TrueTone Pickups & Hum

Jason Weaver · Post by **Jason Weaver** » 4 Apr 2005 2:40 pm

I have had some warnings from some people about hum with the TrueTones, especially with neon.

Now I know that you get hum with single coils (and even with stacked coils if you have exposed poles), and I would expect a little.

The threads on these pickups have all said that it was not that bad, except for one poster who removed the pickup.

Does anyone have any comments on their long term use of the pickups in various venues?

Thanks,

Jason

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 4 Apr 2005 3:21 pm

Geeez, what kind of places do you guys play where ANY single coil pickup, on any kind of guitar has a major hum problem. I've been playing out at every venue imaginable,for 35 years and I feel . this "single coil hum" nonsense is totally overblown.. Truetones are fine pickups that are among the best I've used... hum??? .. I never noticed.... bob

Jeff A. Smith · Post by **Jeff A. Smith** » 4 Apr 2005 3:33 pm

I've only heard positive things about the hum level of True Tones in relation to other single coils, so I would guess that anything you've heard is really about single coils in general.

I can vouch for the True Tones, since I have one myself.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 4 Apr 2005 4:00 pm

The hum is a lot less than a standard single coil guitar pickup. What little there is is more than compensated for in the full, fat tone. That, to me, beats the tar of a humbucker. YMMV.

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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 4 Apr 2005 4:06 pm

Hummmmmmm, I think, then , well, Hummmmm--

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 4 Apr 2005 4:51 pm

with my studio gigs once in every few years,I really don`t have to worie about the hum.For the live gig TT pick up is great and more than good enough for what I need it for.In studio?You would have to ask some experienced studio cat`s about that.

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~
http://hometown.aol.com/damirzanne2/PROMAT.html

Jason Weaver · Post by **Jason Weaver** » 4 Apr 2005 5:10 pm

Thank you for your input everyone. I figured it was not a problem, otherwise I would have read about it already. I had just noticed that the posts I was reading were first impressions and I never saw a follow up opinion after some venue testing.

Being a bassist and guitarist, I have always thought that the thick, complicated tones of a good single coil are more than worth the hum.

I have already sent in my order change, and my new Desert Rose will have a TT instead of the E66.

Thanks again everyone!

Jason

Mark Vinbury · Post by **Mark Vinbury** » 4 Apr 2005 5:39 pm

I have used over twenty TrueTone pickups in my eight string lap steel kits.I've had only one complaint of "hum".
Most comments regarding the pickups are very positive both about the tone and low level of noise.
Efforts to track down the reason for the one "hummer" were underway,however ,I haven't had any correspondence from the person in many weeks so possibly it was resolved.
Jerry Wallace was very helpful and quick to respond with information, suggestions and offers to replace any faulty pickup.

Mike Headrick · Post by **Mike Headrick** » 4 Apr 2005 6:44 pm

I just installed my first TT pickup today, in an Emmons which I use for recording next to the console. I've always had a slight problem with hum from my stock single coil caused by the console power supply, which can only be moved so far away from the board. I didn't get to try it out today, but I'll report back with the results.

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 4 Apr 2005 10:33 pm

Jason, yes single coil pickups are more prone to hum than humbuckers..However,I have many players using them in both studio playing and live on stage.

Probably 95% of my customers tell me the noise/ hum is very low or none..Of coarse every place, near by equipment, effects units etc. all can play a part in the results. Near by fluoresents, neons, wall warts, TV's, , computers , transformers, are some of the main causes and sometimes but not always cause hum..

My policy is if your not staisfied with my TrueTones for hum or any other reason, you can return them for a refund less shipping..
Shipping is usually $5.00 or less , so it wont cost much to find out..

There are some situations, locations, and conditions where excessive noise/hum makes a humbucker a better choice..

In my opinion, the better frequency response improved sound/tone is their positive feature..

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Jerry Wallace/TrueTone pickups-2001 Zum: D-10,8+6, "98 Zum: D-10,8+8,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Session 400 head only amp,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico
http://www.jerrywallacemusic.com

[This message was edited by jerry wallace on 04 April 2005 at 11:41 PM.]

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 5 Apr 2005 3:39 am

I have a mixed case. Sometimes they hum and sometimes they don't. When they do it is a definent hum. The music does cover it up though.

Dan Chroninger · Post by **Dan Chroninger** » 5 Apr 2005 4:57 am

I have true tones on both my Mullen.I have
used both in the studio with no complaints from the engineer.some times I have to drop the sensitity down a little but thats not a problem at low volume

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 5 Apr 2005 8:31 am

I had a gig where the hum was awful. I noticed that there was this big neon artsy lamp near me. I turned it off and the bad hum was gone. Sometimes I find that I get set up near the window where the bar has one of those neon beer signs. Usually it's just a pull string to turn it off. Those seem to be the biggest culprits. The TT is about the quietest single coild pickup I've heard, but it's still a single coil. I'd look for neon and flourescent signs before pulling the pickup out.

