The Steel Guitar Forum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.