Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

[Chris of Arabia]

This isn't a ground issue we're talking about. It's extremely low humidity here, and certain ones of the collection seem much more susceptible than others to static; it just seems to build up more on some than others - neck on one, scratch plate on another. It seems you only need to lightly catch your hands and fingers on certain parts, for me to get a most disconcerting level of crackling getting amplified. It's all rather off-putting.

Does anyone have any tricks and tips to minimise it?

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Do you know what Chris? This happened to me for the first time just last week with my G&L Legacy. Everytime I touch the scratchplate I got really loud static crackle, as you say very off putting. I'm interested to see how to cure this too.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Ground yourself to something. Something as simple as touching a central heating radiator should suffice. (Could be a problem in Riyadh!)

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Perhaps if I get one of those computer bonding things, strap one end round my ankle, and clips the other to my pedal board, that might work.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Attaching yourself to ground/earth makes you THE path for errant electrons if your house wiring is off or there's a problem with your rig. Don't do it. I won't even play in bare feet anymore while standing on the ground or a concrete slab.

A humidifier is cheaper than a coffin and you guitars will benefit as well.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Attaching yourself to ground/earth makes you THE path for errant electrons if your house wiring is off or there's a problem with your rig. Don't do it. I won't even play in bare feet anymore while standing on the ground or a concrete slab.

Not any worse than clawing your hand around grounded strings. Can kill you with the right amplifier fault.

The big question wrt the OP is whether grounding yourself with a wrist wire helps. If it does then the ground through the bridge is not OK.

 

[ErikH]

Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

A simple trick I use is keeping a dryer sheet in my guitar cases. It not only eats up the smokey smell from playing out but also helps with the static.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

What's a dryer sheet?

 

[Bludave]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

A simple trick I use is keeping a dryer sheet in my guitar cases. It not only eats up the smokey smell from playing out but also helps with try static.

This works! I have actually put a driyer sheet in the cavity of my Telecaster as well.

 

[ErikH]

Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

What's a dryer sheet?

Seriously? Fabric softener sheet that goes in the dryer with your clothes.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Sounds an interesting idea - I'll give that a go and see what happens.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

There's only one solution. Tinfoil hat, with a wire that leads to your guitar's hardware. It looks a bit funny, but it'll keep the guitar grounded, whilst throwing off the govt's mind control transmitters.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Tricky to control what doesn't exist...

 

[kilphody]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

The dyer sheet thing works. I think Bludave said in a previous post to put a piece in the control cavity as well ..
PC

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

I've now got one dryer sheet in a case, and I gave the neck and scratch plate of the blue Tele a light wipe over with one. Certainly for the Tele, the static disappeared instantly, though it did leave the neck feeling slightly waxy to the touch. I'll leave the other overnight and see what it's like tomorrow. Good tip though, thanks for that.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Just rub lightly, enough to get the static charge out. It gets really dry here in winter and the height of summer so I keep a cheap box of dyer sheets handy.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

What brand of dryer sheet gets the best tone:?::scratchch

 

[uOpt]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

I won't use any dryer sheets made after 1965.

 

[LReese]

Re: Does anyone have a reliable cure for static?

Pre-production "tumble puffs" from the 2nd prototype run - Pre-P&G

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2124348