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hum / bad ground?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by Matthew Bryson, Jul 2, 2003.

  1. Jul 2, 2003 #1
    Matthew Bryson

    Matthew Bryson Guest

    Jul 30, 2001
    What causes a bass to hum - the kind of electric hum that stops when you touch the strings or any metal part of the bass. I've read about it hear some time ago, but I can't find the thread right now. IIRC Something about "dirty ground" or a bad outlet? I need more info about what causes it and how to fix it.
     
  2. Jul 3, 2003 #2
    mans0n

    mans0n

    Jun 15, 2002
    that sounds most certainly that your bass/amp/something is NOT grounded, which is a very bad thing for most importantly your safety and that of your gear. if there was a short in your amp, simply touching the strings of your bass could injure you, possibly kill you.

    RULE OF THUMB (ive seen this countless times, even on people with 400+ watt amps)

    NEVER EVER CUT OFF THE GROUND PIN ON YOUR POWER CONNECTOR (the round one, the 3rd pin you plug into the wall)

    USE AN ADAPTER THAT SCREWS INTO THE ELECTRICAL PLATE SO YOUR GROUNDED SO YOU DONT DIE!

    ......there ok i said it

    if you hadnt cut off the 3rd prong, and its giving you problems i suggest taking it to a tech if you dont know how to check things out yourself it is a good idea to do so
     
  3. Jul 3, 2003 #3
    Stu L.

    Stu L.

    Nov 27, 2001
    Corsicana, Texas
    If you can touch your bass and the hum stops, you've found your problem. Single coil pups are notorious about it. If your comfortable opening the controll cavity on your bass, check that no wires have come off.
     
  4. Jul 3, 2003 #4
    Matthew Bryson

    Matthew Bryson Guest

    Jul 30, 2001
    It happens with both my Ibanez (dual ceramic humbuckers with active EQ) and my P clone (cheap split P type p/up) and it didn't happen before I moved so I am suspecting that it is the wall outlet - or it could be my amp. How can I determine if it is the bass, the amp, or the house?
     
  5. Jul 3, 2003 #5
    mans0n

    mans0n

    Jun 15, 2002
    plug the amp into different outlets
    use a different live cable for the bass to the amp
    take the amp to someone elses house
    ....etc etc ! this should be easy ;-)
     
  6. Jul 3, 2003 #6
    Wrong Robot

    Wrong Robot Guest

    Apr 8, 2002
    Have you tried moving to "higher ground"

    :p
     
  7. Jul 3, 2003 #7
    Michael Jewels

    Michael Jewels

    Nov 29, 2000
    Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
    When I first saw the title to this thread, I thought it was going to be about the Earth not yielding crops. :rolleyes: :confused: :p

    Mike :D
     
  8. Jul 3, 2003 #8
    Wrong Robot

    Wrong Robot Guest

    Apr 8, 2002

    But that was only 'Till you saw the content.

    :p
     
  9. Jul 3, 2003 #9
    Michael Jewels

    Michael Jewels

    Nov 29, 2000
    Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
    DOH! :D

    Where's Thrash_Jazz when I need him?

    Have a safe 4th of July everyone. ;)

    Mike
     
  10. Jul 8, 2003 #10
    fclefgeoff

    fclefgeoff Supporting Member

    Jan 3, 2002
    Illinois
    Computer monitors and florescent lighting can cause my bass to hum at times. Just a thought...