Problem after re wireing

[Eric Bates]

I eliminated the tone and volume pots in my Squier p bass. Now I have a loud hum. The only thing that is different is having no pots. I've read a lot about grounding and shealding and all the possible reasons for the hum but I'm curious if there is anything associated with eliminating the pots that could cause this problem.

 

[Ronbeast]

I'd say it's probably a case where removing the grounding (usually there is a wire grounded to the back of the potentiometer) caused the buzzing and then it was never properly grounded after the pots were removed. Did you reattach your bridge ground wire to anything?

 

[Eric Bates]

I have the pups, bridge and jack tied together and have good continuity between the 3.

 

[ddnidd1]

Cold solder joint ?

Post a picture.

 

[Eric Bates]

I used small wire nuts to re connect positive and negative wires after cutting out the pots. The connections at the pups and output jack are the original solder joint. I can't get a picture right now.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Did you rewire or replace the output Jack? If so check to insure you didn't reverse the wire

 

[line6man]

I'm curious if there is anything associated with eliminating the pots that could cause this problem.

It is doubtful that removing the pots has caused the problem, however, it should be noted that when you remove the pots, you decrease the load on the pickups, shifting their resonant frequency upward. This gives you a more clear tone, with more treble. If there is high frequency noise, then it would become more prominent, because of this.

You did not specify the kind of hum that you are dealing with. Is it 60Hz hum, or a high frequency hiss/whine, or something else?

 

[line6man]

I used small wire nuts to re connect positive and negative wires after cutting out the pots. The connections at the pups and output jack are the original solder joint. I can't get a picture right now.

Don't use wire nuts. Solder the connections properly.

 

[Eric Bates]

I kept the existing output jack and didn't change the connections. I'm happy to try anything but curious what the thought on the wire nuts is? I have good continuity through the wire nut, but that could still be the problem?

 

[line6man]

I kept the existing output jack and didn't change the connections. I'm happy to try anything but curious what the thought on the wire nuts is? I have good continuity through the wire nut, but that could still be the problem?

The connection is not reliable, especially given that it must be subject to a lot of vibration, over time.

 

[Eric Bates]

And, it's not a hiss or whine.

 

[ex-tension]

I eliminated the tone and volume pots in my Squier p bass. Now I have a loud hum.

Are you sure about the correct 'tip' and 'sleeve' connections on the output jack? The bridge is connected on the tip or sleeve? It's easy to get confused about these connections.

 

[Eric Bates]

I just took the wire from the bridge, the ground wire already connected to the out put jack and the ground from the pups and connected them together

 

[ex-tension]

That sounds OK.
How did you decide "the ground wire already connected to the out put jack" is the ground?

 

[Eric Bates]

It was bare (typically the ground) and connected to the ground bus through out the existing wireing with the pots.

 

[ex-tension]

In this case the only problem could be a bad connection. Try to disconnect your wires and connect them again.

 

[Eric Bates]

Ok, thanks for the help. I'll go through it tonight and make solid connections and hope that works.

 

[isher1992]

I used small wire nuts to re connect positive and negative wires after cutting out the pots. The connections at the pups and output jack are the original solder joint. I can't get a picture right now.

Why do people use wire caps? Just get a cheap soldering iron, 60/40 rosin core solder, some rosin and wire strippers.

Wire caps are easy to remove, but not the best idea for audio.

 

[Eric Bates]

Do you really want an answer about the wire nuts or did you just want to tell me I'm dumb?

 

[Matthew_84]

Ok, thanks for the help. I'll go through it tonight and make solid connections and hope that works.

After you wire it, but before you mount the pickguard back on, try it and see if it's resolved. If not, snap a pic. Maybe something will catch our eye.