Willin Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Howdy - I just bought a new guitar off of eBay. Specifically, it's an Yngwie Malmsteen signature Fender Strat. It's a great guitar and I like it a lot, but I am having problems with it not being grounded correctly. When my hand is not touching the strings or bridge or tuning machines, etc, there is a significant buzzing noise. This is *especially* noticeable when my Ibanez TS-9 tubescreamer overdrive pedal is on. I only have a few days as a grace period before I can return this guitar. I also have never worked on a guitars electronics before. Lastly, I am going to be busy these next few days and won't have much time to mess around with the guitar and take it apart, so my main question is how likely is it that this problem can be easily repaired? I understand that I can search the forum and most likely find the solution to the problem, but that is not what I am asking for at this moment. I am more concerned about the signifigance of this problem and how easily it can be resolved. I don't want to be stuck with a lemon. So, is this *usually* an easily repairable problem? Thank you very much for responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5111987 Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Howdy - I just bought a new guitar off of eBay. Specifically, it's an Yngwie Malmsteen signature Fender Strat. It's a great guitar and I like it a lot, but I am having problems with it not being grounded correctly. When my hand is not touching the strings or bridge or tuning machines, etc, there is a significant buzzing noise. This is *especially* noticeable when my Ibanez TS-9 tubescreamer overdrive pedal is on. I only have a few days as a grace period before I can return this guitar. I also have never worked on a guitars electronics before. Lastly, I am going to be busy these next few days and won't have much time to mess around with the guitar and take it apart, so my main question is how likely is it that this problem can be easily repaired? I understand that I can search the forum and most likely find the solution to the problem, but that is not what I am asking for at this moment. I am more concerned about the signifigance of this problem and how easily it can be resolved. I don't want to be stuck with a lemon. So, is this *usually* an easily repairable problem? Thank you very much for responses. ← if the guitar has single coil pickups and there not hum cancelling they will buzz if they are humcancelling pickups its probbably the guitar thats not shielded correctly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted July 9, 2005 Report Share Posted July 9, 2005 Or it is indeed not grounded correctly. Fixing grounding is very easy to do. However, I would suggest taking it to a repair man unless you are experienced with electronics and soldering irons (which I assume you aren't since you would know how to fix it if you were). First thing I would do, however, is make sure that the wire running from the electronics to the bridge (the ground wire) is actually contacting the bridge. If it has come loose, then the guitar will not be grounded correctly. If you got a good deal on it, I say keep it. As I said, I can't imagine a guitar shop charging all that much to fix a grounding problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted July 10, 2005 Report Share Posted July 10, 2005 (edited) Sounds like it needs shielding (almost all factory Fenders do ). It shouldn't be a problem for any fairly good guitar tech. If you would like to DIY it, see the Guitar Nuts website for complete instructions. Edited July 10, 2005 by lovekraft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank falbo Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 If it is when you're not touching the strings (same as bridge, tuners, etc. they're all connected) it is completely normal. Almost all guitars are noisier when you the player are not grounded. Shielding, as lovekraft suggests, would be an "upgrade" and not a reason to send it back within your grace period. It's all about stray noise. In some environments it will be far less noticable than others, because there is less noise in the air for the guitar to pick up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted July 12, 2005 Report Share Posted July 12, 2005 It's all about stray noise. In some environments it will be far less noticable than others, because there is less noise in the air for the guitar to pick up. ← And definately don't play near your computer monitor or a flourescent light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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