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So I've got my rig (Eden Nemesis NA 320, Hartke TP 4x10, Hartke XL 1x15). I need to get a "rack" to keep my amp-head from getting scratched up, but do I need a noise gate? I always said my rig would consist of a bass, a single instrument cable, and an amp. That's pretty much what I'm going to be using aside from a couple pedals (depending on the project). Is a noise gate something I need with a bass rig? I've never used one before, but I also never used a tuner ("tune to me, dude"), and that's helped me out a great deal.

ck77 wrote:So I've got my rig (Eden Nemesis NA 320, Hartke TP 4x10, Hartke XL 1x15). I need to get a "rack" to keep my amp-head from getting scratched up, but do I need a noise gate? I always said my rig would consist of a bass, a single instrument cable, and an amp. That's pretty much what I'm going to be using aside from a couple pedals (depending on the project). Is a noise gate something I need with a bass rig? I've never used one before, but I also never used a tuner ("tune to me, dude"), and that's helped me out a great deal.

That would depend on if you hear noise or not.

If you got a hum or buzz get a power conditioner.

For some reason, most bassists I have played with around here have an inherent buzz or hum in their systems. I don't know if that's because of the pickup windings for basses or what, but I agree with RG on trying a conditioner first. Noise gates only get rid of the noise in between playing but it's still there when the instrument is making sound. If you get rid of the buzz, you'll have a cleaner sound.

Okay, so I'm going to get a power conditioner. I've heard of 'em, but I've never used one. I guess I neglected to mention that I did in fact hear some noise at higher volumes. Thanks.

Furman makes a good power conditioner, essential on my rig. I've also seen a mini noise canceling plug that you put on the end of your power cord. Don't know how good they work though. They cost about $25. Good luck.

a power conditioner is a good investment for any amp setup. it will even out any votaghe surges (which is nice if your playing gigs in old building with old wiring). this will protect your gear from damage andd hopefully get rid of that buzz. if that does not work, the noise gate might be the answer. you may also want to make sure the amp's wiring is grounded properly.

cavity shield your bass that normally does the trick, (copper tape from warmoth) even cover the cavity plate. single coils get more hum than humbuckers and MM's so if its a jazz its a lil expected

matters.
I used to have this problem, one thing I found out is a single channel cable is no good. I switched to horizon and have recruited a lot of people in the process to horizon cables.
They are duel channeled noise suppression cables, NO FEED BACK.

My abss never buzzes unless its my pedal's fault or that my Head is begining to overheat. Here's my stage set up:

Ibanez 300ex or Ibanez SR706 -->
Cable 1 -->
Pedalboard, EHX Little Big Muff Pi, Dean Markely Tuner,
EHX Small Clone-->
Cable 2 -->
My new GK Goldline head-->
Cable 3 (and 4) -->
GK 410 or 410x2 -->
Facemelt

Through all that I generally have no buzz just because of my cables.

on the one hand... most bass gtrs have settings that feature one single coil pickup. the p-style pickups are actually two coils so they don't hum, the j-style are single coils (for the most part) - using one of them alone will hum.

seriously tho... most audible hum is going to be in a freq range that you really don't even need for bass... if you have an eq - drop some of the highs out.

I hate the unnatural cutoff of a noise gate.

AFA recorded material you are better off going back and gating out any specific 'bad spots' by hand IMO.

if it's p/u hum... put in a 'dummy coil' or humbuckers.

Unless you use lots of distortion you are unlikely to encounter noise in any other 'normal' scenario. If you get hum from your amp - maybe something is wrong w it.

fx can cause noise but that's a whole nother story.

For under $20, you can get a new wiring Kit for your Bass with better insulated wires. Just do a search for Bass wiring kits with an included capicitor.

A .047 to .05 cap it will sound more like a modern P-bass, and a .1 will allow more treble roll-off like a fifties precision.

I've found over the years almost ALL basses need better wiring, That will usually fix the problem...also, don't skimp on the Cord, cheap cords are just that...CHEAP. I'm an extreme minimalist myself, I usually run direct to the board or with a Vintage tube amp

I have a GK backline 600 head and it hums too, more than likely an inherited trait from the design, of an entry level bass head

when I upgrade, I'll let you know if that got rid of it, in the meantime, most sound guys, have been able to eq my hum out, as it's usually in the upper frequencies, so it doesn't really effect my on stage sound.

Whitesel wrote:For under $20, you can get a new wiring Kit for your Bass with better insulated wires. Just do a search for Bass wiring kits with an included capicitor.

A .047 to .05 cap it will sound more like a modern P-bass, and a .1 will allow more treble roll-off like a fifties precision.

I've found over the years almost ALL basses need better wiring, That will usually fix the problem...also, don't skimp on the Cord, cheap cords are just that...CHEAP. I'm an extreme minimalist myself, I usually run direct to the board or with a Vintage tube amp

best advice so far.

tonyphil wrote:a power conditioner is a good investment for any amp setup. it will even out any votaghe surges (which is nice if your playing gigs in old building with old wiring). this will protect your gear from damage andd hopefully get rid of that buzz. if that does not work, the noise gate might be the answer. you may also want to make sure the amp's wiring is grounded properly.

LOL That's John and Peter's in New Hope, NJ to a "T".

People won't even play in there unless they are confident about their ability to handle "bad power issues including surges and the occasional complete loss of power due to blender use/someone shaving/aliens trying to contact the mother ship".

The best is when they look you right in the face and act like they have no idea to which you refer.

CARRY TUBES/FUSES/Divine Intervention Tokens..

ck77 wrote:I've never used one before, but I also never used a tuner ("tune to me, dude"), and that's helped me out a great deal.

The tuning bit was a joke, right?

If you are using single coil pick-ups they will hum. Especially if you are emphasizing one pup over the other. One option is to try both pups at full volume (depending on the wiring this can make two single coils humbucking).. but that may not be the sound you want. Another choice is swapping the single coils for humbucking pickups. But that may not be the sound you want either. Lastly experiment with a noise reduction pedal such as the ISP Decimator.

Jazz basses with one pup soloed are notorious for hum, it doesn't bother me because I EQ out all the treble anyway...

The other option is to replace the pups - EMG's drop-in active replacements are very quiet, or if you want to stay passive you could try the Fender 'Noiseless' ones, they are surprisingly good. The other advice about copper-taping your cavities is also good advice but make sure all the tape is earthed or you could just be making matters worse.

But in general: If you have a noise problem, fix it at the source of the noise, don't just plug in a noise suppressor to try to mask the problem.