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Post subject: Noisy 1996 American P-Bass Deluxe
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:01 am
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Hey All - newbie to the forum.
I'm in a dilemma...my 1996 50th anniversary American P-Bass dlx has started to become "noisy". I've had it for like 8 years and always been fine. but I notice a buzz/hum now that seems to be resonant and comes in/out and gets louder/softer as you use the knobs and/or touch the pickups...

SOUNDS like a bad ground...but I have not taken the pickguard off it yet to see anything. I DID pick up a whole 2010 wiring harness, but am having wonders how if it will work with the 1996 pickups? (since those 2010's were the 1st of the JAZZ bass pickup series on the bridge, not the humbucker that i have on my '96) Does anyone know this before I bastardize my lovely bass? I have 5 basses, but this was my 1st "real" bass, and don't want to sell it OR break it...

ANY/ALL help is very much appreciated!!

thanks
~Vinnie


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Post subject: Re: Noisy 1996 American P-Bass Deluxe
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:18 am
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Thanks - glad to be on board!

Cool thanks...I'm gonna bust out the Phillips and a soldering iron once I get a few replies so i can give everything a shot once I have it apart


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Post subject: Re: Noisy 1996 American P-Bass Deluxe
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:19 am
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Sabre's advice is sound and the first things to check. I'd use a multimeter to check integrity of the ground at the bridge first thing. I would not start swapping out components until I was sure it wasn't diminished contact of the ground wire under the bridge. On wires too short to get near a screw I usually rough up the chrome plating a bit where the wire will be with some sandpaper so the wire makes better contact with steel instead of chrome. (Cover the pickups with a towel as the magnets will attract any metal/chrome shavings.) Then load up the bare stripped strands with enough solder to make it fatter. Wrapping around the bridge screw works great because that is a point of maximum pressure, but just getting the bared fattened strands CLOSER to a screw improves ground integrity.

It does sound like a faulty ground but could also be something in the preamp going wacky or a pickup problem of some sort since the pickups seem to want to buzz when you touch them. Odds are a solder joint isn't going bad after 15 yrs of being fine and a cold solder joint should have shown up long before now. However it can't hurt to check for that thoroughly. After checking connections, changing the preamp board would be the next thing to try. BUT before actually removing it, I'd check the readings on each the pickups to make sure they are normal. Swapping out active electronic ranks right high on my list of personal dreads and I'd want to rule out every other possible cause.

On a positive note, I can't think of any reason the newer board would not be compatible and it should actually work better than the original even when the original was new.

Good luck with it and let us know how it comes out.


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Post subject: Re: Noisy 1996 American P-Bass Deluxe
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:44 am
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Thanks brotherdave!

Oh a side note...does anyone know what the OEM replacement for the neck pickup is for this, in case I decide (or need) to replace the pickups? The Bridge humbucker I see all over eBay now...but Im not sure what exactly is on the neck? Is it a standard Fender PBass Pickup? American model? or is it a special "deluxe" model just for this bass??

thanks!
~Vin


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Post subject: Re: Noisy 1996 American P-Bass Deluxe
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 2:38 pm
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That is a Fender Neck American Deluxe P-Bass pickup and the Fender part number 0049719000.


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Post subject: Re: Noisy 1996 American P-Bass Deluxe
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 9:05 pm
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If either pickup is in fault, I'd consider rewinding/repairing before replacement. They need to be balanced for best performance, and the repaired one must be wax potted. Funny but no matter HOW carefully balanced they are the split coil always seems to dominate, but I'd be real careful about trying to balance them just the same. So I'd send both in, but only rewind the faulty one. They should rewind or repair it to compliment the fully functional one. http://www.brandonwoundpickups.com/?page=services does VERY reasonable rewinding/repair. $25 for each service. That is like 1/4th what the big names charge. They are affordable because they are building their brand right now and you'll not only get a lower repair bill but a faster turn around time because their shop isn't as busy as the big guys. After all, the enameled wire only costs a few dollars, so mainly it is a labor job. I can't see paying $100 for it, however that is what some shops charge because frankly they actually want you to buy one of their new pickups off the shelf INSTEAD of fixing yours. (If you don't think they have fifty overwound 5% P-Bass pickups stacked up ready to ship....well they do.) While BrandonWound's website isn't loaded with bass pickups they have been making them by special order and repairing them for a while and I've been assured that they are going to offer a line of bass pickups soon on their website. I've been encouraging them to do so because I think bassists are MORE picky about pickups than 6-string guitarists.

For rewinding or repair Brandon Wound would be more than adequate and they are reliable, fast and the most affordable option short of doing it yourself. Curtis Novak here in NC is probably the next most affordable and also has a fast turnaround on repair/rewind service. Mr. Novak is the kind of guy who appreciates someone trying to keep their instrument original, so he might cut you a deal if you BEG.

I really would like to see you keep your instrument as original as possible. Those are some of the best bass instruments to EVER come out of Corona. They are REALLY nice and will POSSIBLY be collectible in the future because they were much smaller runs than the American Standards and the finishes are way nicer. I've played 5 late 90's Deluxe P's and I've owned 1. Awesome and very versatile instruments for sure. Also, and this part is very rare for any bass, the consistency from instrument to instrument on these was impressive. I could not tell one from the other by playing them, which is rarely the case even on a top of the line bass. So I got the color I wanted. Sunset Orange Transparent. Good luck.


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