bass, gets louder when I touch any of the tone controls, but disappears completely when I touch the metal part of the input jack. It gets slightly lower when I touch the strings.

Mike

jive1 · #4 10-05-2004, 12:14 PM

Sounds like a grounding issue to me

Mon Rominee · #5 10-05-2004, 12:20 PM

Itto-Day on the ound-Gray

Squidfinger · #6 10-05-2004, 01:30 PM

All basses do this at my house. But that's just because I only have 2-prong plugs. As long as I touch the strings it's not noticeable, but if I take 'em off for even a second, BZZZZZ!!!!!! Turning down the treble helps.

Mon Rominee · #7 10-05-2004, 01:34 PM

So, you have to use 3 prong to 2 prong adapters? Have you screwed the little tab coming off the adapter intot he center hole of the wall socket yet? You know, underneath the coverplate and then put the coverplate on top of it and screw the whole thing together? That's a cheap (and not always effective) way around the no-ground issue.

Michael Jewels · #8 10-05-2004, 02:59 PM

Thanks for all the replies, everyone.

Now the next two questions: Would you take it to the shop to get it fixed?

How much do you think it would be to fix?

Mike

Squidfinger · #9 10-05-2004, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

So, you have to use 3 prong to 2 prong adapters? Have you screwed the little tab coming off the adapter intot he center hole of the wall socket yet? You know, underneath the coverplate and then put the coverplate on top of it and screw the whole thing together? That's a cheap (and not always effective) way around the no-ground issue.

Yeah, but it doesn't do anything. The screw would have to be connected to a large piece of metal to do any good.

Mon Rominee · #10 10-06-2004, 01:11 PM

Well, usually that screw is connected to the metal switch, the switch connected to the metal outlet box....

but either way, not working here...