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Originally Posted by ironrat  Thanks for the response. Yes it has the 60Hz hum, it gets worse near electrical outlets or lights. But the random noise is more pronunced (sounds like zzzzzzzzz). That noise comes and goes. When I touch the strings and/or bridge the bass doesn't make any strange noise or buzz.
Tha bass is shielded (aluminum tape). I'll try turning off the jazz pickup. I'll let you know this evening or tomorrow. |
The general rule is that if the hum/noise goes away or gets less when you touch ground (bridge, strings, metal on jack, etc.) then the problem is a shielding problem. If the noise does not vary when you touch ground, but does vary if you change the orientation of the bass then you have a humbucker cancellation issue.
Let me say that aluminum foil can be made to work as a shield with some effort, BUT aluminum in air forms aluminum oxide which is an insulator. Hence it is often difficult to make and keep good solid connections to aluminum foil for shielding. Remember the foil must be grounded. This is why I take the time and expense to use copper foil and solder all connections between pieces and ground wires so that they can't work loose.
The coming and going of the zzzzt noise is probably due to the source. I've got that problem around here too. I very much suspect it's an industrial welder somewhere in the neighborhood (the noise keeps working hours) but I've never been able to track down just where it is.
) that comes and goes ramdomly. I didn't have this issue with my other bass (P clone, passive and noiseless).
