Pickup/ Neck Selector Problem?

[bradsteel]

Hi guys,

I am getting some pedal noise through my pickups. For example, I get a crackling/ static sound during pedal travel. It’s not noticeable when I’m mashing them, but if I’m slowly pressing/ releasing them then I can hear it.

Moreover, the pickups pick up a little bit of sound from the other neck. For example, if I have the E9 pickup selected, but play the C6 neck, it’ll pick it up (albeit relatively quietly).

Do I have an issue with the pickups (George Ls), the neck selector switch, or both?

Thanks,

Brad

[bradsteel]

[Danny Mitchell]

Brad, right away there's an earth problem, which we can hear as soon as you touch the switch. I hope you wear wellies.
I'm afraid I can't advise you with a cure, hopefully one of our friendly, neighbourhood boffins will sort you out. In the interim, play acoustically.

[Billy White]

Hi Brad, make sure are using an RCD plug as the earth problem could be anywhere. It may just be PSG or your cable, but it could be the amp or even the 13A socket your amp is pluged into. I lost a good friend because an extension cable had been wired wrong. You can get a screwdriver with a neon in the handle and you will be able to check that the earth is not live. They only cost a couple of pounds.
If you want to get in touch, feel free.
Billy

[hickenjr]

I'd get a proper sparky/electric instrument tech to look at it instead of trying to fix it yourself.

Fixing a sharp return is one thing...but make just one mistake with electrics and you might not live to regret it. I've heard stories of people getting a discharge by taking valves out of an amp which is supposed to be a simple job.

That being said, didn't you have this problem before an another guitar? Wasn't you getting a static shock from the strings? It could also be down to something else in the chain.

[Jif]

It sounds as if the chassis is not grounded, as others have said this could be at various points in the chain. The easiest way to trace it would be using a multimeter on the lowest resistance setting and check from the ground connection on the lead coming out of your steel to any metal part on the steel. If you are not getting virtually zero ohms between these two points then there is something suspect in the guitar wiring.

Have you tried a lead straight from the steel output socket into your amplifier? This would eliminate any in between stuff, such as your volume pedal and any effects you are using. In fact if you could try this with a different amplifier it would narrow the problem down to the guitar wiring.

I presume you have tried all the obvious things like using different leads?

[bradsteel]

Hi everybody! Thanks for all your help

I’ve eliminated everything else, it’s certainly the guitar. I suspect that it’s the solder strip/ tag thing where the pick up wires, jack wires, and switch wires meet like spaghetti junction lol it looks a bit of a mess.

The general consensus seems to be that the signal conductor and the ground are reversed somewhere, making me an antenna when I touch it.

I have a friend local to me who is a qualified electrical engineer and a six-string guitar/ amp enthusiast/ tech. He’s going to take a look at it tomorrow.

Fingers crossed!

[Jif]

Hi Brad, how did you get on with this, did you find out what the problem was?

[bradsteel]

Hi Geoff!

The guitar is with a tech at the moment. I’ll probably hear from him tomorrow. I’ll let you know how he gets on!

I’m hoping he can sort it. He’s a top/drawer guy with electricals. He builds amps and things from scratch so a pickup and switch won’t be a problem - however, he’s not a steelie. So I’m hoping he doesn’t take one look underneath and think “na, don’t fancy that”

[bradsteel]

****** UPDATE ******

Three main areas of buzzing/ crackling when they were touched:-

Neck Selector Switch
‘A’ Pedal
The aluminium trim separating the necks (right next to the switch and running the length of the cabinet)

So, first of all the pickups/ switch were resoldered as they were untidy and exposed hot wire looked like it might touch others. Looks a lot neater, but unfortunately the crackling and hum noises were unresolved.

Next, the tech got a gizmo out which on the one end had a crocodile clip, and the other end had a metal stick. I believe this was to test grounding. I don’t know the name for the tool however.

When the crocodile clip was on the lead that goes to the amp, and the stick was put onto the switch, trim and ‘A’ pedal cross shaft respectively, the noises went away. Basically, for whatever reason, there are certain parts of the guitar which aren’t being grounded anywhere. Tech will be making some small mods to resolve.

Will keep updated!