martinbass7750 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 (edited) Hi All, I recently bought a used Lakland 55-01 NTMB which I love (from this site) But, I've found that when i turn the volume up there's a fairly loud buzzing through the speaker - it gets much quieter if I touch the bridge. It's also there if I switch into passive mode, although slightly quieter. I thought it might be mains earthing, but my Ibanez SR505 doesn't make the noise. Anyone got any suggestions? Cheers Martin Edited June 11, 2007 by martinbass7750 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneythedog Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 sounds like earthing to me too. Is everything as it should be inside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 [quote name='martinbass7750' post='15539' date='Jun 11 2007, 11:50 AM']Hi All, I recently bought a used Lakland 55-01 NTMB which I love (from this site) But, I've found that when i turn the volume up there's a fairly loud buzzing through the speaker - it gets much quieter if I touch the bridge. It's also there if I switch into passive mode, although slightly quieter. I thought it might be mains earthing, but my Ibanez SR505 doesn't make the noise. Anyone got any suggestions? Cheers Martin[/quote] Have you seen this thread on buzzing problems? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=194"]buzz[/url] Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 [quote name='martinbass7750' post='15539' date='Jun 11 2007, 12:50 PM']Hi All, I recently bought a used Lakland 55-01 NTMB which I love (from this site) But, I've found that when i turn the volume up there's a fairly loud buzzing through the speaker - it gets much quieter if I touch the bridge. It's also there if I switch into passive mode, although slightly quieter. I thought it might be mains earthing, but my Ibanez SR505 doesn't make the noise. Anyone got any suggestions? Cheers Martin[/quote] I agree with the others that it could be an earthing problem but i also have a buzz with mine (i have upgraded(!) to a NTMB) but with mine its RF interference. I first noticed it when i sat down in front of my PC to record some stuff, its quite loud. If i turn the monitor off it goes away. I now have a LCD so its not a problem but i have also noticed it a few times at gigs if i get too close to our stage lights. Im sure it wasn't there when i first got the bass and its definitely not an earthing problem (plus i use a wireless system). Even my Jazz bass is quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share Posted June 11, 2007 [quote name='dave_bass5' post='15625' date='Jun 11 2007, 02:50 PM']I agree with the others that it could be an earthing problem but i also have a buzz with mine (i have upgraded(!) to a NTMB) but with mine its RF interference.[/quote] Hi, thanks for all the replies. It does sound like RF interference - I can change the amount of noise by moving around, but never get rid of it. Like I said, my SR505 it quiet, so I'm surprised the Lakland picks up so much interference. I'm wondering if the pre-amp is oscillating and acting like a receiver. I'll have to bring it into work and have a good poke around with a scope - it might be that it just needs a 0.1uF cap on the power rail. If I find out the cause, I'll post some more information. I have emailed Lakland, but no reponse yet. Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 [quote name='martinbass7750' post='15682' date='Jun 11 2007, 03:06 PM']Hi, thanks for all the replies. It does sound like RF interference - I can change the amount of noise by moving around, but never get rid of it. Like I said, my SR505 it quiet, so I'm surprised the Lakland picks up so much interference. I'm wondering if the pre-amp is oscillating and acting like a receiver. I'll have to bring it into work and have a good poke around with a scope - it might be that it just needs a 0.1uF cap on the power rail. If I find out the cause, I'll post some more information. I have emailed Lakland, but no reponse yet. Cheers Martin[/quote] I know there have been problems caused by the finish on some Laklands where the conducting paint on the inside of the control cavity has been painted/laquered over so you don't get continuity with the cavity cover. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 [quote name='martinbass7750' post='15682' date='Jun 11 2007, 04:06 PM']Hi, thanks for all the replies. It does sound like RF interference - I can change the amount of noise by moving around, but never get rid of it. Like I said, my SR505 it quiet, so I'm surprised the Lakland picks up so much interference. I'm wondering if the pre-amp is oscillating and acting like a receiver. I'll have to bring it into work and have a good poke around with a scope - it might be that it just needs a 0.1uF cap on the power rail. If I find out the cause, I'll post some more information. I have emailed Lakland, but no reponse yet. Cheers Martin[/quote] I look forward to reading your findings. Im useless at this sort of stuff but i know when something isn't right. I must say that upgrading the stock pre to the NTMB has only made things worse. Its probably me but i haven't noticed any improvement in tone. I do believe though that its the pups rather than the NTMB as i posted my problems last year ago over at the dude pit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted June 11, 2007 Author Share Posted June 11, 2007 [quote name='Hamster' post='15687' date='Jun 11 2007, 04:10 PM']I know there have been problems caused by the finish on some Laklands where the conducting paint on the inside of the control cavity has been painted/laquered over so you don't get continuity with the cavity cover. Hamster[/quote] interesting - I'll look at that. I also wondered about lining the cavity with aluminium foil - it does seem like it could be a screening problem Cheers Martin p.s. still no response from Lakland! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 [quote name='martinbass7750' post='15891' date='Jun 11 2007, 07:56 PM']interesting - I'll look at that. I also wondered about lining the cavity with aluminium foil - it does seem like it could be a screening problem Cheers Martin p.s. still no response from Lakland![/quote] AFAIK the Skyline **/01 & **/02 series [i]should[/i] have the control cavity shielded with conductive paint, but this sometimes didn't work well as I pointed out. The USA **/94 series should have a foil shielded cavity, which is better. Also, again AFAIK the NTMB preamp was made for the **/02 pickups, but has made it's way into the **/01 series so there maybe a slight imbalance between the pickups and preamp. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 Hi Guys, a bit more information on the buzzzzzzzz last night I found that the neck pickup was noisier than the bridge pickup - I could reduce the amount of buzz by setting the pickup balance towards the bridge pickup. I emailed Lakland again, and tonight I had a pleasant surprise - they think it's a noisy pickup, and are going to send me a new one. I'm very impressed with their response and helpfulness. I'll let you know if it cures the problem when I've installed it. Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted July 1, 2007 Author Share Posted July 1, 2007 Well, the [b]free of charge[/b] replacement pickup arrived last week. I've fitted it, and the buzzing has gone. I'm very impressed with the service Lakland have given me - it took a while for the new pickup to arrive, but they emailed me to say they were waiting for stock to arrive, hence the delay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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