Jazz bass Hum

[DarkStar90]

I just recently installed a stack knob setup and a jaguar switch plate in my jazz bass. I've double checked the wiring according to the diagrams many times. I tried re-soldering all the connections and ground leads in all other possible ways. Im using Dark Star pickups.

Still it produces a horrible hum that can vary from loud to soft hum. It goes away when i touch the control plate or pickups, but increases when i touch the switch plate. I've included a photo of the bass, to give anyone an idea. The bridge is also grounded, i even removed the bridge and made sure the wire to the ground was positioned properly. What can i do?

http://instagram.com/p/M6ULdkvnmc/

 

[kesh]

Did the wiring diagram have both plates and pickup shields wired to ground/each other?

Also do you have copper tape/conductive paint in the cavities?

 

[DarkStar90]

I used this wiring diagram:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/60-61-jazz-stack-knob-diagram-correct-630205/

then just added a capacitor switch on the bridge pickup's pot, and a killswitch, one of the switches is inactive.

I dont have any sheilding. I didnt think it would be necessary as the bass was silent before i added the switches (which function as the should)

 

[mech]

... It goes away when i touch the control plate or pickups, but increases when i touch the switch plate....

Ground the switch plate.

mech

 

[kesh]

I'm kind of anal, but I use screened cable for the signal wire, and screen every cavity with copper tape.

But yeah, ground the switch plate.

 

[DarkStar90]

Ok, so, should i just solder a ground wire to the plate directly? How can i get the solder to stick to the plate? Flux?

 

[mech]

Ok, so, should i just solder a ground wire to the plate directly? How can i get the solder to stick to the plate? Flux?

The plate is probably chrome plated and solder will not stick to chrome. Run a ground wire and clamp the bare end between the plate and the wood close to one of the mounting screws. I have several instruments with shielding on control pocket covers that are grounded this way. If the switches have metal bodies you can solder to a switch body. Prep the area with a piece of sandpaper to remove any surface sealer and tin the area before soldering the wire on.

mech

 

[kesh]

If the switches have metal bodies you can solder to a switch body.
mech

I would also run a ground to all three switch bodies, if they are metal cased switches

 

[DarkStar90]

Grounded one of the switches. Didn't feel it was necessary to try and cram three grounds for each switch if the screws are touching the plate. But it solved my problem. Thanks guys.

 

[mech]

You're welcome. Always good to hear when something works.

 

[DarkStar90]

It still has a bit of noise, but my other jazzes do too. but nowhere near what it was before. perhaps shielding would help, but for now, im not worried. anyway, yea thanks.

 

[kesh]

It still has a bit of noise, but my other jazzes do too. but nowhere near what it was before. perhaps shielding would help, but for now, im not worried. anyway, yea thanks.

jazz pickups are (usually) single coil, so will hum.

you can get noise-cancelling jazz pickups.

 

[jmorton]

what they said

 

[DarkStar90]

Im aware. Dark Stars are single coil. Its not the cycle hum i'm talking about. The Dark Stars are probably the quietest single coils I've ever used.