PDA

View Full Version : Hummmmmmmm


rjgoos
18th January 2005, 6.59 pm
Well I started on my second tap instrument 9 days ago, and it is almost done, after spending two weekends and scattered hours during the week.

It is a 34" scale, 8-string unit, tuned in 4ths and 5ths (essentially, like a Stick, but leaving off the low low bass string and the highest melody string). My thought was to have a travel instrument (not much money in it, mono output, could play with just an effects pedal and set of headphones or a little cube amp in a motel room, etc.).

I was pleasantly surprised how well and how fast it went together.

My problem is the dang hum from the pickup. Yes, it is a single-coil "J-bass" pickup, and I know that some hum is inevitable...but not THAT much!!

I don't think it is a shielding problem for the most part. I can take the entire pickup assembly out of the instrument, encase the whole works in aluminum foil, and the hum doesn't go down much.

Any suggestions? I plan on getting a hum-cancelling pickup for my third instrument, but any suggestions for this single-coil unit would be appreciated.

Jay

James
18th January 2005, 7.58 pm
I'm sure you've tried it already, but CRT screens can cause all sorts of interference. If you have such a monitor and you're playing it near your computer switching the monitor off might help

Do you have any pictures or audio samples of your instrument? I'm eager to see it!

Nailhead
19th January 2005, 1.24 pm
What kind of lighting you have?
Fluorescent tubes may cause more interference than "bulbs". (Of course only when the lighting is ON)

rockola
20th January 2005, 1.51 am
Originally posted by rjgoos
My problem is the dang hum from the pickup. Yes, it is a single-coil "J-bass" pickup, and I know that some hum is inevitable...but not THAT much!!

You have a grounding problem. Try running a wire from the pickup base plate to the bridge and see what happens. Depending on your wiring, the ground problem may be elsewhere, so I suggest you read up on guitar wiring and troubleshooting.

The other suggestions about avoiding CRTs, fluorescent lights etc. are spot on also.