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Post subject: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 12:04 am
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I recently had a new set of pickups put on my guitar. I have a strange harmonic/droning noise starting on the 5th fret, all the way to the end of the neck. The only thing I have changed in my setup is the pickups themselves, which I don't think is the problem considering the noise occurs unplugged as well. The pickups are Lindy Fralin Woodstock 69's, the guitar is an MIM 60th anniversary Strat. I was wondering if anyone has a similar problem, and solution.
Things I have Tried​
Intonating (not sure if I was doing it 100% correctly, but I think I followed the steps fairly well)
Lowering/raising the pickup
Moving action height
Tape behind the nut


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 12:17 am
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Is the noise apparent on each of the six strings?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 1:59 am
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If you hear the noise unplugged, my guess is it's setup related.

Probably the guitar was taken apart to some level when the pickups were installed - so check the neck joint screws (& all other screws/nuts), relief, bridge (saddles and trem plate) etc. - basically: do a full setup. Strat setup guide
One wild guess: too much relief may cause buzzing on the high end of the neck.
PS: On a problem guitar, always measure the key dimensions - rough scale length, relief, action, pickup height, trem plate height & angle...


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:42 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Is the noise apparent on each of the six strings?

Arjay

Thank you for your response, and I'm not sure if it is on all of the strings, but it is definitely noticeable on the top three.


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:45 am
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jmattis wrote:
If you hear the noise unplugged, my guess is it's setup related.

Probably the guitar was taken apart to some level when the pickups were installed - so check the neck joint screws (& all other screws/nuts), relief, bridge (saddles and trem plate) etc. - basically: do a full setup. Strat setup guide
One wild guess: too much relief may cause buzzing on the high end of the neck.
PS: On a problem guitar, always measure the key dimensions - rough scale length, relief, action, pickup height, trem plate height & angle...

Thank you for replying, and I have tried adjusting a lot of the stuff you suggested. Is there any pictures or videos I could post that would help identify the problem?


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 10:09 am
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Keep making the noise and put your ear to different parts of the guitar. Headstock, neck, back, front, sockets... If the sound is stronger at one place, it may give you a lead.

Does the noise quiet if you
- touch both sides of any one pickup?
- touch the strings above the nut?
- touch all tuner pegs?
- touch all the coils in the vibrato unit?
- touch the bridge saddles?
- touch any of the pots, or the jack socket?
- put on a capo, in various positions?

If none of that narrows down where the noise comes from, get a guitar tech to take a look at the frets.

The last time I had a similar problem, I identified it by the sound being loudest at the neck. It turned out to be the truss rod vibrating against the wood. An injection of a little bit of silicone made the girl happy. Your problem is likely completely different, but can likely also be narrowed down.


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:01 pm
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arth1 wrote:
Keep making the noise and put your ear to different parts of the guitar. Headstock, neck, back, front, sockets... If the sound is stronger at one place, it may give you a lead.

Does the noise quiet if you
- touch both sides of any one pickup?
- touch the strings above the nut?
- touch all tuner pegs?
- touch all the coils in the vibrato unit?
- touch the bridge saddles?
- touch any of the pots, or the jack socket?
- put on a capo, in various positions?

If none of that narrows down where the noise comes from, get a guitar tech to take a look at the frets.

The last time I had a similar problem, I identified it by the sound being loudest at the neck. It turned out to be the truss rod vibrating against the wood. An injection of a little bit of silicone made the girl happy. Your problem is likely completely different, but can likely also be narrowed down.

The guitar tech wasn't sure what the sound was coming from, but a few other guitars at the shop (much cheaper, off-brand guitars with stock pickups) made a similar noise. I have never heard of these pickups, or any higher quality guitars making this sound.


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:05 pm
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zritch wrote:
jmattis wrote:
If you hear the noise unplugged, my guess is it's setup related.

