• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

MM style humbuckers with no exposed poles?

I'm getting a pretty nasty buzz when I touch the pole pieces of my Aguilar AG4M that is installed in a SBMM Ray 4 with a John East preamp.

I know I could go down a rabbit hole of trying to isolate the grounding issue, but I'm liking the look of the MM pickups that don't have exposed pole pieces and figure I could potentially kill two birds with one stone.

Would I be correct in thinking that no exposed pole pieces means no worrying about touching exposed poles and getting a buzz?

Who makes pickups like this? I know Aguilar, EMG, and Bartolini make them. Any others?
 
Does applying tape over the pole pieces help?

upload_2023-8-1_22-43-17.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: McSalterson
If poles are exposed at the bottom, you can apply conductive adhesive copper tape (the one usually used for shielding guitar cavities, available from Amazon). Then you'd solder a wire from that tape to the output jack ground. If not exposed, you can just put some stickers over, or a piece of tape. Make it an art project if you want.
 
  • Like
Reactions: McSalterson
I'm getting a pretty nasty buzz when I touch the pole pieces of my Aguilar AG4M that is installed in a SBMM Ray 4 with a John East preamp.

I know I could go down a rabbit hole of trying to isolate the grounding issue, but I'm liking the look of the MM pickups that don't have exposed pole pieces and figure I could potentially kill two birds with one stone.

Would I be correct in thinking that no exposed pole pieces means no worrying about touching exposed poles and getting a buzz?

Who makes pickups like this? I know Aguilar, EMG, and Bartolini make them. Any others?
Had one of these in a Wilcock bass I had recently. Sounded pretty good to me, although it was a short scale and the pickup sat closer to the P position so can't compare directly to a traditional MM / stingray.

Invalid Link Removed
 
  • Like
Reactions: McSalterson