Pickup Feedback and Noise at High Gain

[gsadan]

Hi
I have a 1991 Silhouette which suffers of Pickup Feedback and Noise at High Gain.
It is very annoying - since I can't put the volume up when the other band members play loud, without a wild feedback.

Do I need to change pickups or other part(s)??
If so - which - and where can I purchase?

I love my Silo and don't wanna switch to another guitar (not even American Strat ...)

PLZ help
and thanks

 

[Ricman]

Hi - I am no expert, and this has never happened to me, but I remember a UK Guitar Mag which had a reader with the same problem. I think the answer was that the pick-ups may have become "microphonic" and the answer was to have them re-potted (dipped in wax).
Hope that is of some use.

 

[THE_EB_KID]

What are you running into (ex. pedals, multieffects)
you could try a noise suppressor, or noise gate..
Also how close are you to your amp while playing?

 

[beej]

the pick-ups may have become "microphonic"

I'd have to agree with that- it's likely a pickup is microphonic.

So- do all the pickups squeal? Just the bridge? If it's just one, it's probably microphonic and you can get it re-potted or call MM Cust service (or DiMarzio) and order a replacement. If all your pickups are doing it, it's probably something else.

 

[gsadan]

well - all my pickups do it - after 16 years, probably all 3 of them have become microphonic...
Noise Gate at very high threshold level does help, but only to some extent, and I lose a lot of the sustain
Where can I order replacement? since I am not in the US but rather in the middle east (Israel), I would probably would have to do it over the net.
thanks

 

[beej]

I'd be suspicious that all your pickups are microphonic- that's very unusual. It's probably something else.

I'm not sure what to suggest- I'd just try all the different combination of things it could be. Have you tried other guitars? i.e. Is your rig or just the Silo?

If it's just the silo that feeds back, I'd really have a look at the wiring. I can't think what would be causing it, but perhaps something has come loose. Try all of those things and then as a last resort look to other pickups. Also feel free to call MM customer support as they can help you diagnose the problem.

 

[Axistence]

Shalom gsadan,
I'd call to Marom our local MM reseller, they may help you with this. Have you tried already?

 

[gsadan]

hi
Last time someone in here sent me to Marom (that was few yrs ago - for setup), they referred me to a Guy named Herzel, which is the most famous Israeli guitar expert.

I have called him today, and he wanted to know which kind of pickups my 1991 Silo has, and where can we purchase them.

I am going to see him in his shop on friday, and it would be helpful if I can have the the above info by then.

thanks

 

[Beth]

Hi Gsadan,

Please let me know the serial number of your Silhouette so we can be sure of the pickups. Marom is our exclusive Israeli distributor, so their purchasing department would actually order the pickups from myself or Kevin.

All the best,
Beth

 

[gsadan]

The S/N is : 91977

Thanks
Giddy (Gideon)

 

[candid_x]

I think the 91 Silo buckers were DiMarzio PAF Pros. But on a two bucker Silo, why limit yourself to those? Maybe a hotter pickup can crank up to your band's volume without any feedback worries?

 

[gsadan]

well - If Ernie Ball Customer Service would recomend other pickups - that could be considered too - especially if this could improve the clean sound - which lacks a bit...

 

[Axistence]

EBMM CS rules!!!
Giddy, keep the israeli side of the forum updated for coming gigs, I want to see that Silo screaming live!

 

[Beth]

Hey Gideon,

The DiMarzio PAF Pros are the humbuckers in your guitar. We've got really limited stock of them, so it might be worth buying them from DiMarzio (or whichever store carries them in Israel). The single coil is Music Man part number (give to the guys at Marom) M05295 for the black one and M05296 for the white.

Hope this helps! I'll be sure to fast-track the pickup order if you end up ordering some and it comes across my desk.

All the best,
Beth

 

[roburado]

Have you tried another guitar through your set-up? There's nothing wrong with your amp, is there? As has been said, I think it's strange for all the pickups to have a problem at the same time.

 

[gsadan]

well - it happens only in high gain effects (I use the behringer V-Amp2).
I have been using numerous amps - same problem.

Yet another question to Beth:

Should I get the exact same pickups - or are there any better replacements???
If I get into the process of changing pickups - I may just as well get the best ones...

thanks
Giddy (UP)

 

[mbgreene]

In general, I don't know that MusicMan CS people would recommend non-stock or other manufacturer replacement pickups for their instruments..

I'm sure you can get third party recommendations from forum folks if you give them an Idea of what you are looking for though

 

[Beth]

In general, I don't know that MusicMan CS people would recommend non-stock or other manufacturer replacement pickups for their instruments..

I'm sure you can get third party recommendations from forum folks if you give them an Idea of what you are looking for though

What he said... .

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I used to have a silo of this vintage, and the pickups were quite microphonic too. I had them all wax potted and it cured the problem.

 

[THE_EB_KID]

I'd Freak out if my silo pickups became microphonic!!