Guitar noise

[Gudster]

So I've just been given a beat up Strat that, all things considered, is in good shape. Its about 30 years old aparently.

Anyway, the only problem I have with it is that when plugged in, I'm getting a lot of electrical noise and no sound from the pickups. It sounds like when you plug a jack into a guitar with the amp already on, but like you are wiggling it around at that point of contact before you put it in (if that makes sense).

To me, in my bad guitar repair knowledge, this looks like a bad input jack?

Any ideas, thoughts?

Cheers.

[RG462]

It could be a bad input, wiring, or improper sheilding. If you are planning on doing it yourself I would go over all the connections first and try replacing parts 1 at a time, starting with the jack if you wish. Otherwise if you are not familiar with repairing electronics or soldering you can take it to a professional. (For about $3000 an hour)

[Gudster]

3 grand an hour, may as well buy 4 new Strats then...

:P

Anyway I'm going to crack it open tomorrow and have a nosey around, and try resoldering.

[David McCarroll]

Could be a severely corroded output jack - assuming that may be what it is, wrap some fine (800 or so) Emery paper (the black sandpaper) around a knitting needle, or a pencil or similar - stick it in the jack socket and twirl it around for a while - that should dislodge enough corrosion to get you going (a spray with contact cleaner and mopping up the gunk with a paper towel afterwards is a good idea) - if it makes absolutely no difference, then you most likely have a broken lead somewhere - again start with the jack socket - if it has worked loose on it's retaining nut, it may have broken one of the wires running to it.

Good Luck - if your Strat is in fact thirty or so years old, bear in mind that it is getting well into the "vintage guitar" league, and if it hasn't been chopped and changed, it is actually worth a bit of money, so, if you can avoid the temptation, leave it as stock as you can!

Cheers,

David

[Gudster]

The guitar itself is completely bone stock and has been kept in a case all these years. It was bought in 82.

I'll give the input jack thing a go. I opened it for what is definitely the first time ever. All the connections seem perfect to look at.

Cheers for the advice.

[Gudster]

Think I've found the problem...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/Gudster/eww.jpg