62 Precision Pickup problem

bassmodder · #1 10-28-2008, 04:38 PM

I just pruchased a 62RI pickup used and am having issues with it.

I installed it in my MIM p connecting to all of the factory locations. I plug in and boy can this baby hum AND buzz!

It was so bad that I had to reinstall the factory pu back in the bass. The bass is very well shielded and is silent otherwise. I can even stand by my TV and it will not hum!

I hooked the 62's up to my cord with clip leads and the same hum and buzz is present. I hooked up my MIM pickups up to the same leads (before reinstalling them in the bass) and they are almost silent.

Are these supposed to do this? No configuration of wiring will fix this hum. The only way they quit humming is if I turn them on their side and face them a certain direction.

I have wired and shielded several basses from scratch. I know my grounds are good and all my solder is good (PU's passes lots of signal) I checked grounds and shielding with an ohm meter to my jack as well.

I am thinking that these pickups have something wrong with them? Any ideas? Do the new 62 fenders hum?

ibnzneksrul · #2 10-28-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmodder

I am thinking that these pickups have something wrong with them?

I'm thinking the same thing.

bassmodder · #3 10-28-2008, 08:29 PM

I was looking at them vs some of my other ones. When I remove the covers, all of the windings are exposed. Is there supposed to be some sort of shielding foil wrapped around them?

I have seen them with foil and ones without foil. My Mexi ones do not have foil.

The 62's ohm out at almost 10.7K when Fender says 10.5K. Really doesn't scream problem to me.

GlennW · #4 10-28-2008, 08:46 PM

I've never seen stock Fender P-bass pickups with foil around them.

Is there any chance the two coils are connected improperly? Did it sound normal, and just made a lot of noise; or, did it sound funny all together and make noise?

Another thing, the coils should have opposite polarities; top should want to stick to top; you should feel them repelling when putting the top of one near the bottom of the other.

bassmodder · #5 10-28-2008, 08:57 PM

Top sticks to top- Yes

It sounded normal but with a LOUD hum (louder than solo jazz singles). Had more low end than my stock pu's. Sounded like what I wanted but has some "extra" that I didn't bargain for.

Here is a pic of them.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...titled-1-1.jpg- Bottom is facing up on both pickups

I am getting about 20mv PP on my silly scope with them sitting in the open connected to the amp with clip leads.

GlennW · #6 10-28-2008, 09:12 PM

I think your jumper wire and long lead need to be swapped on ONE coil.

I'm not sure, but I think Fender winds both coils the same direction, so the pair should be connected start-to-start or end-to-end to get the reverse wound effect.

It looks to me like both of your coils are wound ccw (viewed from the top), and that the end of the left coil (with the black lead) is connected to the beginning of the right coil (with the long white lead).

If that's true, swapping the lead and jumper wire connections on ONE coil might make it cool...don't kow for sure.

If you want to try it you could cut the jumper wire and use tape or wire nuts, and not have to mess with unsoldering/resoldering the leads at the eyelets.

Long black = ground
Cut short connecting wire
Connect long white lead to short (cut) white wire on other coil
Add a long lead to the cut end of the jumper wire on the coil withthe long white lead (this will be your new "hot" wire)

Don't trust me on this...maybe a real pickup guy has better insight....but that's what I'd do.

bassmodder · #7 10-28-2008, 09:17 PM

Ill warm up the iron now. What do I care, These are garbage the way the sit now.

I have soldered the eyelets before so that should go smoothly.

GlennW · #8 10-28-2008, 09:21 PM

Good luck. Let us know if it worked.

bassmodder · #9 10-28-2008, 09:25 PM

They seem brighter.. But the hum is still there. Dang.

Also there is no continuity between the magnet pols and any of the windings. Which is good. Thought I might add that in.

bassmodder · #10 10-28-2008, 09:54 PM

Arg... I am kinda starting to like the factory MIM pickups more and more now. Maybe this is a good thing...

GlennW · #11 10-28-2008, 10:14 PM

I wouldn't expect them to sound brighter...maybe they are reverse wound...don't know.

Trevorus · #12 10-28-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmodder

Arg... I am kinda starting to like the factory MIM pickups more and more now. Maybe this is a good thing...

I think you got a bad pickup, or something isn't wired right...

bassmodder · #13 10-28-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

I think you got a bad pickup, or something isn't wired right...

I am leaning toward the pickup... I always thought they either worked or they didn't.

I wired the original back to the same places I wired this new one and it was back to normal with no hum.

I am gonna see if this guy I bought it from will do something for me.