Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

[AniML]

I have just installed a 4 way switch in my tele. It sounds great except I have a ground problem.

Every time I touch the strings, bridge, control plate or input jack I get a popping sound - like a static discharge.

I followed the wiring the wiring diagram that came with the Fender 4 way switch - except that the pickup cover ground and signal ground are a common wire (this is how the pickup came). DOES THIS MATTER? I also added a bridge ground to the volume pot.

I also tried the schematic on guitarelectronics.com


I have tried taking the neck pickup out of the circuit and it still happens. I have tried using test clips to find other ground connections that I might have missed, but no luck.

I am totally stumped.

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

You apparently have to cut the neck pickup's ground wire and add a new one. I am not exactly sure what's involved in this, but this schematic may help: http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/pdf/tele_4-way_diagram.pdf or you can do a search or I'm sure someone with experience in this will chime in.

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Actually, this thread I started may help where Scott Miller from SD explains exactly what to do and why: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=57801

 

[AniML]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Actually, this thread I started may help where Scott Miller from SD explains exactly what to do and why: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=57801

I did that. Still I get a static shock whenever I touch the strings, jack or control cover!!!

 

[frehley]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Try www.guitarnuts.com

 

[AniML]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Try www.guitarnuts.com

I have soldered, desoldered and resoldered just about every point. And I isolated the neck cover ground. I still get a static discharge pop.

Lew, Artie someone -- HHEEEELLLLLPPPPP!

 

[greco]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Do you have a the bridge ground wire attached to ground?
This can be easy to miss/forget.

Not sure about Tele. wiring specifically but it is typical in other guitars.

Just a thought.

Hope you solve this soon.

 

[AniML]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Do you have a the bridge ground wire attached to ground?
This can be easy to miss/forget.

Not sure about Tele. wiring specifically but it is typical in other guitars.

Just a thought.

Hope you solve this soon.

I have a wire under the bridge running to back of the volume pot, All other grounds also go to the volume pot, excep tthe jack ground which goes to the tone pot. Again, as per Fender's diagram. <bangs head against wall>

 

[greco]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Did you check that the wire under the bridge is soldered or at least making very good electrical contact?

My friend's (expensive) Strat had a mechanical connection
which fell apart..we soldered it.

I really think (IMHO) that you have a grounding problem somewhere.

Good luck

Dave

 

[Artie]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

There is one other thing that occured to me. In winter, the air gets real dry. I have a problem during this time of year getting shocked all around the house. Even if everything is done properly, a good static discharge will arc across several places on your guitar and generate enough RF to cause a pop.

Its a long shot, but I have this type of problem real bad with touching the plastic pickguard on one of my Peavey's.

Artie

 

[AniML]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

There is one other thing that occured to me. In winter, the air gets real dry. I have a problem during this time of year getting shocked all around the house. Even if everything is done properly, a good static discharge will arc across several places on your guitar and generate enough RF to cause a pop.

Its a long shot, but I have this type of problem real bad with touching the plastic pickguard on one of my Peavey's.

Artie

Yeah, I thought of that too, but wouldn't write it off as environmental. I have one of those fake suede couches that can be a real souce of static - that I often sit on when I play. Wall to wall carpet doesn't help. The weird thing is this is the only one of 5 guitars that does this. I guess I'll live with it till the humidity goes up and hope that is it.

If YOU write this off as environmental, then I will too. Thanks.

 

[Artie]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Its a possibility. All of my guitars have conventional pickguards, but for some reason, the one on the Peavey Genny just crackles if I rub my fingers across it gently. Drives me nuts. Its the main reason that I made a wooden pickgaurd for it.

 

[AniML]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Its a possibility. All of my guitars have conventional pickguards, but for some reason, the one on the Peavey Genny just crackles if I rub my fingers across it gently. Drives me nuts. Its the main reason that I made a wooden pickgaurd for it.

You might be onto something - this is a Peavey too (not 100% sure if its a Reactor or Raptor, but it has a Raptor neck)

I tried playing with the pickguard off (I'll try just about anything at this point). Maybe its the finish?? I'll try wrapping the whole guitar in aluminum foil & report back

 

[greco]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

People working wth CMOS chips in computers wear wrist bands connected to a good source of ground to constantly discharge static charge from their body. A small static chage can kill a CMOS chip.

Could you consider:

1)Discharging your static to ground and then try to hold the guitar and touch the various metal parts, then try to play? You can discharge your static by touching the screw in that holds the faceplate on your wall receptacles/outlets (assuming your household wiring is properly grounded) and then pick up the guitar.

or

2) Take your guitar and amp to a local greenhouse ( watch out for the possible rust problems ) and play for the owner......Sorry, couldn't resist.

Dave

 

[AniML]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

Did you check that the wire under the bridge is soldered or at least making very good electrical contact?

My friend's (expensive) Strat had a mechanical connection
which fell apart..we soldered it.

I really think (IMHO) that you have a grounding problem somewhere.

Good luck

Dave

It is making contact wit hthe bridge plate and one of the screws. The other end is soldered to the volume pot back.

I don't think solder will stick to the bridge, but maybe I can scrape or buff off some of the chrome where it makes contact?

 

[AniML]

Re: Can't ground my Tele, HELP!

People working wth CMOS chips in computers wear wrist bands connected to a good source of ground to constantly discharge static charge from their body. A small static chage can kill a CMOS chip.

Could you consider:

1)Discharging your static to ground and then try to hold the guitar and touch the various metal parts, then try to play? You can discharge your static by touching the screw in that holds the faceplate on your wall receptacles/outlets (assuming your household wiring is properly grounded) and then pick up the guitar.

or

2) Take your guitar and amp to a local greenhouse ( watch out for the possible rust problems ) and play for the owner......Sorry, couldn't resist.

Dave

It happens when I first pick it up or if I hold it for a short time without touching any metal parts and then touch it again. it is not every time I touch it. But as I said earlier the weird thing is it only happens with this guitar.