Wind through a mic sound coming from on-board EQ

[Tom_Cadence]

I've just bought an Ibanez 1505 MS EHB and its fantastic, or was. I've noticed that after around an hour of playing i'm getting what's best described as a "thumping wind through a mic" sound. It just starts, seemingly random "blowing wind" strengths and happens when not playing any strings. It also appears to happen when not moving (like statue still) so I don't think it's a loose wire. The bass has a neutrik locking jack so it's unlikely the jack either.

Originally I thought it may have been the battery, changed for a fresh one and the issue keeps happening.

I first noticed it when playing through my pedal board into a DAW and thought it may be due to this or the power in the house. I had band practice last night at a different venue, going through the same pedal board into my head/cab and had the same issue. Plugged directly into my head (Orange BassTerror 500) and still the same issue.

I'm 100% sure it's the bass at this point.
The bass has a EQ bypass switch which appears to cut the issue described here but that could be as with the EQ engaged the signal is way hotter than with it disengaged.

The pups are Nordstrand big split customs so where it's not outside the realms of possibility, I don't think it's an issue with them.

I've not come across this particular issue before. Any ideas what may be causing it and/or suggestions on how to fix?

 

[Snaxster]

The bass has a EQ bypass switch which appears to cut the issue described here but that could be as with the EQ engaged the signal is way hotter than with it disengaged.

Hello Tom. Of the conditions you described, the EQ bypass seems the most promising indicator of the cause. My sense is that a single component is dying, and it is on the EQ side of that switch.

The pups are Nordstrand big split customs so where it's not outside the realms of possibility, I don't think it's an issue with them.

Although I am inclined to agree: do you have a way of proving this? For example, if you move these pickups to a different bass and the noise appears there, too, then you will know that at least one of the pickups is the cause.


If it were mine, and I could not isolate the failing part or connection, I would resort to replacing the preamp.

Good Luck!

 

[Tom_Cadence]

Cheers, I've ended up taking it back to PMT. They couldn't replicate the issue which is a bit worrying in itself but have gone above and beyond with customer service. They're getting a new bass shipped to store and restringing it for me so can't complain!