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Bass guitar shielding issue.

  • 05-09-2011 1:39pm
    #1
    Rigsby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭


    My bass seems to have a shielding/grounding issue. When I take my fingers off the strings there is a buzzing sound. It goes away when I touch the strings or any metal part.

    Where would you lads recommend to leave it for repair. I was considering "Jimi's Music Store" as he seems to be highly thought of around here. Thanks. :)


Comments

  • #2
    Dord
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,817 ✭✭✭✭Dord


    I've been out there once or twice. They seem fairly alright. I haven't gotten anything fixed there though. Otherwise maybe try the guy at archtop.ie I've heard good things about him.


  • #3
    Rigsby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭Rigsby


    Dord wrote: »
    I've been out there once or twice. They seem fairly alright. I haven't gotten anything fixed there though. Otherwise maybe try the guy at archtop.ie I've heard good things about him.

    Thanks Dord. Archtop was/is another option I was thinking of also.


  • #4
    Malice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,065 ✭✭✭✭Malice


    Rigsby wrote: »
    My bass seems to have a shielding/grounding issue. When I take my fingers off the strings there is a buzzing sound. It goes away when I touch the strings or any metal part.
    Couldn't that be a problem with the electrics in the room though? I had a CRT monitor before that I had to turn off whenever I wanted to use my guitar in the same room and I've also had noise problems that were eliminated by turning off unused wall sockets.


  • #5
    Rigsby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭Rigsby


    Malice wrote: »
    Couldn't that be a problem with the electrics in the room though? I had a CRT monitor before that I had to turn off whenever I wanted to use my guitar in the same room and I've also had noise problems that were eliminated by turning off unused wall sockets.

    Thanks for your reply Malice. Yes, this is a possibility worth checking out. Though it seems to happen both at home and in the rehearsal room. Also, there is no problem with my other bass, though that has humbucker pups. I'll try to do a process of elimination before I bring it anywhere.


  • #6
    endacl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,410 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    Hi rigsby. You could save yourself the cash and hassle of having somebody do the job by doing it yourself. It's not particularly complicated if you're confident with some basic soldering. If you're not, pick up a cheap iron and practise on some scrap cable. You soon will be... Hum caused by insufficiently shielded wiring may be cured by replacing with quality shielded wire. Available from any electronics/hobby shop. Top this off with copper shielding tape. Use this to line the control cavities. 3m make tape specifically for this purpose, but if you want a cheaper option, gardening centres supply 'anti slug' copper tape, which should do the trick. Finally, throw away any cheap instrument cables you may be using. Another source of hum... If all this doesn't work, its a pickup issue. Wax dipping, or replacement... Some degree of hum is unavoidable, but it needn't be something that drives you nuts... Plus, if you sort it yourself this time, you can sort it next time, and all for less than the cost of a repair. Self sufficiency is the way forward...


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  • #7
    Quillo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 357 ✭✭Quillo


    StewMac do a very neat little shielding kit for $15...

    http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Self-adhesive_Shielding_Kit.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=4425

    Comes with quite detailed instructions.

    I used the kit twice on single coil pickup basses and it does improve things quite a bit, though the process can take a couple of hours to complete.


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