Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wade on June 16, 2014 at 1:12pm

running a thin nail through the ball end of the strings and then grounding the nail with a wire would work.

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Permalink Reply by Sawbones on June 16, 2014 at 1:33pm

Its a grounding issue.Need to know what type of PU you're using.

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Permalink Reply by Sawbones on June 16, 2014 at 1:31pm

What type of PU are you using?

Piezo,magnetic?

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Permalink Reply by Wade on June 16, 2014 at 3:15pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 16, 2014 at 4:05pm

Robert,

Yes, you appear to have a grounding issue. What type of pup are you using? If you are using a piezo, then string grounding isn't the issue; that would only be with a mag pup. Go back and check all your solder joints, and do it twice; you may have a cold joint. You also may want to twist the leads to the jack to get some cheap shielding. You may also want to see if there are any fluorescent lights, CRT TV, computer, etc., nearby. Also check the ground to your amp. Finally, is this a straight pup to jack config, or have you put a pot in there?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Phillips on June 16, 2014 at 5:44pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on June 16, 2014 at 5:48pm

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!

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Permalink Reply by jabes on June 16, 2014 at 7:17pm

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..

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on June 16, 2014 at 7:51pm

Plus you get to enjoy the benefit of a slug free guitar :-)

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on June 16, 2014 at 10:19pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by Sawbones on June 20, 2014 at 8:44am

You can always find it on ebay as well.I got a bunch for cheap when I built my slot car track.

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Permalink Reply by Sawbones on June 20, 2014 at 8:43am

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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