RF noise in '94 Epic 6

[Leon]

My 1994 Epic 6 is picking up a lot of RF noise- phones, wifi, noise from computers ETC.
I thought maybe the silver shielding paint had been worn away and wasn't working, so I applied copper tape to the electronics cavity (including the cover of course), making sure there was good continuity and that everything was grounded, and made sure all the connections were good, but nothing has helped. The bass sounds fantastic, but it makes recording challenging since it picks up so much noise from my PC. Only thing I've noticed that might be wrong is that the treble pot doesn't have as much resistance when turned as the others, but none of the pots make noise/crackle when turned. Turning down the treble pot significantly reduces the volume of the RF noise, but doesn't remove it completely.
Any ideas what might be wrong?

[pauldo]

Leon,
Is this a recent problem with this bass?  Pictures of the electronics cavity may help (not me but others here) to troubleshoot this.

[Leon]

I've only had the bass since september, and it's been that way since I got it. I've mostly been playing with the treble turned down to avoid the issue, but it's a shame to lose out on that great top-end. I'll see if I can't sort out a picture soon

[gtrguy]

Noise like that seems to show up in the higher frequencies more. Does it vary when you turn your bass in a circle? Is there any 'motor-boating' sound as well?

[Leon]

Noise like that seems to show up in the higher frequencies more. Does it vary when you turn your bass in a circle? Is there any 'motor-boating' sound as well?

Yes, the sound varies depending on where I'm standing in the room, and at what angle the bass is held at. Not sure what "motor-boating" sound would be?
Here's a link to a youtube video demonstrating the sound at its worst: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rclnJ7A-Zxg

[adriaan]

Another question is whether the noise is there when the computer is off.

[Leon]

The noise seems to be dependant on what's around it- in a room with wifi and stuff like that it'll be very noisy, in a basement with little interference it'll not be so bad. I don't think my PC was on when I made that video, was a couple of days ago so not 100% sure

[pauldo]

Are there any fluorescent tube lamps in your house?
Have you tried playing it in a different location?  Like go to a music store to “try out an amp”, and see if it repeats there?

That does look like a real beauty of an Epic and not having the full tonal range must be frustrating.
Don’t fret.  Someone here will get this sorted out for you.

[Leon]

No flourescent lights, only LED and filament lights. I haven't noticed the sound as much when at practice, but that might come down to the fact that buzzing etc isn't as much of a problem at practice. I can definitely hear when I get a text on my phone no matter where I am however, as long as my phone is fairly close to the bass (i.e. in my right pocket)
I've attached a picture of the electronics cavity.
Don't fret? Dang, I gotta get a fretless bass too now? Haha

[pauldo]

 
There are many fine models to choose from.
This would be my choice:
Series I 74-124 (alembic.com)


Back to troubleshooting yours....
I am very limited in my electron behavior troubleshooting skills... stay tuned.


Good Luck!

[gtrguy]

I'd try making a note of where your blue trim pot is pointing (you can mark it with a fine tip sharpie) and then try turning it up and down and seeing if the noise gets any better. Set your amp at a known volume and then turn the amp up or down to still get the same volume after each adjustment and listen.  Of course, turning it up would make the noise also louder, but try it out anyway. And is the noise better or worse or any change depending on which pickup you are using?

[lembic76450]

Why does everything look like it is wrapped in tin foil?

[JimmyJ]

Why does everything look like it is wrapped in tin foil?

He said he applied copper tape as an additional shield for the electronics cavity - and it looks like he did a fine job!  Just sorry it didn't solve the problem.

I'll also mention that I have several retrofit LED ceiling lights in our kitchen which, when turned on, prevent the upstairs radio from receiving certain stations.  In other words, the way these particular LED bulbs are changing AC to DC is transmitting a lot of RF hash.  Sometimes you can find one offending piece of electronics which is polluting your airwaves by shutting things off until the bass gets quiet.

I don't know enough about the Epic electronics to be much help so wait for better troubleshooting advice.

Jimmy J

[jazzyvee]

I found an expensive way to resolve the rf interference i experienced with my series i guitar. After having my DS-5R checked and extra smoothing capacitors installed, my JC120 amp checked out and a conversation with Ron W, i discovered purely by accident that the interference was coming through the power supply via my ethernet powerline adaptors.

[rv_bass]

- posted in wrong thread … oops