Both pickups went microphonic

[Vanceman]

I think both pickups on my Carvin LB70 are microphonic. They capture every touch and all finger noise, and if I touch a screwdriver to the adjustment screws, it sounds just like I'm hitting a mic with the screwdriver. Very treblely sound overall. Anybody know how this happens? Is it fixable, and how do I prevent this in the future? The bass in question is about 15 years old.

 

[honeyiscool]

Just try putting a bit more foam or replacing the foam or springs underneath. All pickups are microphonic to some extent but what could have happened is that over time the foam degraded to the point where it is not really holding the pickup in place anymore.

If that doesn't work, you just got an excuse to go pickup shopping.

 

[Vanceman]

Thanks. I'll remove the screws, and lift the pickup out of the body, wires still attached, and see if anything is different.

 

[GoesThump]

If the foam/springs are in good shape, you could also pot the pickup in wax. I've done this on a couple of pickups that had gone microphonic / had too much handling noise as you describe & it worked well.

GT

 

[2saddleslab]

If the foam/springs are in good shape, you could also pot the pickup in wax. I've done this on a couple of pickups that had gone microphonic / had too much handling noise as you describe & it worked well.

GT

^This.