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Electronics Wizards Assistance Please

Ancient Mariner

Ancient Mariner

Dec 7, 2005
613
96
Chandler, AZ
#1
OK, here's a new one on me. I was at practice (outside environment) last Saturday and my SB-2 started howling like a banshee. I had to grab the neck/strings a number of times, while we weren't playing, just to keep from driving everyone nuts (I was sitting directly in front of the amp when this happened).

Never experienced that before, so I tried an experiment...did the same conditions when I got home (turned on the amp and put the SB-2 directly in front of it). Sure enough...big time howling started shortly thereafter.

I then turned on the "Active" switch on the amp, and wa la - problem pretty much went away.

***? Shielding problem? Pickups too hot? The freaky thing was that the howling was there EVEN WHILE I WAS PLAYING last Saturday, albeit to a lesser degree than when I wasn't.

Anyone have any ideas (other than always keeping the "Active" switch on when playing this SB-2)?
 
#5
A combination of the engauged switch and your close proximity. Have a longer cable or a wireless system that will allow some distance? Also; have you started using differant EQ setting lately that may have contributed to your feedback issue? I know you'll figure it out .. you're 1/2 there already.
 
#6
The MFD pickups are quite hot; it's not unusual to use the active "pad" on your amp when using MFD's- I know I do! That helps tame the beast, and like everyone else has stated, this and the proximity to your amp was giving you feedback.

If that doesn't help, you can pull the bridge and make sure the ground wire is fully in contact with the bottom of the bridge. Over time these sometimes flatten out and lose good contact.
 

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