Stringmaster Ground Problem

Bunky Markert · From: Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

Can any of you guys do a quick diagnosis on a ground problem that has recently appeared on my '64 D-8? The front neck has a loud hum when the selector switch is thrown in the middle and front position (the neck with the toggle). I took the pick up assembly out of the front neck and I didn't see anything loose, is the switch the culprit? The rear neck has no hum in its position. I have a lesson approaching and I wanted to get it solved by then. Thanks.

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Yes; there should be a ground wire that staples to the wood right under the pickup plate...for that neck. So when that plate is screwed in; then it touches the ground wire and therefore grounds the strings for that neck by proxy.
Ricky

[This message was edited by Ricky Davis on 09 August 2004 at 01:54 PM.]

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I'd get a can of contact cleaner, and spray the switch, then work it back and forth quickly 20-30 times. The contacts can get oxydized and cause this problem in some older guitars.

Bunky Markert · From: Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

Ricky, you the man! The wire connection attached to the staple got flattened out, so I goobed a dot of solder on it and it did the trick. Donny, I'll take your advice and clean the switch and pots while I'm at it. That staple arrangement is not the slickest design, but it did hold up for 40 years. Can't complain. Thanks you guys.

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Hey Cool Bunky; glad it worked out.
Yes that was the genious grounding feature of the Stringmaster....>gotta love it.
Ricky

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