Probably the guitar was taken apart to some level when the pickups were installed - so check the neck joint screws (& all other screws/nuts), relief, bridge (saddles and trem plate) etc. - basically: do a full setup. Strat setup guide
One wild guess: too much relief may cause buzzing on the high end of the neck.
PS: On a problem guitar, always measure the key dimensions - rough scale length, relief, action, pickup height, trem plate height & angle...

Thank you for replying, and I have tried adjusting a lot of the stuff you suggested. Is there any pictures or videos I could post that would help identify the problem?

I took it to the guitar shop, and the truss rod was adjusted, which solved a seperate problem, but not this one.


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:43 pm
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Have you checked for loose nuts on the tuners?

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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 1:48 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Have you checked for loose nuts on the tuners?


+1

Or loose bushings?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:26 am
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The guitar tech wasn't sure what the sound was coming from, but a few other guitars at the shop (much cheaper, off-brand guitars with stock pickups) made a similar noise. I have never heard of these pickups, or any higher quality guitars making this sound.[/quote]

Been following this with interest, but you've lost me here! Various other guitars make the same noise? Strat-type or other? Trem or hard-tail?

I was going to ask if it isn't something stupid like the trem arm? I find when my trem arms are in a position near the strings, when the internal (tensioning) spring isn't doing much, and I'm not touching the arm, it can make a sort of warble which can be heard on the unwound strings, either amped or not. Moving the arm clockwise a bit (against the spring), or holding it, stops the sound immediately.

But if you're also hearing it on a non-trem guitar, for instance... not tinnitus, is it? Being a sufferer myself, I know you can get some very strange noises, sometimes in reaction to another sound.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 12:57 pm
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Peter S wrote:
... I find when my trem arms are in a position near the strings, when the internal (tensioning) spring isn't doing much ...

I'm not sure I follow this. The springs are always doing the same thing they always do, regardless of the postition of the whammy bar; countering string tension. If the springs aren't doing much then there's no tension on the strings and the guitar is unplayable. Unless I have missed something here.

:?:

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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 11:31 pm
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I think he's referring to the "tensioning" spring in the bar hole. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 2:08 am
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shimmilou wrote:
I think he's referring to the "tensioning" spring in the bar hole. :idea:


Correct.


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Post subject: Re: Odd Noise Issues
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:37 pm
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zritch wrote:
I recently had a new set of pickups put on my guitar. I have a strange harmonic/droning noise starting on the 5th fret, all the way to the end of the neck. The only thing I have changed in my setup is the pickups themselves, which I don't think is the problem considering the noise occurs unplugged as well. The pickups are Lindy Fralin Woodstock 69's, the guitar is an MIM 60th anniversary Strat. I was wondering if anyone has a similar problem, and solution.
Things I have Tried​
Intonating (not sure if I was doing it 100% correctly, but I think I followed the steps fairly well)
Lowering/raising the pickup
Moving action height
Tape behind the nut


Did the guitar make the noise before you changed pickups? If not, I would focus on the pickups and under the pick guard. Do the Fralins use a spring or medical tubing for the height adjustment screw? I'd isolate the pieces of the puzzle after that; 1st the headstock, then the neck, and then the bridge. Likely a setup issue but it could be a few little things added up.
Some ideas to help isolate/eliminate the noise:
(Lightly) wedge a piece of insulation tubing behind the nut and before the string trees across all strings
Get a straight edge long enough and thin enough to test the curvature of the neck between the three strings w/ problems
Replace springs in pickup height adjustment to medical tubing, if they are the conical type check to see they aren't upside down
Remove the trem and spring, adjust the bridge or just block the bridge(my preference)
Fill the open spaces between your bridge and trem claw springs w/ paper of your choice
If that don't work
Find a better tech than the one you took it too and let them look at it

If it only happens on three strings it is likely a string action adjustment at worst it could be a neck pocket issue or a warped neck. That shouldn't be the case but it does happen. W/o seeing and hearing it makes it difficult to diagnose. Follow the Fender set up guide and make gentle adjustments as needed.


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