Jazz Bass Hum

[Acousticdude]

I'm using a Fender Jazz Bass through a Markbass amp. Recently I've noticed that if I have my controls all the way up on my Bass the sound is crystal clear. If I try turning down the volume on my neck pickup I start getting some hum. Does anyone know what might be causing the hum?

 

[kcole4001]

The pickups cancel hum when both volumes are full up.
When you reduce one volume, the hum becomes evident.

I just finished modding my 4003 to duplicate this nice feature.

 

[johnk_10]

The pickups cancel hum when both volumes are full up.
When you reduce one volume, the hum becomes evident.

I just finished modding my 4003 to duplicate this nice feature.

but seriously, all single coil jazz basses do that.

 

[Labi]

I'm using a Fender Jazz Bass through a Markbass amp. Recently I've noticed that if I have my controls all the way up on my Bass the sound is crystal clear. If I try turning down the volume on my neck pickup I start getting some hum. Does anyone know what might be causing the hum?

You make it sound like there's something wrong.

 

[ClassicJazz]

Welcome to the land of the Jazz bass and the 60 cycle hum!

Every single coil jazz bass I've ever owned did that, just part of the allure of a Jazz.

 

[lindseyp]

The windings of a single coil pickup amplifies the 60Hz hum. In the past, some have said the hum disappears while you're playing, but that's not universally true. In my experience, it's rarely true. Ways to defeat it include keeping your palm near/on your bridge (on some basses), using a 10-band eq or a notch filter, and using a product like the Electro Harmonix Hum Debugger (look for vids on YouTube). I'm ordering a Hum debugger tomorrow to find out for myself.

 

[THORRR]

Fenders Noiseless pups that came on my MIM Active Jazz basses really work and have zero hum at any volume setting, plus 3 band EQ ! I love these basses and got both of them on Craigs List at different times for under $300 apiece. An unbelievable value with no negatives.

I believe these great pups are available for retrofitting in any Jazz bass.

 

[Jeff K]

I have DiMarzio Area J pickups in one of my Jazzes. They're hum-cancelling AND they sound great IMO.

 

[Mike M.]

Probably nothing that a good shielding wouldn't take care of.

This past weekend I picked up my old Jazz bass from the tech who installed a set of Seymour Duncan Antiquity II's for me. I've read here about a few folks complaining about how noisey they can be, but I've got no hum from mine. The tech shielded all the cavities, replaced the ground that goes to the bridge and it's quiet. Even standing very close to the amp with one pickup on, one off and with my hands not touching the strings I get no hum.

 

[-=DanAtkinson=-]

Yes, proper shielding will take care of that problem. PROPER shielding.

 

[johnk_10]

shielding will reduce the hum somewhat, but true single coils will always have some hum, no matter how well it's shielded.

 

[Nedmundo]

I have DiMarzio Area J pickups in one of my Jazzes. They're hum-cancelling AND they sound great IMO.

Yes, they are a true bargain in the world of noiseless Jazz bass pickups trying to duplicate classic single coil tone. I have noiseless Fralins and Nordstrands in other basses, and the much less expensive DiMarzios are legitimate alternatives. They really do sound great.

 

[kcole4001]

but seriously, all single coil jazz basses do that.

But it will still look and sound like a Jazz...

 

[Mike M.]

Yes, proper shielding will take care of that problem. PROPER shielding.

That's why I had the tech I know do it. I knew he'd do it right and he did.

 

[AcidFripp]

I have this hum, too. I don't really mind.

You guys make it sound like something brilliant.

Tell me why I should want hum? Is it, like, a rawness thing?

 

[johnk_10]

I have this hum, too. I don't really mind.

You guys make it sound like something brilliant.

Tell me why I should want hum? Is it, like, a rawness thing?

IMO, you shouldn't 'want it', but all stock vintage fender jazz basses have it, no matter how 'properly shielded' they are. shielding can reduce it, but not eliminate it, since alot of it is introduced into the front of the pickup (and all vintage type single coil pickups for that matter).

 

[Swampman Cory]

They don't think it be like it is, but it do.

 

[johnk_10]

They don't think it be like it is, but it do.

+1

 

[tevitag]

This past weekend I picked up my old Jazz bass from the tech who installed a set of Seymour Duncan Antiquity II's for me. I've read here about a few folks complaining about how noisey they can be, but I've got no hum from mine. The tech shielded all the cavities, replaced the ground that goes to the bridge and it's quiet. Even standing very close to the amp with one pickup on, one off and with my hands not touching the strings I get no hum.

Had these put into my MIA Jazz as well - same result as above!

 

[bassbenj]

Fenders Noiseless pups that came on my MIM Active Jazz basses really work and have zero hum at any volume setting, plus 3 band EQ ! I love these basses and got both of them on Craigs List at different times for under $300 apiece. An unbelievable value with no negatives.

I believe these great pups are available for retrofitting in any Jazz bass.

No negatives? I don't think so!
I've got those "noiseless" pickups on my MIM Jazz and yes they ARE noiseless! However, they are stacked coils and the tone leaves something to be desired. In the past I've tried Carvin stacked coils (not on a Fender) and my tone opinion was the same for them.

But there are lots of aftermarket hum-free pickups so I'm sure there are some out there that really come close to that single coil tone. Presently I'm going round and round trying to decide WHICH hum-free pups to lay down the cash for. I'm sort of leaning toward Nordys at the moment.