overwhelming Noise 1994 Peavy Foundation Bridge Pickup

[James Pass]

I'd like to take it out, look for wiring issues to determine whether or not it's done correctly and if need be, replace it with a comparable pickup, even if I have to "fit it" with one. Have no idea what it's supposed to look like. Neck pickup is quiet and responsive. Could this be a problem with the cable jack, as well? Thanks.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

First, welcome to Talkbass. Now, can you describe the noise? Did this issue just happen? Does anything affect the noise, such as direction or touching metal/strings/bridge? Is there any output from the pickup? If the neck pickup functions fine then the issue likely is not in the cable or amp.

 

[James Pass]

First, welcome to Talkbass. Now, can you describe the noise? Did this issue just happen? Does anything affect the noise, such as direction or touching metal/strings/bridge? Is there any output from the pickup? If the neck pickup functions fine then the issue likely is not in the cable or amp.

Thanks, I appreciate your reply. I never played it before. So after taking it out of the box it came in, I plugged it in and the noise was there, really bad. The noise is typical guitar pickup buzz-on steroids! The neck pickup is perfect and quiet. I tried knocking on it to make sure it was that pickup to double check and it definitely is. The entire signal volume and noise on that pickup increases with volume from amp. No crackle or pop just buzz. Something is toaste or crossed up in there. But then I read it could be the input jack connection/wiring. Again, thank you so much for getting back to me. Look forward to your advice.
JP

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Thanks, I appreciate your reply. I never played it before. So after taking it out of the box it came in, I plugged it in and the noise was there, really bad. The noise is typical guitar pickup buzz-on steroids! The neck pickup is perfect and quiet. I tried knocking on it to make sure it was that pickup to double check and it definitely is. The entire signal volume and noise on that pickup increases with volume from amp. No crackle or pop just buzz. Something is toaste or crossed up in there. But then I read it could be the input jack connection/wiring. Again, thank you so much for getting back to me. Look forward to your advice.
JP

Can you pop open the bass and check the pickups wiring? I'm thinking there is an issue in the ground connection.

 

[James Pass]

Can you pop open the bass and check the pickups wiring? I'm thinking there is an issue in the ground connection.

Only one black wire connected to it.i included a coupl pics.

 

[kodiakblair]

@James Pass
I think DM meant open the control cavity. Give me five minutes and I'll post a photo of the insides of mine OK.

 

[kodiakblair]

OK for once I managed a decent photo The black wire is just a sleeve. Inside there's a thin braid,thin red and a thin black. The thin red will be solldered to the middle lug,the braid and thin black to the back of the pot.

 

[James Pass]

OK for once I managed a decent photo The black wire is just a sleeve. Inside there's a thin braid,thin red and a thin black. The thin red will be solldered to the middle lug,the braid and thin black to the back of the pot.
View attachment 1201229

That is a nice pic, easy to compare the two. I'll take the cover off and post a few pics see what you guys think. Man, I hope it's an easy fix, I would love playing this baby. Hope to post sooner than later, again thank you both, so very much

 

[James Pass]

That is a nice pic, easy to compare the two. I'll take the cover off and post a few pics see what you guys think. Man, I hope it's an easy fix, I would love playing this baby. Hope to post sooner than later, again thank you both, so very much

Oh, and a question that would be helpful, which one of those lines in the pic, is the bridge pickup?
And is the one on the right the mix pot for the two? And what's a pot anyway and those little pouches with tentacles coming out of them?

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Oh, and a question that would be helpful, which one of those lines in the pic, is the bridge pickup?
And is the one on the right the mix pot for the two? And what's a pot anyway and those little pouches with tentacles coming out of them?

If you check the picture, you can see the input jack on the right-hand side. That should make the bridge pickup be on the right-hand side. At a quick glance, the red is hot and the black is ground with the green wire to connect the pots. A "pot" is a potentiometer. If you are not comfortable with a soldering iron and basic electronics, this may be something worth taking to a professional.

 

[kodiakblair]

Yeah the bridge pickup pot is in the middle and the wire for it is the one to the right. It's not a "mix" pot though the Foundation 5 is 2 Volume and 1 Tone.

Like DM says get help with the soldering if you're not comfortable doing it. I'd offer to do it but with me over in Scotland I'd need very long arms

 

[James Pass]

If you check the picture, you can see the input jack on the right-hand side. That should make the bridge pickup be on the right-hand side. At a quick glance, the red is hot and the black is ground with the green wire to connect the pots. A "pot" is a potentiometer. If you are not comfortable with a soldering iron and basic electronics, this may be something worth taking to a professional.

Well, let me pop open the back and send u a pic or two of the one I own. I should get reacquainted with a soldering iron. It's been a long time. Well, first things first.......

 

[James Pass]

Yeah the bridge pickup pot is in the middle and the wire for it is the one to the right. It's not a "mix" pot though the Foundation 5 is 2 Volume and 1 Tone.

Like DM says get help with the soldering if you're not comfortable doing it. I'd offer to do it but with me over in Scotland I'd need very long arms

So, the one one the left is the neck volume, and the one on the right is tone?

 

[kodiakblair]

Correct James.

 

[James Pass]

So, the one one the left is the neck volume, and the one on the right is tone?

Hmm, ok, I'll post a pick when I open it on up, again very grateful!

 

[James Pass]

Well this is what it looks like:

 

[James Pass]

What do u think?

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Well this is what it looks like:

It is hard to see the connections in the pics but it all appears fine. Do you have a meter to test the pickup with?

 

[M.R. Ogle]

On one of the volume pots, the red wire (from the pickup) goes to the lug on the pot, on the other pickup it appears the red wire goes to the case of the other volume pot.

Don't know if this is a phase or blend setup (might be correct) but it seems odd.

 

[James Pass]

It is hard to see the connections in the pics but it all appears fine. Do you have a meter to test the pickup with?

Thanks for getting back to me on this. What type of meter are you referring to?
I do have a meter to check A/C and D/C outputs. Is that what you're speaking of?
I believe this is a passive pickup, if that helps. Many Thanks
JP