• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: why the buzz?

I installed Rio Grande humbuckers into my 79 gibson explorer. Used RS Guitarworks guts after selling off my EMGs I had in there.

My problem is that when I kick on the distortion, it gets REALLY buzzy. If I put my hand on it, it quiets up... on the pickup, or on the pickup selector toggle. Do I have a bad ground somewhere? How do I quiet up this guitar?

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: why the buzz?

Sounds like the ground wire to the Tailpiece is broken or not attachted... ie transfering the ground throughtout the strings... the ground is going through everything in the wiring harness.

Ben

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: why the buzz?

touching the bridge or tailpiece doesn't make it go away, only touching the pickups does. The ground string is intact.

hmmmmm

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: why the buzz?

Well if it's soldered onto the pot end then its broken inside the hole or broken off of the tailpiece stud closest to the wiring chamber (you can't see the other end).  That's why when you touch your P/U's, you finish the ground, but when you touch the strings, TP, Bridge, Tuners it doesn't fix the grounding hum.  I woulnd't even know how to fix that if thats the case.  You can ohm it out (look for continuity) by using a meter.  Touch one lead to the pot inside and one to the TP to assure that their is no continuity meaning bad ground wire.  If it rings out then you have good continuity and the ground is good, meaning you have another problem of sorts.

Ben

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: why the buzz?

I had a buzzing problem just like that once with a bass I more or less built.  It was a real PITA.  One day I squatted down to get something and was eye level with the guts and saw there was 2 wires crossed between the poles on the bottom of the bridege pup.  I rerouted them and it was fine.

Hesitated to tell that cause it's kinda wierd.

MuchHeadScratching and FoulLanguage  hmm
BJJ

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