Ok so I've got a build done and I get some hum. It goes away when I touch the output jack which seems to indicate a grounding issue. It was recommended that I ground to the strings by either running a wire to a meal tail piece or a metal saddle. Problem, I don't have either. Strings run through the tailpiece and over an imitation bone saddle. So what other methods of grounding might work?
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running a thin nail through the ball end of the strings and then grounding the nail with a wire would work.
Its a grounding issue.Need to know what type of PU you're using.
What type of PU are you using?
Piezo,magnetic?
I believe you are basically grounding the guitar with your body when you touch the strings - either that or you are becoming part of the circuit- can't remember which. either way you probably need to ground the pickup if it is a magnetic for sure. The hum may also be worse around florescent lights and dimmer switches.
Hey, Its a piezo disk with a 1meg pot for volume and tone. 22 gauge wire. All my soldier joints look good. I had been using a 12 foot cable when testing and got bad buzz but it was almost completely eliminated when I switched to a 3 foot cable. I was only sitting about 3 feet from my amp so a lot of that 12 foot cable was piled up on the ground. I think this was causing interference. The remaining hum is rather low and not too bothersome but if I can eliminate it that'd be nice.
Here is my solution, as I also use a wooden tailpiece and wood (and bone) bridge:
So... I stick some copper tape (I have also used sheet brass before, but the tape is much more conductive and easier to solder to) to the tailpiece and push the bike spoke nipples I use for string ferrules through it, so they are all in contact. The copper tape goes down to below the lid of the box where I solder a wire to it, which passes into the box and is connected to the back of the volume pot. Now the strings are grounded you can eliminate buzz by touching the strings.
Remember this will only work with single coil pickups. I have never needed to ground the strings with a piezo.
Also remember there's a difference between buzz and hum. Buzz is the reason we ground the strings. You can't do anything about hum (ambient noise from power sockets/dimmers/computers) except for shielding, but I've never felt the need to do that either.
Hope this helps!
if anyone is wondering where to get copper tape, try your local garden centre, you use it to protect against snails,slugs in your plant pots..i sometimes use it for shielding..
you can search ebay for 'slug tape' too, same stuff as guitar shielding tape at quarter the price ;)
just put some across the underside of your tailpiece, just as riches pic there, I've done this a bunch of times.
You can always find it on ebay as well.I got a bunch for cheap when I built my slot car track.
So that's what youre using for ferrules!I knew you guys weren't paying $10 for 6.I have boxes of spokes,Thanks for the tip as well as the copper tape trick.
Only thing I like that comes from a guitar shop is tuners and strings,everything else is found or home depot.
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