Hi,

I finished the wiring of the 81/85 set. Looks good but sounds bad. When I plug the mono instrument cable in there is a very bad noise/sizzling coming but it disappears after a minute or so. Very interesting. Everything is grounded except the strings (because EMG manual says so).

The diagram I applied is attached. There is only one difference from the original diagram which is the switch I used is a standard Tele 3 way blade switch. To use it I shorted the 6 terminals in the middle to make it 3 pair. I don't know if that's the problem.

Thanks,
Suat

Attached Images

File Type: jpg

emg_mine.jpg (148.0 KB, 17 views)

I think I forgot to ground the switch, if that's the problem.

nope, it didn't help.

Hmmm... You might try touching up the grounds (nice, shiny solder), starting from the jack and going pot case to pot case. Sometimes a cold solder joint (grey, dull solder) will give you grounding issues.

One other thing, you might try plugging your amp/setup in to another outlet? I've heard of people chasing ground noise and it turns out to be a ground issue in their outlet or power strip, etc.

Strange... usually EMG's are quieter and have less ground issues than passive pickups.

Exactly. This is my first time with actives and I'm totally lost. I checked the wiring countless of times but everything looks as it should.

I think it has to do with the capacitor because the noise disappears after some time, maybe after the cap is fully charged. I ordered some different type of 104k cap to try if it makes a difference.

Again, after some time the noise is completelly lost.

OK something really weird is going on here. The Duracell battery is brand new. I measure it 9.5v. I've been testing the guitar with it since yesterday. I have all the problems with it.

The Panasonic battery is old and measures 8.5v but not a tiny bit of noise with it. How could this possible?

Attached Images

File Type: jpg

thumbnail_IMG_20210209_001508_HHT.jpg (173.2 KB, 14 views)

I leave this diagram here to guide the future generation :d

This one works perfectly.

Attached Images

File Type: jpg

2_x_active_humbuckers_-_1vol__1tone__3way_blade_v02.jpg (180.2 KB, 11 views)

A little filter cap like that shouldn't really charge up like a big electrolytic cap... but whatever works. Glad you got it figured out!

I never noticed until after comparing your two diagrams that the first diagram did not have the tone pot grounded.. Maybe that was the cause?

No, I had the pot already ground. The main difference between two is that in the EMG diagram the cap is soldered to the second terminal (middle) of the tone pot. In the IronGear diagram it is soldered to first terminal. I'm not good at these at all. I have no idea what this changed but it works.

And just a warning to EMG users, don't be tempted to use a Lithium 9V. While on paper, they should last a lot longer, both times I tried to use them, the guitar squealed by itself. Pull out the Lithium and stick in a Duracell or energizer and the squeal is gone(and always always always carry a spare).