I can't get rid of the buzz

[subisina]

I own 1990 Streamer Stage 2 with EMGs in P/J position. I play in different places and sometimes (depends on the place I play in) I have a very loud buzz (only me, the guitar players in my band do not have this problem) which I can't get rid of. I am sure it is all about the electricity source and the active electronics(Aguilar OBP-1) in the bass but I can't find the solution to solve it. Before I draw the conclusion I tried everything: I replaced the cable, I checked the battery and all the connections within the bass, I tried it directly through the PA, I used UPS (electricity stabilisator), I tried my other bass (Corvette Proline) and the same problem occurs in active position, in passive position there is less buzz but it still exists (i know what normal buzz means-this is not normal). I'll tell you about the particular place where this problem occured twice (every time I played there). The situation was going as follows: First time: we connected everything and everything functioned well, then we made a short brake(nobody touched PA) and after it when I switched off mute on my amp the buzz started, after trying everything to get rid of it I had to call a friend of mine (because the buzz was terrible except in just one position so I couldn't move) to bring me his bass (active pick ups and no preamp-volume and bass pot) and there was no buzz. Second time: the bass functions perfectly and in the middle of the song the buzz started again. When the buzz starts I can't stop it no matter what I do. I even noticed that when I play at home through the other amp there is no buzz but in certain circumstances(when I turn on TV it starts again-not so loudly but there is difference when TV is on or off). It may sound funny but believe me it is not funny at all to me. I have never experienced this problem when we have rehearsals. It really depends on the place I play in. So isn't it something about the relation electricity-active electronics? If so, what can I do? Sorry for this, U PIČKU MILE MATERE, this is a curse in croatian, it makes me feel a little better for a short period of time

 

[elpelotero]

TV's, computers, fluorescent lights, etc. DO impact pickups on guitars and basses. They add a lot of noise.

Your mentioning of the TV adding noise reminded me of this.

If it's not this, then I suggest you open the electronics cavity and take a look inside. See if anything looks abnormal. You can always post a quality picture and someone here would be able to tell you what is going on with the electronics.

 

[avionix543]

As I recently learned, some EMG pickups do not require a ground lead going to the underside of the bridge, as is found on all the Warwicks I've pulled a bridge out of. Look for a bare piece of wire going from the electronics compartment to the bridge. If it's there, take the bridge off and move the wire to a point that it does not touch the bridge anymore, then try the bass. What may be happeneing is essentially RF inductance (interference) picked up by the strings which are acting as antenna. That would lead to a situation where everything looks right and you still have a problem even with different cables and batteries and amps. Give it a shot and keep us posted! ~M~

 

[maddrakkett]

As I recently learned, some EMG pickups do not require a ground lead going to the underside of the bridge, as is found on all the Warwicks I've pulled a bridge out of. Look for a bare piece of wire going from the electronics compartment to the bridge. If it's there, take the bridge off and move the wire to a point that it does not touch the bridge anymore, then try the bass. What may be happeneing is essentially RF inductance (interference) picked up by the strings which are acting as antenna. That would lead to a situation where everything looks right and you still have a problem even with different cables and batteries and amps. Give it a shot and keep us posted! ~M~

+1. Warwick generally has the bridge ground wire soldered on, which is incorrect for EMG Active pickup models, as stated in the EMG installation instructions:

"When installing EMG Active Pickups, DO NOT connect
the bridge ground wire. This wire is usually soldered
to a volume or tone control casing and goes to the
bridge. This wire grounds the strings and uses them
and your body as a shield against hum and buzz. It
also creates a shock hazard. EMG Pickups are
shielded internally and DO NOT require string
grounding. This greatly reduces the possibility of
reverse polarity shock from microphones and other
equipment."

If the bridge ground is connected, then disconnecting it is both a safety precaution and may reduce or solve your buzz problem.

 

[subisina]

Thanks guys,
I know I saw this wire under the bridge and it is soldered on. I haven't tried it yet but it really sounds promising and answers all my question. Now I have to see if it''ll work. I'll let you know when everything is done.
Thanks once more