A Kramer aluminum neck bass came in for a setup and an electronics problem that turned out to be more than a cleaning could fix.
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, jack, and switches, which is what makes this kind of problem hard. Running it down properly meant a deep dive into the electronics, and the owner chose not to go that far.
What We Did
Ran the standard diagnostics first, cleaned everything and checked for loose connections and bad grounds. None of it stopped the noise, which pointed to something deeper in the wiring. 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.
Worth Knowing
When a noise does not track with the pots, switch, or jack, the usual quick fixes will not catch it, and the cause is often a grounding or wiring fault buried in the harness. Finding it is real time at the bench, so it is worth deciding up front how far you want to take a diagnosis.
Aluminum neck instruments are their own thing, and their wiring and shielding can behave differently than a standard wood neck bass.
Bring It In
Got a noise you can't pin down? Bring it in. We'll start with the simple diagnostics and tell you what we find before going further.
Related
- When to Take Your Guitar to a Tech vs. Fix It Yourself
- How to Know If a Guitar Is Worth Repairing
- What a Guitar Setup Includes and Why It Matters
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 you need assistance, give us a call and we'll come down.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday to Sunday, 12 to 5pm
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com