What's Wrong With My Rhodes?

[WurlieNewbie]

Hi guys... Need the forum's help here to troubleshoot an issue I'm having with my '74 Mark I stage 88.

Whenever I hit a note anywhere in the middle of the keyboard, I hear an electric buzz.  The buzz doesn't seem to be present when I'm not playing, only when I hit an actual note (especially Mid D up to an octave).  I'm not sure if the problem is over the entire keyboard and I'm only hearing it more in the middle of the keyboard due to the frequencies there (I have a feeling that's the case because if I hit other notes in other octaves very hard, I hear it as well).

Also, the buzz is more pronounced the higher I turn up the treble on my Vintage Vibe preamp.  I've taken off the lid and checked for loose wiring but couldn't find anything.

Anybody have a clue as to what could be going on?  Is it a preamp issue?  Or could it be something with my pickups? I'm baffled as to why I only hear it when playing a note.  Normally, when there's hiss or noise from something (a noisy pedal, grounding issue, etc), you hear it ALL THE TIME.  But not this. 

Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks!

[pianotuner steveo]

I've never heard of Rhodes pickups making this noise. If you can solder, just try resoldering  the ground wire(s) for the pickups. You may want to ask VV if they've ever heard of an issue like this with their preamp.

[Jenzz]

Hi .-)

Check for metallic debris around the pickup's magnets... This will often cause strange and distortion-like artifacts...

Jenzz

[mvanmanen]

Another easy thing to check...check to make sure all of your pick-ups are screwed tightly down.

[WurlieNewbie]

Thanks everyone for the troubleshooting tips... Sounds like everyone is thinking it might be a pickup issue?

Jenzz, how exactly would I check for debris around the magnets? Do I wipe them clean or something?

[vortmaxx]

First thing I'd probably do is get an rca -> 1/4" cable and go direct off the harp, just to rule out the pre-amp.

Next step would probably be check the ground wire going from the pick-ups to the rca.

[WurlieNewbie]

Well, I went directly off the harp and still heard the buzzing when playing notes... which means it's not the preamp.

I checked the ground wires but wasn't sure what I was looking for.  They seemed screwed in tight and when I wiggled them, there was no change in the buzzing. 

If this were some kind of grounding issue, wouldn't I be hearing it all the time, instead of just when I hit a note?

[mvanmanen]

Are you able to upload or send a link to a recording of what you are hearing? It seems very odd that it is limited to the middle section of the keyboard...

[Jenzz]

Hi .-)

It should NOT look like this: (see pic)


If it does, the best way to dust off is using compressed air...

Jenzz