sifi2112 Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 Hi all, will a preamp help reduce/cancel single coil hum ? I also use neck/bridge together 'out of phase' which causes hum, can this be cured ? Also do any preamps have HPF like thumpinator ? Any advice appreciated Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 A preamp only amplifies what is fed to it. So if the pickup hums, assuming the wiring has no issues and it is just typical single coil hum, then no, it will not help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 I would check the shielding on your bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponehandloose Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 electro hRmonix Humdebugger 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share Posted November 4, 2013 Shielding is good, & I've looked at that EHX humdebugger but did't think it got good reviews. Problem only really highlighted when played out-of-phase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 High Pass Filtering isn't useful here - hum frequencies are usually the fundamental and harmonics of mains frequencies - so 50, 100, 200 Hz .. where mains is 50Hz. You can use Signal Processors to notch filter steeply at the specific frequencies but then you're getting specialised and expensive - pro audio / broadcast type kit. And probably digital which brings propogation delays etc with it which may be an issue for live work. But if recording you can notch it out with a suitable plug in ( or maybe on a digital desk if going through one ). Practically it's good to try moving the bass - It will be quietest in one orientation depending on where the noise sources are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 (edited) Just go out and buy a set of 'noiseless' pickups if the hum is bothering you. Most guitarists I know, who own teles or strats, hum like crazy. They don't worry about it. They just seem to think of it as part of the Fender sound. Jimi Hendrix albums are full of single coil hum. Edited November 5, 2013 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 What bass or guitar is this and what are the pickups? Having both pickups out of phase should actually help cancel some of the hum. I think there's more at work here. Do you get the same hum where ever you play - gigs/rehearsals/at home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1383650296' post='2266947'] What bass or guitar is this and what are the pickups? Having both pickups out of phase should actually help cancel some of the hum. I think there's more at work here. Do you get the same hum where ever you play - gigs/rehearsals/at home? [/quote] Seconded. I think there is something off in the wiring if the shielding is fine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 Well I'm gonna switch te the pickup selector out for a different one I have & do away with the 'phase switch'. Maybe still add preamp but which one ? There quite a few to choose from & none are cheap lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 [quote name='sifi2112' timestamp='1383806079' post='2269255'] Maybe still add preamp but which one ? There quite a few to choose from & none are cheap lol [/quote] Why? Whats wrong with the controls on your amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Share Posted November 7, 2013 My amps fine but don't want a spare hole in my bass lol so it need filling, I never use passive tone pots (never cut but may wanna boost so passive no good) so thought a nice preamp (single knob type though prob a stacked one) ... been lookng at John East mid sweep & Artec EXP. Basically I have 3 holes & one is for my pup selector .... recommend me something for other two ? .... guessing volume for starters .... I do appreciate all your responses & do take it all into consideration btw cheers Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 If all you want to do is not have any holes in your bass then how about having a pot and knob which isn't connected to anything in there. You can use to make "adjustments" when other band members ask you to tweak your tone. IMO being able to adjust the tone of each pickup separately even if it is only passive cut is far more useful than another set of controls that are simply duplicating what you can already do on your amp but less well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Yep a 'studio switch' can be one of the most valuable additions to your bass if you want to preserve your tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 [quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1383911165' post='2270663'] Yep a 'studio switch' can be one of the most valuable additions to your bass if you want to preserve your tone [/quote] Ah, the time-honoured DFA control! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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