Yamaha BB415 hum problem

[kramerj]

I have played this Yammie 5-string for about a year and like it a lot. It performs admirably in a large rock setting. However, for quieter gigs with a trio, I sit near the amp, and the hum is quite noticeable. It doesn't seem to vary much with selection of pickup (single-coil, humbucker, both) or with position of bass relative to the amp.

Have other owners dealt with this? I asked the local guitar tech about shielding it better but he wasn't sure he could make much of an improvement. The quick fix is to put the amp further away---but I wanted to see if anyone has experimented with shielding upgrades.

Thanks,
John

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I think all you can do is change the shielding or install some sort of stacked humbucking jazz pickup in the bridge position. Hum is a natural byproduct of P/J basses if the J is a true single coil.

 

[bassplayer7770]

I think all you can do is change the shielding or install some sort of stacked humbucking jazz pickup in the bridge position. Hum is a natural byproduct of P/J basses if the J is a true single coil.

But it should basically go away when the P pickup is soloed. Kramer, is that not the case?

 

[stingray56funk]

Have you tested other basses in the same setting using the same instrument cables? I say shield the bass and check your cables. Past that...don't turn towards your amp.

 

[kramerj]

Substituting basses to check the cables is a good idea--I will do that. The bass hums with more than one amp, so that part of the signal chain isn't the problem. And yes, it does hum with the p-pickup (humbucker) soloed.

 

[Kipaste]

I own the four string and there is absolutely no hum with the P pickup soloed and even the single coil is pretty quiet, at least compared to some other J basses. So after checking all the cables and amp, I'd give a peek at the electronics.