| HUMMMMMMMMMMMM [message #7272] |
Wed, 09 August 2006 12:11  |
BC
Messages: 583
Registered: March 2000
Location: Kentucky
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Senior Member |
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All right technical types....I need your expertise AGAIN! Friday night I am in Springfield,IL in one of the best clubs I have seen in 30+ years of playing music. Easy loading for the band....great acoustics....I can not say enough about this well thought out place. The only negative was the power. I am planning on using my 4001 Ric and a 250 head with 2x15 Altec 421. When I turn everything on....MMMMMMMMMMMMM. OK, so I change the instrument cord.....same thing. Tried a different electric outlet...ditto. So I switch to a known good 200 head....same thing....switch to the Jazz bass and get the same result until I turn both volumes wide open. Somewhere in the back of my mind I recalled the Jazz was "hum canceling" with both controls open because of a reverse winding of the bridge pickup. SO....I made it through the night but I never played the Ric and I had no volume adjustment on the bass. There was no problem with either the Guitar or the Keys player. I have had minor problems through the years but nothing like this.I would like to know if there is a way I can get around this using single coils?  BC
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| Re: HUMMMMMMMMMMMM [message #7280 is a reply to message #7272] |
Wed, 09 August 2006 12:47  |
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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BC:
Hey, if you'd teach them the words, they wouldn't have to hum!
Both Jazz and Precision basses are "hum cancelling", but as you found out on the Jazz Bass, it only works when both pickups are full on. Think of it this way, each pickup is one coil of a 2-coil humbucking pickup. When either pickup is turned on by itself, it's a single coil (just like the Rick's are) and is prone to hum pick-up.
My guess would be that the problem in the club is stray EMF. What kind of lighting was in the area of the stage? Could you twist or turn yourself to quiet the hum? Anything with a AC transformer can cause all kinds of hum in single coils. Did you try standing on the other areas of the stage, where the keyboard or guitar player was? It may be that only one area of the stage is a problem.
Switching to humbuckers and shielding the inside cavities of the bass are a couple of ways to minimize the hum pick-up. But what would be best, would be to find and eliminate the source of the EMF. Does the club have a soundman on staff? If so, he may know of the problem, and could help you the next time you play there.
Bill
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| Re: HUMMMMMMMMMMMM [message #7282 is a reply to message #7277] |
Wed, 09 August 2006 12:52 |
BC
Messages: 583
Registered: March 2000
Location: Kentucky
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Steven.....I forgot to mention that I tried a ground lift on the 250 as it has a 3 prong connector, I also killed the flourescents and that did not help. There WAS an elaborate lighting system in the room and I am sure there were dimmer packs. Ironically, the guitar player had the same problem the next night with his Strat in another club......and I was fine with the Ric and the 250! Looks like it is time to look at power conditioners. Any brand/model suggestions? BC
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| Re: HUMMMMMMMMMMMM [message #7283 is a reply to message #7280] |
Wed, 09 August 2006 12:58 |
BC
Messages: 583
Registered: March 2000
Location: Kentucky
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Senior Member |
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Thanks Bill.....yes! Twisting would make the humm worse or better but it was entirely too loud at the lowest humm volume. I need to find a solution as we will be back at that club again later in the year. Their lighting and sound guys are not at a level where they would be any help. Thanks! BC
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| Re: HUMMMMMMMMMMMM [message #7517 is a reply to message #7283] |
Sat, 16 September 2006 15:12 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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BC:
I just read a new product sheet from Electro Harmonix, and saw something that may help you here. They have just announced a new pedal called the "Hum Bugger". It is supposed to eliminate the hum from any signal line, regardless of the source.
I have not seen it or tried it yet (it doesn't ship til next month), but it may be a cure for your problems at this club.
If you check it out, let us all know what you think.
Bill
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| Re: HUMMMMMMMMMMMM [message #7594 is a reply to message #7272] |
Mon, 25 September 2006 12:47 |
ZiggyDude
Messages: 24
Registered: May 2006
Location: Harrisburg PA
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Junior Member |
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That is one idea I guess!
I forgot to mention that I have gotten a Furman power conditioner - the one with the read out of how good your voltage is and the lights. Besides being really cool looking it has stopped my problems with noise. It is great and I won't gig without it now. Built a little platform for it that sits on the amp head and provides a surface for EQs, tuner and Yukon Jack. The lights are the added benee!
- Ziggy -
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