Multi meter virgin question?

Mosher Zone

Mosher Zone

New member
I just purchased my first multi meter & basically need a slight crash course on where to test for bad grounds. One of my guitars has had a slight buzz for ages & i just rewired another guitar from 2 volume, one tone, 3 way switch to one volume , 3 way switch & it also has a slight buzz that gets worse when i turn down the volume. I read online that if you put one multi meter lead from the bridge & the other on the jack it should read 0.00, i checked both guitars like this & in both cases that is what it reads but there is obviously grounding issues in both guitars. What gives folks?
 
Re: Multi meter virgin question?

That only tells you that the bridge is continuous with the sleeve of the jack (electronically speaking). You could still have other components that aren't properly grounded. You can drive yourself crazy trying to find bad connections with a multimeter. The best thing to do would be to first check all of your wiring, making sure that all components have a ground wire connecting them. Then make sure all connections are soldered correctly...make sure you have a hot soldering iron at least 35-40 watts power and touch it to every connection until the solder flows like water. "Dry" solder joints are one of the biggest problems with continuity in circuits and creating that hum/buzz that you describe.
 
Re: Multi meter virgin question?

I don't think this is a grounding issue.

I would bypass that pot for now.
 
Re: Multi meter virgin question?

Easy way to tell. Just wire the hot from the switch directly to the tip connection on the output jack.
 
Re: Multi meter virgin question?

I completely rewired everything with another volume pot & still had the buzzing & hum when my volume was down, i swapped the in & out tabs on the volume knob & got rid off the hum from it but still have a slight buzz when i'm not touching the strings.
 
Re: Multi meter virgin question?

Unless you shield it completely you will have to abuse your belly as shield via the grounded strings.
 
Re: Multi meter virgin question?

One function you should start using on your meter is 'continuity.' You set it on Ohms, then see if there's a continuity switch. Then when you touch red to black, your meter will make a buzzing sound.

Using continuity, you can touch all your hot connections within the circuit, and put the black lead on your output jack ground. Any place where the buzzer goes off, you're getting conductivity between them. So, touch the red to your strings, and the black to your ground circuit. It should buzz if the strings are being grounded.

Continuity is a very useful feature on a volt/ohm meter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top