Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just acquired a gorgeous MapleGlo 1997 Ric 360. This beautiful guitar recently had a professional setup. My 360 has a problem with hum, made worse by increased gain. The hum is directional (if I "aim" the back of the guitar at the amp, it decreases almost to zero).

Is this a typical issue with Ric "hi-gain" pups (are these true humbuckers?)?

Jerry: Welcome to the Rickenbacker Forum.

The high gain pickups are not humbucking.

I would first check to see that there is a ground wire going from one of your pots to underneath the bridgeplate.

Also check to see that all the pots are grounded and that there are no cold solder joints where the grounds meet the back of the pots.

Peter,

Thanks! I am still within the one-week grace period following (what was supposed to be) a comprehensive set-up, so I'll bring it back in to the tech with your suggestions. I work on my cheaper guitars myself, but the Ric is so sweet that I have a little of the "I am not worthy" going on here.

Jerry

Just one question: if a ground wire is loose or disconnected, would the hum be expected to be directional?

Directional hum is perfectly normal for any single coil pickup, which would include high gains and toasters.

If a ground (shield, technically) wire became loose or disconnected, the hum would tend to become omnidirectional.

Dennis: I can't explain an omnidirectional hum on the basis of a disconnected ground wire. However, the hum in general may be coming from this cause and so it is worth checking out. Also, should you be playing near florescent lighting you this may be an interference factor. Finally, there are some that consider that a 60 cycle hum is part of "the sound."

After a going-over by my tech, with me present, we determined that the hum was just single coil hum, and that all grounding was intact. Through his amp in his workshop, the guitar was pretty darn quiet.

I will experiment with the position of my guitar and amp in the practice room. Thanks to everyone for thoughts and suggestions!

You don't have flourescent lights or a dimmer in your practice room do you? That's a common source of noise.

Also, an older amp that's not properly grounded out can do this.

You can get directional hum from close proximity to a television set, too.

Those are all great suggestions. However, I have no TV set, fluorescent lights, or dimmers in the practice area, and the directional hum occurs with any of my well-grounded tube amps. My tech suggested an AM Radio test: get a portable AM radio, tune in to the end of the dial (for a static background), and turn up the volume. Then screen the room, walls, ceiling for "hot spots". This should identify where hum will be a problem, and so, where not to place the amp or guitar when playing.

I live in a ground-floor apartment. For all I know the people upstairs have a giant screen TV, dimmers on every lamp, and fluorecent tube-neon art all over the place (although I doubt it, LOL). Also, there is a mercury-vapor walkway lamp about 10 feet outside my window, and some sort of transformer box near the sidewalk about the same distance from the outside wall of the room. These could definitely contribute to hum, I'd guess.

BTW, I love the guitar!