Loud Buzzing Strat H-H Copy

Odd how this diagram shows power entering through the master tone???

All my Vintage Harnesses put power into the master volume.

V__0991.jpg
 
Robert Herndon said:
Odd how this diagram shows power entering through the master tone???

View attachment 11430
Click to expand...

It doesn't.

What you believe to be the "input" is not an input. It is the output. Although you physically plug the guitar cable "into" that jack, it is in fact the signal output from the guitar to the amplifier. Also, it would be good to avoid calling it "power". It is your audio signal from the pickups, not power. True, even though the audio signal from your pickup has measurable power in the milliwatts, it is distinguished from actual power signals in circuits which provide operational power to the system.

The signal flow in this diagram is pickups, to volume controls, to switch, to output jack. The tone control is in parallel with the output and forms what is called an RC (resistive-capacitive) resonant circuit. This resonant circuit is what affects the tone of the output.

BTW, this concept is the same for all electric guitar circuits with a tone control. The tone control will be in parallel with the output. The exact physical point of connection may vary, however, depending on the number of pickups, the number of volume and tone controls, the switching, etc.

As for replacing the box switch, you may not be able to do it. I have one of those in my Jackson and I explored replacing it with a more standard, Strat-type switch. However, it would be too deep to fit in my guitar unless I routed deeper into the body for it. Ray suggested this may be necessary in an earlier post. I didn't want to do this for fear I'd leave insufficient support for the switch (the Jackson has no pickguard, just the body wood). So, I just blasted my switch with electronics contact cleaner and continue to use it to this day and it's been fine.

But, your OP stated that the guitar buzzes when you have the pickguard loose. Does it buzz when you fasten the pickguard back to the body, thus providing intact shielding?

If it doesn't buzz with the pickguard installed, congratulate yourself on your shielding job. It's doing what it is supposed to do!
 
smitty_p said:
It doesn't.

What you believe to be the "input" is not an input. It is the output. Although you physically plug the guitar cable "into" that jack, it is in fact the signal output from the guitar to the amplifier. Also, it would be good to avoid calling it "power". It is your audio signal from the pickups, not power. True, even though the audio signal from your pickup has measurable power in the milliwatts, it is distinguished from actual power signals in circuits which provide operational power to the system.

The signal flow in this diagram is pickups, to volume controls, to switch, to output jack. The tone control is in parallel with the output and forms what is called an RC (resistive-capacitive) resonant circuit. This resonant circuit is what affects the tone of the output.

BTW, this concept is the same for all electric guitar circuits with a tone control. The tone control will be in parallel with the output. The exact physical point of connection may vary, however, depending on the number of pickups, the number of volume and tone controls, the switching, etc.

As for replacing the box switch, you may not be able to do it. I have one of those in my Jackson and I explored replacing it with a more standard, Strat-type switch. However, it would be too deep to fit in my guitar unless I routed deeper into the body for it. Ray suggested this may be necessary in an earlier post. I didn't want to do this for fear I'd leave insufficient support for the switch (the Jackson has no pickguard, just the body wood). So, I just blasted my switch with electronics contact cleaner and continue to use it to this day and it's been fine.

But, your OP stated that the guitar buzzes when you have the pickguard loose. Does it buzz when you fasten the pickguard back to the body, thus providing intact shielding?

If it doesn't buzz with the pickguard installed, congratulate yourself on your shielding job. It's doing what it is supposed to do!
Click to expand...

Good Morning!

Points taken on my use of terminology....

The buzz on this is persistent. Tried other cables and amps. Tried moving the guitar. Still present.

Now, when I received this guitar, I didn't change the wiring. I did change the tone capacitor from the center lug to the outside lug - as shown in the diagram - but that's it.

All the shielding is grounded too, plus I ran a ground wire from one of the pots to a solder point on the copper tape to ensure continuity.

Ground is good on the jack too...
 
Robert Herndon said:
Good Morning!

Points taken on my use of terminology....

The buzz on this is persistent. Tried other cables and amps. Tried moving the guitar. Still present.

Now, when I received this guitar, I didn't change the wiring. I did change the tone capacitor from the center lug to the outside lug - as shown in the diagram - but that's it.

All the shielding is grounded too, plus I ran a ground wire from one of the pots to a solder point on the copper tape to ensure continuity.

Ground is good on the jack too...
Click to expand...


Does it buzz with the shielded pickguard installed back on the guitar?

What kind of pickups are these?
 
smitty_p said:
Does it buzz with the shielded pickguard installed back on the guitar?

What kind of pickups are these?
Click to expand...

Yes. It buzzes regardless. These pickups are stamped "HMV" and they are imports. They were quiet in another guitar I pulled them out of when doing an upgrade....

I found a photo of some off the Internet. I am using two neck pickups on this "freebie" project, so both of my leads are red.

HMV Pickups.JPG
 
DonP said:
Do you just get buzz, or is there some of the wanted signal along with it?
Click to expand...

The buzz is very loud, but some of the desired signal is present. Sorry that I did not clarify this...

Oh, by the way, if you put your finger on the pickup while it is plugged in, it goes crazy!
 
Robert Herndon said:
The buzz is very loud, but some of the desired signal is present. Sorry that I did not clarify this...

Oh, by the way, if you put your finger on the pickup while it is plugged in, it goes crazy!
Click to expand...

Is it possible that inside the pickup, the centre conductor is connected to the ground, and vice versa?
 
Going to perform more tests tonight...

Now question for you....as received, the capacitor was on the middle leg of the tone pot and I moved it to the outer leg, according to the diagram....no other changes made.
 
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