Bongo HS Buzzing neck pup

[Jobiebass]

Hi all,
My first post on this site too. so HI!

I just picked up a Bongo HS 4eq, lovely thing (ok not as nice as my 3eq trans red 'ray, but still nice)

But since ive got it ive had a problem with it and cant figure it out.

When I sellect just the bridge pup, its fine, but when I start to blend in the neck pup I get feedback from my amp. well, a buzzing sound like im standing too close to the amp, which ok, if I stand 6 foot away the problem goes, but I dont have this problem with my Fretless P bass, OLP 5HH ray, 3eq 'ray and an electro/acousitc.

Anyone got any clue to why this happens.
Ive tried a diff 5HS bongo with my amp and yet again no problem. Just seams to be mine.

I had a look on the forums and I did find a guitar had a similer problem, and was also using a valve head (im using Marshall VBA400 with VBC412 cab) But in that thread they said it was just the singel coil, so why does one bongo HS work fine but I get buzz???

Tested the cables too. so its not that.


Cheers

Jobie

 

[Sonnyonbass]

Hi there
And welcome.....

Did you call CS allready?

 

[Jobiebass]

hi there
and welcome.....

Did you call cs allready?

cs??? customer service??
Im guessing they dont have a phoneline in england?

 

[Wowbagger]

E-mail 'em.

 

[Jobiebass]

E-mail 'em.

ahhh ok, didnt notice that option.

Thanks a lot, ill go down that route. Im pretty sure its out of warrentee though but would be nice to figure out what it is to get it fixed.

 

[Old_Guy]

When I sellect just the bridge pup, its fine, but when I start to blend in the neck pup I get feedback from my amp. well, a buzzing sound like im standing too close to the amp, which ok, if I stand 6 foot away the problem goes, but I dont have this problem with my Fretless P bass, OLP 5HH ray, 3eq 'ray and an electro/acousitc.

To make sure we understand - it's a used Bongo HS; and there's a "buzzing" noise coming out of your amp, caused by the neck (Single Coil) pickup, correct? I would imagine the problem is worst with the balance knob all the way over on the "S" pickup? You've checked the cables; are both batteries new? To further determine if it's the "S," see what happens if you set up near a flourescent light or other known single-coil-buzz-causing interference source...then email customer service with the parameters of what causes the issue and/or makes it worse. (I have an HS and don't experience this at all, but have had terrible buzzes from single coil pickups through tube amps in the past; the Bongo should have a very well insulated electronics cavity and circuitry resistant to this sort of thing.)

 

[Jobiebass]

To make sure we understand - it's a used Bongo HS; and there's a "buzzing" noise coming out of your amp, caused by the neck (Single Coil) pickup, correct? I would imagine the problem is worst with the balance knob all the way over on the "S" pickup? You've checked the cables; are both batteries new? To further determine if it's the "S," see what happens if you set up near a flourescent light or other known single-coil-buzz-causing interference source...then email customer service with the parameters of what causes the issue and/or makes it worse. (I have an HS and don't experience this at all, but have had terrible buzzes from single coil pickups through tube amps in the past; the Bongo should have a very well insulated electronics cavity and circuitry resistant to this sort of thing.)

its a year or 2 old, I got it from someone on basschat.co.uk
the more I blend the more it buzzes correct,
cables checked, took the pedals out of the loop too, 2 brand new batterys.

If I stand to the side of the amp/cab it doesnt buzz, only when im stood directly infront of it within about 4 feet. if I turn to the side it gets better but not more then 50% less buzz.

So is it a generic problem with tube amps then? I get a VERY slight buzz with my ray if im within a foot of the cab/head but nothing compaired to the bongo.

Im guessing its to do with the 18v, but then after using a diff bongo 5HS and it didnt buzz at all, I was worried.

 

[Old_Guy]

its a year or 2 old, I got it from someone on basschat.co.uk
the more I blend the more it buzzes correct,
cables checked, took the pedals out of the loop too, 2 brand new batterys.

If I stand to the side of the amp/cab it doesnt buzz, only when im stood directly infront of it within about 4 feet. if I turn to the side it gets better but not more then 50% less buzz.

So is it a generic problem with tube amps then? I get a VERY slight buzz with my ray if im within a foot of the cab/head but nothing compaired to the bongo.

Im guessing its to do with the 18v, but then after using a diff bongo 5HS and it didnt buzz at all, I was worried.

I'm thinking it's potentially a single coil pickup circutry shielding issue exacerbated by the tube amp. Probably more to do with the single coil than the 18v onboard circuit design. Again, you might send this information off to EBMM CS and ask their advice/opinion (could be something really simple to fix in the circuitry cavity), and continue to experiment; eg, try plugging into a solid state amp. I'm pretty sure one of the wiser wireheads will come in this morning and dispense some good advice. I have the same instrument and have never had any issues at all with this - one of my pre-purchase worries was single coil buzzing, and even worse, single coil buzzing through an active on board preamp. However, the 2004 HS that I play through either a Fender or SWR hybrid has no buzz whatsoever (unlike the Hofner dual humbucker through an Ampeg portaflex I had in 1972); and I haven't ever read of any other HS owners having this issue either.

 

[strummer]

No wise advice from me either, I'm afraid, except for this:
If this happens with your bass anywhere and with any and all amps, I would suggest finding a good tech and have him look the bass over.

 

[MingusBASS]

Contact customer service, see what they say before you do anything.

 

[Jimmyb]

Don't stand directly in front of the amp.

This answer comes to you via "obvious answers" inc.

 

[Jobiebass]

I dont have access to any other bass amp right now, just sold my Ashdown to fund the Marshall.
Ill see what CS say about it all.

 

[Old_Guy]

Roger aye. Cheap trick is to take your bass to a store and ask to "try out" some display model solid state amps in the shop. Let's see what EBMM CS says.

 

[Frantic Slayer]

im having a similar problem with my SR5 HS....except i have a solid state amp and my Humbucker is the one humming

hopefully ill get it sorted out

maybe our basses are possessed by a phantom
ha jk!

good luck mate!

 

[bovinehost]

The overwhelming majority of all buzzing issues are environmental in nature (lights, dimmers, Angelina Jolie, etc).

 

[oli@bass]

Angelina Jolie is an environmental issue?!

 

[Old_Guy]

Ms. Jolie is considered HAZMAT actually.
Yessir, the buzzing is undoubtedly caused by "something," we're wondering on behalf of the OP if there couldn't be some common thing that happens in the cavity to cause a shielding failure...? (Seeing as how it's a used instrument..is there some ill - advised thing the prior owner might have done or a wire that might have come loose or..?)...

 

[oli@bass]

Maybe unscrew the single coil pickup and check the wiring?

BTW, does the Bongo HS also have a phantom coil?

 

[Old_Guy]

BTW, does the Bongo HS also have a phantom coil?

Yes, it has a "silent circuit."