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Dimarzio possible microphonic j pickup/click noise

Precision101

Precision101

Sep 22, 2013
880
102
#1
hey guys. I have a modded out j with two different types of dimarzio pickups in it. The bridge is an ultra jazz and the neck is a model j. I really dig the balance I get out of them. I don't know if this is normal with dimarzio pickups, but when I tap on the pickup cover a noticeable click can be heard at high volumes with the tone on full. The neck More so than the bridge. But they both produce a fair amount of mids and highs as well... Sometimes when I dig in my finger lands on the pickup cover creating the clicking sound.(not the pole pieces). What I don't get (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that dimarzio j pups are pre waxed to the cover themselves in the process of manufacturing so I don't know what the possibility of a microphonic pickup would be.. Has anybody else had any similar experience? Any help would be appreciated.
 
#2
Precision101 said:
hey guys. I have a modded out j with two different types of dimarzio pickups in it. The bridge is an ultra jazz and the neck is a model j. I really dig the balance I get out of them. I don't know if this is normal with dimarzio pickups, but when I tap on the pickup cover a noticeable click can be heard at high volumes with the tone on full. The neck More so than the bridge. But they both produce a fair amount of mids and highs as well... Sometimes when I dig in my finger lands on the pickup cover creating the clicking sound.(not the pole pieces). What I don't get (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that dimarzio j pups are pre waxed to the cover themselves in the process of manufacturing so I don't know what the possibility of a microphonic pickup would be.. Has anybody else had any similar experience? Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

When you say "a noticeable click can be heard at high volumes", do you mean at high volume settings?

Or do you mean that the click is loud in relation to the normal notes?

Pickups produce a sound that is is related to the relative movement of the string in relation to the coil. This also means that the pickup will be sensitive to any movement of the coil in relation to the string. So the coil, magnet pole pieces, and strings all form the signal generating mechanism. A movement in any one of those three in relation to the others will result in a signal.

A microphonic pickup is generally one in which the coil is free to move in relation to the pole pieces. In that case the pickup can produce a signal independant of the string. Potting solves that by immobilizing the coil in relation to the pole pieces. But the pickup will still be sensitive to tapping on it, because it is still moving in relation to the strings.

If the pickup is mounted very loosely, then it can also be microphonic; but in that case it's not the pickup itself that is microphonic, but the mounting.

-
 
#3
megafiddle said:
When you say "a noticeable click can be heard at high volumes", do you mean at high volume settings?

Or do you mean that the click is loud in relation to the normal notes?

Pickups produce a sound that is is related to the relative movement of the string in relation to the coil. This also means that the pickup will be sensitive to any movement of the coil in relation to the string. So the coil, magnet pole pieces, and strings all form the signal generating mechanism. A movement in any one of those three in relation to the others will result in a signal.

A microphonic pickup is generally one in which the coil is free to move in relation to the pole pieces. In that case the pickup can produce a signal independant of the string. Potting solves that by immobilizing the coil in relation to the pole pieces. But the pickup will still be sensitive to tapping on it, because it is still moving in relation to the strings.

If the pickup is mounted very loosely, then it can also be microphonic; but in that case it's not the pickup itself that is microphonic, but the mounting.

-
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. When I am playing at high volumes it can be heard, when you say the mounting can be microphonic, how could that be solved? I have foam in my pickup cavities and they are pretty snug.
 
#4
I took a Dimarzio Model P apart earlier this year. They aren't nearly as 'epoxy potted' as some would have you believe. The only epoxy is the cap on the back of the pickup that encases the wires and magnets. Inside the pickup cover there is the coil(s) and a lot of air! The cover is glued to the top flatwork of the pickup coil. It certainly isn't a brick of epoxy inside and, with care, you can get the covers off of a Model P if you are careful and don't with to reuse the covers.

My Model Ps were somewhat microphonic.
 
#5
Axstar said:
I took a Dimarzio Model P apart earlier this year. They aren't nearly as 'epoxy potted' as some would have you believe. The only epoxy is the cap on the back of the pickup that encases the wires and magnets. Inside the pickup cover there is the coil(s) and a lot of air! The cover is glued to the top flatwork of the pickup coil. It certainly isn't a brick of epoxy inside and, with care, you can get the covers off of a Model P if you are careful and don't with to reuse the covers.

My Model Ps were somewhat microphonic.
Click to expand...
Ah! Thanks for the reply. The model j neck pup has a louder click than the ultra jazz. I don't necessarily get any screeching or feedback through them.. my strap locks do bang around a bit but that's pretty normal. How did you open up the pup with all the stuff on the back?
 
#6
Precision101 said:
Thanks for the reply. When I am playing at high volumes it can be heard, when you say the mounting can be microphonic, how could that be solved? I have foam in my pickup cavities and they are pretty snug.
Click to expand...

The mounting sounds like it is ok. It would be difficult to mount it any more solidly and still allow for adjustment.

The next time you have the strings off, compare the clicking noise level with and without the strings present.

If it is significantly quieter without the strings, then it's mainly due to the pickup moving on it's mounting. Not sure how much you could improve things in that case.

If the clicking noise level is about the same without the strings, then wax potted coils may help. From the replies above, it sounds like the coils are not potted.

-
 
#7
Thank you will definitely try this.
megafiddle said:
The mounting sounds like it is ok. It would be difficult to mount it any more solidly and still allow for adjustment.

The next time you have the strings off, compare the clicking noise level with and without the strings present.

If it is significantly quieter without the strings, then it's mainly due to the pickup moving on it's mounting. Not sure how much you could improve things in that case.

If the clicking noise level is about the same without the strings, then wax potted coils may help. From the replies above, it sounds like the coils are not potted.

-[/QUOT
Click to expand...
 
#8
Update. I took apart the neck pickup from the ultra jazz set this pickup seems to be covered with a hard black substance. the coils are definitely not moving anywhere. I think I'm going to leave them alone i guess it's a pretty common thing among dimarzio bass pickups. I'm too in love with the sound to start messing with things. Thanks for the info guys.
 

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