Output jack issue

S

Stratovarious

New member
Hey guys, so I just got a 89-90 Samick Les Paul. I will make a thread about it soon, however first I have a question.

So basically upon plugging in, I just heard a buzzing static noise , but could make out tinny notes when playing, however when I pushed the jack in a bit further the static was gone and it was perfectly clear. However, I cannot play with one hand.

So I inspected the wiring on the pots, solid; inspected the jack, both connections look well soldered, Alas, I was bewildered.

I proceeded to bend the tip of the jack to see if this would create a better connection. It did, but the humming wouldnt subside unless I was holding the barrel of the lead, which leads me to believe it may be a grounding issue, as i could virtually breathe on the lead and the buzz would stop.

So is it a withered jack or likely a grounding issue?

Either way it can be solved easily, but i'd like some direction. Also don't know where the ground is in a LP style guitar, haha
 
Re: Output jack issue

Definitely sounds like a ground issue.

As for where it is, someone else here would be better telling you. I don't venture into LP's that often.
 
Re: Output jack issue

Granted, I've never owned a Samick, but I have owned a Gibson, an Epiphone and a few Warmoth Les Pauls so let's try the process of elimination. It definitely sounds like a grounding issue. A lot of the stop tail tune-o-matic guitars utilize a ground coming out of the stop tail piece anchored bushing nearest to the control cavity of the guitar. Over the years these can fall out or snap somewhere along their path. It's the first place I would look to make sure you are grounded on a Les Paul. Now, if it is not there or there is not even a hole drilled for this ground wire then you can make your own ground wire using some washers and a small but efficient wood screw. Always pre-dill your hole and screw slowly because it's the first penetration of the wood. Following these steps carefully will ensure you get away from the task with no cracks or splits.

If there is a hole drilled that leads to the anchored bushing you can try to restring a new ground wire. This is not the easiest thing to do, it takes patience and some basic wire fishing skills. Sometimes you even need to buy a Schatten Design Multiple Puller to pull the bushing out. I just did this two days ago on a guitar and that thing worked so smooth that Kenny G is now out of work.

Now if that doesn't fix it there is always the option of shielding the whole cavity but I really think you just need a proper ground.
 
Re: Output jack issue

Cool cool. Thanks guys , I just needed some direction.

If it's in such s compact area, does this make it a tricky soldering area?

I haven't got the guitar with me ( Bayside for a few days) but will check it out asap
 
Re: Output jack issue

Stratovarious said:
Cool cool. Thanks guys , I just needed some direction.

If it's in such s compact area, does this make it a tricky soldering area?

I haven't got the guitar with me ( Bayside for a few days) but will check it out asap
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've heard of some guys soldering them but if the wire is halfway decent that you string in there I would strip it bare and pull it almost out of the bushing and then screw the post back in to hold the bare ground wire between the post and the bushing (no solder needed this way). It goes in a little tougher but with a screwdriver or the right tune-o-matic tool it's possible. I should have taken pictures of the one I did the other day but I was in a hurry.
 
Re: Output jack issue

Check the ground lead from the pots to the input jack.. Also the ground from the bridge as well...
 
Re: Output jack issue

Also, just double check the guitar cable itself. Might need some repair at the jack or replacement.

If you already have, cool...
 
Re: Output jack issue

Well the cable worked with my other guitars . I'll be going home tomorrow and checking it out . So the ground should be beneath the either tailpiece or bridge stud post nearest to the control cavity , and ill need to get some tweezers (lol) to position it under one of the aforementioned things? If that doesnt work, I will replace the jack, and if that doesnt work, I need a new ground wire .
 
Re: Output jack issue

A tweezers might work. I used a small screwdriver (for glasses) to help coax it up through the post. It's usually the tailpiece in most Les Pauls and yes, the one closest to the control cavity. Then screw the wire between the post wall and the tailpiece screw to secure it and you should be all set as far as your ground is concerned.
 
Re: Output jack issue

Excuse double post.

Okay, so I had a look, and I don't think it's a grounding issue, but as far as I can tell, the only thing attached to the jack, is the wire going from the center of the 3-way switch. The wire from the pots to the jack is non-existent.

However, the wire from the switch is split in two ( a covered and uncovered wire) and is soldered to both the hot and ground connections on the jack.

I have taken some photos..

The control cavity; the grey wire going 'downward' is toward the jack, black going upward is toward bridge (which seems intact, wouldn't budge when pulling)

3sgg.jpg


The 3-way switch cavity

h3vl.jpg


The jack; note both connections. (hard to see)

swz6.jpg


The single wire

4lhs.jpg


9ao6.jpg


This has pissed me right off, so any help would be appreciated
 
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Re: Output jack issue

Upon opening my Samick SG (of similar vintage) control cavity up, it also has only one wire, but two connections, at the jack, yet works perfectly..interesting
 
Re: Output jack issue

Well, it is a tough problem to diagnose from afar for sure. I have not quite seen that style of jack wiring before but obviously it looks like a shielded wire with a hot and a ground.

It could be a potentiometer that's not operating correctly or a ground connection that's coming loose. Like you said, everything as far as the wiring goes seems intact. Perhaps one of the pickups is bad?

The first thing to do is to make your own drawing of the wiring schematic before you think about digging in. I'm going to be extremely busy moving during the next month or so but this is a problem that can be solved, but ir could mean changing some parts out just for the process of elimination. Have you soldered much before? If not, I'd suggest bringing it to a guitar tech or luthier and they will have it diagnosed within a matter of days if you are lucky.

If you have soldered before, I think you'll know after drawing your schematic to begin the process of elimination. I would start by getting a mulitmeter on the pickups, make sure you get a resistance reading, if you do, re-solder the pickups where they were and begin carefully inspecting each ground connection. You could throw a new output jack in just for the hell of it if you want but be careful with that ground, it's probably fragile.

I still say, at the end of it all, that any kind of unwanted noise heard from a humbucker guitar is a grounding issue, that's just the nature of the beast. From there you can take it a step further and shield the guitar but like I said earlier, a simple ground is usually all you need!
 
Re: Output jack issue

IMG_20130622_174304_672.jpg

example of a shielded Les Paul WITHOUT the tailpiece ground wire, notice the grounded screw/washer system (it's very effective)

LP12.jpg
Typical Switch
 
Re: Output jack issue

I've bought a new jack and am going to try that as the next step of the troubleshooting .

I googled the hell out of it and have seen similar wiring schemes, and the SG has the same jack wiring (shielded wire with hot and ground).

If this solves it then it will be peculiar, but good. If not, I am going to a tech . I have soldering experience but don't have much free time at the moment
 
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