1992 Ken Smith Burner pickup noise question.

[Avlamonte]

I have been wanting to try out a Ken Smith bass, and it is so challenging to find one. I found a Burner on Flea-Bay, that some of you have probably seen, and since it has a 30 day return policy, decided to buy it and check it out. Its terrible condition despite its high price were not a surprise, I had seen that in the pics. The thing I am curious about is the pickups which I assume are single coil jazz style. I haven't had many basses with this setup, but I was used to the hum increasing when soloing either pickup and decreasing when you touch the strings. On this bass, it is sllent when soloing the bridge pickup no matter what I do. When soloing the neck pickup it develops a scratchy hum which gets about twice as loud if I touch either pickup. if I touch the pickup and the strings, the hum decreases some. If I touch the strings alone, the hum may decrease a very small amount. .Could this be a bad ground? I am hoping someone can clue me in on what is happening.

Thanks much,
Allan

 

[Avlamonte]

I just removed the truss rod cover and despite the fact that the truss rod looks brand new (very unusual for this bass), even with all of the tension removed from the strings, it is very difficult to adjust in either direction. Having broken a truss rod on a Warwick, I am a little gun shy about such things...I know this isn't the section for this problem, just giving more info on the bass...

 

[alexgonthebass]

I have been wanting to try out a Ken Smith bass, and it is so challenging to find one. I found a Burner on Flea-Bay, that some of you have probably seen, and since it has a 30 day return policy, decided to buy it and check it out. Its terrible condition despite its high price were not a surprise, I had seen that in the pics. The thing I am curious about is the pickups which I assume are single coil jazz style. I haven't had many basses with this setup, but I was used to the hum increasing when soloing either pickup and decreasing when you touch the strings. On this bass, it is sllent when soloing the bridge pickup no matter what I do. When soloing the neck pickup it develops a scratchy hum which gets about twice as loud if I touch either pickup. if I touch the pickup and the strings, the hum decreases some. If I touch the strings alone, the hum may decrease a very small amount. .Could this be a bad ground? I am hoping someone can clue me in on what is happening.

Thanks much,
Allan

Did you return the bass? Wondering if it’s the one I’m looking at on eBay now.

 

[Avlamonte]

Hey Alex. I did return it. I felt that the condition did not match the price at all! Sounded good though. If you want to send me a link I can tell you if it is the same.

 

[alexgonthebass]

Thanks for your help! Here is the post: Ken Smith Bass Burner 5 | eBay

 

[Avlamonte]

Nope…that’s not it. That one looks much better…here is the one I returned…

Hope it works out for you bud.

 

[alexgonthebass]

Thanks man!