Bass Guitar Feedback??

Question

Hey all -

I own 2 schecter stiletto bass quitars, both of which present the same problem. This problem is a relatively quiet, "hum" type of feedback coming thorugh my bass rig (Kustom Groove Bass 1200 amp and Hartke VA1508 cab).

I have tried different amplifier/cabinet combinations, changed all my chords, and tried just about everything I can think of to try and get rid of it. The only thing that works is if I slide the high-end EQ on my amp all the way "off" which of course makes my tone sound like mud.

Both guitars have active pickups. The 4 string has EMG-HZ's and the 5 string has schecter's own "diamond" active pickups. I have the "active" selector switch on my amp toggled on.

The distance between me and the amp doesn't seem to affect it, but the angle at which I stand in relation to it does.

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what is causing this, and how to fix it.

Answer 1

It sounds like the pickup cavity is not shielded properly. I am not familular with your bass, but most imports and some USA guitars suffer from improper shielding. Plull out your pickup and undernieth should be a silver paint or foil looking substance. If thats not it maybe you pickups need to be repotted and dipped

Answer 2

Sounds like a feedback problem or maybe a bad cord. I'll assume you've changed cords.

There is a 65mHZ hum on all guitars. You could try a more broadband EQ then the one on the amp. I again am assuming when you say EQ that's the one you refer to. The ones on most amps are usually pretty small. Get yourself a 31 band mono EQ and use that. You'll be able to narrow the freq down much more and you won't 'muddy' your sound.

Finally, you don't say, but when you run into the main cabs on the PA is the buzz noticeable there or only your amp cabs?

You could also take your bass down to a guitar store and plug into several of their amps and see if you duplicate the problem. Obv if you don't then it's your amp.

Tracking this stuff down isn't rocket science you just have to narrow down the piece that is actually causing the prob and work on that.