American Deluxe Jazz / Pbass ground hum noise problem solved

[mikecd1]

I've tried the Jazz and Precision bass American Deluxe basses and they are awesome instruments, but many are laden with ground noise and some even crackle. Thanks to this forum (and a brain-picking session with my tech Dan at DGN Guitars while my 5 string bass was in his shop for a coil-tap switch for the MM pickup on my Cort GB75) I got on board with suggestions how to shield my electronics. I bought an ADP, had a problem and returned it and then had the same problem on the next one so I called Fender and later read here about how they helped other members with their hum problems. They wanted me to take it to a regional service facility. After opening the control cavity it was no surprize to find no shielding whatsoever. Same thing under the rear J pickup. If I took my hands off the strings the noise was unbelievable and made worse if you were playing and accidentally touched the poles on the J pickup. That was some really wild hum! Anyway, someone here suggested in one of the threads using the conductive shielding paint and it made sense to me since I know my older deluxe Jazz basses had that. Apparently Fender forgot to shield all these new basses (sure they did) and a recall is certainly imminent. Rather than wait I bought the paint from Stewmac and used a hair dryer in between coats - you need a minimum of three coats. That speeded up the paint process. My tech said NOT to paint inside the jack cavity - risk of grounding wrong wires he said. Anyway, got that all done and back together and the bass was better, but not perfect. Having already had this problem on my modded Jazz bass I opted to install a brass cavity ground plate I bought from darren riley (he stocks ALL Fender parts and ships same day priority). One solder connection to the cavity ground and the plate underneath the rear J pickup was installed. My bass is dead quiet and I am enjoying it for the first time. If your Jazz bass still has some hum after shielding I would suggest a brass cavity grounding plate under both pickups. You might accomplish the same thing by grounding the pole pieces with a strip of copper and a wire to the cavity ground. That was also suggested here. I had no problem with the Pbass pup so I opted not to install the grouding plate under that pup. Since mine ain't broke anymore I'm not fixing anything else. I am grooving and happy I did not change the pickups or preamp out. This cost me about $40 in parts and is IMHO the best alternative out there if you like your new instrument. These are the best suggestions I could find, they worked and I hope they will help others end their frustration and begin their bass bliss.

[JLiRD808]

So will this work for a Yamaha style p-bass?

Sorry Im kinda noob to grounding stuff.

THX!

[mikecd1]

Cavity grounding should work with most active systems with no copper or other shielding. Always a good idea especially if hum is present. I'm not the expert and there are others here with more experience with this, but this worked well for me.

[bassjigins]

Originally Posted by mikecd1

Cavity grounding should work with most active systems with no copper or other shielding. Always a good idea especially if hum is present. I'm not the expert and there are others here with more experience with this, but this worked well for me.

Thanks for this thread, I'm having the same problem with my ADJB

Do I have to shield the battery cavity as well?

[mikecd1]

You are very welcome and I'm so glad that its helping someone. I did shield my battery compartment as well. From some of the pics I've seen on Ebay of deluxe series bodies for sale it looks like a lot of the newer J&P bodies have some sort of shielding so it looks like Fender got the message. Good info for any active bass with hum problems though...

[girlonbass]

Hi mikecd1,

This is fabulous. I bought an American Deluxe Jazz V a few weeks ago and I love it... except the noise. I'm actually considering taking it back to the shop to return it tomorrow, but this may be the solution I need.

It really sucks that a company as big as Fender can build something like this, sell bazillions of them and never fix the problem.

Thank you for your research and detailed explanation!

Terri

Originally Posted by mikecd1

I've tried the Jazz and Precision bass American Deluxe basses and they are awesome instruments, but many are laden with ground noise and some even crackle. Thanks to this forum (and a brain-picking session with my tech Dan at DGN Guitars while my 5 string bass was in his shop for a coil-tap switch for the MM pickup on my Cort GB75) I got on board with suggestions how to shield my electronics. I bought an ADP, had a problem and returned it and then had the same problem on the next one so I called Fender and later read here about how they helped other members with their hum problems. They wanted me to take it to a regional service facility. After opening the control cavity it was no surprize to find no shielding whatsoever. Same thing under the rear J pickup. If I took my hands off the strings the noise was unbelievable and made worse if you were playing and accidentally touched the poles on the J pickup. That was some really wild hum! Anyway, someone here suggested in one of the threads using the conductive shielding paint and it made sense to me since I know my older deluxe Jazz basses had that. Apparently Fender forgot to shield all these new basses (sure they did) and a recall is certainly imminent. Rather than wait I bought the paint from Stewmac and used a hair dryer in between coats - you need a minimum of three coats. That speeded up the paint process. My tech said NOT to paint inside the jack cavity - risk of grounding wrong wires he said. Anyway, got that all done and back together and the bass was better, but not perfect. Having already had this problem on my modded Jazz bass I opted to install a brass cavity ground plate I bought from darren riley (he stocks ALL Fender parts and ships same day priority). One solder connection to the cavity ground and the plate underneath the rear J pickup was installed. My bass is dead quiet and I am enjoying it for the first time. If your Jazz bass still has some hum after shielding I would suggest a brass cavity grounding plate under both pickups. You might accomplish the same thing by grounding the pole pieces with a strip of copper and a wire to the cavity ground. That was also suggested here. I had no problem with the Pbass pup so I opted not to install the grouding plate under that pup. Since mine ain't broke anymore I'm not fixing anything else. I am grooving and happy I did not change the pickups or preamp out. This cost me about $40 in parts and is IMHO the best alternative out there if you like your new instrument. These are the best suggestions I could find, they worked and I hope they will help others end their frustration and begin their bass bliss.

[girlonbass]

Linked this thread back from American Fender Deluxe Jazz V - Buzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thanks again!

[Hyper-sloth]

Hello girlon bass, I responded to your post on the Fender forum...Silencing the Noise on a Marcus Miller Signature Bass - TalkBass Wiki

It's really easy to do but they should never leave the shop like they do.

[mikecd1]

Totally agree. I did try one recently in Sam Ash though that had no hum so perhaps they're getting on track. If you really like the feel and sound when its not humming, this is a good alternative. If you're not madly in love, I'd take it back.

[girlonbass]

Originally Posted by Hyper-sloth

Hello girlon bass, I responded to your post on the Fender forum...Silencing the Noise on a Marcus Miller Signature Bass - TalkBass Wiki

It's really easy to do but they should never leave the shop like they do.

This is absolutely fabulous. I've posted a link back to it from my blog.

Thank you!
Terri