Very strange thing just happened . . .

i_got_a_mohawk · #1 09-02-2006, 05:56 AM

Very strange effect here

I think it might be something to do with my cable, but, anyways, thought id post it and see what everyone thought.

I was playing my modded bass P/J with DiMarzio DP126 set (model P and J)

And, knocked the ultra high button on my SVT, was tinkinger about the first part of portrait of tracey, and there was alot of hiss, so, i played about with the seperate volumes, seems it was only coming from the J pup. When i touch anything the hiss goes away, if i let go, it comes back, so i think, right, must be a grounding issue then.

But i touched one of the screws that holds the pickup down, and the hiss went away, and, didnt come back! which, well, for a grounding issue, that seemed wierd.

I stood up and it started hissing again, touched the screw and let go, and it was gone! Seems that turning the instrument cable makes the hiss come back, and without moving the bass at all, touching the screws on the J pickup cover get rid of it. I dont know why the hell this should be happening!

bongomania · #2 09-02-2006, 06:13 AM

Snakes on a bass!

i_got_a_mohawk · #3 09-02-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Snakes on a bass!

I saw snakes on a plane the other day actually, was great

Snakes on CRACK!

But, aye, this problem is still here

GrooveBass · #4 09-02-2006, 06:55 AM

I'm gonna say grounding, but someone smarter prolly knows what's REALLY going on.

Trivfan01 · #5 09-02-2006, 11:34 AM

have you tried using a different lead?

bongomania · #6 09-02-2006, 02:14 PM

Couple of thoughts:

Does your bass have a preamp? If so, it's vaguely possible that one of its components is acting like a digital switch- when a connection makes/breaks at your cable, the change in voltage makes it switch one way (causing hiss), and when you ground it with your finger it switches the other way (literally switching off whatever was causing the hiss).

If no preamp, then maybe there is a single wire connecting the J pickup with the output jack, so wiggling it slightly on either end of that wire might affect the connection quality.

svtb15 · #7 09-02-2006, 03:40 PM

is the PU screw shoring to th PU wire? pull the PU and see if the wire insulation has been cut by the screw... that is all i can think of.. hiss is weird.. buzz maybe gut hiss... really got me.. i would look at the insulation though

i_got_a_mohawk · #8 09-02-2006, 07:35 PM

I will check to see if i maybe did screw through a cable on the pup, good call!

bongomania, thanks for the ideas, but, the bass is completelly passive, just with alot of switching options, and its a 4 wire pickup

Will have another look tomorrow, cheers guys!

Stan Hinesley · #9 09-02-2006, 08:39 PM

Check your output jack and guitar cable too.

-Stan

hartke20g · #10 09-03-2006, 04:51 PM

switch off the SVT ultra high feature.

i_got_a_mohawk · #11 09-03-2006, 07:23 PM

It happens through the firebass too, this is something that shouldnt happen on a humbucking fully shielded bass, and i like the ultra high feature

It does only happen with the dodgy lead, but, still, why would touching the screws around the J pup act as a switch like this!