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EMG Jazz Pickup = weird finger noise???

O

OmegaZ27

Sep 18, 2005
200
3
California
#1
So, I recently installed an EMG PJ set with the BQC System into my Heartfield Prophecy II Bass. I really love the sound! It made my bass come alive and have more tonal possibilities with the 3-band EQ (Plus the mid-sweep which is so much fun)! I love a slightly brighter, active/modern sound, but I just try to stay away from using the highs too much because it adds some extra finger noise from the strings.

Here's my only issue: The weirdest thing is the finger noise from the pickup when I blend OR solo the Jazz pickup in. Especially when I'm playing the E string I really hear it. When I play on the E a lot and my finger taps/rests on the pickup, the pickup actually picks up noise from my finger!!! :eyebrow: Not too noticeable, but even when I'm not hitting the string and I'm just tapping on the pickup, I can hear it! Has anyone experienced this before with their EMG's???
 
#3
I don't have EMGs, but have experienced the same issue, and seem to be the only one haha. I play a fender precission deluxe, and if i even grace either pickup I will get a fairly prominent buzz/zap sound. And on certain occasions I have had the pickups completely distort, almost as if they're clippng. It could be a wiring problem, but im pretty sure it has to do with the active electronics. Im not really sure how to fix it, but just take it to someone and see if they can identify the issue.
 
#4
I don't think it's the wiring. The wiring is good. The cavities are shielded and it has nothing to do with shielding. I think it might just be an EMG thing or just something wrong with this individual pickup being very sensitive. I just want to know if anyone with EMGs has ever experienced this. It's not completely annoying, but just strange. It sounds like someone softly tapping on glass.
 
#7
I have a Heartfield Prophecy II and I've "heard" that they used EMG's in the original build. But the finger noise you describe is present in my stock version as well. I know exactly what you are hearing.
 
#9
Either thats resulting in a little more sensitivety harmonics and overtones wise to sound of fingers, and as result more audible. For example when I favor the neck or bridge pup tap harmonics come out a little diff which is useful. Are the pups either too far away or too close to the strings? With my Traben, the sounds more distorted sounding when the pups are low, and more articulate with them higher then is my usual pup height adjustment. Getting best possible tones with blend a little toward bridge or neck does depend on adjusting each pup for best sound solo'd and tweaking that for little tone tweak for blending a bit toward one or the other in my experience.

It is also possible you have a defective pup. I had a defective neck guitar pup not long ago. EMG was very nice in offer to send it to them for replacement. Its defect was lousy sustain compared to the bridge pup.
 
#12
Well, I did get these pickups used, so that's probably why the previous owner sold it, without letting me know this defect. :spit:

I guess maybe the pickup is a defect, but it doesn't bother me so much. The bass is set up perfectly, so I know it has to just be the pickup. Plus, I tend to just stay on the Precision pickups anyways. :bassist:
 

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