I just had a Baggs pickup installed on my 5-string violin, and am unhappily surprised that I'm getting pops from my PA with each change in bow direction. On a skippy tune, it is especially distracting. This can't possibly be a design feature. I've seen this (years ago) in a Zeta electric, but a friend of mine just picked up a $50 electric on ebay, and his doesn't pop. What to do? Any insights?
It seems to mee that it is either a fault - if it really pops (like when you unplug during a set) it is most certaily a faulty pickup or connection in wire or plug.
If the pops are more like little electric sounds each time you change the bow it could be the combination of strings and pickup - sometimes certain strings makes the attack noise harder and a piezo like the L.R.Baggs amplifies that.
I agree with Berg. It is more than likely a cord or jack wiring issue. I have used the Baggs violin pickups and never had that problem. I would bet it is a loose wire somewhere. When yopu find out make sure you let us know what you come up with.
If the sounds you are experiencing with bow direction changes, is like a "Thump" - try playing spiccato- how´s that ?
this thump is a common complaint since it is a characteristic of many makes of bridge mounted Piezo´s. Some use it to replace the drummer in a band- Some have expensive and heavy bridges with double piezo´s per string to drown this out.
It may be that your bridge specimen is particularly bad, and maybe you could ask your supplier about a replacement. if you tap the bridge edge cross-wise, is the thump louder than if you tap it along the strings ? Best, Michael.