Well Alex you might just check with them record book folks cause you might have had the only Cortina that did anything fast. As for Pete, you might just have a bum wire. Also your pickup probably terminates thru a high Z cord. A high Z adaptor to low Z has a transformer in it and sometimes solves AC hum problems. If you are plugging into a mixing board you would also have the advantage of some preamping with low Z. The direct box idea is a good one that will also give you AC line isolation. When you "fly" down to the store to try one also try a Rolls or ART MP preamp using low Z connections thruout. These can also be used as direct boxes and provide additional preamp beyond a direct box and cost less.