HELP! Uncle Rob, Please Read This!

[PastorChuck]

I have a "new to me" Larrivee LCJ10-K (all Koa) built in 1998 (I will be posting some pictures soon!!!)

It came with an older Fishman natural passive pick up. I just had an LR Baggs Anthem installed (the full Anthem, not the SL).

I am using an LR Baggs Acoustic Reference Amplifier that I just recently purchased.

After I got the Larrivee back from my guitar tech, with the Anthem system installed, I tried it out with the LR Baggs amplifier - and had some problems. When I plugged the guitar into the amp, I got a low hum - like a "bass rolloff". I tried my other guitars in the amp, using the same cable (Monster Acoustic cable) and there is NO HUM. The odd thing is that if I touched the endpin of the guitar - the hum would stop. Also, if I touched the metal handle of the amp, the hum would stop.

i called LR Baggs and they thought there was a problem with the Anthem system - so they sent me a complete new system. So, back to the tech who uninstalled the old Anthem system and reinstalled the new Anthem system - and THE PROBLEM has not changed!

It is hard to describe in words what I am talking about - but when all the other guitars are plugged in - there is no noise, no hum. When I plug in the Larrivee with Anthem system, there is this low hum- and it is frustrating - especially when both the Anthem and the Acoustic Reference Amplifier are pretty expensive and there should not be this kind of issue.

Anyone out there have any suggestions, any ideas? Since this is the second Anthem system, I don't think that is the issue. The amp is brand new as well.
I am frustrated.

http://www.lrbaggs.com/anthem/

http://lrbaggs.com/amp/

[webberink]

I am no Uncle Rob, but FWIW, I had a similar issue with my Fishman Elipse Blend system.  It turned out that it was caused by the saddle not sitting fully on the under saddle PU which can be caused by the saddle base not being cut square or the bottom of the saddle slot not being flat or the saddle slot being to tight.  In my case it was the latter.
It will be interesting to hear what Uncle says.
Dave

[unclrob]

My first thought would be a grounding problem but as Dave has said the pu might not be seated right.BIG QUESTION did you plug it in before leaving the shop?I know that I won't allow you to leave my shop without hearing it first.Even with the noise do all the string play balanced in volumn?Press down on the saddle in the middle does the tone change?Detune the guitar and remove the saddle,does it look like one side is higher the other?Does the pu look level?Look inside the guitar do the wire's appear kinked?If you can get your hand inside feel along the wire's,are there any kinks/pinch's or anything that doesn't feel right such as bumps in the wire?Can you bring it to another tech and tell a white lie that you did the install by the book and can he check it out for you?After all that I got nothin left.If it still persist call me I should be on the bench all day rebinding a guitar{my last rebind ever}.

[L07 Shooting Star]

Investigate the input jack on the guitar.  Perhaps the hot and ground aren't becoming completely isolated from each other when you plug in.  Have you tried a different connection cable?  Maybe your cable doesn't push in quite far enough into the jack on your guitar (or too far).  Try a couple of different cables and see if that makes a difference.  Just a thought.

Kurt

[BenF]

Seems strange that the replacement produced the same problem.  Logic would suggest that the problem lies with a part not replaced for the second install, or the tech is unable to do the install properly.

It would be good if unclrob could teleport around the globe to do guitar repairs.

[abalone at last]

Taylor expression system (and most electric guitars) use a string ground to remedy this problem. Pretty easy to install if you can't solve it any other way. This seasons Taylor Wood and Steel magazine has a picture of it . Your tech could add one very easily. Hope this helps.

[unclrob]

The product is designed as a closed system.I have installed grounds but running a ground shouldn't have to be done.The problem has to be with how it was installed.The bottom of the saddle slot in most case's are flat so I suspect its the way the pu is sitting in the slot.

[abalone at last]

Taylors were originally designed as closed system too but they added it later. I do agree though, make sure your saddle pocket and saddle are square.

[Mr_LV19E]

Definitely sounds like ground hum. I agree with pulling the saddle, carefully remove the under saddle transducer and make sure the tech didn't accidentally scrape off some of the shielding during installation of the transducer or the saddle. Did the tech replace everything or did he just replace the UST?

[Zohn]

So PastorChuck, did you get the problem sorted?
And I wish to remind you to post the photos of the guitar  pallllease!!!!