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les paul static problem


mkj

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Posted

I just bought a 2014 Les Paul Studio Pro. Love the guitar however I'm noticing a heavy crackling sound when I move my left hand along the back of the neck. I first thought it was the amp but now think it is static electricity. I've seen some other threads on this topic but have not seen a solution. Tried dryer sheets and it doesn't solve the problem but it will eliminate the noise if I keep the dryer sheet between my hand and the back of the neck. That doesn't seem like a good solution but it does seem to confirm that it's a static problem. Anybody out there have similar problems?

Posted

Hello!

 

I am not a specialist of this field. There are many at the Forums who are...

 

First, I`d sort out whether it`s a local electrical problem, or something with the guitar, amp, or cables. Play the guitar at a friends house. Pour grounding of the building, loose electrical connections of the network can cause such things, among others.

 

I am sure, more trained people will give You many more troubleshooting hints within minutes.

 

Best wishes... Bence

Posted

Again, this problem would be easier to diagnose if you had filled out your "Location" on your profile.

 

Static noise is caused by environmental conditions, specifically lack of humidity. This condition will appear, change, go away, due to the relative humidity in your area.

 

Although I have never experienced this from rubbing the neck, last week, even here in the Midwest, I did get some static noise from the pickguard of my 345.

 

It's generally something you learn to live with and expect under dry conditions.

Posted

I live in Kansas. I appreciate the feedback. I don't have the problem with any of my other guitars. Tried it with two separate tube amps. It's just weird. The guitar is worth the weirdness though.

Posted

I live in Kansas. I appreciate the feedback. I don't have the problem with any of my other guitars. Tried it with two separate tube amps. It's just weird. The guitar is worth the weirdness though.

 

I too, live in Kansas! I have had "static problems" (mostly in the Winter), but also,

grounding noise, due to old wiring, in my 100+ year old house. Do you have 3 pronged

(grounded) electrical outlets, or the older 2 prong? Some of my guitars have those

"grounding" noise issues, in my house, that don't show up in other houses, or buildings,

with more up to date wiring.

 

Just a thought...

 

CB

Posted

The trouble appeared on every guitar I bought new for a certain period, in particular when clothes or my hands rubbed plastic parts. The electric compartment back covers on Gibsons were affected about the same as pickguards on Fenders. It got better with time interestingly and, of course, luckily! [biggrin]

 

Humidity has always been between 45% and 65%, 54% at the moment, so this should be no problem here. Interestingly, there never was audible interference through statics in the piezo signal of my active hybrid solidbodies, regardless if stock or retrofitted guitars. However, the pops appeared through the magnetic pickups on these guitars, too.

 

I guess it will get better on your new Studio, too. Although nitrocellulose finishes won't cure with time, they seem to stabilize within a given environment as all my poly finishes did, too. Even pickguard and cover plastics seem to settle I think. B)

Posted

Yes. Screws move the static to the pickguard which is touching the rings and their screws and you hear it. I didn't invent it, I just know of it.

 

rct

Posted

Yes. Screws move the static to the pickguard which is touching the rings and their screws and you hear it. I didn't invent it, I just know of it.

 

rct

This man is correct.

 

--------------------------

 

Even so, I live in the desert and have never had this problem.

Logic dictates there's something with this particular guitar?

 

Break-in period due to unknown circumstances?

The pickguard problem really happens just the way described here by rct.

 

The break-in period may always have the same reason I guess. Since there are various vaporous components within the finish, the dielectricity is different from the final, steady state with vaporous water molecules instead.

 

As I posted in #7, all of my guitars had the problem from the start for a certain period, and just the most recent one still has.

Posted

Thanks to everyone for the responses. A couple of interesting developments here. I tried spraying Static Guard in the case. It made some difference but not dramatic. However, I checked the humidity yesterday and it was around 37%. This morning it's 83%. Huge difference. Still a little static but really not much. I'm going to continue the Static Guard also. Just as a side note, the only place I didn't hear the static was when I touched the pickguard. Go figure. Kansas is a strange place to live sometimes.

Posted

Well, so much for the humidity theory. The Static Guard in the case turned out to be a failed experiment as well. I

have discovered that I can control the volume of the static by placing my right hand on the bridge or stopbar. Maybe I'll just learn to control it, and hope it eventually goes away because no one seems to know what causes it or what to do about it. Still a great guitar though.

Posted
I have discovered that I can control the volume of the static by placing my right hand on the bridge or stopbar.

 

Then it is NOT a static problem, it is a grounding issue. See a qualified technician immediately.

Posted

Thanks to all for the help. I'm going to take it in next week. I'll post the result. I've been looking at this topic on the forum and the problem seems to have been around for awhile with no definitive answer.

Posted

Yes. Screws move the static to the pickguard which is touching the rings and their screws and you hear it. I didn't invent it, I just know of it.

 

rct

That makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. You rub the heck out of the neck and all the little static buggers go wherever they like to hang out.

 

It does sound, like Larry said, that this poster has a grounding issue, but, anyway, I need to remember about the static going wherever it wants on the guitar. I guess the plastic pick guard is good at storing a charge.

 

For people who don't know, you can rub your pick guard with a dryer sheet if it's building up a lot of static and sometimes that helps.

Posted
I've been looking at this topic on the forum and the problem seems to have been around for awhile with no definitive answer.

There's an answer, it's your guitar's ground. A solder joint probably came loose between your pots or even the main ground going to the bridge. My guess is the latter of the two. Let us know!

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Well, I took the LP in to the shop where I bought it. Fortunately, they are an authorized Gibson repair. The tech was able to duplicate the problem. There was another Studio Pro in the shop with a similar finish and it had no static. The tech filed and polished the fret ends, cleaned all the pots and switch, checked all connections and added an additional ground wire. He thought having a ground wire soldered to the pot would help. He also used a dryer sheet to clean the control cavities and said he could hear the charge releasing as he did that. The shop is an hour and a half away so I am picking it up today and will post later. The tech says its 90% better. I've known this guy for a long time and trust his opinion. The cause is still a mystery. Touching the back of the neck eventually builds up a charge. Don't know why. Enough people have experienced this that it's hard for me to believe that Gibson is not aware of it. I will post later today after I get it home. Thanks for all of your help.

Posted

Well, here's the verdict. Got it home, plugged it in and although the static is still noticeable, the work made a huge difference. Still don't know what's causing it but it's manageable now. I love the guitar otherwise so I'll keep trying to figure it out.

Posted

Where did you take it? E.M. Shorts, in Wichita? (Just curious)

I drive Brian "nuts" sometimes, trying to figure out how to "further"

reduce static noise, especially on my Telecaster, when I think in all

reality, it's probably the environment (old wiring, etc.), here, in

the house as much as anything.

 

But, God bless him, he (still) keeps trying to help, each time I take

it in. I'm grateful for his great attitude and patience.

 

CB

Posted

Yeah, great shop. I've dealt with Brian for years. He's the best I've worked with.

 

Yes, I have, as well. He's a great guy! Always helpful, even when he's "swamped,"

and...that's a lot of the time, being the only "Luthier" there, now.

 

Cheers,

CB

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