#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Cigar Box Nation is sponsored by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!

electronics problem

Hey guys how's everything goin ??

I'm just wondering if anyone could help me out... I've wired up a few CBG's successfully but lately i've been having a few problems with humming / feedback..

I'm just using a piezo buzzer with a volume control and of course a 1/4" input jack. For some reason when you plug the guitar in, there is a slight humming sound. When you touch the volume knob with your hand the humming sound is really maximized. And what seems even weirder is that when I touch the metal on the guitar lead / input, there is a dead silence with perfect response from the Piezo.

I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced this or if it's a common issue!?? I've got a couple of pictures on my page that show you exactly how I've been wiring them up. Thanks in advance!!

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Artist Formerly Known as Matt on April 19, 2010 at 7:05am

Mornin.
This is one reason I don't use controls on my boxes. I let the amp do all the work.
You need to make sure the case of the control pot is grounded to the jack.
( After checking your pics, below is what you need)
May even need to ground the strings as well. Do this by drilling holes in a metal plate and placing it where the string ball ends are.
then run a ground wire from the plate to the jack.

Matt

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on April 19, 2010 at 8:06am

Is it possible the tang on the 1/4" jack is not properly ingaging the input?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roy E. Queen on April 19, 2010 at 10:13am

I'm pretty sure Matt nailed it. Anytime you have noise like that that and it goes away when you touch something else it's a grounding thing. Test it by using a couple alligator clips with wire jumpers on different spots to see when it goes away.