[quote name='henry norton' post='668609' date='Nov 28 2009, 06:57 PM']If it's just a split Precision pickup the coils [i]can[/i] be wired 'in phase by mistake', which will lead to single coil-esque humming with no apparent change to the tone or output. It's a peculiarity of split coils.
I use my Precision through a valve amp and it's no noisier than my humbucker equipped, fully screened EB......[/quote]
I must confess that mine sounds great (tone, not necessarily the playing). I had this with my older 80s P bass and it was nothing some copper tape and a good clean out didn't sort out. But yes, good point