Microphonic/Thin Luke PU?

[jpoprock]

Hey guys. I just got a new amp, the Line 6 Spider Valve 2x12, and let me tell ya... that thing is THE BOMB!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it. LOADED with great usuable tones, and that sucker is LOUD. Much louder than I expected.

Anyway, I debuted my Luke this past weekend, and would you believe that it got microphonic on me? My buddy played it, and said, "Wow, this thing doesn't sound at all like I thought. Isn't this an EMG 81?" I said, "I think so." He said, "Boy, this thing sounds way more like a Strat than I thought it would." (and it does!). He has EMG's in his Dean Caddy Elite, and they don't sound like this.

I was scrolling thru some patches this AM on the SV, and found that on certain ones, there was so much "noise" while muting the strings and just standing there, that I had to roll the vol off to get it to go away. And at full vol, you could hear this noise under the chords I was playing... until I rolled the vol off. And we're talking straight up Plexi/Modded JCM800 type stuff. Not death metal. But then on OTHER patches, it wouldn't do it. So I grabbed my Les Paul to check to see if it was the patch or not, and it wasn't nearly as noticable.

So, my buddy thinks that something is wrong with my Humbucker. Is there anything I can do to verify it?? Change the battery maybe? Cuz I will say that the guitar sounds a bit thinner than I had hoped it would. ALMOST to the point where I might not keep it! It's the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen... but damn... I didn't want another thin strat. The single coils sound fine in it though.

I do have an old Mustang with EMG's in it, and I think the bridge is an 81. So I'll try it and see if it does it. If it doesn't do it, then something has to be wrong w/ the Luke. If so, then that means I'll have to send it back to get fixed?

Thanks!
Jason

 

[petruccirocks02]

Hey guys. I just got a new amp, the Line 6 Spider Valve 2x12, and let me tell ya... that thing is THE BOMB!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it. LOADED with great usuable tones, and that sucker is LOUD. Much louder than I expected.

Anyway, I debuted my Luke this past weekend, and would you believe that it got microphonic on me? My buddy played it, and said, "Wow, this thing doesn't sound at all like I thought. Isn't this an EMG 81?" I said, "I think so." He said, "Boy, this thing sounds way more like a Strat than I thought it would." (and it does!). He has EMG's in his Dean Caddy Elite, and they don't sound like this.

I was scrolling thru some patches this AM on the SV, and found that on certain ones, there was so much "noise" while muting the strings and just standing there, that I had to roll the vol off to get it to go away. And at full vol, you could hear this noise under the chords I was playing... until I rolled the vol off. And we're talking straight up Plexi/Modded JCM800 type stuff. Not death metal. But then on OTHER patches, it wouldn't do it. So I grabbed my Les Paul to check to see if it was the patch or not, and it wasn't nearly as noticable.

So, my buddy thinks that something is wrong with my Humbucker. Is there anything I can do to verify it?? Change the battery maybe? Cuz I will say that the guitar sounds a bit thinner than I had hoped it would. ALMOST to the point where I might not keep it! It's the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen... but damn... I didn't want another thin strat. The single coils sound fine in it though.

I do have an old Mustang with EMG's in it, and I think the bridge is an 81. So I'll try it and see if it does it. If it doesn't do it, then something has to be wrong w/ the Luke. If so, then that means I'll have to send it back to get fixed?

Thanks!
Jason

If the EMG logo on the pickup is silver its an 81. If the logo is gold its an 85. I would change the battery and see if that works. If your battery is dying, your clean tone will become distorted.

-Phil

 

[jpoprock]

So, are you saying that's the way to tell what kind is in the Mustang? So, is the one in the Luke an 85 or an 81? Come to think of it, the schematic wasn't in the case. DON!!! HA!!

J

 

[Sweat]

The HB EMG in a Luke is an 85, as said replace the battery and remember that with EMG active PU alot of its tone is based on how far away from the strings it sits, I have never had a problem getting heavy from any of the Lukes I have owned, plus maybe just email CS they always can help, and they can send the schematic.

 

[jpoprock]

Right on. But I don't think you can raise or lower the PU can you? It seems optimum where it's at. If it were closer, it might get fatter, but then it would be squeal central.

Thanks!
Jason

 

[THE_EB_KID]

I'd change the battery..

