Microphonic Pickups?

[Mikegblues]

HI folks, been meaning to join the forum since I got my Mule's a few weeks ago.  Wasn't hoping to start off with this question though.

After installing the pups a couple of weeks or so ago and then waiting on other bits I finally got around to spending some decent amount of time with the guitar.

The Mule's sound good but I'm wondering if they're microphonic?

Just running it through my 20watt solid state practice amp with moderate volume and gain it seems both pups are picking up any and all vibrations on the guitar.

If i flick the toggle switch, move my strap, tap on the guitar, the pup rings or the pups themselves, then I can hear it through the amp loud and clear.

Not getting any whistling but I'll have to plug it into my Laney Lionheart tomorrow to see what happens at louder volumes and more gain.

I don't recall this happening on my Hamer with covered 'buckers but I suspect they where packed with wax.

I got them from Peach guitars.  They didn't say they where un-potted and BK pot them as standard AFAIK?

I can post a quick clip tomorrow if necessary.  All my wiring is correct.  Everything is grounded.  So my question is:

Is this normal for the mules or do you think I may need to return them to be re-potted?  Anything I've overlooked?

Anyhoo... Here's a pic of the guitar with the pups in...

[itamar101]

Let me start of by saying welcome to the forums :)
... And that's a stunning guitar you've got there! I didnt know that PRS SEs came with binding and flamed tops! What model?

Anyway, I'd assume that they're unpotted but I don't really have much experience in the matter so don't take my word for it.

[FELINEGUITARS]

That is the Bernie Marsden (ex-whitesnake) signature.

Different manufacturers have differing ideas of wax dipping and it can sometimes vary from set to set.

Simple fact is that if you are getting too much handling noise and when you get to test it , any squeal then the set may need more wax dipping.

Try talking into the pickups (or screaming ) and if you hear it through an amp then it may not be well enough dipped if you play with any degree of gain (the effect is worse if you play in a small space like a bedroom, or small studio room  than if you are on a larger stage and can move away from the amp as you can't easily escape the effect of microphonic pickups).

These being new and under warranty should go back to BKP or via Peach if you prefer.

We have a wax dipping facility  and we will dip any brand of pickup where needed, and we also do cavity screening to assist with hum reduction too.

[Mikegblues]

Lifted a couple of the polepiece screws a touch and there's a bit of wax on there so it looks like they're potted.  Not picking up my voice - although I couldn't realistically set the amp loud enough to really test that.

With my Laney Lionheart I get squealing if I put the guitar (With no strings on) a foot away from the guitar with 3 /4 gain (Not really a high gain amp) and 5 /10 volume.  So, it looks light they are a bit microphonic.

I really need to try this out at higher volumes than I can in my house.  I'm in a mind to have them re-potted but need to see how much of an issue it's really going to be.

[AndyR]

Sounds like they need replacing/fixing. I wouldn't expect mine to squeal like that - and they're unpotted in a 335!

I'm assuming you're the first owner? If so, I'd chuck BKP an email to see what they think and whether they want to handle it direct or whether they want you to go through the dealership. I'd probably do that before I went to the shop, unless I had a relationship with them already (eg I buy mine from Jonathan at Feline now, so I'd go straight back to him if I had new BKPs I'd bought from him that I had trouble with - but if didn't know the dealer so well I'd like the backup of what BKP think first).

[Toe-Knee]

I too have this problem minus the squealing with my miracle man.

Any slight movement with the guitar can be heard and if I mute a chord fast it has a short sharp ring that gets amplified. I suspected it could be the springs on the adjustment screws so I was going to heatshrink them but this has me second guessing.

I have had the pickup for 7 years now and this is only a recent development.

Does anyone have any idea how much repotting would cost? I could probably do it myself but I may get the cover changed too if I have to send it in.

[FELINEGUITARS]

I too have this problem minus the squealing with my miracle man.

Any slight movement with the guitar can be heard and if I mute a chord fast it has a short sharp ring that gets amplified. I suspected it could be the springs on the adjustment screws so I was going to heatshrink them but this has me second guessing.

I have had the pickup for 7 years now and this is only a recent development.

Does anyone have any idea how much repotting would cost? I could probably do it myself but I may get the cover changed too if I have to send it in.

BKP will still do it if you are the original owner - lifetime warranty kinda thing, but will charge for a cover change

We charge about £15 per pickup to do it as a service if someone brings a guitar in with microphonic pickups.

We also routinely wax dip any secondhand pickups we get in, so if we sell them they are free from squeal

[Toe-Knee]

I too have this problem minus the squealing with my miracle man.

Any slight movement with the guitar can be heard and if I mute a chord fast it has a short sharp ring that gets amplified. I suspected it could be the springs on the adjustment screws so I was going to heatshrink them but this has me second guessing.

I have had the pickup for 7 years now and this is only a recent development.

Does anyone have any idea how much repotting would cost? I could probably do it myself but I may get the cover changed too if I have to send it in.

BKP will still do it if you are the original owner - lifetime warranty kinda thing, but will charge for a cover change

We charge about £15 per pickup to do it as a service if someone brings a guitar in with microphonic pickups.

We also routinely wax dip any secondhand pickups we get in, so if we sell them they are free from squeal

Ah that's awesome. Does it matter if I have changed address multiple times since filling in the warranty? Actually I wonder if I still have the warranty card.

[Telerocker]

BKP has great customservice, should be no problem. Btw, I have Mules in a Saint Blues and don't have any unwanted noise. I had the same problems with a Rio Grande Muy Grande though.

[Toe-Knee]

Just a quick update. I was absolutely sure that this noise was coming from the pickup or the springs etc. But after watching the video earlier in the thread I put a bobble behind the nut and what do you know the problem went away.

[Mikegblues]

Just a quick update. I was absolutely sure that this noise was coming from the pickup or the springs etc. But after watching the video earlier in the thread I put a bobble behind the nut and what do you know the problem went away.

I think mine was the springs...  I took them out and tightened the screws on the baseplate (Some needed a quarter of a turn to tighten them but I can't see this being the cause of the issue).

I cut down the BKP supplied springs and replaced the PRS SE ones i'd re-used.

Sounding sweet!!!

Also added the BKP Custom pots.