Stingray ground issue; need help fast!

K-Funk · #1 05-14-2009, 10:57 AM

I'm heading out with my band to do a few shows next week, and I'm leaving Monday. My Stingray has been acting up for a while now, and I really need it so hopefully I can fix her before I leave!

It's an '86 trans-era bass with the 2-band preamp, and it's having some grounding problems. When I'm not touching anything, it buzzes through the amp. When I touch a metal part (strings, tuners, bridge, knobs, control plate, etc) the buzz goes away. When I'm not touching anything, and then I touch a pickup pole with my finger, the buzz gets louder.

To keep it from buzzing at gigs, I always have to be touching a metal part. What do I need to look at/do to fix the problem? I haven't spent much time working on electronics before, but I'm capable of all the basics. Thanks in advance!

Stingray_EB · #2 05-14-2009, 11:03 AM

Although my Stingray is a good 20 years younger than yours, I had this exact same issue. Wierd thing is it just went away over-night. How long has it been playing up ?

Perogy · #3 05-14-2009, 11:11 AM

change the battery

K-Funk · #4 05-14-2009, 11:33 AM

I tried changing the battery; no avail. It's been doing this for about 5-6 months I think. I bought it back in April 2007 and it worked well.

bassgod0dmw · #5 05-14-2009, 12:14 PM

I shield the whole thing and check for any loose wires or bad connections while I was in there.

jimmy rocket · #6 05-14-2009, 12:23 PM

+1 on the shielding. You've got a good lead to the bridge if the buzzing stops when you touch the strings so check the rest of your grounds and solder joints Sometimes an upgrade of pots and wiring helps as well.

Ach · #7 05-15-2009, 02:57 AM

Check bridge grounding.

perogato02 · #8 05-15-2009, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ach

Check bridge grounding.

+1

joeyl · #9 05-15-2009, 05:18 AM

-2 !
if he touches the bridge, hum goes away, that should tell you that there is a solid ground connection to the bridge. Shielding should be checked in this case, and maybe needs to be improved or redone. I'm surprised that you just are finding this out, maybe you changed the venue or practice space?

kirkm24 · #10 05-15-2009, 05:22 AM

Try a different power cord on your amp. I had this issue and when I used a different power cord, the problem went away. Weird but true. This could also just be the building you are playing in.

bandl · #11 05-15-2009, 05:25 AM

In my experience, instruments with active electronics do not ground the bridge. Only passive ones do.

jimmy rocket · #12 05-15-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandl

In my experience, instruments with active electronics do not ground the bridge. Only passive ones do.

Then the hum wouldn't disappear when he touches the bridge or strings. There needs to be some connection to ground for that to occur.

K-Funk · #13 05-15-2009, 01:34 PM

I've noticed it for a long time, it's just that I've never dealt with it. But I think I'm actually going to take a stab at fixing it this time around. It's not the amp or practice space; I've tried it through 4 different amps in about 14 different spaces and it always does it. Gigs, basements, bedroom, wherever. I've run it through many different amps as well from big Ampeg rigs to little cheap-o combos.

I'll try shielding the electronics cavity. As far as grounding, again, the hum disappears when I touch the bridge, strings, tuners, control plate, and control knobs. It gets louder when I just touch a pickup pole with my finger without touching any other metal part.