Help! Microphonic Pickup!!

[Yellow Bang66]

UGH! I need Help! I just finished installing Nordstrand P/j set, They sound amazing! , but after rehearsal I noticed a buzzing when iplayed ! Im very heavy handed, My right hand techniqueis very "ham" handed. also pluck over the P Pickup, which is also used as a thumb rest. I also noticed a "clicking" as I played! I noticed that it happened when I touched the pickup after plucking the string! My strings actually hit the pickups when i play!! I looked up on line,and the closest I can find is the Pick up has become "Microphonic"! Ugh! Did I break/Ruin it? So I come here seeking Advice & a solution! can anything be done? or have I ruined a great Pickup? Im between checks & a little low on cash, so any inexpensive solution would be Appreciated! I saw Phillip Mcknight on a "Know your gear" Video. where he covers the pole pieces with electrical tape inside the covers. hoping that'll work for now. Aside from trying to fix my poor technique, I feel it'll take too long( its a old, bad habit) to correct! I plan on replacing or switching the old pickup back in, so I hope that'll "fix" the buzzing And prevent it coming back, or Is it broken! Thanks in Advanced!

 

[dwizum]

Do the pickups buzz all the time, or only when you touch the pole pieces?

If the strings are hitting the pickups as you play, it sounds like the pickups may be too high.

I haven't heard anything in your description that would cause me to believe that the pickups are broken, or microphonic. But sometimes it's hard to tell from words. Can you post a video of your playing technique?

 

[NoiseNinja]

Your strings are not supposed to touch the pickups when you pluck them, that's what is wrong.

Lower your pickups so they won't, and eventual cover the pole pieces with tape if they buzz when you touch them.

From what you write it seems to me that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pickups, microphonic or otherwise faulty, it's fairly common for pickups to buzz when you touch the pole pieces, and though not all pickups does so it doesn't necessarily in it self mean that there is anything wrong with yours, also all pickups would make loud clanking clacking and clicking noises if hit physically by the strings, the strings are not supposed to do so, so just lower the pickups to accommodate your heavy handed plucking technique and I'll bet you'll be good (you might want to start working on applying less force when plucking the strings though, it is really not necessary, and you loose the option of digging in harder for more dynamic range if you don't, plus you might find plucking lighter will improve your tone overall as well).

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Do the pickups buzz all the time, or only when you touch the pole pieces?

If the strings are hitting the pickups as you play, it sounds like the pickups may be too high.

I haven't heard anything in your description that would cause me to believe that the pickups are broken, or microphonic. But sometimes it's hard to tell from words. Can you post a video of your playing technique?

Yes, they buzz only when I touch the pole pieces. I lowered the pickups,so the strings dont bang against them. But my fingers still touch the pickups, ( my poor technique) as I use the pickup as my thumbrest! sorry dont have the means to tape my bad technique right now! Thanks

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Your strings are not supposed to touch the pickups when you pluck them, that's what is wrong.

Lower your pickups so they won't, and eventual cover the pole pieces with tape if they buzz when you touch them.

From what you write it seems to me that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pickups, microphonic or otherwise faulty, it's fairly common for pickups to buzz when you touch the pole pieces, and though not all pickups does so it doesn't necessarily in it self mean that there is anything wrong with yours, also all pickups would make loud clanking clacking and clicking noises if hit physically by the strings, the strings are not supposed to do so, so just lower the pickups to accommodate your heavy handed plucking technique and I'll bet you'll be good (you might want to start working on applying less force when plucking the strings though, it is really not necessary, and you loose the option of digging in harder for more dynamic range if you don't, plus you might find plucking lighter will improve your tone overall as well).

Thanks. Yeah I guess I know that, just didnt want to have to over haul/ change my technique! I'll practice lightening up, my finger will thank you! It was just annoying, and I thought I broke my PUp by bashing away on them, Lowered them & will just turn up my Amp to compensate. glad to know I didnt damage it! thanks! see you in the shed!

 

[96tbird]

Put black tape over the poles so you can't touch them.

 

[dwizum]

Nordstrand pickups have shielding on the back that connects to the pole pieces. The gray wire is the connection for that shielding. You should check that you have the gray wire grounded. Grounding the gray wire should eliminate or significantly reduce any hum you get by touching the poles.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Nordstrand pickups have shielding on the back that connects to the pole pieces. The gray wire is the connection for that shielding. You should check that you have the gray wire grounded. Grounding the gray wire should eliminate or significantly reduce any hum you get by touching the poles.

Thanks! I'll try look at that. And work on lightening my "Homer Simpson, Right Hand Technique!"