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Gold Tone MicroBass Talk

#1,101
tremolux said:
So I'm wondering, if it's just my MicroBass or can anyone confirm these shielding issues? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't have any hum problems with my 23" fretted I bought about 4 years ago. Not long after I replace the preamp with a Joyo using the same pickup, no hum there either. I changed the strings to Road Toad Pahoehoe almost immediately because of how sticky and quickly the Thunderguts sausaged.

GT Joyo preamp 500.jpg
 
#1,102
thanks!
Did you notice an improvement in noise floor or changes in sound?

I was already looking for the Joyo JE 63 Ukulele Preamp.

But before I start with modifications, I would like to make sure, that there is nothing wrong with my MicroBass.
And I think a new Preamp wouldnt solve any shielding issue that starts from the area around the piezo.
 
#1,103
tremolux said:
Thanks! Did you notice an improvement in noise floor or changes in sound? I was already looking for the Joyo JE 63 Ukulele Preamp. But before I start with modifications, I would like to make sure, that there is nothing wrong with my MicroBass. And I think a new Preamp wouldn't solve any shielding issue that starts from the area around the piezo.
Click to expand...

It sounds very good to me, I never had hum or interference problems. I didn't think an under-saddle piezo pickup needed shielding, none of mine have any. The main reason I changed preamps was for the orientation, when I'm playing, I see the tuner readout properly instead of sideways.

Not that long ago I noticed that the D string didn't put out as much volume as the other strings, which I've remedied on other piezo ukes with the same saddle by cutting apart the four sections, which allowed each string to put separate pressure on the individual pickup below.
 
#1,104
I acoustic right? I've had two without anymore buzz than any other of the hdozen or more piezo saddle instruments I have had. All are noisy compared to magnet pups. Have only heard of solid body mbass being more noisy. Have not played it
 
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#1,106
yah its in the nature of the magnetic PU that it sensitive to electromagentic fields.


From my Acoustic guitars I know that hum/buzz is usually no problem with piezo PUs.
But afaik (some) Piezo constructions also have a layer of shielding foil.

Just wondering because I can hear the hum increasing when I put my hand over the bridge.
Thats usually a sign for a broken/missing "ground" connection.

I want to keep the bass...so I will prolly unstring it and check the whole saddle/bridge/piezo.
 
#1,111
I did a quick comparison with my Pahoehoe Strings on the 25" Microbass.
5 notes per string:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The Pahoe sound a lil fatter but they have less overtones.
The strings are a lil more balanced in volume - A string was to soft with the Thunderguts.
Pahoe is easier to play, cause they are less sticky.
But the low E string is already a bit "flabby" while the high D and G strings are very stretched.

The thunders sound more like a double bass to me.
Thats prolly the reason, why Goldtone put them on the Microbass.
 
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#1,116
KohanMike said:
It sounds very good to me, I never had hum or interference problems. I didn't think an under-saddle piezo pickup needed shielding, none of mine have any. The main reason I changed preamps was for the orientation, when I'm playing, I see the tuner readout properly instead of sideways.

Not that long ago I noticed that the D string didn't put out as much volume as the other strings, which I've remedied on other piezo ukes with the same saddle by cutting apart the four sections, which allowed each string to put separate pressure on the individual pickup below.
Click to expand...
I did, in the end, switch out my pre-amp for one of these Joyo's. I'm having problems now with the pick-up. The piece of metal got bowed some how and it wasn't contacting all the strings so they went dead. My repair guy gingerly bent it back, but I live in fear that it's going to blow out again when I'm on a gig.
 
#1,119
tremolux said:
I did a quick comparison with my Pahoehoe Strings on the 25" Microbass.
5 notes per string:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The Pahoe sound a lil fatter but they have less overtones.
The strings are a lil more balanced in volume - A string was to soft with the Thunderguts.
Pahoe is easier to play, cause they are less sticky.
But the low E string is already a bit "flabby" while the high D and G strings are very stretched.

The thunders sound more like a double bass to me.
Thats prolly the reason, why Goldtone put them on the Microbass.
Click to expand...
Love that you did this analysis. Very interesting. Thanks.
 

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