DrFever Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 As you might recall, I had an initial problem "out of the box" with my AL530 but thanks to the folks at Graphtech they walked me through the fix ... However another problem lingers.... Noise! And lots of it. Running my fingers over the back plate of the toggle switch emits static. The same noise replicated when running my fingers over any of the other back access plates. There is also a slight audible "popping" when using the toggle switch. I have been putting off on a warranty repair because I live in Canada and Gibson has no warranty repair centers in Canada and the closest one to me is in Buffalo (I live in Toronto). I can't bring the guitar back to the point of purchase because I managed to find it at a shop in New York as all Toronto area shops were out of the Crimson color. Can anyone help an electrical "novice"? I don't want to bring it into any local guitar shop for repair because I don't think I should have to pay for such a repair. Has anyone else experienced this "noise"? The static and clicking and popping (obviously a grounding issue .. At least I think) is driving me nuts. Or, should I bite the bullet and send it to the authorized warranty centre for repair? How "schooled" are these warranty centers on the electrical schematics of this guitar? That is my fear. I love this AXE.... I really do ... But the noise ans ground buzzing is really pushing my limits. I can no longer enjoy it with this issue. Looking for suggestions, tips etc. Also, what is Gibson's policy on warranty repairs? If deemed a warranty repair, do they reimburse my shipping costs to the US? I ask because I might have to pay upwards of $80 for shipping and I would need to weigh the cost of this vs paying a Guitar Tech at Steve's or Long and McQuade here in Toronto $125 or so for the diagnosis and "hopeful" repair. I do note there is not one bit of shielding in this guitar. You would think at this price point they would have shielded all the cavities?? Any comments appreciated. Thanks. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Why does an Alex Lifeson model suddenly have lots of noise? Because it thinks it's been plugged into lots of effects. Avoid playing 80's Rush riffs. No, seriously, it sounds life you got static on the guitar. Try rubbing a dryer sheet on it. (This is purely knowledge from the net, which I seldom suggest...never had the issue or done it, and I usually don't comment on such, but in this case, it really sounds like it to me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Why does an Alex Lifeson model suddenly have lots of noise? Because it thinks it's been plugged into lots of effects. Avoid playing 80's Rush riffs. No, seriously, it sounds life you got static on the guitar. Try rubbing a dryer sheet on it. (This is purely knowledge from the net, which I seldom suggest...never had the issue or done it, and I usually don't comment on such, but in this case, it really sounds like it to me). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrFever Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share Posted December 31, 2012 Why does an Alex Lifeson model suddenly have lots of noise? Because it thinks it's been plugged into lots of effects. Avoid playing 80's Rush riffs. No, seriously, it sounds life you got static on the guitar. Try rubbing a dryer sheet on it. (This is purely knowledge from the net, which I seldom suggest...never had the issue or done it, and I usually don't comment on such, but in this case, it really sounds like it to me). Well, just because I'm a "noise" geek, I had my guitar shielded with copper foil and grounded. All cavities and the back of of all the plastic back plates. The guitar, even when not plugged in is generating a static charge. Even unplugged, if I run my hand over the guitar I feel static like the old days of rubbing a CRT monitor. I figure it's either all that synthetic fabric and stuffing in the case coupled with winter dryness. So, today, I placed my acoustic guitar humidifier in the case, spreayed the case lining with that static cling spray and put a "fabric softener in the case. I'll see in a couple days if any of this makes a difference. Cheers and happy New Year friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Interestingly, I have problems with clicks due to static electricity basically on all my Gibsons without a PCB at any time I don't have contact to strings, tailpiece or conductive parts of the machine heads. Crackling noises do occur espacially when the cover of the electric compartment rubs my hand or clothing. Next to every time I touch the strings after several seconds without having contact to grounded surfaces I hear a click or pop through the speakers. However, especially when recording I always try to stay in contact with strings or string suspensions. Yesterday I experienced that my newly bought Gibson SG Standard Bass in Worn Ebony causes no clicks although its electrical cavity cover seems to be of the usual make. It is my only Gibson instrument with a Faded finish and hasn't a PCB. So the glossy finishes seem to be more prone to static charge. Furthermore, I experienced over the years that the use of strings with an electrically insulated surface will lead to uncontrollable static clicks no matter what doing. As well as several pals, I suffered these troubles using Elixir guitar strings. I know of similar problems due to the use of nylon coated bass flatwounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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