Stingray H/S Buzzing

**Bobster** · 02-19-2010, 12:57 PM

Hi,

I recently picked up an NOS Stingray H/S. It's an early '08. Overall, I'm extremely happy with it, but I've noticed that I get a bit of 60hz hum (fluorescent lights) in some switch positions.

Specifically, switch positions 2 (SC, + neck HB coil) and 4 (Dummy coil + bridge HB coil) are a bit noisier.

I've put another layer of copper sheet on the back cover (with non-conductive material over the switch) and it's helped noticeably. Doesn't seem to be a ground issue.

I was just wondering if that is normal for the HS?

Thanks for your attention and replies!

**bizmarckie** · 02-19-2010, 02:09 PM

Not normal for me.

**keko** · 02-19-2010, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bobster

I was just wondering if that is normal for the H/S?

Thanks for your attention and replies!

Well, I have Sterling HS and since now didn't have such a problem, bass is very noiseless in any switch position!

It happen just once in one place we played, there were very powerful light spot machines around the stage and than I noticed that in single H serial switch position (position 1 from the bridge) some strong buzzy noise

I ask to turn off those machines for a minute and noise was gone just like that, so...You got the picture I hope?

But that happen only in that place, nowhere else!

**Bobster** · 02-19-2010, 06:19 PM

Guys,

Thanks very much for the responses. Since Sterlings aren't setup the same (phantom coil under HB) not sure if they will react exactly same way. But it sounds like shielding could be the issue, for sure.

If a Stingray HS owner could reply that would be much appreciated too.

Thanks

**Bobster** · 02-19-2010, 08:41 PM

*** UPDATE ***

I took off the pickguard and started tapping poles. Looks like the phantom coil and the single coil pickup are reversed. Not sure what impact that would have on 60hz hum.

Guess it's back to the dealer tomorrow....

**Murphy** · 02-20-2010, 08:26 AM

I don't have any noise issues on my HS 20th anni SR5vers,
but....I can get a bit of 60 cycle single coil buzz at home next to my fluorescent dimmer light in S mode only

**Bobster** · 02-20-2010, 09:41 AM

Okay, got the SC and Phantom Coil (PC) hot leads reversed and that's taken care of the problem.

Not sure, other than the jumper on the switch where the SC hot is attached (The PC was jumpered before), what's different, but the hum is basically gone across all positions.

**guenter** · 02-20-2010, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bobster

I recently picked up an NOS Stingray H/S. It's an early '08. Overall, I'm extremely happy with it, but I've noticed that I get a bit of 60hz hum (fluorescent lights) in some switch positions.

Specifically, switch positions 2 (SC, + neck HB coil) and 4 (Dummy coil + bridge HB coil) are a bit noisier.

What is the distance between your bass and the fluorescent lights?

**Bobster** · 02-20-2010, 06:29 PM

Hi Guenter,

The distance was about 10 ft. These are CFL bulbs. But, since swapping the SC and phantom coil wires to the way they should be, I'm not having the hum issue.

As an FYI, the dummy was wired to the position on the selector that jumpered a few contact legs together. Now the actual front pickup hot wire is wired to that jumper.

I guess that was what it needed, because that was the only change made.

Bob

**Murphy** · 02-20-2010, 08:46 PM

Glad you got it sorted.

**Bobster** · 02-20-2010, 09:22 PM

Thanks Murphy!

And to everyone else who posted!

Bob

**guenter** · 03-01-2010, 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by Bobster

Hi Guenter,

The distance was about 10 ft. These are CFL bulbs. But, since swapping the SC and phantom coil wires to the way they should be, I'm not having the hum issue.

As an FYI, the dummy was wired to the position on the selector that jumpered a few contact legs together. Now the actual front pickup hot wire is wired to that jumper.

I guess that was what it needed, because that was the only change made.

Bob

Hi Bob,

any differences in sounds where the single-coil is involved since you re-wired it?
Glad you got it fixed.

Günter

**Bobster** · 03-01-2010, 01:02 PM

Hi Günter,

Short answer... Big difference! Especially in position 4, SC and neck HB coil. Much fuller, focused tone. It was thinner before. Of course, position 2, neck HB coil + phantom is a bit thinner than it was.

Plus, the no hum is a HUGE improvement.

Very, very happy with the change. Of course the dealer was slightly unhappy "So that's why it didn't sell for two years..." But he's a good guy and took it in stride.

**guenter** · 03-01-2010, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Bobster

Hi Günter,

Short answer... Big difference! Especially in position 4, SC and neck HB coil. Much fuller, focused tone. It was thinner before. Of course, position 2, neck HB coil + phantom is a bit thinner than it was.

Plus, the no hum is a HUGE improvement.

Very, very happy with the change. Of course the dealer was slightly unhappy "So that's why it didn't sell for two years..." But he's a good guy and took it in stride.

Hi Bob,

Good to hear that position 4 got an improvement. It's the second best sound on the stingray HS, imho. The best sound is the humbucker alone (*): ok, but then we are not only talking about a sound but about music history! ;-)

You didn't try to put the pickups into series instead of parallel - just for fun, did you?

(*) The Stingray H delivers a little more "growl" than (my) Stingray HS

Günter