How to make hum disappear on single coil pickups (finally!!)

[InstantEctobass]

Just get DiMarzio Model J's. And some copper tape.

I will get DiMarzios someday but why don't manufacturers do the grounding job for us?

 

[mikewalker]

There is one position SOMEWHERE in 360 degrees rotation that will cancel out the magnetic interference. The trick is finding that spot and keeping your instrument FROZEN in position there for the entire duration of your performance.

"GOOD LUCK WITH THAT..."

 

[Bodeanly]

I will get DiMarzios someday but why don't manufacturers do the grounding job for us?

Every single coil equipped bass I have ever purchased has been grounded properly. It's simply that single coils are prone to excessive buzzing.

 

[96tbird]

I don't believe you. I believe you were all the serious.

 

[InstantEctobass]

Every single coil equipped bass I have ever purchased has been grounded properly. It's simply that single coils are prone to excessive buzzing.

And that's where you get wrong. Grounding does nothing on huming. People always get the two confused... that's an endless story. But good for you if you've always bought perfectly gounded basses. I had a Amercan P (not personally but one I got to play with) that needed better grounding

 

[Deleted member 165050]

The only instrument with single coils I had that was hum free was a Gibson Blues Hawk, on account of it had a reverse wound dummy coil in circuit. Being me I took that out and made it into a reverse wound P90 and got a local luthier to rout a middle pickup slot and now it's in there. So now I have a guitar with three P90s with the middle one reverse wound. A guitar which hums of course, but sounds like a Strat on meth. Ok I admitted it I own a 6-string...

 

[Bodeanly]

And that's where you get wrong. Grounding does nothing on huming. People always get the two confused... that's an endless story. But good for you if you've always bought perfectly gounded basses. I had a Amercan P (not personally but one I got to play with) that needed better grounding

How am I wrong about having properly grounded basses that only hum because they have single coils?

 

[txdahaley]

I like making my hummingbass stop humming by leaving it at the house and going for tacos and not caring if anyone steals it because it's a F**d**.

 

[Richard Martin]

I just use a TC Sentry Noise Gate if I have heavy dirt turned on. Otherwise I don't worry about it. They're single coils, they're supposed to hum.

 

[Quinn Roberts]

because it's a F**d**.

Fender?

 

[ofajen]

This is one reason why I think pickups like the ones in my Gibson Ripper are so good. They have a single set of magnets but dual sidewinding coils, so they are humbucking but still have the clear, focused tone you normally associate with single coil pickups.

Otto

 

[mikewalker]

The only instrument with single coils I had that was hum free was a Gibson Blues Hawk, on account of it had a reverse wound dummy coil in circuit. Being me I took that out and made it into a reverse wound P90 and got a local luthier to route a middle pickup slot and now it's in there. So now I have a guitar with three P90s with the middle one reverse wound. A guitar which hums of course, but sounds like a Strat on meth. Ok I admitted it I own a 6-string...

That dummy coil is DA BOMB! I still regret selling my BluesHawk back in 2002 or so... at the time I thought I "needed" a thicker sounding LP for playing leads... but almost immediately after selling the BluesHawk I got a 'vocalist' gig playing mostly bright chimey rythmn guitar... the BluesHawk would have been magnificent for that...

 

[Cracker7]

I just use a TC Sentry Noise Gate if I have heavy dirt turned on. Otherwise I don't worry about it. They're single coils, they're supposed to hum.

I also use a noise gate. Takes care of any of these issues and more.

 

[vvvmmm]

AFAIAC, it's solved for me while I can't leave my room!

House arrest?

 

[maturanesa]

Tesla would be proud

 

[fhm555]

The simplest way to eliminate hum in single coil pickups?
Replace them with humbuckers.

 

[Spidey2112]

"but seriously" means that everything prior to that was a joke

I got it...

 

[Spidey2112]

Single-coil pickups are noisy by nature.
They're sensitive to electromagnetic interference radiated by lights, TVs and appliances.
The magnetic coil is an antenna, and it picks up 60 cycle hum.
It gets worse on stage, with your guitar picking up neon bar signs, fluorescent lights and the beer cooler kicking on and off throughout your set. At high volumes it gets worse, compounded by the high gain settings on your amp (StewMac).

Electromagnetic interference, not air.

 

[BergerHead]

I'll soon start a "HumBugging.com" site ... that must make me a rich man!

 

[Deleted member 165050]

That dummy coil is DA BOMB! I still regret selling my BluesHawk back in 2002 or so... at the time I thought I "needed" a thicker sounding LP for playing leads... but almost immediately after selling the BluesHawk I got a 'vocalist' gig playing mostly bright chimey rythmn guitar... the BluesHawk would have been magnificent for that...

Here's mine... 70s P90 in the neck position, dummy coil made into a working pickup in the middle, P100 at the bridge.