Weird Feedback

thrasher717 · #1 06-12-2008, 08:43 AM

I have a Fender Hot-Rodded P-Bass (P and J pickups). When I'm using the J pickup and I stand directly in front of my QSC PLX 1804 amplifier, I get a weird chirping sound. It sounds just like a smoke detector. I think it might be related to the fan on the amp. Any thoughts?

DavidRavenMoon · #2 06-13-2008, 12:30 AM

The pickup is picking up some interference from the amp. Probably the switching power supply.

Single coils don't differentiate between the picking up the strings or any other electrical noise.

Just don't stand right in front of your amp without turning the volume off on the bass.

CharlieDog · #3 06-13-2008, 12:31 AM

Welcome to Tom Morello's world.

DavidRavenMoon · #4 06-13-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieDog

Welcome to Tom Morello's world.

The fun starts when you either hold your watch or cell phone by the pickups...

caslli.david · #5 06-13-2008, 12:41 AM

Hi
Thanks DavidRavenMoon I was facing the same problem. Now I'll try your suggestion. I hope it will help me. Thanks a lot!!

DavidRavenMoon · #6 06-13-2008, 12:48 PM

I get the same thing if I sit real close to my digital mixer, and I'm using humbuckers. But I get all kinds of beeping and weird digital noise. So when I'm recording I have to make sure I'm at least a foot away from it.

Also as I mentioned, watches will make a regular beeping or clicking noise if you have it by the pickup, which I discovered once when I used to wear a watch.

thrasher717 · #7 06-13-2008, 09:20 PM

Thanks. Glad to know I'm not alone on this.

kevinmoore73 · #8 06-13-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidRavenMoon

Also as I mentioned, watches will make a regular beeping or clicking noise if you have it by the pickup, which I discovered once when I used to wear a watch.

What kind of watch was it?

DavidRavenMoon · #9 06-13-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

What kind of watch was it?

Any watch with a quartz crystal will make chirping noises. It was just a cheap battery powered analog watch. I think digital display watches will do the same thing.

Just hold it over the pickup.

Cell phones make an occasional series of "galloping" beeps.

kevinmoore73 · #10 06-13-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidRavenMoon

Any watch with a quartz crystal will make chirping noises. It was just a cheap battery powered analog watch. I think digital display watches will do the same thing.

Interesting. I didn't know that. For the record, mechanical automatic watches don't make any noises when placed near pickups.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidRavenMoon

Cell phones make an occasional series of "galloping" beeps.

Oh, I get a cacophony of sounds if I put my cell phone near certain basses.