Brad Sarno

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 5 Apr 2005 8:57 am

Brad's correct!.. that's the FIRST thing I do when setting up! Check for possible "noisemakers".. I guess that's why I get so agitated when guys will say singles"hum".

In 35 years of live playing in every venue from tiny one room dumps to concert halls, I would say maybe 3 or 4 times out of thousands of performances was there a really loud and noticable hum problem that was beyond my control. Actually those were most likely power supply problems more that pick up problems.

Ever try playing your guitar next to tv set?? hums like crazy! Logical next step?TURN the TV OFF!
I think most "hum" problems on stage can be easily solved without yanking pick ups and putting buckers in.... bob[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 05 April 2005 at 09:59 AM.]

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 5 Apr 2005 9:55 am

Yep, neons are the worst, but TVs in bars are next for me. If they complain about the noise, tell them to turn them off, or do it yourself. You may also be able to help by changing the orientation of your steel. It doesn't work as effectively as with a guitar you're holding, but sometimes it helps a bit.

Also, try a noise gate. This simple device simply turns its gain down when the input signal drops below a threshold, there's also usually an adjustable delay with a gradual change between gated and non-gated gain levels. Set properly, a noise gate automatically shuts you down when you're not playing (this is when noise is most annoying) and turns you back on when you are. My Pod has one build in, works just fine. Boss makes a good inexpensive standalone noise gate, I used one for years, in fact, still have it. There are better rackmount units also.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 5 Apr 2005 2:46 pm

Mine is the worst downstairs in the practice room. On the gig it's ok.

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 5 Apr 2005 2:56 pm

Jason, It has pretty been covered but here is my testimonial. I love mine in my LeGrandeII. 19.6 on E9th and 18.5 on C6th and am thinking about 19.5-6 on C6th. I play through an Evans which is a little on the brighter side so the heavier pickups work just great. Jerry is great to visit with about your rig so you get just what you want. He knows his stuff and is super friendly. Try them, you'll really like them.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Paul Brainard · Post by **Paul Brainard** » 5 Apr 2005 9:17 pm

I recently did some recording in Joshua Tree CA, out in the desert away from everything, on an old Shobud (single-coil) through an old tweed Fender amp - and it was dead silent, even with the volume pedal wide open. I was astounded - I guess that goes to show how much noise is flying around in the airwaves in most urban settings.

Paul Brainard · Post by **Paul Brainard** » 5 Apr 2005 9:19 pm

ps I also have put TT pickups on a couple of guitars and I have to say, they do seem quieter than other single-coils I've had. Maybe it is because there is more tone coming out of them. . .

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 7 Apr 2005 4:30 pm

Happy customer,i just got a 18,000 from Jerry Wallace,put it in my sho-bud pro1,hooked up today,absolutely no hum,using my Hilton pedal,and Peavy 112.and that little rascal sounds so good.i played it in my machine shop electric stuff everywhere. can't beat um. farris

Toby Rider · Post by **Toby Rider** » 8 Apr 2005 11:49 am

I get hum through the single-coil pickups on my Telecasters ALL THE TIME.. I still play them though.

Kevin Raymer · Post by **Kevin Raymer** » 8 Apr 2005 12:06 pm

It all depends on what you're used to.

I went from playing Lawrence Humbuckers to a True Tone single and yes the hum was noticeable, but not distracting.

Maybe some folks are just more easily distracted.

I usually just cover up the hummmm by missing notes on my steel.

Kevin

Klaus Caprani · Post by **Klaus Caprani** » 9 Apr 2005 12:47 am

I think that most of the hum-problems that I encountered (mainly on bass) were due to cheap and badly installed light-dimmers (very common in Europe).

Unless you turn them all the way up, they'll induce a nasty spike which is very audible especially with powerfull single-coils.

I only remember one event though, where the problem was so bad that I had to change from my fretles (w. single-coils) to my fretted Precision (w. humbuckers).

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Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 9 Apr 2005 4:14 am

I usually just cover up the hummmm by missing notes on my steel

Kevin,I know ,I do it all the time

btw.Happy customer here,just ordered some more TT`s for the Promat company.

Db

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"Promat"
~when tone matters~
http://hometown.aol.com/damirzanne2/PROMAT.html

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 9 Apr 2005 6:47 pm

yep,its sat nite,and you might expect,little tipse,but crock of bull,T T is fine, no hum at all here.and i turned it up i mean loud.Just got a 18,000 T T from wallace , number1 TOPS, can't be beat.farris