Checking in before I open it up

[KrisH]

A problem with my MIM P-bass. Maybe.

Over the past couple months I've notice a fair amount of noise when I tap on the chome pickup cover. Not so much noise when I tap elsewhere -- bridge cover, pickguard, body, etc. I don't remember noticing it as much right after I installed the cover. Is this localized effect a sign of microphonic pickups, or loose mounts? Or is this just what a pickup cover does? These are the original pickups and I love the sound. What should I look for? I'm thinking I should try placing foam in the cavity before doing too much else.

[MglMatador]

Can you describe the noise?

[Gord_oh]

sounds like a grounding issue.

[KrisH]

It's not a buzz, like when you touch the strings or let go, so grounding doesn't seem to be the problem.

The sound is similar to what I've heard described before -- "like tapping on a microphone to see if it works." Sounds microphonic to me. HOWEVER, the noise is only apparent when I tap on the chrome pickup cover I installed. When I tap on the pickup itself, I hear very little tapping noise, keeping in line with many of my other basses. (In fact, the bridge pickup on my EB-3 and the pickups on my Cort -- which I know have jimmied-up mounts -- make louder noises when tapped.) I also don't get noise when I tap on the pickguard next to the pickup, on the body, on the controls, etc. Just when I tap the pickup cover.

Any more ideas? FWIW, this particular pickup is quite hot, easily the loudest passive setup in my stable. And did I say I love the sound of it??? So I'm not inclined at this time to replace it.

[FunkMetalBass]

It's a metal pickup cover. I'm almost positive that they will all do that if you tap on them.