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Buzzing pick-up

  • 31-10-2019 9:38pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭


    I have a guitar with two pick-ups, sliding on/ off selection switches and tone and volume controls. I can select either pick-up or both, and they work fine individually or together. The tone and volume work fine likewise.
    There's a problem with one pick-up. It gives a slight buzz when I touch it...but here's the thing...if I link the two metal pick-up casings with a screwdriver across them, they both stop working.
    I'm about to take of the control panel, what should I be looking for?
    (Please advise if there's a better forum section for this question, thanks!)


Comments

  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 23,357 Mod ✭✭✭✭feylya


    When did this start? Was it after some maintenance? Sounds like a ground loop


  • Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭tony glenn


    feylya wrote: »
    When did this start? Was it after some maintenance? Sounds like a ground loop

    It was there when I bought the guitar. (I was warned!) It's weird, everything works fine, and I could play it as is, but I'd prefer to sort it.
    I've checked all the connections as best as I can.


  • Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭tony glenn


    tony glenn wrote: »
    It was there when I bought the guitar. (I was warned!) It's weird, everything works fine, and I could play it as is, but I'd prefer to sort it.
    I've checked all the connections as best as I can.

    PS The other pick-up is perfect btw


  • Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭tony glenn


    tony glenn wrote: »
    PS The other pick-up is perfect btw

    After further prodding, I noticed that I can virtually eliminate the buzzing by touching any earth point (back of pits, copper sheathing etc) with anything metal (screwdriver etc). But only when I'm holding it myself.
    I have also spotted that the hot wire from the good pick-up goes to the relevant on/off switch, and the sheath to earth....but on the problem pick-up, the sheath goes to the other switch, and the hot wire to the earth. Does that seem right? Should I try swapping them? (I'm good with a soldering iron)


  • Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭tony glenn


    tony glenn wrote: »
    After further prodding, I noticed that I can virtually eliminate the buzzing by touching any earth point (back of pits, copper sheathing etc) with anything metal (screwdriver etc). But only when I'm holding it myself.
    I have also spotted that the hot wire from the good pick-up goes to the relevant on/off switch, and the sheath to earth....but on the problem pick-up, the sheath goes to the other switch, and the hot wire to the earth. Does that seem right? Should I try swapping them? (I'm good with a soldering iron)

    Here's two pics of the relevant area btw


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  • Registered Users Posts: 707 ✭✭✭Hoagy


    tony glenn wrote: »
    Here's two pics of the relevant area btw

    Looks like the previous owner was trying to put the two pickups out of phase with each other but didn't do it properly.

    As you suggested, put it back the way it should be with the screen to ground.


  • Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭tony glenn


    Hoagy wrote: »
    Looks like the previous owner was trying to put the two pickups out of phase with each other but didn't do it properly.

    As you suggested, put it back the way it should be with the screen to ground.

    Thanks Hoagy, I knew it didn't look right, but I figured it must have been that way from the factory. I'll swap the hot and the earth tomorrow morning and let you know.


  • Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭tony glenn


    tony glenn wrote: »
    Thanks Hoagy, I knew it didn't look right, but I figured it must have been that way from the factory. I'll swap the hot and the earth tomorrow morning and let you know.

    Yippee etc. That's exactly what it was. I swapped the hot with the earth and vice versa. Problem solved, everything working perfectly. I don't pretend to know anything about in/out of phase pick-ups, but I'm amazed that whoever did the original wire swap didn't realise the problem it caused.....and swap back!
    Thanks for all comments btw. Boards to the rescue once again :)


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