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Post subject: What Did I Do Wrong?
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:33 am
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I just finished building a Strat from parts. All parts except the electronics came from a Fender USA Highway 1 with an SSS configuration. I replaced the pickups with Custom Shop Texas Specials with the appropriate electronics. When I plugged into my Fender Stage Lead II, everything was great. When I strummed the open strings, the sound was exactly what I wanted. However, when I began to finger the fretboard, the amplifier began to hum loudly. When I touch the body and the back of the neck - no problem! Its only when I touch the strings that my problem persists. What have I done wrong?


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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:54 am
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You have a grounding problem. Either you didn't properly ground the electronics in the guitar, or there is an issue with the electrical outlet you're using. Chances are it's the grounding in the guitar though.

1) did you use a shielded pickguard?
2) was the shielding worn off where you attach the pots?
3) did you add an "extra" ground wire?
4) if you check the ground circuit with a meter, are all of the pots, bridge, switch, and input jack sharing the same common ground?

Without having the guitar in front of me it's hard to say what the problem is.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:34 pm
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Yeah, it sounds like a broken ground loop maybe.

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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:48 pm
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Can't wait til I'm a luthier so I know what you're talking about. I do know for one that grounding your wires and making sure that your pickguard is shielded is an important step. I'd also suggest using copper foil in the pickup control rout, it helps with getting rid of hum. Good luck

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Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 4:40 pm
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It sounds like some sort of grounding issue alright.
Did you connect the bridge ground wire to the ground of the rest of the circuit?
(since you can do this test without opening things back up)
If you have some spare wire or even better some wire with allegator clips, see what happens when you connect the the jack sleeve to the bridge. If it goes silent (no sound even from strings) and pops, then you might have your signal side connected to the ground wire of your bridge.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:37 am
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8) Just A guess ..... With out the piece infront a Me I'd
Say it was Minus the ground wire that goes to the spring
saddle .. Ya need to sodier a # 14 Wire to the saddle an
Ground it to the System.. Woops no Buzz , cool like dat !
Words a Witt From The BIG BAMBOO>>guitar bum.. :wink:


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Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:24 pm
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I have to agree, it sounds like a grounding issue.

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