J J Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Whats the deal with computers and single coil pickup humming? You know, when your guitar is by a computer, I've heard this causes humming... I just wanted to know because when I'm playing by my computer (4 1/2' away) i always get a lot of hums and buzzes and everything. But when I'm jamming at a friends house, in a garage for example, there seems to be not as many problems. Someone want to give me some info on this? Does this also seem to be with amplifiers too? Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Tom Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Its picking up noise from the computer. You can get rid of most of it by moving further away, and rotating around to find the quiet spot. I think you will find all or most comes from the monitor - you might be able to move the monitor further back, and also try rotating it to find the quietest position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 A computer monitor is a source of electromagnetic radiation. Try turning your monitor off next time you're playing in front of your computer and see if that doesn't help with the noise. Also, single coils don't have the second coil that cancels the hum. BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tele Kinesis Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 TV's and computer monitors (CRT type), light dimmers, flourescent lights, electric motors, etc., all radiate electronic interference, especially into a single coil pickup, or to a BIT less extent, an unbalanced line level signal. That's why humbuckers and balanced equipment were invented. To cancel out the the offending signal with an opposite polarity equal strength signal. The same signal basically goes down two lines, one is inverted 180 degrees, (with a third line as the "ground" path.) Imagine the current in a stock humbucker goes clockwise in one pickup and counter-clockwise in the other. It gets recombined at some point before getting amplified. The effect of this is that, theoretically, any noise introduced into the signal cancels out. It also basically boosts the level of the signal when it gets recombined. That's part of the reason a balanced recording signal is a bit higher than an unbalanced one. This is all a pretty simplified explanation, and I'm sure there's some holes in it for anyone to fill in, if desired. (Just trying to keep it simple...not for any of you...for ME ) Also, yeah, guitar amps generate it too. Move that single coil guitar progressively closer to a tube amp, and hum along. Shoehorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tele Kinesis Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 BTW, nice pic of my all-time favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werewolf by Night Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 P-90s and computer-monitors are a particularly potent recipe for surplus hhuuuummmmmmm!! Even humbuckers will pick up some hum when very close to a computer monitor. Like others have said, lean away and, when possible, turn off the monitor. Instant cut-off of the hum, you'll see! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 i always turn my monitor off when i use my p90 godin, works like a charm. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_dup3 Posted May 14, 2004 Share Posted May 14, 2004 Both Dimarzio & Fender (& probably others) make replcement pickups for Strats. They recieved positive reviews in GPlayer a few years back. I can't recall the issue but I'll look it up if you need, although if you investigate the manufacturers directly you'd get more up-to-date info...such as side-by-side coil models or fits for other guitars than Strats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J J Posted May 15, 2004 Author Share Posted May 15, 2004 Wow! played my guitar 5 minutes ago and hummmmmmmm....etc. Until i turned off my monitor. two words: Completely gone. I love it. Thanks a lot guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoes Posted May 15, 2004 Share Posted May 15, 2004 I've seen those humbuckers for Strats that have stacked coils wound (I think) in alternate directions to cancel out the noise. ?? Would they not be a drastic departure from the stock sound of a single coil??? You'd inadvertently end up with a Fatocaster. That's a question.. I still think guitars are like shoes, but louder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tele Kinesis Posted May 15, 2004 Share Posted May 15, 2004 quote:Originally posted by J J: Wow! played my guitar 5 minutes ago and hummmmmmmm....etc. Until i turned off my monitor. two words: Completely gone. I love it. Thanks a lot guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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