Can a bad cable cause microphonics?

Milothicus · #1 03-07-2009, 02:47 PM

i can't see how it can, but it seemed like it last week...

chain: mim jazz with 62 RI pickups -> behringer tuner -> yorkville amp. my cables are the cheapest planet waves cables...

i was practicing, and noticed that tapping on my pickup cover was louder than usual. i thought the pickups were falling apart and would need to be replaced soon, or (re)potted.

i kept playing, and then my volume knobs started acting more like tone knobs. i started jiggling plugs and moving things, with no effects.

i unplugged and plugged using one cable directly into the amp and everything seemed fine after that. he microphonics were mostly gone. i even used the same cables and setup the next night at a small show and everything seemed fine...

is there a particular fault in a cable or my wiring that might be causing this?

Milothicus · #2 03-12-2009, 01:33 PM

problem hasn't returned, but any electronics experts know what could cause my volume knobs to act like tone knobs?

kyral210 · #3 03-12-2009, 03:26 PM

Cables can add capacitance dulling your tone (especially long curly ones) but that is a 'one trick pony'. In short, no, your cable doesn't case those problems.

I would check the wiring on your bass, make sure nothing is earthing in the wrong area, loose or just wrongly connected.

Other than that just improve your rig. I wouldn't touch Behringer gear with a barge pole these days. The Korg DT-10 tuner is sent from heaven!

Milothicus · #4 03-13-2009, 08:55 AM

i guess if the signal at the pedal end of my cable was disconnected, the cable could act like a tiny capacitor to ground, couldn't it....

i'll take the bass apart and check the wiring too...

i've since bought some nice Canare cable and G&H connectors from bayoucables.com. i've never had such an easy time soldering. those connectors are amazing...