Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Lakland 55-01 NTMB - buzzing


martinbass7750
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi All,

I recently bought a used Lakland 55-01 NTMB which I love (from this site)

But, I've found that when i turn the volume up there's a fairly loud buzzing through the speaker - it gets much quieter if I touch the bridge.

It's also there if I switch into passive mode, although slightly quieter.

I thought it might be mains earthing, but my Ibanez SR505 doesn't make the noise.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers

Martin

Edited by martinbass7750
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='martinbass7750' post='15539' date='Jun 11 2007, 11:50 AM']Hi All,

I recently bought a used Lakland 55-01 NTMB which I love (from this site)

But, I've found that when i turn the volume up there's a fairly loud buzzing through the speaker - it gets much quieter if I touch the bridge.

It's also there if I switch into passive mode, although slightly quieter.

I thought it might be mains earthing, but my Ibanez SR505 doesn't make the noise.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers

Martin[/quote]

Have you seen this thread on buzzing problems? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=194"]buzz[/url]

Hamster

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='martinbass7750' post='15539' date='Jun 11 2007, 12:50 PM']Hi All,

I recently bought a used Lakland 55-01 NTMB which I love (from this site)

But, I've found that when i turn the volume up there's a fairly loud buzzing through the speaker - it gets much quieter if I touch the bridge.

It's also there if I switch into passive mode, although slightly quieter.

I thought it might be mains earthing, but my Ibanez SR505 doesn't make the noise.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers

Martin[/quote]

I agree with the others that it could be an earthing problem but i also have a buzz with mine (i have upgraded(!) to a NTMB) but with mine its RF interference. I first noticed it when i sat down in front of my PC to record some stuff, its quite loud. If i turn the monitor off it goes away. I now have a LCD so its not a problem but i have also noticed it a few times at gigs if i get too close to our stage lights. Im sure it wasn't there when i first got the bass and its definitely not an earthing problem (plus i use a wireless system). Even my Jazz bass is quieter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='15625' date='Jun 11 2007, 02:50 PM']I agree with the others that it could be an earthing problem but i also have a buzz with mine (i have upgraded(!) to a NTMB) but with mine its RF interference.[/quote]

Hi,

thanks for all the replies.

It does sound like RF interference - I can change the amount of noise by moving around, but never get rid of it.

Like I said, my SR505 it quiet, so I'm surprised the Lakland picks up so much interference.

I'm wondering if the pre-amp is oscillating and acting like a receiver.

I'll have to bring it into work and have a good poke around with a scope - it might be that it just needs a 0.1uF cap on the power rail.

If I find out the cause, I'll post some more information.

I have emailed Lakland, but no reponse yet.

Cheers

Martin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='martinbass7750' post='15682' date='Jun 11 2007, 03:06 PM']Hi,

thanks for all the replies.

It does sound like RF interference - I can change the amount of noise by moving around, but never get rid of it.

Like I said, my SR505 it quiet, so I'm surprised the Lakland picks up so much interference.

I'm wondering if the pre-amp is oscillating and acting like a receiver.

I'll have to bring it into work and have a good poke around with a scope - it might be that it just needs a 0.1uF cap on the power rail.

If I find out the cause, I'll post some more information.

I have emailed Lakland, but no reponse yet.

Cheers

Martin[/quote]

I know there have been problems caused by the finish on some Laklands where the conducting paint on the inside of the control cavity has been painted/laquered over so you don't get continuity with the cavity cover.

Hamster

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='martinbass7750' post='15682' date='Jun 11 2007, 04:06 PM']Hi,

thanks for all the replies.

It does sound like RF interference - I can change the amount of noise by moving around, but never get rid of it.

Like I said, my SR505 it quiet, so I'm surprised the Lakland picks up so much interference.

I'm wondering if the pre-amp is oscillating and acting like a receiver.

I'll have to bring it into work and have a good poke around with a scope - it might be that it just needs a 0.1uF cap on the power rail.

If I find out the cause, I'll post some more information.

I have emailed Lakland, but no reponse yet.

Cheers

Martin[/quote]

I look forward to reading your findings. Im useless at this sort of stuff but i know when something isn't right.
I must say that upgrading the stock pre to the NTMB has only made things worse. Its probably me but i haven't noticed any improvement in tone.
I do believe though that its the pups rather than the NTMB as i posted my problems last year ago over at the dude pit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Hamster' post='15687' date='Jun 11 2007, 04:10 PM']I know there have been problems caused by the finish on some Laklands where the conducting paint on the inside of the control cavity has been painted/laquered over so you don't get continuity with the cavity cover.

Hamster[/quote]


interesting - I'll look at that. I also wondered about lining the cavity with aluminium foil - it does seem like it could be a screening problem

Cheers

Martin

p.s. still no response from Lakland!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='martinbass7750' post='15891' date='Jun 11 2007, 07:56 PM']interesting - I'll look at that. I also wondered about lining the cavity with aluminium foil - it does seem like it could be a screening problem

Cheers

Martin

p.s. still no response from Lakland![/quote]

AFAIK the Skyline **/01 & **/02 series [i]should[/i] have the control cavity shielded with conductive paint, but this sometimes didn't work well as I pointed out. The USA **/94 series should have a foil shielded cavity, which is better. Also, again AFAIK the NTMB preamp was made for the **/02 pickups, but has made it's way into the **/01 series so there maybe a slight imbalance between the pickups and preamp.

Hamster

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Guys,

a bit more information on the buzzzzzzzz

last night I found that the neck pickup was noisier than the bridge pickup - I could reduce the amount of buzz by setting the pickup balance towards the bridge pickup.

I emailed Lakland again, and tonight I had a pleasant surprise - they think it's a noisy pickup, and are going to send me a new one.

I'm very impressed with their response and helpfulness.

I'll let you know if it cures the problem when I've installed it.

Cheers

Martin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Well, the [b]free of charge[/b] replacement pickup arrived last week. I've fitted it, and the buzzing has gone.

I'm very impressed with the service Lakland have given me - it took a while for the new pickup to arrive, but they emailed me to say they were waiting for stock to arrive, hence the delay.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...