nathanscribe
Joined: 19/01/07
Posts: 722
Loc: Yorkshire, by gum.
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buzz that changes as I turn
#1015659 - 26/10/12 03:24 PM
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I picked up a bass about a year ago, and have not recorded much with it due to lack of
time and skill... however, I'm noticing some hum/buzz that seems to increase/decrease
depending where I am in the room, and which way I face. Because I record everything
myself, it's handy to be sitting at the computer; I'm DI-ing the bass and listening
through speakers. Unfortunately, facing the quietest direction means pointing my back to
the recording kit, and space is a bit tight for spinning round all the time.
Is
this something common, and is there a way to remedy it (other than facing a different way,
that is)? I'm guessing it's to do with the pickups and radiated magnetic field? I know
very little about guitars and how they interact with this stuff... it's not really been a
problem just noodling around, but I want to try to solve it before I get any further into
wanting to record with this instrument.
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Dave n w 2
Joined: 25/10/12
Posts: 14
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015759 - 27/10/12 07:25 AM
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I have exactly the same problem!
Became more noticeable when I got a new guitar
the other day. Certain parts of the room are fine, move a bit and there's a nasty buzz.
It's a ground loop thingy isn't it?
Hope someone can help.
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turbodave
Joined: 25/04/08
Posts: 2120
Loc: derbyshire uk
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015764 - 27/10/12 08:49 AM
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Hi, Not a guitarist, but have you got any dimmer switches about or electrical implements
nearby (washing machine etc). Sometimes those recessed bulbs can cause this issue. Dave
--------------------
My head hurts!
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paleface
Joined: 12/06/08
Posts: 98
Loc: midlands
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015767 - 27/10/12 09:10 AM
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hello nathan
i used to have the exact same problem a few years ago
i got
around it by tying a piece of wire to my big toe and the other end to the metal underneath
the volume pot on my gtr
sounds silly but it did actually work
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Folderol
Joined: 15/11/08
Posts: 2599
Loc: Rochester, UK
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015793 - 27/10/12 12:03 PM
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Usual question... does it change if you touch the strings? If so, suspect bad earthing
within the guitar.
--------------------
It wasn't me!
(Well, actually, it probably was)
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zenguitar
active member
Joined: 05/12/02
Posts: 7671
Loc: Devon
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015795 - 27/10/12 12:07 PM
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Here is a link to the thread where paleface previously suggested a
wire on the toe. Read the entire thread, and pay very close attention to the replies
that explain some correct solutions and why paleface's solution is both wrong and
potentially very dangerous. Tell us more about your guitar, make, model, type
of pick-ups etc. It is almost certain to be a screening/grounding issue in the guitar
itself and there are a number of possible solutions that are both effective and safe. Andy 
-------------------- When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.
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nathanscribe
Joined: 19/01/07
Posts: 722
Loc: Yorkshire, by gum.
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015796 - 27/10/12 12:11 PM
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No dimmer switches or large white goods etc. nearby; noise doesn't change when strings are
touched - it seems to depend on which way I'm facing and when it's there, it's there
beneath the notes as well as between them. Got a clean recording last night by facing
away from the setup, so that's something.
EDIT: Aha, Zen, you posted while I
was typing!
It's a 70's japanese (non-Fender) passive jazz bass, single coil
pickups, two level pots and a tone pot; I think yesterday I had just the bridge dialled in
and the tone rolled off just a touch. I was DI-ing via a UA 710, into the insert of my
mixer/interface.
Edited by nathanscribe (27/10/12 12:15 PM)
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ef37a
Joined: 29/05/06
Posts: 5669
Loc: northampton uk
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015797 - 27/10/12 12:14 PM
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This is very common and forms a subset of that well known phenomenon, Sod's Law.
Most often seen where a good signal can only be recieved on an indoor aerial just where
you can't fekkin' have it!
Not a hum loop, that can only happen with two
earthed devices, very commonly a PC and powered monitors. This is almost all magnetically
induced pickup from the house wiring or possibly a nearby transformer. Screening the
guitar pup cavity is a good idea but I doubt that it will improve matters much. This is
what humbucker pickups were invented for!
One cheap solution is a 15quid
wireless keyboard and mouse and back off ten feet!
Dave.
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nathanscribe
Joined: 19/01/07
Posts: 722
Loc: Yorkshire, by gum.
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: ef37a]
#1015799 - 27/10/12 12:17 PM
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Haha, Dave, I see my facing away is even cheaper!
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ef37a
Joined: 29/05/06
Posts: 5669
Loc: northampton uk
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1015803 - 27/10/12 12:27 PM
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Quote nathanscribe:
Haha, Dave, I
see my facing away is even cheaper!
You came here for a "technical" solution?
You bloody got one
cheapskate!
Heh!
Dave.
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nathanscribe
Joined: 19/01/07
Posts: 722
Loc: Yorkshire, by gum.
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: ef37a]
#1015812 - 27/10/12 01:21 PM
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 @Zen: thanks for the link. There's no way I'd be strapping bits of myself to the
mains, so no worries there.
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Magic Matt
Joined: 17/09/10
Posts: 141
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Re: buzz that changes as I turn
[Re: nathanscribe]
#1018649 - 14/11/12 11:56 PM
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I wear an earthing strap into the mains if playing my guitar near my PC. THis is a
professional earthing strap for working on static sensitive devices, not just a bit of
wire - it comprises of a long coiled lead, specialist plug, and wrist strap. I bought it
from RS Components, and all I can say is it works well enough to remove the issue when
near my laptop. It's not a 100% fix, but enough for me to practice etc. without getting
totally annoyed.
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