| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Click is heard when strings are touched.
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Click is heard when strings are touched.
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 24 Nov 2013 1:13 pm    
Reply with quote

When my guitar cord is connected to the amp, and to the guitar, and I then touch the strings, or the external metal shield on my guitar cable, I hear a faint click. There is no hum at any time.
Cord is good. Amp is good. Other guitars with same cord and amp are fine.
Is there a faulty ground in the clicking guitar?
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 24 Nov 2013 1:20 pm    
Reply with quote

Bingo. You didn't say what kinda guitar. I'd connect the changer to the endplate (like with a wire from endplate to machine screw that holds the pillow blocks)
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 24 Nov 2013 3:07 pm    
Reply with quote

Sorry about lack of information. It's a dobro with an added humbucker.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 24 Nov 2013 3:16 pm    
Reply with quote

I'd connect the ground wire to the tailpiece and maybe the coverplate
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger
Ron Pruter

 

From:
Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2013 6:28 pm    
Reply with quote

Sounds like everything is OK. On most guitars, you are the ground. Make sure there is continuity between your jack ground and your strings. If not, ask yourself, "What would Lane Do ?" (WWLD)
_________________
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2013 6:34 pm    
Reply with quote

(That'd be "apply some thought, and wing it" Sometimes that's spelled "misapply")
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2013 8:06 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks folks. I'll get a connection between the ground and the tailpiece and that should fix it the string click. Maybe I'll also need to connect the cover plate. We'll see how it sounds.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 26 Nov 2013 10:30 am    
Reply with quote

I experimented with alligator clips, and have confirmed that lack of grounding of the strings is the cause of the click when the strings are touched. The click created when touching the ungrounded strings was quite subtle, so I cranked the volume way past where I can comfortably play at, and found a distinct hum when I held my hand about one inch over the ungrounded strings in the pickup area. Grounding the strings eliminated both the clicking, and the hum. Thanks for the guidance. Now I will drill through the guitar body, under the cover plate perimeter, at several spots, and place some braided conductor which will attach to the ground internally. Similarly, I will place some braid under the tailpiece frame in the rim of the body. I have always kept the cover plate and tailpiece physically separated by a thin leather strip to prevent buzzing, and don't want to open that can of worms now.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 26 Nov 2013 11:37 am    
Reply with quote

If you have a ground to the strings, possibly a wire from top of leather strip to the bottom? Of a pair of braided wires to give it a symmetrical look, provided the leather strip is thick enough to keep it a little tense.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 26 Nov 2013 11:57 am    
Reply with quote

I like that idea Lane. It would eliminate the need for some of the holes in the body. First I want to think about the potential for rattle or buzz, even with the conductor up against the leather.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 26 Nov 2013 2:48 pm    
Reply with quote

Another idea for aesthetics: run two braided wires (I kinda like their looks) from the corners of the tailpiece back by the ball ends, out to the nearest screws holding down the cover plate.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Yahoo Messenger
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2013 8:20 pm    
Reply with quote

Am I gonna need to erect a lightning rod on my reso?
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2013 8:33 pm    
Reply with quote

Bryan Bradfield wrote:
Am I gonna need to erect a lightning rod on my reso?


You mean you don't already have one? Whoa! There's your problem.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron