bass noise

[Tomluther]

I've had this problem for a little while now and it's not too serious, but it's starting to annoy me when I'm playing with an overdrive pedal.

When I plug my bass into any amp with any leads I get this soft buzz/hum kinda noise if i'm not touching the strings or bridge.

Like I said, it's not a huge problem because most of the time my fingers are touching at least one string or the bridge. But the volume of the noise varies with amps and if I'm using my overdrive pedal it's quite noticable.

I assume this is a problem with grounding, because when I make contact with the metal parts it goes away. Could anyone help with this? How can I fix it?

 

[Tomluther]

I have active pickups by the way

 

[upandb]

What kind of bass?

Also, on my passive Aerodyne Jazz, it's noisy as hell. On my active Musicman SUB, it's completely quiet all the time.

 

[Tomluther]

its a mexican jazz deluxe

 

[upandb]

Is your input jack loose? Happens on my Aerodyne, but based on the TB thread here that's a common Aerodyne problem.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

its a mexican jazz deluxe

Your bass doesn't have active pickups, just so you know. They are passive pickups with an active preamp.

 

[Tomluther]

Oh really? Well aren't I silly.

Um does this mean I shouldn't be plugging into the active input or using the -14db pad on amps?

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

No- your bass is still active. It's just a common misconception that an active bass means active pickups, when the reality is very few basses (comparatively) have active pickups. It's not a big deal, but it can be helpful to know when figuring out possible issues or potential modifications to your bass

It does sound like a grounding issue- does the hum occur when the pedal is taken completely out of your signal path?

 

[bjabass]

I'd start by cleaning the input jack with a q tip and alcohol. If it's not just a bad ground at the jack then you'll need to get inside and get a meter and make sure all the grounds are connected.

 

[Tomluther]

does the hum occur when the pedal is taken completely out of your signal path?

yeah, the hum occurs ALWAYS just not always as loud. Thats why i assumed it was a grounding problem on the bass

 

[Fender4Me]

If the hum goes away whne you touch the strings or tailpiece, it is NOT a ground problem. It is probably a shielding issue. Shielding the pickup and control cavity will probably take care of the hum.

 

[Krtalaz91]

Is there a DIY way of going about this problem (shielding the control cavity and pickups)? I believe I'm experiencing the same type of issue.

 

[darkstorm]

Thats why a noise gate is useful. With heavy overdrive or lots of distortion you can expect some hum even with well grounded electronics and humfree pups. Of course if you dont have hum free pups etc your gonna get hum, its going to be the most noticeable with overdrive and distortion.

So first insure the isntrument is properly grounded including the bridge and use humfree pups. 2nd use your processors noise gate if you use overdrive/distortion. Or if you use seperate pedals get a noise gate pedal to go after the overdrive/distortion pedal/s.