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NGD - GK MB200 - hum/buzz with a MIM Fender

Killed_by_Death

Killed_by_Death

Snaggletooth
Inactive
Jan 2, 2015
24,890
61,257
14 Megameters from Groong Tehp
#1
I like it. WAY more bass than my guitar amp head was able to muster. I had the walls vibrating in no time.

IMG_20150904_165022076-TB.jpg


It buzzes with my Mexican Fender Blacktop, but only if I've got the tone on my bass up & the treble on the amp up past 1/2.
I tried my G&L & my Strat, & they don't have that problem.
 
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#3
You can change the pick-up's/wiring to after market's that have hum rejecting.
Or, if your happy with the tone of your stock pick-up's I'd suggest thinking about a luthier installed shielding job.
You can DIY, but it'll end up costing about the same by the time you add your time and rounding up the materials needed.
Don't waste time and money on shielding paint.
Find a good guitar luthier that works with copper shielding and will not only shield the control compartment but the pick-up compartments as well.

My passive, stock pick-up, jazzes had that same 60 cycle hum/buzz till I had a shielding job installed.
Cost me $40.00 dollars a bass for a shielding job.
No buzz/hum in probably 99% of the stages we play on now.

Really don't understand why shielding isn't a standard, factory installed thing on every passive bass no matter who the manufacturer is.....


As to your tweeter squeal.
All tweeter/horn loaded cabinets will squeal with the treble and volume greatly boosted when your bass pick-ups are close and or aligned with the tweeter. (As in setting in front of the cab facing the cab.)






..........
 
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#5
shoot-r said:
You can change the pick-up's/wiring to after market's that have hum rejecting.
Click to expand...

That's what bugs me the most. They're humbuckers.

IMG_20150505_124938118_PL.jpg



Linnin said:
We're fortunate to have some excellent luthiers and technicians in our area, Brad. Chip Jeager at Fretwell Bass; Rob Womack at Queen City, and Danny Dolinger as 'The Fret Boss'.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if I decide to have a shielding job done, I'll take it to Rob for sure.


I took it out on the back porch at dusk & cranked it up, but couldn't hear any buzz, but mainly due to the crickets chirping.
I was hoping maybe getting it out of the house might help, but I will probably try that again tomorrow morning.
In reality, if it's not loud enough to be heard over cricket chirping, it's not really a worry. I am just a victim of OCD.

It's kind of like when your mom told you not to have any sweets before dinner. You might not have even wanted to, but knowing it was forbidden made you need to have a sweet.
I play with the tone rolled back, but knowing I can't max it out w/o that buzz is bugging me. :roflmao:
 
#7
The hum your bass is experiencing is not affected by you touching metal/strings/bridge. That indicates it is not RF interference so shielding will not address the issue. Shielding does not address 60hz hum. The only way to remove 60hz noise is with humbucking pickups, which your bass has.

The buzz you get when you touch the pole pieces indicates the pieces are not grounded. You can either ground them or coat them with clear nail polish, preventing contact with your hands.

If your pots are dirty, causing scratching as you turn, then try to loosen the dirt first. If you cannot loosen the dirt then spray some De-oxit. It is a last ditch effort before swapping pots. While spraying the pot will clean it the pot will eventually require more spray, which is why it should be avoided if possible. I wouldn't spray clean pots.

If you are popping it open double check your ground wire coming from the bridge just to be safe.
 
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#16
A section of mic cable can be used but only attach the shield to ground at one end, the other end the ground wire is attached without the shield. In this case using the shield at both ends with a ground wire can make an RF antenna. A twisted pair of 18-22awg stranded hookup wire is the last resort. Free standing wires (not twisted) like I have found in MIMs is a definite no-no.
 
#17
I'll get that wire in the photo from MojoTone.com if I can't find any locally. Lowe's has 2 conductor 22 awg shielded wire, but it comes in a 500 foot roll.

032886855580lg.jpg


I might even swing by the local luthier's shop tomorrow & either see if he's got the right wire or even willing to slap a new one in real quick. It would be child's play to him.
 
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