Newbee pickup/amp question

Del Ogren · Post by **Del Ogren** » 26 Aug 2006 8:12 pm

Friends,

I've been playin' acoustic instruments since I was a pup. Guitar, banjo, fiddle, and on and on.. You know.. Old folk hippie syndrome..

But I've lusted for a pedal steel for decades. Recently that lust was fullfilled when I bought a "Little Buddy".

It needs some work on the single knee lever undercarriage, but I'm not yet up to the the point where I can figuire out what to do whith that lever anyway.. Still learning the pedals and scales..

But I have a problem. The thing has a 60 Hz hum. If I pull out the plug, stick it in my mouth, wet it with spit, and plug it back into the guitar, the volume of the hum is reduced but doesn't go away.

The amp I'm using is a thing I bought cheap a few years ago when I was involved in another project. As far as I can tell the pickup is stock "Little Buddy"..

Do I start by buying a new pickup?
Do y'all think that's the problem?
Or do I have to bite the bullet and buy a decent amp?

If the amp is the root of the problem, I'd hate to pay more for an amp than I did for the guitar. Any recommendations for low-rent practice amps?

--del

"The family that plays together hears,
No, that's supposed to be an E minor.."

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 27 Aug 2006 1:18 am

Hi Del,
First, turn the volume pedal over....are all the wires secure ?.....none touching the floor ?
Your guitar is most likely fitted with a single coil pick-up......prone to hum....(it does't know the words !). If the Amp is quiet when you have another instrument plugged in, then it's more than likely the pickup on the steel. Check if the pickup is securely earthed or grounded. Also check your cables.
Not having the steel on front of me, it becomes a guessing game. But, I suspect the pickup itself.....Had mine changed to GeorgeL's.....totally quiet now.
Regards,
Nic

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[This message was edited by Nic du Toit on 27 August 2006 at 02:20 AM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 27 Aug 2006 6:10 pm

If I pull out the plug, stick it in my mouth, wet it with spit, and plug it back into the guitar, the volume of the hum is reduced but doesn't go away.

Essentially, all it does whan you wet the plug is short it out partially with a high resistance, kinda like turning the volume down. It lowers the hum and the signal, though, so it's not a very good fix!

The "LB's" came with a single-coil pickup, which allows some hum naturally. It's also hard to tell if everything's wired right, and that can cause a problem too. Since you said you're new to electric stuff, it would be a good idea to get someone with experience to survey your rig. (I'm sure there's someone nearby who'd be willing to help you.)

There's plenty of players in IL, so maybe it's time you went meetin' and greetin'?

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 28 Aug 2006 6:28 am

del,

where are you in illinios?

paul wade

Del Ogren · Post by **Del Ogren** » 28 Aug 2006 4:25 pm

Since I have yet to get a volume pedal, I doubt that's the problem Nic...

The piece of garbage 6 string electric guitar I have buzzes sometimes. But I got it used and have no idea what the state of the electronics might be. A big shot of tuner cleaner into the pots helped it.
But I've lost interest in that project.

When I wanna play 6 string I reach for the Martin or the old classical guitar. (Old folk-hippie habits die hard...)

The cables look fine. The solder joints look good. And one is spankin' new. So I don't think that's the problem.

Yep, Donny, I could look for local advice. Or I could bite the bullet and go chasing signals with the oscilloscope... (I'm a retired software engineer who's used to debugging with an oscilloscope.) Just not used to playin' electric instruments.

You're right though, playing and learning music is best when it's shared with friends.

Paul, We live in the Northern Chicago sububrbs. My wife plays flute and tin whistle. Mostly I play acoustic strings.. guitar, old time banjo, fiddle. and on and on..

--del

[This message was edited by Del Ogren on 28 August 2006 at 06:00 PM.]