P bass buzzing w/tone turned up

[Michael Mark]

Hey all,

Just joined here; have been reading the forums for a while since I started playing bass last year. This site is quite the resource!

My setup question: I have a 2021 Player Precision that buzzes when the tone is up. No buzzing at all when the tone is rolled off, but with the tone up, it'll buzz unless I touch the strings/any metal part of the bass.

I've read that buzzing can be a grounding/shielding issue— is it normal for this to occur only when the tone is turned up? Is this an issue that can be fixed easily at home or should I take the bass to someone?

Thanks!

Michael

 

[bootstrap]

Easily fixed at home. Lobster provides a decent tutorial:

 

[Derek Kay]

Agree with the utube video

Still better:
Replace the PU wires with coaxial shielded cables, if your bass hasn't already got them.
Most replacement PUs now come shielded this way.

 

[MynameisMe]

Even though you've been a lurker for a while, welcome to TalkBass!

 

[Michael Mark]

Thanks!!

 

[White Crown]

Ill add that the shielded pickup wire you would use does not need to be coaxially symmetrical. You only need coax for things like rf signal, and in those applications the impedence of the cable itself may be important for standing wave ratio, none of which would be applicable to guitar pickups. You simply need shielded wire, you may even use something like twisted pair and only connect one conductor. This may be semantics in this space and im new here, but to me it would be very confusing being told to use coax. Regular shielded wire is also thinner, less expensive, and probably easier to route and connect.

 

[sissy kathy]

Shielding with paint or copper is easier and safer than replacing the pickup wires with shielded wire. The coil wires and insulation are pretty fragile, even for professionals, I don't recommend amateurs trying this. Further, using shielded wire doesn't shield the circuit 100%; you still have unshielded circuitry exposed around the controls, jacks, and the coils; and don't forget the jumper between the two halves. Shielding with paint or copper provides a 100% shield. IMO you should only have shielded wires in a hollow body where shielding is impractical.

 

[bootstrap]

Agree with the recommendation to not fuss with fragile pickup leads and solder points. DAMHIK. On the other hand I'm the proud owner of a great-sounding stock-wind Fralin.

 

[andare]

My Player was the same. It was supposed to be shielded but the paint had been applied sloppily, without covering the whole cavity and without continuity, so I shielded it with copper tape and then it was totally silent.

One more vote for absolutely not touching the pickup wires. It won't solve the issue anyway.