Hum when strings touched

Ian · Post by **Ian** » 23 Nov 2016 7:00 am

Hey Gang,

Just got my lap steel back from the shop (they installed a new pick up, I didn't care for it, they put the old one back in). It is absolutely quiet as it sits on my lap but as soon as I put either hand on the strings a get buzzing sound (the current pick up is a humbucker). This was not a problem prior to the swap. I'll take it back to the shop after Thanksgiving but just wondering what could be the cause.

Thank you for any input,

Ian

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 23 Nov 2016 7:03 am

Perhaps they failed to run a ground wire to the bridge.

Terence Palmer · Post by **Terence Palmer** » 23 Nov 2016 7:54 am

The wires are probably reversed somewhere along the line, so the signal path is connected to ground.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 23 Nov 2016 9:25 am

Usually it's the other way, the guitar hums until you touch it. That's usually a ground problem.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » 23 Nov 2016 7:29 pm

Thanks everybody,

I think it may be a defective cable after investigating. I've been using a George L some "several" years - perhaps it's time for a new one. Who's using what for cables/cords?

Thanks again,

Ian

Jordan Beyer · Post by **Jordan Beyer** » 23 Nov 2016 7:48 pm

last I checked Evr Niehaus sells these cables called bullet cables. I had gotten a cable for my guitar and I love it

David M Brown · Post by **David M Brown** » 24 Nov 2016 7:38 am

Erv Niehaus wrote:Usually it's the other way, the guitar hums until you touch it. That's usually a ground problem.

Exactly!

Most of the older instruments have a little 60 cycle hum when you are not touching them.