Wiring Buzz!!!

[guitar425]

I've got a problem. I just installed new pickups in my js100. All the connections work when plugged in, but it has a really bad buzz. It goes away when I touch a metal part i.e., bridge, input jack. Is this a ground problem or is there something else I need to fix?

[buddroyce]

Sounds like a ground problem. Check that all your grounds are good. Use a multimeter to check or you could just rewire all the grounds. It might be caused by cold solder.

[guitar425]

When you say cold solder, what do you mean?

[guitar425]

Also, what would I check with the multimeter?

[jb4674]

Cold solder means that the solder didn't get attached to the metal properly. Also, try using a thicker gauge cable for the ground. For example, if the current gauge of the ground cable is 18, try switching to a 12 gauge. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire is. The ground wire on my JS1000 is pretty thin and I have been thinking about replacing it.

Jimmy

[0americana]

i dunno if this will solve it but i always ground everything to a trem post and i never have no buzz
i just drill a hole through from the cavity into the hole where the insert goes (with the insert out obviously) then thread wire throught solder it to the back of a pot then just put the insert back in.

[guitar425]

Thanks for the help! It is done, but looks like a friggin bird's nest. I am usually a very neat person, but the wiring looks like a friggin hurricane wired my guitar!!!

[buddroyce]

That's the way it goes usually.. it improves over time.

[ohioplayer]

add copper shielding tape to the inside of your pickup cavity. works wonders.