A Kramer aluminum-neck bass came in for a setup and an electronics problem: odd noises and buzzing that did not track with the pots, jack or switches. Cleaning and a check of the connections and grounds did not stop it. The owner chose not to go further, and took the bass back with the noise still there.
- Instrument
- Kramer aluminum-neck bass
- Tech
- Dave Eastwood
- Customer complaint
- Setup and diagnose an electrical problem
- Diagnosis
- Noises and buzzing independent of the pots, jack and switches; a deeper look at the electronics would be needed
- Work performed
- Everything cleaned; loose connections and grounds checked; nothing stopped the noise
- Parts
- None
- Bench time
- 1 hour
- Outcome
- Owner declined the deeper diagnosis and took the bass back with the noise unresolved
What Came In
A Kramer aluminum-neck bass. The owner wanted it set up and an electrical problem diagnosed: the electronics were making odd noises and buzzing.
What We Found
The noise was independent of the pots, the jack and the switches, which is what made it hard. Running it down properly would have meant a deep dive into the electronics, and the owner declined that.
What We Did
Tried the simple diagnostics first: cleaned everything and checked for loose connections and disconnected grounds. Nothing stopped the noise. About an hour on the bench.
Result
The owner took the bass back with the noise still there, having decided against the deeper electronics work.
What happens when the usual electronics fixes do not work?
Cleaning, reseating connections and checking grounds catch most noise. When a noise does not change with any control, the cause is further into the harness, and finding it is real bench time with no guarantee of a quick answer. That is worth deciding on before the work starts, which is what happened here.
Related
- The Repair Vault
- Guitar Repair at Paul's Guitar Hideout
- How to Know If a Guitar Is Worth Repairing
- When to Take Your Guitar to a Tech vs. Fix It Yourself
- Fender G-5A VG Stratocaster: Synth Dropout and Setup for 10s
Bring It In
Noise that does not track with the knobs? We can tell you what the first hour finds and what it would take to go further. Guitar repair at the Hideout.
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If stairs are difficult or you're bringing in something you don't want to carry up, call or text us and we'll arrange access.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5 PM
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com