Horrible noise from my Spector NS2000-5!?!

[bumpcity76]

My Spector NS2000-5 has an irritating hum/buzz that I can't seem to get rid of. It has two EMG HZ's and the EMG BTS system (active preamp, passive Humbucker PUP's, 2 volumes, 2 tones). I've replaced the jack, resoldered all connections, removed a bunch of wire slack (the original wire job had all wires way long), and shielded the control and pickup cavities. I used aluminum tape for shielding, since it was cheap, but really noticed no difference in the buzz. I also removed the bridge, scraped paint, and replaced in hopes to improve my ground to bridge. How do I troubleshoot? Could the BTS be bad? I'm thinking that Humbuckers shouldn't be so loud!

Thanks much,
Kris

***Update***

I wired the output from the pickups directly to the jack, bypassing the preamp, and still have a nasty buzz/hum. If I cut the highs out completely, it's not as audible (obviously). Where should I look next? Jack, pots? Please help.

Thanks,
Kris

[bumpcity76]

Sorry, I thought updating would bump it.

[DavidRavenMoon]

I don't think it's the pickups at all. Have you tired another bass? A different patch cord? Are you sitting close to your computer monitor?

This type of buzz doesn't really get canceled by humbuckers because it's magnetic noise. Humbuckers cancel the 60 Hz electrical noise.

Electrostatic shielding helps with the buzz, but as you said the bass is already shielded. Turning down the treble cuts the noise out because it's a high frequency noise.

Sometimes you just get noise from various locations due to bad AC outlet wiring, light dimmers, etc.

[bumpcity76]

Thanks for the reply, but I have tried this bass on several amps and locations with the same problem. I've also switched out my bass for other basses on the same amp and only get a buzz with my bass. It's killing me that I can't find the reason for the noise. I also noticed that the wiring in the control cavity is microhponic. just this morning, I could tap on the wires and it was outputted to the amp. I don't think that should be happening. Freaky... I even checked to make sure that I had the jack wired correctly. I assume it is, since my output severely dropped when I swapped the output and ground on the jack. Any other ideas?

Thanks much,
Kris

[DavidRavenMoon]

It sounds like something is miswired.... could be that the shield is hot.

[bumpcity76]

Thanks for the input. It wouldn't suprise me if something was wired wrong. How would I best go about trouble shooting? bypass pots and send pickup leads directly to the jack? I love the bass, but the original wiring left much to be desired. The first time I changed a battery, I bumped a wire and it came off the back of the pot. Should I post a picture and solicit some help? I appreciate any help I can get. Again, it sounds great, but just has that stupid noise.

[bumpcity76]

Thanks for the help. Turns out, the jack was wired incorrectly. The battery lead and ground were reversed. I, with my limited electrical knowledge, assumed that if something was reversed on the jack, I would get no sound at all. Wrong. Anyway, I'm dissapointed to see such a mistake on my Spector, even though it is Korean.


Oh well, it's much better now.

Thanks,
Kris

[DavidRavenMoon]

Cool!