Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

S

Skateinferno

New member
Hi everyone, I recently bought a 2016 Gibson SG (faded series). I took it upon myself to install pickup covers to the pickups because I preferred the look of them on. I waxed and soldered them securely to the pickups. I then plug it in to my amp (Marshal MG15CFX) and noticed it began to give static when I would move my hand across the back of the plastic guard of the electronics cover and allot of it.

Also when I touch any metal peaces on the guitar it kills some of the hum/buzz it constantly gives of. This only really happens when the volume or gain is high on the guitar or amp.

I understand this could be a grounding issue but I don't know if its because of the new pickup covers that where installed or that its a loose wire some where or a number of other things (outside current, lack of shielding, etc).

I just need some help finding a problem to this solutions and the right semantics of wiring plans to have all the parts grounded together. Thanks
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

Sounds like a grounding issue. Check the solder joints on your covers and also confirm that the pickup ground wires weren't damaged.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

Welcome to the forum!

Is the bridge grounded? Have you tried the guitar in a different building (sometimes wiring in a building is weird)? Confirm the covers are grounded. If you can post any pictures of your wiring, we will be better prepared to get you back to rockin' that SG.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

IMG_5898.jpgIMG_5896.jpgIMG_5893.jpgIMG_5891.jpgIMG_5889.jpg

Here are the photos I took. The soldering Job on the Covers aren't so good looking, keep in mind this was the first time soldering ever. Other than that everything is stock and has been left untouched since I purchased it.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

I had static buzz on my 2006 Les Paul Faded, of all places, the back of the switch cover. Enough so that even on clean settings, if I moved the guitar against my body, I'd get a little Velcro ripping sound. That led me down the rabbit hole of copper tape and cavity shielding, but not until after I'd checked, double- and triple- checked the wiring to the point I could swear the guitar was holding a grudge. Now, it's whisper quiet no matter what's happening in the amp.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

Did it make noise before soldering the covers? Does it happen with both pups / regardless of toggle position? I'm wondering if you heated up the baseplate enough to damage the joint to the pickup-end of the ground. Covers are not easy to solder and not as great first project choice, but a little late ;)

Also try running a dryer sheet over your plastics. That can help with static - one of those household help tips.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

I took off the neck pickup cover and had the toggle switch on the neck and I was still getting static on the plastic cover of the electronics and the metal parts of the guitar. I still haven't tired to wipe the guitar down with a Dryer sheet on the account of not having any... I also have considered shielding the guitar but again I don't have any copper tape yet. But I will try those as soon as I get the supplies.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

The static when brushing the plastic is a separate issue from the grounding buzz. Get an anti-static dryer sheet and keep it in your case. When you start getting that sound, buff the plastic cover with the anti-static sheet. My Strat does that and my Firebird does it also. If you've copper shielded everything, that is part of what gives it a path to your audio signal.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

You don't need copper tape. Glue (contact cement) aluminum foil to the back of your control cavity cover. It helps to run a ground wire from the back of a pot to the foil (where the cover plate screws to the body).
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

Update

So I went and tried out the dryer sheets, they took away the static but only for a few minutes. I decided to then upgrade the electronics after that (Not that they were the problem). I bought CTS and Emerson Pro 500k pots (ended up with the Emerson for no particular reason). I couldn't find a definite wiring diagram "standard" and "modern" were different but I found out standard was more to the original PCB wiring which i liked. I also tried 50's wiring on it didn't like it so much so I went with standard. I grounded everything over again and I still got static. So I ended up just covering the cavities and pick guard with copper tape and that now the background noise and static are next to nothing.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

Skateinferno said:
Update

So I went and tried out the dryer sheets, they took away the static but only for a few minutes. I decided to then upgrade the electronics after that (Not that they were the problem). I bought CTS and Emerson Pro 500k pots (ended up with the Emerson for no particular reason). I couldn't find a definite wiring diagram "standard" and "modern" were different but I found out standard was more to the original PCB wiring which i liked. I also tried 50's wiring on it didn't like it so much so I went with standard. I grounded everything over again and I still got static. So I ended up just covering the cavities and pick guard with copper tape and that now the background noise and static are next to nothing.
Click to expand...

Cool - glad you tracked it down. Nothing quite like firing up a guitar that's been noisy and getting quiet [emoji1]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

I am happy this has worked out. Tracking down noise issues can be a pain. I've done all kinds of stuff, then realized the place where I was testing had some sort of faulty electricity, and it made everything noisy. At least you had an SG which allows the strings to be on when you are rewiring and testing. It is really a pain with a Fender to troubleshoot this sort of thing.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

Halogen spot lights running off a transformer was the cause of my excessive hum - I had to move my amp to a different room.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

Mincer said:
I am happy this has worked out. Tracking down noise issues can be a pain. I've done all kinds of stuff, then realized the place where I was testing had some sort of faulty electricity, and it made everything noisy. At least you had an SG which allows the strings to be on when you are rewiring and testing. It is really a pain with a Fender to troubleshoot this sort of thing.
Click to expand...

Unless you have a batwing pickguard which runs under the bridge. ;-)
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

I get that on my 50s Tribute LP sometimes. I've been wondering if it's because the cavity itself needs to be shielded.
 
Re: Gibson SG Static/Hum/Buzz Help!!!

vinnie1971 said:
Halogen spot lights running off a transformer was the cause of my excessive hum - I had to move my amp to a different room.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Oh yeah! Those halogen lights will do it. They did it to me for awhile until I realized what it was.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

pryde
New Bridge Pickup for SG
Replies
14
Views
446
Mincer
Mincer
J
Got some humming and crackling issues with new SH '59 and JB pups.
Replies
9
Views
410
Chistopher
C
Ronnie_Snow
Wiring Help in SG
Replies
14
Views
789
Sam SG
S
Ascension
Need help with an old EMG set up.
Replies
8
Views
507
Ascension
Ascension
S
Gibson 490s in SG opinions
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
Sam SG
S
Back
Top