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Hum from pick up

Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:58 am

I wonder if anyone has any ideas on this one.
I have a sho-bud ‘the pro 1’ with original pick up which plays beautifully through my Boss Katana amp.
Only issue I have is a low hum when the volume pedal is fully down or when I plug the amp directly into the steel.
Any thoughts ?
Cheers
Paul

Re: Hum from pick up

Thu Sep 26, 2019 8:13 pm

It’s almost certainly gone ‘microphonic’ as they say.
I had this happen on an old sho bud.
It will need rewinding, or replacing.
There are many choices on the replacement but I hear a wallace trutone replacement will give you the original sho bud tone.

Re: Hum from pick up

Sun Sep 29, 2019 1:28 pm

Thanks for the advice David
Anyone else have a suggestion for a replacement pick up ?
Paul

Re: Hum from pick up

Tue Oct 01, 2019 6:15 pm

For goodness sake, read your replies.
If David Hartley replies, please read it properly.
You have had the recommended pick-up replacement.
Doh.

Re: Hum from pick up

Thu Oct 03, 2019 5:28 am

The original pickup is a single coil, which is prone to hum, unfortunately.
Try moving your steel around whilst it is plugged in, and see if the hum stops

Most players have swapped out the original single coils for humbuckers, like a George L E66, or a Lawrence 705, or a Lace Alumitone

Re: Hum from pick up

Thu Oct 03, 2019 12:20 pm

Thanks Zebedee and David
Paul

Re: Hum from pick up

Sat Oct 05, 2019 2:48 pm

Maybe check the soldering on the pick up wires? Also, a single coil pickup will amplify interference like variable lighting or other electrical equipment.

I have a George L's PF-2 in my sho bud.

Re: Hum from pick up

Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:15 am

Paul
I swapped out the original Sho~Bud single coil pickups in my 'Bud, and installed Wallace Truetone pickups. The Truetones are single coils, but in operation they are very quiet. Humbuckers in a Sho~Bud? A sure sure way to lose that 'Bud twang. JMHO.

Re: Hum from pick up

Thu Oct 10, 2019 11:03 am

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice. I get the picture now: either go for a single coil replacement and accept that I may get occasional interference but keep a ‘true tone’ or go for a humbucker to kill the hum but sacrifice some tone. I will consider my options but really appreciate the guidance provided on the forum.
Paul
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