How do I eliminate hum on my rickenbacher??

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 15 Mar 2000 5:25 pm

it's that age old problem again....when i rest my hand on the horseshoe magnet, the
buzz gets louder....any simple ground wire remedies? thanx!

Joe E · Post by **Joe E** » 15 Mar 2000 7:01 pm

Hey Chris,

NOt sure about a ric in general, but here is a thought. Most of the older guitars, especially if it has single coil pickups, needs to have the cavity where the electronics are shielded.

If you can find the tape that the HVAC guys use on furnaces your in luck. It looks like tin foil on one side and is sticky on the other. Completely cover the whole cavity. Bottom, sides and top (cover)ect.

There is also a copper tape used for shielding that works as well if not better. Its more of a specialty to find, where as the foil tape can be purchased at a good hdwr store.

Also make sure the tailpiece is grounded to one of the pots.

------------------
Joe

"76" Fender Artist S-10

mikey · Post by **mikey** » 15 Mar 2000 9:32 pm

you have a serious grounding problem...Bring it to a GOOD tech...I don't know anyone in the Sacramento area to recommend...get it shielded and properly grounded, it will be worth it...
Aloha,
Mike<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by mikey on 15 March 2000 at 09:34 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hill Phillips · Post by **Hill Phillips** » 15 Mar 2000 9:41 pm

Ground your foil also to the ground side of your plugin.
Good Luck.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 15 Mar 2000 11:58 pm

thanx everyone....and keep it coming....i'll try everything free first!!

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 16 Mar 2000 6:45 am

If you wanna keep it from humming I'd suggest teaching it the words

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 16 Mar 2000 7:57 am

hey mike,you have just stole my line before I could have it copyrighted. Chris if you rest your hand on the pickup cover,how do you block? Keep your thumb pick hot!

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 16 Mar 2000 11:54 am

Ha-ha, tooo slooow cc.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 Mar 2000 1:45 pm

har dee har....you guys are a real laff riot!!!!......it only plays instrumentals, so there are no words!

actually, the hum's not so bad live....but really noticeable recording.

haven't had a chance to get tape yet, but i will try the shielding thing when i do.
thanx again

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 16 Mar 2000 8:22 pm

If an electric guitar is properly grounded, the hum should decrease when you touch the strings, pickup and other grounded metal parts. If the hum gets louder when you touch these parts, it is often caused by the hot and ground wires being soldered to the opposite terminals on the output jack. This is solved by simply reversing the two wires on the jack. (If this is not the problem, the hum will get much worse once you have done this).

Troy Cody · Post by **Troy Cody** » 16 Mar 2000 8:44 pm

Chris,
Grounding an electric guitar will normally eliminate the hum. But be careful it could have a shocking surprise if you play in a place that you have never played before be sure to check and make sure that place is properly wired. If the wiring is reversed on the neutral and hot leg at the fuse panel you could receive a very bad shock when touching other equipment such as microphones and other instruments, etc... This has happened in the past and in fact there has been fatialities even if you don't have a hum and have not altered your guitar or amp it is a good idea when in a strange place to check for proper grounding of the outlet that you are going to plug into. Also, if the gound is reversed where you are playing this can cause a humm even though your guitar is properly wired.
Troy Cody

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 17 Mar 2000 11:58 am

mark.....thank you, that was the problem.

mikey....sometimes you can avoid expense and
inconvenience by tapping into the group mind
of the forum members.

thanx all...especially you chucklebucks!

Joe E · Post by **Joe E** » 17 Mar 2000 12:59 pm

Hey Mark,

One thing I've found over the years is that it's so easy to overlook the simple stuff. As soon as I read your post, I said darn it, I bet that's it. Not that all the other suggestions won't be added bonus to the Ric.

Sometimes your to close to see the sign.

Joe

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 17 Mar 2000 4:52 pm

Glad that worked out for you, those Rick pickups have a really unique sound I've always liked too.

Mike Dennis · Post by **Mike Dennis** » 18 Mar 2000 8:51 pm

My grandmother was terrified when she first learned I was playing the electric guitar.... that was back in the early 70's.

I think she actually witnessed a musican being electricuted on stage in the early 1950's... I don't think the musician was killed....

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 19 Mar 2000 7:35 pm

As you know, I'm not all that well versed in either electronics or mechanics. BUT, if you want a free fix that will absolutely prevent you hearing any more hum, and one that won't risk coming undone over time, my simple suggestion would be giving the Ric to me.
(You know, anything to help a friend...)

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 20 Mar 2000 12:13 pm

thank you for the generous offer, doctor bauer!