Gibson Pickup Noise Anomalies:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

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Ok,

Many of you will recall the constant buzzing I encountered in my 2016 Gibson SG that got worse if you touched the pickups. This noise anomaly remained through 3 sets of Gibson pickups - two pairs of 490R/490T and a set of brand new Gibson '57 Classics. No matter what I changed, amplifiers, locations, power supplies or cables, the noise persisted. So, I removed the Gibson PCB and replaced it with the Tone Man Vintage Wire harness and again tried all 3 sets of Gibson pickups. The noise issue was unchanged.

So, I threw in a set of GFS Classic II PAF Clones (7.93k bridge and 7.8k neck) and the noise disappeared completely. How can three sets of Gibson pickups in a row be bad that were all wound on different dates???

Ok...

I just bought a 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute...and it displays the exact same noise anomalies that I fought for 8 months in my 2016 Gibson SG - a noise anomaly that I could not get rid of until I got rid of the Gibson pickups.

Here is a comparison video I just made. This is not my imagination, neither is it an OCD over-exaggeration of normal floor noise. If you are working in a recording environment, or playing live at elevated volume levels, this is a killer:


Ok, fellows, so how then is it possible to get two "bad" Gibson guitars in a row and (4) different sets of Gibson pickups that react exactly the same, even through different amplifiers, different locations and different cables???

Interesting!!!!!
 
Robert Herndon said:
Ok,

Many of you will recall the constant buzzing I encountered in my 2016 Gibson SG that got worse if you touched the pickups. This noise anomaly remained through 3 sets of Gibson pickups - two pairs of 490R/490T and a set of brand new Gibson '57 Classics. No matter what I changed, amplifiers, locations, power supplies or cables, the noise persisted. So, I removed the Gibson PCB and replaced it with the Tone Man Vintage Wire harness and again tried all 3 sets of Gibson pickups. The noise issue was unchanged.

So, I threw in a set of GFS Classic II PAF Clones (7.93k bridge and 7.8k neck) and the noise disappeared completely. How can three sets of Gibson pickups in a row be bad that were all wound on different dates???

Ok...

I just bought a 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute...and it displays the exact same noise anomalies that I fought for 8 months in my 2016 Gibson SG - a noise anomaly that I could not get rid of until I got rid of the Gibson pickups.

Here is a comparison video I just made. This is not my imagination, neither is it an OCD over-exaggeration of normal floor noise. If you are working in a recording environment, or playing live at elevated volume levels, this is a killer:


Ok, fellows, so how then is it possible to get two "bad" Gibson guitars in a row and (4) different sets of Gibson pickups that react exactly the same, even through different amplifiers, different locations and different cables???

Interesting!!!!!
Click to expand...
Did you play it before you left the store?
I know you're a very detail oriented customer, so if I were you, I would never leave a store with an untested guitar. Period. If I were you, I would tote my amp, and pedals along to any store that I was seriously auditioning any guitar to purchase.
Better to drive home only out gas money.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Did you play it before you left the store?
I know you're a very detail oriented customer, so if I were you, I would never leave a store with an untested guitar. Period. If I were you, I would tote my amp, and pedals along to any store that I was seriously auditioning any guitar to purchase.
Better to drive home only out gas money.
Click to expand...

No, I was on a tight schedule...but it's cool....its fully warrantied...it's just irritating I cannot buy a new Gibson and use it in the studio without work...
 
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Well at least now you guys have heard the video, so you know it's not my imagination. Two Gibson's - 4 sets of Gibson pickups - exact same noise/behavior and ONLY my Gibson's exhibit the problem....

I'm baffled, Dudes!!!!
 
Some more questions.

Was the neck pickup ever an issue?

Which pickups had the issue WITHOUT the PCB board? Unfortunately, the PCB board makes things a bit more complicated, and since I have never worked with them, out of my realm.

Does it occur in the middle position?

Since this presents as a grounding issue, how is the bridge grounded? How were any other pickups grounded when this issue ooccured?
 
Here's quickie I just shot for fun....
RVA said:
Some more questions.

Was the neck pickup ever an issue?

Which pickups had the issue WITHOUT the PCB board? Unfortunately, the PCB board makes things a bit more complicated, and since I have never worked with them, out of my realm.

Does it occur in the middle position?

Since this presents as a grounding issue, how is the bridge grounded? How were any other pickups grounded when this issue ooccured?
Click to expand...

