Grounding issue in 05 Explorer

[RealRok4Ever]

Hi all, first post. Thanks much in advance for any help you can provide me on this frustrating problem. I'll try to make it short, but I need to provide the details nonetheless.

 

Bought an 05 Explorer. Limited Edition natural finish - all factory with 469R and 500T humbuckers and gold hardware. Purchased a new 2200 series Kahler and installed it along with a stringlock and all new chrome Grover Mini's. In the process of installing the Kahler, I had to move the rear mounting studs back .25" to assure correct intonation. When I worked on the stud closest to the electronics, which is the one that the ground wire for the bridge connects to, I was EXTREMELY careful to successfully relocate the wire to the new stud mount. The end result was flawless as the intonation is perfect, every fret has full sustain (even the 22nd fret on all strings) and there is no string buzz anywhere. A 14 hr job turned out absolutely perfect...... with the exception of one thing: While playing it for the second time (home studio, low volume, Peavey XXL 100W with 4-12 Celestion cab) I noticed a very slight buzz. Not a hum, a slight buzz. At first I thought that it's just something I never noticed before, but being a perfectionist, I plugged in my V to compare: completely quiet with no slight buzz. Then I plugged in my 81 Explorer: Same, no buzz whatsoever. Plugged the 05 Explorer back in: slight buzz. This happens only with the volume on. When I touch the chord jack plate, buzz stops completely. First thing I thought was that my relocation of the bridge ground was unsuccessful afterall, but touching or not touching the strings makes no difference.

 

Opened the back, DLed a wiring diagram from Gibson, all wiring is correct and EVERY connection is good. Also checked the connections on the toggle and the chord jack... all good. Could it still be my bridge ground? Any ideas out there. Thanks a ton and sorry for the long winded first post. I won't make it a habit.

 

Dave

[tarlek]

There should be continuity between each string and the output jack ground (test with a multimeter). If it fails, then there is a break in the connection somewhere. Chrome plating etc on the bridge is non-conductive and can sometimes cause problems too.

[RealRok4Ever]

There should be continuity between each string and the output jack ground (test with a multimeter). If it fails, then there is a break in the connection somewhere. Chrome plating etc on the bridge is non-conductive and can sometimes cause problems too.

 

Thanks Tarlek. I actually wized up and ran a jumper wire from the ground at the volume pot to the bridge and when the wire was touched directly to the bridge, the buzz stopped. Obviousley my existing bridge ground wire didn't do the job and there was indeed no continuity of ground to the strings after all. I soldered a new wire to the existing ground wire, drilled a new hole to the trem mortise, ran my new ground wire through that and connected it directly to the bottom of the trem unit, put it back together, restrung it and problem solved. What a relief.

 

Thanks for the response.