I bought a used EBMM Cutlass RS HSS. The condition was really good when I bought it. The sound is amazing. But after 2 months the hum when in the neck pickup position is getting louder. My place is far from a guitat technician. Could you suggest a possible solution doe this problem.
- Thread starter Abram
- Start date
John C
Well-known member
Have you tried replacing the battery? I'm not sure exactly how the Cutlass circuit is impacted by a dying battery - if the hum starts getting louder - but when the battery doe die then the guitar stops working. I remember from my older EBMMs that had the original silent circuit that they just started getting hum as the battery was dying.
uOpt
Well-known member
Does the hum get better (quieter) when you touch the strings?
morsecode
Well-known member
Try changing the battery again. If you leave the guitar plugged in for extended periods it will drain the battery.
TripHazard
Well-known member
Yeah, anytime it’s plugged in the battery is in use. Do you leave it plugged in?
DrKev
Moderator
As the others have already said, the battery is being used the whole time the guitar is plugged in. Check battery voltage or change it. Having said that, when my battery is low I do not notice more noise, but on very clean tones there will be some unwanted distortion and small output drop.
During your next string change, carefully lift off the pickguard and turn it over. There are two trim pots (marked TPA and TPB one for each single coil pickup) which allows you to increase the noise cancelling by turning clockwise. Factory position is in the middle.
If that does not help, bearing in mind that components in modern circuits should hold their value for many decades (at least), I don't expect a circuit problem with the guitar in the two months since you bought it. That would suggest a change in noise level might be due to a change in environmental noise, i.e. one of the noise sources around you has gotten worse or a new one has appeared. Could be a dimmer switch for lighting (often quietest all the way up or all the way down), could be a transformer, TV or old computer screen, or some other new device near to you.
During your next string change, carefully lift off the pickguard and turn it over. There are two trim pots (marked TPA and TPB one for each single coil pickup) which allows you to increase the noise cancelling by turning clockwise. Factory position is in the middle.
If that does not help, bearing in mind that components in modern circuits should hold their value for many decades (at least), I don't expect a circuit problem with the guitar in the two months since you bought it. That would suggest a change in noise level might be due to a change in environmental noise, i.e. one of the noise sources around you has gotten worse or a new one has appeared. Could be a dimmer switch for lighting (often quietest all the way up or all the way down), could be a transformer, TV or old computer screen, or some other new device near to you.
Thank you for the very informative reply.
QuietSpike
Well-known member
I’m assuming TPA is for neck and TPB for middle?
DrKev
Moderator
I don't remember which one is which, but it's pretty obvious when you adjustments.
Also remember that no noise reduction system is 100% effective. I would not expect more than 60%-70% reduction in most noise. You may find a compromise is necessary - the optimum position for one frequency of noise may not be the best for others.
uOpt
Well-known member
The hum should get better when you touch the strings. If not your bridge isn't grounded.
Does the hum get better when you touch the output plug?
Does the hum get better when you touch the output plug?
DrKev
Moderator
That depends on the noise source. On the Cutlass the bridge is grounded via the wire soldered to the trem claw.
QuietSpike
Well-known member
It’s obvious to you…. Remember… I’m an idiot. 
DrKev
Moderator
You're no idiot, Spike. Nothing is obvious to everyone all of the time. 
uOpt
Well-known member
So... does the hum get better when you touch the output plug?
Let's fix this
Let's fix this
