Help: Phantom?

[VenousPlatypus]

Ok, this may make me look like a complete MM noob, but what does "Phantom" mean in relation to bass pickups?

[GHWelles]

Ok, this may make me look like a complete MM noob, but what does "Phantom" mean in relation to bass pickups?

Noise canceling phantom coil?

[A.J.]

Exactly. It's a noise canceling coil. Phantom in that you can't hear it (or see it... without taking the bass apart).

[VenousPlatypus]

so what, persay, does it do (other than the obvious noise canceling). like does it stop the humming of too much treble and such? like what in relation to the switch of a MM SR HS's switch does it do.

[GHWelles]

I believe it is there only to cancel hum, like a humbucker, but without any change in tone.

[VenousPlatypus]

so when u have the switch set to a certain coil + phantom, it is only that coil, minus the background noise?

[syciprider]

Yes. The phantom coil allows us to use the SR5 H and Sterling 4H humbucker in single coil mode without the 60Hz hum.

[phatduckk]

ya - pretty much its another, hidden coil which chills around in order to cancel 60 cycle hum u get from single coils.

[VenousPlatypus]

ah cool, thank you all for the response, it definately helped me out :} just another reason to get a MM..

[cyoungnashville]

not one bad phantom joke in this thread?!?!?!? im totally let down by us.

[drTStingray]

phantoms can get quite operatic. . . . . . . . . .

[keko]

so when u have the switch set to a certain coil + phantom, it is only that coil, minus the background noise?

Exactly, not affect to the sound/tone!

Simple physics phenomenon, or should I say electro-technical patent, used for simple self/auto noise canceling!

P.S. ...just one info, in Europe we have 50Hz AC network, but the same s***!

[TheAntMan]

not one bad phantom joke in this thread?!?!?!? im totally let down by us.

Actually, it is there but since it is a "Phantom" joke -- you can't see it

--Ant

[cyoungnashville]

much better, i can sleep now. thx.