Pickups Squealing

[Snake Desu]

Hello,

Before I start I want to apologize in advance if i'm posting this on the wrong section or if something like this has already been answered.

My guitar has a set of Black Winters and I just noticed that when I put up the volume, overdrive and set to distortion I get a horrible squealing sound. I don't stand near my amp when I play. Could they be microphonic? I took a look at the pickups and they seem to be covered with some wax or epoxy underneath them. Would I probably have to wax pott them? The pickups came installed from the factory so could there maybe something up with the wiring? I'm new to the insides of a guitar so sorry if this would be a easy fix. I just have no idea.

I did switch to a clean channel and I got no squealing. Just when I'm on my amps "Metal" or "Insane" setting. My amp is a Line 6 15watt amp and my guitar is a ESP E-HR-128NT. Also the pups aren't covered. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickups Squealing

Welcome to the forum.

How are the SD pickups fastened to the guitar - directly into the wood or suspended from plastic on screws and springs?

 

[Snake Desu]

Re: Pickups Squealing

Hi, there on plastic(?) pickup rings with springs.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickups Squealing

If the springs are compressed sufficiently, there should be no resonances by that route.

So, to clarify, high output pickups, through a distortion pedal, into a high gain amplifier channel, cranked up to a reasonable degree, in a small-ish room? Surely, a recipe for howlaround and squeal, regardless of exact pickup make/model.

 

[Snake Desu]

Re: Pickups Squealing

I never thought about the spring compression. My pickups are pretty close to my strings because i'm still learning how to adjust them to get a nice sound. I play in a sort of medium? sized room but with lots of stuff around, picture frames, glass, etc. Could the vibration of those thing be causing it? I don't have a pedal (unfortunately). I just noticed the problem because I almost never play with high volumes. It's starting to make some sense. Man i'm a moron.

 

[copperheadroads]

Re: Pickups Squealing

If you have another guitar try it in the same scenario also try to eliminate any other possibilities ..Pedals or if it's one of the pickups or both causing the feedback
Another thing ..is the feedback controllable ? every high gain amp will scream with an overdrive pedal boosting it start feedbacking at fairly normal volume ,At high volume i'm sure it will feedback without an overdrive.

 

[Snake Desu]

Re: Pickups Squealing

This is my only working guitar unfortunately, i'm just playing straight through the amp. No pedals or anything.If I try to mute the strings i'll get the feedback, even if I don't strum at all actually. I'm new to guitar so this can probably be a normal thing that I just don't understand.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickups Squealing

On the Line6 amplifier, the outright gain of the "Metal" and "Insane" pre-amp selections must be governed by Pre- and Post- control pots. Trying adjusting at least one of these controls to a lower value.

 

[Snake Desu]

Re: Pickups Squealing

On the Line6 amplifier, the outright gain of the "Metal" and "Insane" pre-amp selections must be governed by Pre- and Post- control pots. Trying adjusting at least one of these controls to a lower value.

Will do. I have a feeling the pickups may not be the problem. It may just be me not knowing what the heck I'm doing. Thank you for all the replies so far everyone.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickups Squealing

I am guessing it is a question of gain staging (adding gain at many stages of the signal). Turn the gain down and the master up a bit to compensate (lower the pickups a bit too), and the squealing should subside.