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Gibson LP Std. 2014 HB: Body is electrostatically charged


Caja

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Hello,

 

I just bought my first Gibson after playing several years an Epiphone Elitist Studio which is very nice.

 

The look of my new Les Paul Standard in Honey Burst (2014) ist awesome.

But when I touch the body I hear load buzzes and cracks in my little amp (Blackstar HT5R).

Near the toggle cover at the back it is loudest but also when I slide down the neck or over the body.

 

A guitardoc checked the LP and found everything is ok.

I read something about the Gibson polish that will help.

Are there experiences that the electrostatical charging will end some time?

 

Otherwise I have to send the guitar back :-(

 

Thanks for any helpful answer.

Carsten

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Hello,

 

I just bought my first Gibson after playing several years an Epiphone Elitist Studio which is very nice.

 

The look of my new Les Paul Standard in Honey Burst (2014) ist awesome.

But when I touch the body I hear load buzzes and cracks in my little amp (Blackstar HT5R).

Near the toggle cover at the back it is loudest but also when I slide down the neck or over the body.

 

A guitardoc checked the LP and found everything is ok.

I read something about the Gibson polish that will help.

Are there experiences that the electrostatical charging will end some time?

 

Otherwise I have to send the guitar back :-(

 

Thanks for any helpful answer.

Carsten

 

Yeah, rubbing the guitar with a dryer sheet will help. It's static that builds up from you rubbing the new finish. It's not a defect or anything. It's normal and has to do with the humidity and the fact that the finish and the plastics are super smooth when they are new. When the finish gets scuffed up a little on a microscopic level it won't hold the static so much. [thumbup]

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[thumbup] thx a lot to badbluesplayer and Mr. C.O. Jones.

I will definitely buy me a packet of dryer sheets. I'll tell you the result.

I just read about dryer cloth and that they are antistatic. That gives me hope!

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All of my Gibsons I bought new had the static discharge noise issue more or less for a certain period. Rubbing the finish using deionised or distilled water on a soft cloth and subsequent drying with facial tissues helped.

 

Plastic parts, however, will take some more time, regardless of guitar brand, by the way.

 

Using wireless guitar systems will help instantly. It is the best solution for coated strings which regularly cause static pops and clicks due to their electrical isolation.

 

Last but not least it will strongly depend on the clothes you wear during playing. Naked would be best, cotton soaked with sweat is second-best. Take care for proper grounding of guitar amp and microphone if applicable - missing, broken or otherwise interrupted ground connections can be lethal!

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thanks Capmaster,

 

my LP was just recently checked by an specialist and in terms of grounding everything is fine he said.

But I am surprised that he and also the service staff of europes biggest musicstore had no clue to help me with the static buzz.

I just ordered the same guitar one more time.

But anyway the knobs are not turning well. Maybe the other LP has better knops.

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...

But anyway the knobs are not turning well. Maybe the other LP has better knops.

Due to different builds, volume and tone pots are different in rotation and push/pull actions as well. The volume pots are full-size with a single-pole NO switch, the tone pots are mini-size with a double-pole/double throw (DPDT) switch.

 

Like all pots with compound axles, both sorts of push/pull pots (and push/push pots as well) have a feelable free travel. The shaft bearing the knob can't be directly mounted to the pot's sliding contact, so a certain play is unavoidable. It's a matter of getting accustomed to I think.

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Hmm, well ive never had a static issue with any of my guitars so cant comment much on that apart from whats already been suggested...

 

But there is a very simple way to check for grounding issues... which is basically if you hear more noise when touching any metal part of the guitar then its not grounded properly.. its as simple as that really. If you hear a small buzz and it goes away or is reduced when touching a metal part, then its grounded properly.

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I have never heard of this problem on a les paul. I have had this problem on my SG, PRS Mira, and Fender Stratocaster. It sounds like static electricity is building up in the finish or the plastic pick up rings or pickgaurd and causing the noise you hear. Put some shielding tape on the back of the control covers at the tone controls and the toggle switch. This should solve the problem. Static electricity builds up in plastic and has no place to go. Installing shielding tape gives the static electricity a ground to go to. If your epiphone has a poly finish it could be holding static electricity. Remember rubbing your sock feet across the carpet floor and then touching your buddies ear. Or rubbing a Balloon on your shirt and sticking the Balloon to the wall? I have only had this problem on guitars with a pick guard but it can happen on other guitars too.

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Great!

 

The dryer sheet solved the problems with the static buzz on my Gibson Les Paul Standard.

 

It was so easy.

I touched a surface area e.g. the back of the neck - buzzing -

I rubbed this area with the sheet and touched it again - silence!

 

In German:

 

Knackt und knistert es im Amp wenn man die Oberfläche z.B. einer nitrolackierten Gibson berührt oder darüberstreicht, kann ein antistatisch wirkendes Tuch helfen.

Die entsprechenden Stellen mit dem Tuch abreiben. Danach kann man diese Stellen berühren/darüber streichen und es ist Ruhe.

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If I as german could fine out what a dryer sheet ist, you as a native speaker could find out as well.

 

I translated the result in german, so that other german can find out as well.

 

And WTF are YOU?

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In Australian:

 

WTF is a dryer sheet?

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Ok, maybe the are called differently in Oz.

Found this, did copy and paste it:

 

Dryer sheets are durable, gauze-like tissues that can be put into dryers to eliminate static cling, soften clothes, and add fragrance. They are usually sold at laundromats and locations where laundry products such as detergent and fabric softener are available, commonly in pull-up dispensers that release one sheet at a time. Manufacturers offer several types, including natural and fragrance-free for consumers with environmental concerns or who have sensitive skin.

Took that from here:http://m.wisegeek.com/what-are-dryer-sheets.htm

I couldn't explain it better.

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In Australian:

 

 

 

WTF did you say in German?

 

Thanks

 

Sorry mate, you are right, that stuff belongs into PM's!

 

Just small talk, more or less:

 

Me: glad that it worked, unexpensive and quick solution. Now rock that thing.

 

Caja: yeah, if it doesn't rock it's not the guitars fault anymore.

Practice, practice, practice...

 

Greetings back and forth...blablabla!

 

Well, greetz to Oz from Spain by the way!

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If I as german could fine out what a dryer sheet ist, you as a native speaker could find out as well.

 

I translated the result in german, so that other german can find out as well.

 

And WTF are YOU?

 

No need for this amigo, let's keep things peacefull!

He is right if we wan't to chat in german we should use PM.

 

Tschüss, and see ya around!

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Ok, maybe the are called differently in Oz.

Found this, did copy and paste it:

 

Dryer sheets are durable, gauze-like tissues that can be put into dryers to eliminate static cling, soften clothes, and add fragrance. They are usually sold at laundromats and locations where laundry products such as detergent and fabric softener are available, commonly in pull-up dispensers that release one sheet at a time. Manufacturers offer several types, including natural and fragrance-free for consumers with environmental concerns or who have sensitive skin.

Took that from here:http://m.wisegeek.com/what-are-dryer-sheets.htm

I couldn't explain it better.

 

 

Understand - thanks

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I had the same problem with my 2014 Gibson Les Paul Studio Deluxe. Lots of advice, nothing worked. Sent it to Gibson. Got another guitar. Same problem but not as bad. It's been a year and a half. The finish I have is Black Cherry. One tech told me it has to do with the finish process in the guitars. Some have the problem. Most don't. When the static starts building up I use a guitar cleaner and it eliminates the static for a period of time. Learned to live with it.

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