Pickup Distortion (fuzz)

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 4 Mar 2003 6:16 pm

Someone give me an idea or answer to this problem..... I'm getting a slight fuzz tone on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th strings on every fret of my U-12. The pickup is a George L 12-1. I don't hear it on the rest of the strings. It gets very prominent if I boost the treble. The problem is still there if I plug the guitar directly into an amp or a board without the volume pedal. Is this a bad pickup? I've tried raising and lowering the pickup and this doesn't help.
Thanks
Dennis

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 4 Mar 2003 6:53 pm

Dennis, Try a different amp. Or try a different room. Sounds weird but I had the problem and it was something in the room.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 4 Mar 2003 7:12 pm

Hi Craig
I'm running it direct into a mixer and hearing it with headphones. Also hear it when played through one of my session 400s.
My first self diagnosis is pickup related. I had the same problem plus feedback only with low strings on a new MSA Super Sustain in 1976. Maurice sent me a new pickup and solved the problem.
I emailed Bill Lawrence a few minutes ago. Maybe he will respond? I can't find an email address for George L.
I can cut the 8000 hz and above with an eq and eliminate most of it.
????

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 5 Mar 2003 6:04 am

Sounds like you might have a handle on it. You mentioned an EQ. Do you use this all the time? Could you just be overdriving the mix on that end? An EQ into the front of a mixer or amp will do that. Kind of like a preamp set higher than a post deal. If it makes you feel better, I tried to find GeorgeL's email and can't find it either.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

Earl Foote · Post by **Earl Foote** » 5 Mar 2003 6:37 am

I've got a push-pull with a BL710 and a all-pull Emmons with a 108-N. Both of these guitars will overdrive anything that I plug them into, if I don't use a volume pedal to limit the output.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 5 Mar 2003 1:44 pm

I've tried playing through my effects rack and without. Tried with volume pedal and without. Tried direct from guitar to amp or mixing board. All methods still come up fuzz

Not a heavy fuzz, but audible enough and not pretty. Going to try a different 110 plug and see if it might be something coming through the line.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 5 Mar 2003 2:05 pm

Today the slight fuzz is gone? I don't get it? Maybe someone wiped Nair on my strings?
Could low line voltage cause this? I was getting the same fuzz through a PV 601 mixer and through a session 400. Terrorists maybe?
Dennis

Don Olson · Post by **Don Olson** » 5 Mar 2003 6:10 pm

Hey Dennis,I'm not putting you on but how is your hearing.I had some trouble like that and I found my ears were full of wax.I cleaned them and I couldn't believe the difference. Don

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 5 Mar 2003 6:56 pm

Maybe you changed underwear? I don't know. It's the mystery of electronics I guess.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 5 Mar 2003 7:47 pm

Don....thanks! No wax, but shaved my ear fuzz and voila!

Craig....fuzz in the underwear...new ones did make a difference!