 

[Sweat]

No you cant raise it, it is set but most likely would not cause unwanted noise if you could, the only reason I have any clue is because I had a non EBMM guitar and bought a set of Zakk Wylde EMG`s to install in it, took awhile to get it installed and set up and the PUPS were almost touching the strings with no problems, and the further away from the strings I adjusted them the less shall we say balls they seemed to have, but for me the height of the PUP in the Luke is perfect, I always got it to growl if you know what I mean, but I am prejudice since the Luke is my favorite.

 

[dwells]

do you have a computer screen near your amp or guitar?
that can cause problems

 

[Larry]

First I'd contact Customer Service.
Second I'd replace the battery.
Third I would try a different amp.
Fourth Cables.

Good Luck

 

[greenwizard]

First I'd contact Customer Service.
Second I'd replace the battery.
Third I would try a different amp.
Fourth Cables.

Good Luck

I'm going to stress step one.
Call CS.
They are awesome, and they will help you out. Fast.
greenwizard

 

[Multiversal]

First I'd contact Customer Service.
Second I'd replace the battery.
Third I would try a different amp.
Fourth Cables.

Good Luck

+1

 

[Multiversal]

Also, I don't think active pups can become microphonic, can they?

 

[Sweat]

Also, I don't think active pups can become microphonic, can they?

Good point did not even cross my mind, since they have no true coils or windings I would think that is not possible

 

[Larry]

Keeps sounding more and more like a bad instrument cable to me.

 

[Big Poppa]

sounds like a ground issue to me and more bs cs threads that i am losing my patience for...

 

[jpoprock]

sounds like a ground issue to me and more bs cs threads that i am losing my patience for...

What is a "bs cs thread" and how does that apply to me? I didn't say anything bad about customer service I don't think?

The reason I haven't called them is because I'm almost 100% sure it's not a problem with the LUKE. I will know one way or another tonight because I'll be testing the Luke on another Spider Valve. I also have this other guitar w/ EMG's... and guess what?? it does it too! But switch to something passive, and it doesn't do it.

AND, it only occurs on one particular "amp model". Any preset that uses that model gets this noise. And not only is it a noise of some kind, but it makes the tone super fizzy and weird. Reduce the drive and it's gone. Get off the the patch, then back on it, it's back! Roll the vol knob down on the Luke, and it's gone. So, I think it's the amp!

The guys on the Line 6 forum are talking crap about AC and DC current and interference, blah blah blah. Yer telling me one of the best guitarists in the world has a guitar that he can't use in ANY SITUATION that presents itself? I don't think so.

Also I'm pretty sure that it wasn't my Luke that was microphonic.. it was the MM90's that I got confused on. I was playing a new amp, and two new guitars that night! So, my wires got crossed! That MM90's aren't completely hum free at high gain, but they are MUCH MUCH quieter than the P90's in my '69 SG Special! I'm very very happy with it. I freakin' love it actually. I'm in heaven!


I'll let you know!

Jason

 

[greenwizard]

Big Poppa gets upset when people post threads like this because his signature says "Call CS before you post a problem about your guitar". They are extremely helpful and it keeps this forum uncluttered. Also, anyone can google this forum, so if a bunch of threads are dedicated to "problems" that don't turn out to be problems with the guitar at all, people could get a negative impression about EBMM. Especially since you titled this thread with a name that suggests there is something wrong with your luke.
If, as you say, you are 100% sure it isn't a problem with the Luke, maybe you shouldn't post it on the EBMM forum.
As for your actual problem, if it's an issue of the EMG's I would still suggest you contact CS, it can't possibly hurt, and it will probably help.
Just my $.02,
greenwizard

 

[uvacom]

Good point did not even cross my mind, since they have no true coils or windings I would think that is not possible

They do have coils/windings, just not as many. They work just like passive pickups, but with active circuitry built-in to provide tonal shaping, buffering, and some amplification.

 

[jpoprock]

Ah.. I see. That makes sense. I guess when I posted it, it seemed the obvious problem pointed to the EMG's. But after getting steered down the path of forum advice, I think now it's the amp.

The reason I didn't call CS is because I can't. I'm at work, no where near an amp, and won't be for days (when I can call anyway).. and I have gigs and need this resolves ASAP.

But I understand... and will try not to do that in the future! Sorry BP!!!

J

 

[greenwizard]

^^I've had very productive email sessions with the customer service people.