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  #1  
Old 12-04-2006, 04:47 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montreal
Revolution Solo2 Vibration-buzz problem...

Hello,

i have a Revolution Solo2 pickup on my Hybrid Hawkes. I get a kind of buzz that seems to be coming from the 1/4inch output mounted on the tailpiece.

This happens only when a cord is plugged in. When i play acoustic, there is absolutely nothing wrong. The sound it is making is absolutey awful since it is coming through the amp.

I tried different things that worked partially. I could get rid of the buzz by putting tissues between the tailpiece and the pickup's output, but after a while, the tisues moved and it started to do it again. I tried to put a piece of foam attached to the G string between the pickup's output and the tailpice; this makes the 1/4 inch output further from the tailpiece. It didn't change a thing.

Because it doesn't happen whan i play acoustic and because of the nature of the sound (i always hear it really loud through the amp) I am now thinking that it might be an electrical problem, like a weak weld or something wrong in the RCA-1/4 conversion. But the pickup works, and sometimes i can get rid of the problem by reducing the vibration.

Is it possible that the the vibration causes an electrical problem? Like it makes 2 things touch themselves that they are not supposed to??
Anybody had similar problems?

Thank you!

i hope i have been clear; english is my second language
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  #2  
Old 12-04-2006, 06:24 PM
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Steve Boletchek
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Apex, NC and Woolwine, VA
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Macher,

Sometimes I get an ugly buzzing sound, and then I look down and see that the cord to my amp is touching the tailpiece in some manner. Easy to fix - I just reposition the cord so that it does not touch the tailpiece.

But it sounds like your problem might be a little different, and that you have already tried a number of different things. I would recommend you email www.uptonbass.com and explain the problem to them.

In my experience, their customer service has been excellent.
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Last edited by bolo : 12-04-2006 at 06:34 PM.
  #3  
Old 12-04-2006, 06:27 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Waterford, CT
buzz

Assuming your strings came with felt washers, do you have that washer sitting between the tailpiece and the plastic of the mic jack holder?

Another problem could be that the wire between the pickup and the jack is touching something.
  #4  
Old 12-04-2006, 07:47 PM
drurb's Avatar
Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Connecticut
Supporting Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macher View Post
Hello,

i have a Revolution Solo2 pickup on my Hybrid Hawkes. I get a kind of buzz that seems to be coming from the 1/4inch output mounted on the tailpiece.

This happens only when a cord is plugged in. When i play acoustic, there is absolutely nothing wrong. The sound it is making is absolutey awful since it is coming through the amp.

I tried different things that worked partially. I could get rid of the buzz by putting tissues between the tailpiece and the pickup's output, but after a while, the tisues moved and it started to do it again. I tried to put a piece of foam attached to the G string between the pickup's output and the tailpice; this makes the 1/4 inch output further from the tailpiece. It didn't change a thing.

Because it doesn't happen whan i play acoustic and because of the nature of the sound (i always hear it really loud through the amp) I am now thinking that it might be an electrical problem, like a weak weld or something wrong in the RCA-1/4 conversion. But the pickup works, and sometimes i can get rid of the problem by reducing the vibration.

Is it possible that the the vibration causes an electrical problem? Like it makes 2 things touch themselves that they are not supposed to??
Anybody had similar problems?

Thank you!

i hope i have been clear; english is my second language
It is likely not an electrical problem at all. Rather, what you are experiencing seems to fall in the broad class of what is referred to as "microphonic." The pickup is likely transducing the vibration that is being transmitted to it up the cable. The fact that the tissues worked (if only for a short time) is a good clue. I would try wrapping a length of adhesive weather stripping around the barrel of the connector to insulate it from the tailpiece.
  #5  
Old 12-04-2006, 09:32 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montreal
I think i found the problem

I spend hours looking at my bass and was reallly surprised to find out that it is simply the metal part of the cable that is vibrating and causing this terrible noise. I have always been using standard Neutrik cables (i tried 2 different of the same brand). I will try different cables and hope this solves the problem.

Thanks everyone!
  #6  
Old 12-05-2006, 08:31 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montreal
I tried different cables and they were pretty similar...It seems like the fit is not tight enough to stop it from vibrating.

i will try to use velcro to sop it from moving... its not ideal but sould work!
  #7  
Old 12-05-2006, 09:08 PM
drurb's Avatar
Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Connecticut
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Macher View Post
I tried different cables and they were pretty similar...It seems like the fit is not tight enough to stop it from vibrating.

i will try to use velcro to sop it from moving... its not ideal but sould work!
It sounds like the clip inside the jack is not holding the plugh tightly enough. I suggest you contact Upton and ask them to send you another of the female-phono-to-female-phone-plug barrels.
  #8  
Old 12-05-2006, 10:58 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Diego
I've got a ground hum from mine ..which it seems can not be remedied.
Bill
  #9  
Old 12-06-2006, 04:57 AM
Eric Rene Roy's Avatar
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Vice President: Upton Bass String Instrument Co.
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Warwick, RI & Stonington, CT
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Bill, have you eMailed me? eroy@uptonbass.com

I often try several things with people via eMail or phone calls before I have them send the pickup to me so I can repair or replace parts or pickups as I find needed.
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Last edited by Eric Rene Roy : 12-06-2006 at 05:00 AM.
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