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Post subject: How to get rid of 60 cycle hum?
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:06 pm
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Should I get a noise gate or some noiseless PUs?


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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:17 pm
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That would depend on the source and locations of the hum. True, the pups can be the source, but so can the cable and the amp. A noise gate can help with either the pups or the cable, but not with the amp. Replacing the pups won't help with the cable or amp and could change the sound you're getting.

So I'd start by isolating the source of the hum. If it's the amp, is that because of your environment (near a major appliance for instance) or because the amp is older and the filters are breaking down. (In a tube amp, check the tubes too!). Playing near a noise source will also affect the cable and pups, so possibly just moving to another room and outlet can solve your problem.

By process of elimination, you should be able to determine the true source(s) and that will lead to a more targeted solution. For example, I have a lighted palm out on my patio and all the wires seem to produce a high level of electrical noise. Even with a new amp in good shape, top quality cable and humbuckers, I get a modest hum. No solution other than playing acoustic only out there would work.

But in my back room, if I start to hear noise even on my stock pup Telecasters, I can be 99% sure it's a bad cable. And so on.


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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:32 pm
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If the hum goes away when you have the pickup selector in the 2nd or 4th position, then it's likely noisless PU's will take care of the hum. However, be ready for your guitar to have a different voice. Fender Noisless PU's reproduce the "Shimmer" and "Bell Tone" of standard PU's but they lose a little of the "Rip" and "Scream" of the Standards. They still Scream, but it takes more gain to push 'em hard enough.

All this assumes you're talking about a Strat.

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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:06 am
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FirstMeasure wrote:
If the hum goes away when you have the pickup selector in the 2nd or 4th position, then it's likely noisless PU's will take care of the hum. However, be ready for your guitar to have a different voice. Fender Noisless PU's reproduce the "Shimmer" and "Bell Tone" of standard PU's but they lose a little of the "Rip" and "Scream" of the Standards. They still Scream, but it takes more gain to push 'em hard enough.

All this assumes you're talking about a Strat.


It hums in all positions. :cry:


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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:17 am
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3-Tone wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
If the hum goes away when you have the pickup selector in the 2nd or 4th position, then it's likely noisless PU's will take care of the hum. However, be ready for your guitar to have a different voice. Fender Noisless PU's reproduce the "Shimmer" and "Bell Tone" of standard PU's but they lose a little of the "Rip" and "Scream" of the Standards. They still Scream, but it takes more gain to push 'em hard enough.

All this assumes you're talking about a Strat.


It hums in all positions. :cry:


All positions?! Exactly what kind of guitar do you have?


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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:10 pm
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stratmansteve wrote:
3-Tone wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
If the hum goes away when you have the pickup selector in the 2nd or 4th position, then it's likely noisless PU's will take care of the hum. However, be ready for your guitar to have a different voice. Fender Noisless PU's reproduce the "Shimmer" and "Bell Tone" of standard PU's but they lose a little of the "Rip" and "Scream" of the Standards. They still Scream, but it takes more gain to push 'em hard enough.

All this assumes you're talking about a Strat.


It hums in all positions. :cry:


All positions?! Exactly what kind of guitar do you have?


2008 Fender American Standard. Well it mostly hums at high gain and volume up and I also have a solid state amp. I don't play high gain all the time but when I do, it starts buzzing. It could be the amp's fault. It's a Marshall MG250DFX.


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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:34 pm
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I'd look into getting a better quality cable like a Planet Waves...


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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:52 pm
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I recall a studio project many years ago when the producer had me stand at a 45 degree angle to my amp. It was the only way, back then, to make it subside. (Strat through a Twin).

A good cable will help and/or try an EbTech device? :wink:

http://www.ebtechaudio.com/he-2des.html

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Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:33 pm
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3-Tone wrote:
stratmansteve wrote:
3-Tone wrote:
FirstMeasure wrote:
If the hum goes away when you have the pickup selector in the 2nd or 4th position, then it's likely noisless PU's will take care of the hum. However, be ready for your guitar to have a different voice. Fender Noisless PU's reproduce the "Shimmer" and "Bell Tone" of standard PU's but they lose a little of the "Rip" and "Scream" of the Standards. They still Scream, but it takes more gain to push 'em hard enough.

All this assumes you're talking about a Strat.


It hums in all positions. :cry:


All positions?! Exactly what kind of guitar do you have?


2008 Fender American Standard. Well it mostly hums at high gain and volume up and I also have a solid state amp. I don't play high gain all the time but when I do, it starts buzzing. It could be the amp's fault. It's a Marshall MG250DFX.

Unless it came with a bad ground from the factory, a Brand New Fender is probably not at fault. Is you amp plugged into the same outlet as any effects pedals, or is it set up near your computer? That might cause a hum. Worst Case Scenario would be your house is improperly grounded. If you live in an area with rocky soil, the ground stake might not be deep enough.

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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 6:29 pm
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I'll pick up an annoying hum if I'm too close to fluorescent lights or a TV. Are you playing near something that can cause the hum?


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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:05 am
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Personal preference is an Electro-Harmonix Hum-Debugger.

'Bought it all but sight-unseen when it first came out and it can even tame those big single coils on a Mosrite. Strats, no problem. Veritably no tone-suck. Amazing.

Highest, repeat, highest recommendation.

And also, 'LOVE the Planet Waves circuit-breaker cables for all applications. Pricey but you get precisely what you pay for.


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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:12 pm
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I'm going to have to give the opposite opinion of the EH Hum Debugger.
I absolutely hated it. It's VERY audible. I kept giving it a change again and again and it just destroyed the tone of my Strat or my Les Paul. It gives you almost a slap back delay effect that makes your tone loose all focus (mushy sound).
I think it’s an interesting design, I just wish they could combine it with a gate so it would disengaged when you attack the note.
That might solve it’s problems.


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:36 pm
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Get the cyclists to use deoderant :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry couldnt resist :oops:


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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:51 pm
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Fender Strat- Blackface Amp- 60 cycle hum= Nirvana. 8) Mike

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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:00 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
I recall a studio project many years ago when the producer had me stand at a 45 degree angle to my amp. It was the only way, back then, to make it subside. (Strat through a Twin).


I remember those days. When I pull out my old gear, I often relive them. It's kind of like trying to position 'rabbit ear' TV antennas for best reception.


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