buzz problem

[Mooch]

I got a problem with my traben array I think. I get I buzz through it when I got her plugged in but when I put my hand on the strings it stops.

My first guess is some kind of ground issue but where would this issue be? Any ideas anyone?

Thanks, Mooch.

[Vincent P]

Sounds as though it may be a grounding issue with the bridge. If you lift up the bridge there should be a grounding wire. Make sure that it is properly grounding itself to the bridge.

[Joe Nerve]

don't know if this'll help, but it sure fixed my jaguar. Dang Noisy Jaguar!!!

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by Mooch

I got a problem with my traben array I think. I get I buzz through it when I got her plugged in but when I put my hand on the strings it stops.

My first guess is some kind of ground issue but where would this issue be? Any ideas anyone?

Thanks, Mooch.

We need an FAQ here on this.

If you have hum and it goes away when you touch metal (strings) the problem is bad shielding in your bass. I don't care if it's covered with conductive paint or whatever, it's not shielded properly. The standard cure is to get out the copper foil and cover the cavity, pickup routs, even the holes the wires go through with copper foil. Don't forget the cavity cover too if it's not covered in metal. You can find "how to" instruction on the internet.

While you are doing shielding you can also do "star ground" at the same time. This means wiring all ground wires to the same point. It can be a large grounding lug inside the cavity or best is at the Jack ground. Usually only active basses end up with "ground loop" problems. And intermittent ground would be a loose wire that cuts in and out. You usually find these by wiggling your plug in the bass jack.

The OTHER kind of hum will not go away when you touch the strings or metal. This kind needs humbucker pickups to eliminate. Usually this is like a Jazz bass when one pickup is zeroed. When both pickups are on full this kind of hum goes away. Because the two pickups then work together as a humbucker.

[alicebc]

This is my first post. Thank you for the information so that I could fix the annoying buzz that stopped when I touched the strings. I opened up my bass and checked my ground wire and then applied copper foil (that I had when I used to make stained glass projects) from the cavity to an area that seemed just scuffed. After putting the screw back in on this spot -- my bass is quiet!!! I just started playing the bass in June but am playing difficult music (Feather Report, Rice and Beans, etc) in a Jazz band at the local community college. I love playing bass and am advancing quickly. But, the more I learn, the more I know how much I have left to learn. Playing bass makes me happy. I play the piano and the clarinet but the bass is my friend.