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Forgot About That 60 Cycle Hum!

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by ClassicJazz, Mar 20, 2011.

  1. Mar 20, 2011 #1
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
    So there I am setting up for a gig and after a quick sound check someone mentioned there was a hum somewhere. Most of the neon lights were off, then I noticed it was coming from my bass amp. So now I am thinking what the [email protected]$& is up with that! I check all my cables and still that hum!

    Than it hit me............DUH! BIG DUH!

    I am using my (new to me) '72 Fender Jazz. IT'S THE OLD 60 CYCLE HUM!

    Most of the basses I have been using were all active and for the past number years all I have been using is my active Sadowsky basses with hum-canceling pickups. I like to play with bridge pickup louder than the neck pickup, thus the hum. I completely forgot about that! Just one of those things you have to live with if you play a passive jazz.

    Needless to say, even with the hum it sounded great! Welcome back to the world of single coil passive basses!
     
  2. Mar 20, 2011 #2
    Jeff K

    Jeff K Supporting Member

    Jul 9, 2005
    Memphis, TN
    For years, I always dimed the neck pickup and backed off the bridge pickup whenever I'd play Jazzes. (Just the opposite of your M.O.!) ;)

    But lately, I've been really enjoying the tone of my Jazzes with both pups dimed. And the added benefit is no hum... :D
     
  3. Mar 20, 2011 #3
    m.oreilly

    m.oreilly

    Jul 5, 2006
    Ukiah, CA
    i bet if you did some extra shielding you would drop a ton of the hum. i recently installed my first set of singles in a thumb bass (nordies), and was expecting big big 60 cycle (i live on the bridge pup). there was none. the room lighting is compact florescent, 1920 house, knob and tube. i now love singles with a passion. looks like 'wick did some coating in the cavities, 'cause i can't make it buzz...
     
  4. Mar 20, 2011 #4
    darkstorm

    darkstorm

    Oct 13, 2009
    Id put me some humfree dimarjio J's in it to solve that problem. Lol.
     
  5. Mar 20, 2011 #5
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
    Na, I am keeping this puppy stock! If I really need quiet, I still have the Sadowsky basses.
     
  6. Mar 20, 2011 #6
    DougD

    DougD Bassman7654

    Sep 19, 2002
    North Las Vegas NV
    +1
    I have a USA 62RI that I shielded the heck out of. I get no hum at all now:)
     
  7. Mar 21, 2011 #7
    SLaPiNFuNK

    SLaPiNFuNK Inactive Commercial User

    Jul 28, 2006
    LA California
    The Brains: FretNation.com
    make sure your using an instrument cable... not a speaker cable...
     
  8. Mar 21, 2011 #8
    StuartV

    StuartV Finally figuring out what I really like Supporting Member

    Jul 27, 2006
    Manassas, VA
  9. Mar 21, 2011 #9
    -=DanAtkinson=-

    -=DanAtkinson=-

    Feb 26, 2008
    Atlanta, GA
    Did you connect the copper to ground? If not, it's not doing anything.
     
  10. Mar 21, 2011 #10
    StuartV

    StuartV Finally figuring out what I really like Supporting Member

    Jul 27, 2006
    Manassas, VA
    I put the copper tape in so that it comes out the top of the control cavity a little bit all the way around the top. You can see what I mean in the pics I posted in my build thread (link in previous post) So, it's making contact with the control plate all the way around the perimeter of the control cavity opening.

    I believe that provides the necessary grounding. It seems to be working, but please let me know if I'm just lucky so far and there's more I need to do.
     
  11. Mar 21, 2011 #11
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
    Actually I am using that real hi-end Fender cable for just for bass. It is probably more hype and overkill than anything, put it is a very good cable.
     
  12. Mar 21, 2011 #12
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
    Note, the hum is not bad enough that I need to do something. It was just something I forgot about....the result of using Sadowsky's for so long!