Peavey T-40: bridge pickup buzzing/rattling

[LamarKafka]

I have a 1981 Peavey T-40 that is in good condition except for a very irritating issue with the bridge pickup. Whenever I play the bridge pickup plugged in, it makes this awful clipping/scratching noise, almost like the sound of turning a really dirty old volume pot. It does this on every bridge pickup setting and occasionally in the middle position, but never on the neck pickup. It only does it when I'm playing, although the 60 cycle hum gets a lot louder when I touch the metal part of the pickup. I've played with the height and checked the wiring, but nothing looks damaged or out of place. Does anybody know what's going on here?

Also, a minor side question: one of the knobs won't stay on and the set screw is stripped - is there any solution except getting a new knob?

 

[LowNloud1]

Have not experienced the condition you describe. Is it position? For example, if you lay the bass down flat on its back, plugged in, and play it, does the same problem happen? It also may be that the ground wire under the bridge needs to be checked.

As for the knob, glue it with a Loc-tite thread sealer or an RTV sealant. Just treat it gently after the glue sets.

 

[LamarKafka]

Have not experienced the condition you describe. Is it position? For example, if you lay the bass down flat on its back, plugged in, and play it, does the same problem happen? It also may be that the ground wire under the bridge needs to be checked.

As for the knob, glue it with a Loc-tite thread sealer or an RTV sealant. Just treat it gently after the glue sets.

I've tried it on its back and it still does it. I'll check the ground wire when I have a minute.

 

[LamarKafka]

Here's the ground wire. Looks fine to me.

 

[LamarKafka]

Just bumping this thread since it seems to have died. Anybody know what's going on here?

 

[Spidey2112]

Problem existed since you purchased bass... gradually got worse... just happened?

 

[Hopkins]

Do you have the toaster or blade pickups? I had the same issue on a blade pickup. The pickup lead had a broken wire right where it went into the pickup. Being a blade pickup it was epoxy potted so it wasn't really fixable. I have a feeling you will be searching Ebay for a T40 pickup. If you have the Toaster pickups you can likely fix it by replacing the pickup lead or possibly having the pickup rewound.

 

[LamarKafka]

Problem existed since you purchased bass... gradually got worse... just happened?

I can't remember if it was doing it right out of the box, but it certainly wasn't long after.

Do you have the toaster or blade pickups? I had the same issue on a blade pickup. The pickup lead had a broken wire right where it went into the pickup. Being a blade pickup it was epoxy potted so it wasn't really fixable. I have a feeling you will be searching Ebay for a T40 pickup. If you have the Toaster pickups you can likely fix it by replacing the pickup lead or possibly having the pickup rewound.

Mine has the blade pickups. I was hoping that I wouldn't need to replace the pickup, but I'm glad I know what the issue most likely is now.