Obnoxious directional hum

stranger71 · Post by **stranger71** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 4:21 pm

I think this might be a stupid question, but I'll ask it anyway. I get really bad directional hum from my 2000 4003 bass, even when both pickups are on full. (I always thought single-coils cancelled each other out when they were both full up.) Is there anything I can do about this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

mortivan · Post by **mortivan** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 8:04 am

Has it always been as obvious as it is now? If the hum problem has definitely gotten noticably worse from when you first got the guitar, you probably have a ground problem either in the cavity (wire from bridge to the potentiometer casing solder joint for example) or with an externally caused ground loop somewhere. Got another guitar and cord to rule out the external problem?

Rickenbacker's are not known for their quiet operation and shielded cavities (they're not). I'm about ready to take apart my 1994 4003 and shield it with a combination of foil and electrostatic paint designed for this. There are a few articles detailing how to do this. Check out the Rickenbacker FAQ.

markthemd · Post by **markthemd** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 11:47 am

The bass that you are thinking about is in fact the Fender Jazz bass.
That bass has two pickups that when both are on FULL, they are wired in series .This is what a HUMBUCKING pickup is and does.

Fender just spreads the coils apart .

Rick does not nor have they ever reverse wound pickups .
However ...the Cheyenne Basses are humcanceling pickups ...two in fact .
They look great .

Sound ? ......... I have never heard one , but I just got my first one into the shop .
I'll let you know what I think in a little while.