Problem with hum cancelling pickups

[Jarkko Tapano]

Hi

Recently bought an Aguilar 4J-HC set and asked a tech to install them in to G&L MJ-4 bass. Bass sounds otherwise great but theres strange problem with d-string volume. It has low volume compared to other strings and for example g-string is very loud. I have tried to adjust pickup height but without any success. I also noticed that polepiece under d-string buzzes when touched with flnger. Other polepieces are silent.
What could be wrong?

 

[Warpeg]

Take it back to the tech and have him correct the issues.

 

[Slater]

I also noticed that polepiece under d-string buzzes when touched with flnger. Other polepieces are silent.

It could be that the D-string pole piece is not making proper contact with the shielding/ground. I don’t know if this would also be the cause of the inconsistent volume issue.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Contact Aguilar, the tech. can't fix a wonky pickup:

Contact

 

[Jarkko Tapano]

Thank you for the answers. Another strange thing is that both pickups (neck+bridge) have the same issue.
I sent Aguilar mail, got wiring instructions back. Tech have checked all wires and they are OK.

 

[dude110]

I'd email Aguilar. They are super responsive. Heck Dave Boonshoft might even reply himself, he fields customer service inquires sometimes.

Having said that, I know they are closed up, more or less due to the situation in NYC right now, so I don't know about them repairing things right now. But maybe you can do an exchange with whoever sold them too you?

 

[ex-tension]

Another strange thing is that both pickups (neck+bridge) have the same issue.

Maybe there is a problem with the string?

 

[dude110]

Maybe there is a problem with the string?

Are the pickups installed int he right direction? I don't know that the coils are wound evenly in these. The wire leads from the pickups should be closest to the control cavity/floor.

 

[groove pump]

If both pickups are doing it, I'd say the string, the nut slot, and/or the saddle at the bridge deserve some scrutiny. That's where my brain wants to go...

...but my brain is tiny and space is limited

 

[Jarkko Tapano]

Maybe there is a problem with the string?

The strings are quite new and d-string sounds acoustically OK, so I don't think it is problem with string.
And It shouldn't cause that buzz?

 

[Jarkko Tapano]

Are the pickups installed int he right direction? I don't know that the coils are wound evenly in these. The wire leads from the pickups should be closest to the control cavity/floor.

Yes they are in the right direction

 

[Jarkko Tapano]

If both pickups are doing it, I'd say the string, the nut slot, and/or the saddle at the bridge deserve some scrutiny. That's where my brain wants to go...

...but my brain is tiny and space is limited

The strings seems to be OK, but I'll check the nut slot and bridge, even though it sounds acoustically OK

 

[ex-tension]

...d-string sounds acoustically OK, so I don't think it is problem with string.
And It shouldn't cause that buzz?

The problem with the string might be magnetic.
The buzz would be another problem, coincidence.

 

[impacs]

That is a weird problem. One thing to try is to check that all of the strings are properly grounded.
You can do this by using a volt/ohm meter and checking for continuity between each string and the ground on your output jack.
The meter should show continuity between the jack shield and all of strings.
Hope that helps -