Is this normal? Wiring question

JVC

New member
I recently changed out some humbuckers in a guitar to an SD Alnico II Pro neck and custom custom in bridge. Pickups are wired to 4 500k pots in the normal les paul style and controlled with a three way switch. Cavity is shielded and wiring diagram has been triple checked and found to be correct. Problem is when only one humbucker is on, and there is a high amount of gain set on amp there is a loud hiss coming from amp. This hiss goes away when both pickups are on. Hiss is not noticeable while playing, but it is annoying when Im not playing. The hiss is not present when on a clean setting. Im used to this with single coils, but this doesnt seem normal with humbuckers. Ive checked and found continuity through the circuit. Is this normal?
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Might be something with the switch... does this happen with only one specific pup, or with both?
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Briefly disconnect your instrument to amp cable. Whatever noise you can still hear is the cascaded pre-amplifier gain stages at work.
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Sounds like it could be a bad solder joint or grounding problem? You say you can hear it when one pickup is on, but it goes away with both pu's are on??? What wiring diagram are you using??
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Briefly disconnect your instrument to amp cable. Whatever noise you can still hear is the cascaded pre-amplifier gain stages at work.

Had to think about this one, but I think you're right. After all, both pups on, is lower gain; and as the OP said, it's quieter on clean settings.
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

I recently changed out some humbuckers in a guitar to an SD Alnico II Pro neck and custom custom in bridge. Pickups are wired to 4 500k pots in the normal les paul style and controlled with a three way switch. Cavity is shielded and wiring diagram has been triple checked and found to be correct. Problem is when only one humbucker is on, and there is a high amount of gain set on amp there is a loud hiss coming from amp. This hiss goes away when both pickups are on. Hiss is not noticeable while playing, but it is annoying when Im not playing. The hiss is not present when on a clean setting. Im used to this with single coils, but this doesnt seem normal with humbuckers. Ive checked and found continuity through the circuit. Is this normal?

If it goes away when both pickups are on there is certainly something wrong with the guitar's wiring.

Are you sure that you shielding is grounded and that both humbuckers have their baseplates grounded?
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Well thank you for the help. I agree with it being a grounding issue. I rewired the whole guitar and crossed off every connection from the diagram as I made them. Annoying hiss is gone!
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Good work, man.

Glad it worked out so quickly. These threads often deteriorate into "you must have done <x> wrong", "no I didn't" and in the end they did.
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Kudos on having the right approach and for proving us wrong!
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Kudos on having the right approach and for proving us wrong!

Look. The last 500 times a topic like this came up it was something that was what one of the original regular posters thought instantly. And I don't talk about myself here. Except there's kicking and screaming and of course it can't be it. Usually the regulars bail out after unsuccessfully requesting photos, giving up hope.

It's just nice to see that somebody isn't a write-only poster, okay?
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Look. The last 500 times a topic like this came up it was something that was what one of the original regular posters thought instantly. And I don't talk about myself here. Except there's kicking and screaming and of course it can't be it. Usually the regulars bail out after unsuccessfully requesting photos, giving up hope.

It's just nice to see that somebody isn't a write-only poster, okay?

I'm not sure what I've done to annoy you, other than to quite clearly state my agreement with precisely this sentiment of yours, but I apologize. You might wish to consider that I'm one of the people who was proven wrong. Either way, I'm happy for the OP, and offer my best wishes.
 
Re: Is this normal? Wiring question

Oops. Sorry I though you were bashing me for being a smartass. Not that it would be wrong.
 
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