G&L Tribute series mysterious noise. . . Fix with Pics!

[PlungerModerno]

Hullo, Hark, and behold,

For I have a tale of great wonder to tell!

Anyway - here's a clip detailing the problem I was having with my L-2500 tribute:

[url="https://soundcloud.com/plungermoderno/tribby-debug-ringing"]https://soundcloud.c...y-debug-ringing[/url]

The recording has 3 parts. Firstly I'm tapping on the body and controls of the bass to cause the noise, Then i'm flipping the basses mini-switches back and forth repeatedly. The last part is me playing very badly (slap then fingerstyle).

It's an annoying ringing that I suspected to be a microphonic pickup. When investigating the problem I found it probably had a physical cause as I could very faintly hear the 'ting' sound when using the micro-switches unplugged.

Upon examining the pickups for loose components I became suspicious of the springs underneath the pickups.
Using the logic that a strat's tremolo springs can be heard when they resonate through the amp I sought to mute any spring noise. I put a sliver of foam rubber in each spring with decent results.





The results have been very satisfactory. Here's my attempt at recreating the above recording conditions - it's a lot less 'tingy'!

[url="https://soundcloud.com/plungermoderno/springs-damped-audio"]https://soundcloud.c...gs-damped-audio[/url]


Anyway I think this may be quite widespread - I found these demos having the same annoying noise:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT4AP58jC5o[/media]
@ 1:30 - 1:35

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9dQZcW6LLk[/media]
@ 1:10 - 1:25

This is why I felt it was worth making this post - sharing a positive experience. Hope this can help. I'll probably make a post on guitarsbyleo.com as well.

EDIT: The playing in both clips are generally with the preamp on, treble boost setting. With this tweak it's now a usable setting.

Edited November 24, 2013 by PlungerModerno

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1385318900' post='2286857']
I found these demos having the same annoying noise:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT4AP58jC5o[/media]
@ 1:30 - 1:35
[/quote]
No, that annoying noise is called 'slapping'.

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1385319129' post='2286860']
No, that annoying noise is called 'slapping'.
[/quote]



Ed Freidland is a slap fan alright.

[JapanAxe]

My USA G&L has a pickup that would be microphonic if I hadn't screwed it right down into the cavity. One day I will get round to fixing it properly. With glue like.

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1385319662' post='2286875']
My USA G&L has a pickup that would be microphonic if I hadn't screwed it right down into the cavity. One day I will get round to fixing it properly. With glue like.
[/quote]

Try a little foam in the springs - can't hurt!

[JapanAxe]

I don't even know if there [i]are[/i] springs under the pickup. It's more likely a loose base plate. I'm going to fix it after I've tidied my sock drawer.

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1385320367' post='2286897']
I don't even know if there [i]are[/i] springs under the pickup. It's more likely a loose base plate. I'm going to fix it after I've tidied my sock drawer.
[/quote]

Sounds like fun. If it does have springs Keep the foam rubber in mind

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1385320764' post='2286910']
Keep the foam rubber in mind
[/quote]

I rarely think of anything else... sigh...