Mobile Phone interference with LR Baggs Session VTC

[Nick84]

This is a really weird one that doesn’t happen and has never happened with any of my other pickups I’ve ever owned!

I have a 2018 Wee Lowden which came with a factory fitted LR Baggs Session VTC.

Whenever I play it plugged in I get interference from my iPhone. I know it’s this because when I activate flight mode and disable WiFi and Bluetooth it stops.

So when I play the Lowden plugged in I need to isolate my iPhone which can be annoying as I have it on my mic stand and need to use an offline version of my music app.

Has anyone any ideas what it might be and how/if it can be fixed ?

[LAPlayer]

You're citing the VTC as the culprit when plugged in. Do you plug into a BT equipped amplifier? Is the bluetooth turned on when you are plugged in and have your phone (BT on) close? What amp are you plugged into?

[Nick84]

Originally Posted by LAPlayer

You're citing the VTC as the culprit when plugged in. Do you plug into a BT equipped amplifier? Is the bluetooth turned on when you are plugged in and have your phone (BT on) close? What amp are you plugged into?

I’ve played it through a compact 60 (no Bluetooth), a Loudbox Artist with Bluetooth, straight into several house systems and into a Yamaha MG10XU mixer with and without a Boss VE-8. I’m 100% it’s the VTC Session.

[GCWaters]

Have you tried isolating bluetooth and wifi separately, rather than both simultaneously?

[Nick84]

Originally Posted by GCWaters

Have you tried isolating bluetooth and wifi separately, rather than both simultaneously?

I’ve not to be fair. But in an ideal world I don’t want to have to isolate either as I need both ideally for gigs

[GCWaters]

Originally Posted by Nick84

I’ve not to be fair. But in an ideal world I don’t want to have to isolate either as I need both ideally for gigs

Understood, but until you try you can’t know if it’s BT or WiFi causing the problem…

[LAPlayer]

I don't see any way a phone electronics could interfere with a guitar pickup that doesn't broadcast or receive and is plugged direct from the guitar to the amp. If there was going to be interference I would expect it from the amp not the VTC. Amp wiring can pick up all sorts of interference.

I fired up my Artist with iPad BT and WiFi on next to my iPhone with BT and WiFi on, set next to the amp and guitar and plugged my J45 with VTC and like always no interference. Sorry I tried.

Are you possibly running the guitar wireless to the amp? Also, what type of interference are you experiencing?

[LAPlayer]

Just to be clear, you have had the "interference" using that guitar, with that VTC system, through all those various amps mentioned above? How long has the interference issue been going on? A low battery can also cause all types of pickup issues.

[Nick84]

I’ve been in touch with LR Baggs over this as it’s such a head scratcher.

They have confirmed that in 2018 they upgraded and made changes to the Session VTC preamp as it was susceptible to interference from digital devices. My preamp will predate that update as it was factory fitted to a guitar made in early 2018.

I’m going through mod/upgrade options. But essentially it’s a swap out of the preamp.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Everyday is a school day!

[GCWaters]

Originally Posted by Nick84

I’ve been in touch with LR Baggs over this as it’s such a head scratcher.

They have confirmed that in 2018 they upgraded and made changes to the Session VTC preamp as it was susceptible to interference from digital devices. My preamp will predate that update as it was factory fitted to a guitar made in early 2018.

I’m going through mod/upgrade options. But essentially it’s a swap out of the preamp.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Everyday is a school day!

That's really interesting! Glad you got it figured out!