How to Fix Pickup Crosstalk

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by GeoKinetic, Jul 28, 2021.

  1. So I recently got a new instrument, it's got 2 humbuckers, 2 volume controls and a 3 way pickup selector, but I've noticed that when I flick the switch to the neck position, and roll the neck volume all the way down, I can faintly hear the bridge pickup, and vice versa in the other position. This is especially prevalent when I'm playing with gain. With some googling I think I found that this might be called crosstalk, so I'm wondering now how to fix it. If anyone has any advice I'd greatly appreciate it, thanks!
     
  2. Crater

    Crater

    Oct 12, 2011
    Dallas, TX area
    That should not happen with a pickup selector switch. There is such a thing as "crosstalk" but not on an instrument with a selector switch, there is no way for an audio signal to pass through the air gap on a properly working switch.

    New instrument? If this "crosstalk" is an unacceptable problem, return the bass. Can't give any more specific advice without details on the instrument and its electronics.
     
  3. JTE

    JTE Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 12, 2008
    Central Illinois, USA
    Precisely how did you confirm that with the switch set to the neck pickup you are also getting signal from the bridge PUP? And what is it? Those bits of information will help with troubleshooting.
     
    LBS-bass likes this.
  4. In this case I bought it used but almost new so I'm not able to return it. I think this is probably an issue from the factory because it's difficult to notice.

    I worked it out mainly after playing with some gain on. So I rolled the neck pickup all the way off, had the bridge pickup on, and flipped through the switch. Bridge solo and both pickups on produced the sound of the bridge pickup as expected, when I flipped to the neck position I was still getting signal through my amp, just with less gain, I double checked this by tapping the pickups with a screwdriver as well. The opposite was also true with the other pickup.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2021
  5. dwizum

    dwizum

    Dec 21, 2018
    Can we see some photos of the wiring? Also, can we see a diagram of how the two pickups, two volumes, and switch are connected to each other? Is this a brand new and unmodified bass, or something old or possibly modified?

    Crosstalk can happen for lots of reasons. Usually it has to do with the physical layout of the wiring for the two channels.