I like the idea of stiffer strings. Maybe I'll actually try these LoRiders
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On my Cali TM-5s I've used Dunlop Super Brights, the Marcus Miller set, for the past couple years. Lately I've experimented with Fodera's SS rounds. They're pricey, but they last longer and have a bit beefier personality.
A quick jam (sort of) with Jordan Rudess. I'm not a metal player, but that Sandberg versatility helps
I finally plugged in my new Nighthawk Plus today, and I wonder if it has an issue. The bridge pickup gives a nasty hissy noise when in single coil mode. Please take a listen at this clip and tell me if this is normal. (Played through Peavey Microbass, recorded with my phone's voice recorder.)
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I start recording with only the neck pickup in humbucker mode, EQ flat.
- Play short bass line
- roll blend knob back to bridge pickup
- play short bass line
- switch from humbucker to single coil
- play short bass line
- boos treble a little (not all the way)
- play short bass line
As you can hear, the hissing increases with every step to a point where I find it unbearable. What's going on here?
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I start recording with only the neck pickup in humbucker mode, EQ flat.
- Play short bass line
- roll blend knob back to bridge pickup
- play short bass line
- switch from humbucker to single coil
- play short bass line
- boos treble a little (not all the way)
- play short bass line
As you can hear, the hissing increases with every step to a point where I find it unbearable. What's going on here?
Single coil pickups are antennas that pick up RF noise from nearby fluorescent lights, other electrical or electronics.
You boosted the highs a ton, which boosts the noise.
You could find the worst offender in the room you’re playing in (one particular light or whatever and unplug) it, or replace it with a humbucking “single coil”.
edit: I didn’t catch it was a humbucker in single coil mode. In a different location or environment single coil mode will be less noisy, but never completely silent. Use it in humbucker mode. That’s why it exists, to buck hum.
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That sounds VERY wrong to me. My TM4 is dead silent no matter what position the pickups are in.
I really did not boost the "highs a ton". Just dialled them up about 50%. But even with flat EQ it is loud enough to where I would not want to use it.
I emailed Sandberg directly about it to see what's up. If this can't be fixed, I might return the bass. I tried the amp in a different room, no difference.
I emailed Sandberg directly about it to see what's up. If this can't be fixed, I might return the bass. I tried the amp in a different room, no difference.
If you dialed them 50% up from the center detent, that’s a fair amount of high boost.
Sounds like single coil hum to me that’s being amplified
In single coil mode, you’re probably picking up some interference from inside your house
By all means look into it, but there’s a possibility that it is what it is.
Did you try running passive mode to see a difference?
Sounds like single coil hum to me that’s being amplified
In single coil mode, you’re probably picking up some interference from inside your house
By all means look into it, but there’s a possibility that it is what it is.
Did you try running passive mode to see a difference?
Only the bridge pickup does this. Fairly quietly in humbucking mode and very loudly in single coil mode. The neck pickup is perfectly quiet in either setting.
Shouldn’t the neck pickup pick up the same interference, if that’s what it is?
Shouldn’t the neck pickup pick up the same interference, if that’s what it is?
Man that is an AWESOME looking bass! Want to get my hands on one of these someday!!
Eyup Sandbergers !!
can I join in??
Got this VM4 a month ago, absolute joy to hold and play, it’s a 2011 according to serial no
Other than that, I’ve got no other info re neck, (stained?) what ‘version’ etc
It’s obvs ‘aged’ naturally (wink)
Any comments/thoughts much appreciated
can I join in??
Got this VM4 a month ago, absolute joy to hold and play, it’s a 2011 according to serial no
Other than that, I’ve got no other info re neck, (stained?) what ‘version’ etc
It’s obvs ‘aged’ naturally (wink)
Any comments/thoughts much appreciated
I’m thinking about selling my Marlowe DK5 and think I’d post a foreshadowing here…
Just used my new VS4 at my first rehearsal for over six months. It was still bright but that worked well in a band. It has a great woody P bass sound in passive mode with the tone down. Even woodier with foam under the strings. But I actually preferred it in active mode in the band with bass up a little and treble down a little. We have a couple of funk songs with slap in which I’d never use a P bass for but it sounded really good. Almost as good as my J bass. In fact it sounded more like a Stingray for slap. So, a very versatile bass. Also very light at 7lb 4oz so my shoulder felt great after three hours rehearsing. I love the neck too which the same width as a J.
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I was in someone else's practice room last night and plugged the Nighthawk into the guy's rig. Sounded great, close to no hissing/humming in single coil mode. Looks like my Peavey Microbass may be part of the problem. Next week I can play it through my Berg rig at rehearsal. That will be the only test that matters - if it sounds good through my rehearsal / gigging rig, it's a keeper!
My VS4 sounded very “hummy” in passive mode though the cheap amp in the shop. Active mode sounded ok. I thought it might be a shielding issue but no problems at all with my own amp.
I'm willing to bet it's not your amp. It's either the power (such as a dimmer switch being on the same circuit in the house), or RF interference (such as playing in front of a computer screen).
Single coils will pick up *everything* when it comes to noise, hum and interference. Bring your Microbass rig to a different room/house/location and see if the noise disappears.
