There could be a number of reasons why you are getting background hum, but you should not expect your LP and it's Humbuckers to be as quiet as your Variax, under any circumstances. The Variax has a unique piezo-electric pickup and it's noise characteristics will be very different, (much quieter, no feedback) than coil pups. Sounds like you've got a nice freebie. Just needs a bit of TLC. (don't we all)
