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Post new topic Scratchy noise when I rub the pickguard?
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Author Topic:  Scratchy noise when I rub the pickguard?
David Mason


From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2005 1:43 pm    
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I couldn't resist buying a Squier Mini Strat when it came up at a really cheap price, I've had odd plans for that baby for a while. I'm still setting it up, but I've run into a wierd problem: when you even rub your finger on the pickguard, it makes a scratchy, fuzzy little electronic noise. I understand why it would do that if your fingertip touched the pickup mounting screws (and I know how to fix that), but why is the pickguard itself transmitting signal? And, what to do?
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Jon Moen


From:
Canada
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2005 3:07 pm    
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Probably static electricity. You could put a layer of foil tape on the underside of the pickguard and make sure it is grounded.

Jon
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2005 3:25 pm    
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"If'n you keep ona' rubbin' that thang..."

Yep, that's what it is. Good call Jon.
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Jim Phelps

 

From:
Mexico City, Mexico
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2005 5:24 pm    
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Jon nailed it. I've had to do that with all my Strats with the ABS pickguards. Foil tape would be best but I just use double-sided scotch tape and stick regular household aluminum foil to it over the half of the pickguard that my fingers slide on, the treble side. Let it overlap a corner of the little piece of foil that's already on the pickguard where the controls mount, you can put a corner of it under the pickup switch, that'll ground it, and that'll reduce a lot of the static.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 September 2005 at 06:25 PM.]

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D Schubert

 

From:
Columbia, MO, USA
Post  Posted 17 Sep 2005 6:11 pm    
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I didn't believe it until I tried it, but...

If you wipe the pickguard with anti-static tissue that is made to thow in the clothes dryer, it clears up the static very nicely. Now I keep a few sheets in my Tele case.
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Tom Gorr

 

From:
Three Hills, Alberta
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2005 8:45 pm    
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I have the same problem on my G&L ! Thanks for the tips !
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Lefty


From:
Grayson, Ga.
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2005 8:52 am    
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Same problem on one of my G&L Teles (neck pick-up.
Lefty
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