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Stringray Special audible buzz

sgiacomo

sgiacomo

Supporting Member
Feb 26, 2012
776
2,332
Tulsa
#1
During sound check last night we noticed a buzzing signal noise when I was using my new Stingray Special https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-music-man-stingray-special-4h.1639862/

My other basses did not have the same problem on either amp I tried. The buzzing noise goes away when I touch the strings or bridge, etc. like a ground connection is loose. Is that even a thing on these? I’ve never had a Music Man before so am unsure what to expect. I’ve reached out to the dealer but also curious what you all with more experience have seen/heard in this regard.
Thanks!
 
#4
“Some basses you must actually be playing it (touching the strings) to complete the ground. Just as there are some basses that you can not use coated strings as they create buzzing size they do not complete a ground between you and the bass as the coating is not conductive.

I will reach out to Ernie Ball regarding it.”

This is what I received back via email. I guess I’ll wait and see but have to disagree with this initial response from the dealer.
 
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#5
The buzz you are talking about is because of a lack of shielding. When there is no shielding interference from electrical devices, lighting etc can be amplified through your pickups. If you touch the strings or bridge and the buzz goes away then that means it is properly grounded. I just posted the same thing in the Retro 70’s club. Just fixed mine today! All you need is some copper shielding tape and a wire to connect both cavities. I also had to do the same for my Stingray Special BTW.
See post #9
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ebmm-retro-70s-stingray-club.1638438/
 
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#6
sgiacomo said:
“Some basses you must actually be playing it (touching the strings) to complete the ground. Just as there are some basses that you can not use coated strings as they create buzzing size they do not complete a ground between you and the bass as the coating is not conductive.

I will reach out to Ernie Ball regarding it.”

This is what I received back via email. I guess I’ll wait and see but have to disagree with this initial response from the dealer.
Click to expand...
Totally disagree with the dealer.

Music Man service is usually very good, for me. But I’ve not had that problem, the need to reach out to them with a Music Man bass before.

Besides, and this will tick off the “Send it back, it’s new!” crowd (they could use some excitement these days), I know how to address that issue anyway, so I would most likely take care of it myself.

Good luck with it. Let us know what you find out, please.
 
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#9
Geri O said:
Totally disagree with the dealer.

Music Man service is usually very good, for me. But I’ve not had that problem, the need to reach out to them with a Music Man bass before.

Besides, and this will tick off the “Send it back, it’s new!” crowd (they could use some excitement these days), I know how to address that issue anyway, so I would most likely take care of it myself.

Good luck with it. Let us know what you find out, please.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The dealer requested a video of the issue so I obliged of course. I’d rather take care of it myself but not sure what the issue is, ground, shield, whatever. I’ll wait to hear back from the dealer and update
 
#10
ics1974 said:
The buzz you are talking about is because of a lack of shielding. When there is no shielding interference from electrical devices, lighting etc can be amplified through your pickups. If you touch the strings or bridge and the buzz goes away then that means it is properly grounded. I just posted the same thing in the Retro 70’s club. Just fixed mine today! All you need is some copper shielding tape and a wire to connect both cavities. I also had to do the same for my Stingray Special BTW.
See post #9
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ebmm-retro-70s-stingray-club.1638438/
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I don’t like the fact that a ~$3000 bass needs any additional work to eliminate an obvious problem. Not that it’s a big deal to do the shielding or fix a ground, just standing on principle to see what kind of support I get.
 
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#12
ics1974 said:
Not a grounding issue. Shielding issue.
This is how to fix. I followed this and fixed mine.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the information. If shielding is needed then I feel a new bass at this price point should already have it. Just my opinion but also my money that was spent. We shall see what the dealer and Ernie Ball says before I touch anything on it.
 
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#14
sgiacomo said:
Thanks for the information. If shielding is needed then I feel a new bass at this price point should already have it. Just my opinion but also my money that was spent. We shall see what the dealer and Ernie Ball says before I touch anything on it.
Click to expand...

My Serek Armitage needed shielding and I've had some G&L USA that needed it. It's not necessarily the bass's fault but just the electrical wiring of wherever you're playing highlighting the problem. Yeah it's annoying and I wish everyone would shield just in case, but I don't personally give it a knock against the builder at any price point.

But definitely get some shielding foil tape and do it yourself. It'll take you like a half hour, if that. I didn't watch the lobster video but I've done it without even unsoldering anything.
 
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#15
fourstringdrums said:
My Serek Armitage needed shielding and I've had some G&L USA that needed it. It's not necessarily the bass's fault but just the electrical wiring of wherever you're playing highlighting the problem. Yeah it's annoying and I wish everyone would shield just in case, but I don't personally give it a knock against the builder at any price point.

But definitely get some shielding foil tape and do it yourself. It'll take you like a half hour, if that. I didn't watch the lobster video but I've done it without even unsoldering anything.
Click to expand...
I have shielding tape already but I’m not getting my point across very well. My other basses don’t have this issue; two different amps in three environments. My Fender Am Pro II Precision is dead silent, Am Pro II Jazz is quiet but has the typical J bass pickup buzz when volume pots aren’t both dimed. My Yamaha BBP34 has some noise with the J pickup rolled up but is dead silent with only the P pickup. This Stingray buzz is much louder than any bass I’ve ever owned. Since it’s new, I want to see what the dealer and/or manufacturer have to say. Consumers accepting this as normal is why we have this crap to deal with in the first place IMHO
 
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#16
sgiacomo said:
“Some basses you must actually be playing it (touching the strings) to complete the ground. Just as there are some basses that you can not use coated strings as they create buzzing size they do not complete a ground between you and the bass as the coating is not conductive.

I will reach out to Ernie Ball regarding it.”

This is what I received back via email. I guess I’ll wait and see but have to disagree with this initial response from the dealer.
Click to expand...

What a load of BS.
Ignore that, and contact EB instead.

By the way, long shot but it's the hardware on your bass black by any chance?
 
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#17
Trying to figure out if maybe I’m crazy or deaf, but….

I’ve owned 6 Stingray SR5s, including my 5-month old Stingray Special 5H.

Not once have I had to address hum, buzz, or noise problems with any of them. They’ve all been recorded at some point and noise was never a problem.

I’ve had to add shielding to all the Fenders I’ve owned.

As for problems with a new bass, I suggested you reach out to Music Man.

And what I do about issues on a bass, new or otherwise is my own damn business.

I’ll not take any guff about it, either.

Whatever, good luck.
 
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