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Yamaha BB owners: Question about single coil hum.

M

Mola Ram

Jan 18, 2010
260
3
Chicago
#1
I'm THIIIIIIIIIIIIS close to pulling the trigger on either the BB425X or BB1025X. I recently heard that when it's set to only the single coil bridge pickup the hum can be an issue.

In a lot of my projects I tend to solo the bridge pickup and I was wondering if anyone had any insight. And when I tried it out the other week I honestly didn't notice it much but I was in a music store and the volume wasn't set very high. Is the hum out of control or is it barely there? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
 
#5
I've used my 80's BB3000s in the studio with both pickups on and it records fabulously. if you are getting hum in the studio just spin yourself around 90 degrees and it will go away. Also the level of the hum is much much lower than the level of the notes coming out of the bass. you'll never hear it in a band context. Just save yourself embarrassment between songs and turn down the volume of the neck pickup until the drummer starts counting off the next tune. check out waht Marcus Miller has to say about single coils here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

"One drawback with using individual pick-ups on the Jazz is that if you have one pick-up set significantly louder than the other, you get a buzz that your average engineer will complain about. When I do choose to use only the back pick-up, I notify the engineer to expect a buzz. If he really complains, I keep all the pick-ups up full until the song starts, then I quickly turn down one pick-up!! No one ever notices the buzz once the music starts! " Marcus Miller from Marcusmiller.com under FAQ specifically: What's the difference between a Fender Precision and a Fender Jazz?" question.
 
#7
Real quick question on this. I have also been thinking that when I do get this bass that I would try to swap the 3 way selector with a blend pot (I dig the bridge pickup but sometimes on my other basses I dial in like 15% of the neck for a little beef). Would that do anything to the hum or is it basically the same concept in a different application?
 
#8
Mine has volume, volume, tone. but the general consensus on PJ basses is that they sound better with a switch. If you do go with the blend pot be certain to get the right type. some will lower to total output in the middle position. I would recommend VVT over a blend. it's a great bass, don't worry about the hum, Led Zeppelin never cared!
 
#10
Thanks again, Drosko. For that brief time that I actually played the bass I think I actually found the middle position to be the most enjoyable. It was a lot punchier than most other basses I own when its set similiarly.

The tone of the bass and the feel of the neck are totally going to be enough for me to deal with a bit-o-hum. Now if I could just figure out if the extra $400 is worth it for the 1025X.....
 
#11
The passive 80s Fender Jazz Bass Special (PJ pickups) came with V-V-T and a 3 way switch. Pretty versatile IMO, but the stock J pickup did hum.

I played a Yamaha BB450 (PJ) a few times; it had V-T with a 3 way switch. I missed being able to adjust the 2 pickup volumes independently.

Now, I only use hum cancelling J pickups in JJ or PJ basses.
 

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