"Was the neck pickup ever an issue? " Yes. The neck pickup was an issue on the SG also. However, the neck pickup seems to be quieter on this Gold Top

"Which pickups had the issue WITHOUT the PCB board? Unfortunately, the PCB board makes things a bit more complicated, and since I have never worked with them, out of my realm."

With the SG, the noise persisted even after I removed the PCB. The noise stopped only when I went to the GFS pickups.

"Does it occur in the middle position?"

In middle position, the noise is still present, exactly as it was on my SG

"Since this presents as a grounding issue, how is the bridge grounded? How were any other pickups grounded when this issue occurred"

The PCB grounds with a single, bare lead. I have opened the Gold Top and checked not only the ground for continuity, but also for resistance. Now I agree with you, the buzzing gets a little better when I touch the bridge, so that would appear to be a grounding issue, but the grounds are good and there is no resistance between the bridge ground wire in the cavity and the tuning keys. If the ground had high resistance levels, we would see it on the ohm meter.
 
I am attempting to think outside the box a bit, but the ground issue could be related to the pickup construction, especially since you have had this issue with a few sets of Gibson pickups in a row and with different wiring.
 
RVA said:
I am attempting to think outside the box a bit, but the ground issue could be related to the pickup construction, especially since you have had this issue with a few sets of Gibson pickups in a row and with different wiring.
Click to expand...

I think that's the issue right there, although many would say not. I really do love Les Paul's and I really do like Gibson's, but I am starting to think I am better off just getting the Warmoth 24-3/4" scale neck for my '87 Squire and just playing the crap out of it and being happy.

Sure, Man....I got a great deal on this Les Paul...I can easily put a Tone Man harness in it and a set of GFS pickups, but TBTH I just don't want to go through all that work again. I would rather bolt on a neck, set the intonation and just play.
 
Nobody has tried to be more patient with a guitar than me I think....and, as promised, I am not ranting and raving, just telling you about my experiences...
 
Robert Herndon said:
I think that's the issue right there, although many would say not. I really do love Les Paul's and I really do like Gibson's, but I am starting to think I am better off just getting the Warmoth 24-3/4" scale neck for my '87 Squire and just playing the crap out of it and being happy.

Sure, Man....I got a great deal on this Les Paul...I can easily put a Tone Man harness in it and a set of GFS pickups, but TBTH I just don't want to go through all that work again. I would rather bolt on a neck, set the intonation and just play.
Click to expand...
But under that theory, it is not the guitar, which is made of wood. It is the pickups. Keep the Gibson and swap the pickups - you can sell the stock pups.
 
RVA said:
But under that theory, it is not the guitar, which is made of wood. It is the pickups. Keep the Gibson and swap the pickups - you can sell the stock pups.
Click to expand...

True...very true. I sold 3 sets of noisy Gibson pickups for top dollar, along with 2 PCB's and I listed them as "VERY NOISY GIBSON PICKUPS" and they sold anyways.

I don't know, Dude....I'm not sure I want to do another 9 foot copper tape job and new pickups all over again, on a brand new Gibson.....
 
Robert Herndon said:
I don't know, Dude....I'm not sure I want to do another 9 foot copper tape job and new pickups all over again, on a brand new Gibson.....
Click to expand...
Robert, get the Allparts conductive adhesive copper foil sheet. Product code is APEP4991-000 (12"x12" square) & the 1" wide ribbon is APEP0499-000. To do my SG's cavity & cavity cover I used a little over 1/4 of the sheet (12"x3.5") & 18" of the ribbon to go right around the cavity side wall. Admittedly I didn't have to do the pickup routes as the pickups were covered & thus shielded. Hope this helps. Cheers.
 
I am going to say this about the covered/uncoverd argument-------- I have uncovered Gibson Zebras. (SG)--- and an uncovered DEAN Zebra Pup (Epiphone Spirit)---and the Spirit is dead quiet----- the SG -- not even close. its AS LOUD as my P90 SG jr.
 
Well anyways, LOL!!!! I guess you can just say I've had a run if bad luck. Got a recording job tomorrow....im going to take the Replica with SG as a backup.
 
eSGEe said:
I am going to say this about the covered/uncoverd argument-------- I have uncovered Gibson Zebras. (SG)--- and an uncovered DEAN Zebra Pup (Epiphone Spirit)---and the Spirit is dead quiet----- the SG -- not even close. its AS LOUD as my P90 SG jr.
Click to expand...

I really like the tone of covered pickups personally.
 
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