Pickguard Static

[tbrosnan]

Lately I've noticed I get some static sound when my hand or fingers brush over the pickguard or, on some occasions, even get close. It mostly occurs near the pickup end of the guard. It gets picked up by the amp and is annoying! Any ideas on the cause and/or the solution? Any input is appreciated!

Tim

[111518]

We had a thread about this issue, but I can't seem to find it. There were two solutions: one, use a dryer sheet to relieve the static, which I've now tried and it works, or: two, ground the pickguard by applying shielding tape and connecting that tape to ground within the guitar. Here's the explanation from the FAQ of Lollars website:

 

"I get a crackling sort of like a static sound that builds up in intensity as I play me Telecaster.

 

This is due to the pickguard not being grounded and also happens on other guitars like archtops with pickups attached to the pickguard. Plastic gives off electrons as your body contacts it. This causes a static charge to build up and discharge through the strings and the pickup cover. This problem can get worse in the winter when the air is dryer from heating. You can temporarily alleviate the problem by wiping down the pickguard with an anti-static towel like you use in a dryer, or you can gook up a ground wire to the back of the pickguard and solder it to the back of a pot or any other ground point. This will also happen with certain finishes like metallics, Gibson goldtops, or polyesters (urethane).)")

http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/merchant....tar-pickups-faq

 

I have this problem with my tele's, esp. in the wintertime, and I've ordered and have the shielding tape on hand, but haven't yet gotten around to making the fix. Meanwhile, I keep a dryer sheet in the case.

[tbrosnan]

Many thanks. I'm going to go try the dryer sheet first.

 

 

We had a thread about this issue, but I can't seem to find it. There were two solutions: one, use a dryer sheet to relieve the static, which I've now tried and it works, or: two, ground the pickguard by appling shielding tape and connecting that tape to ground within the guitar. (There is an explanation of how to do this for a tele on the FAQ of Lollars website:

 

"I get a crackling sort of like a static sound that builds up in intensity as I play me Telecaster.

 

This is due to the pickguard not being grounded and also happens on other guitars like archtops with pickups attached to the pickguard. Plastic gives off electrons as your body contacts it. This causes a static charge to build up and discharge through the strings and the pickup cover. This problem can get worse in the winter when the air is dryer from heating. You can temporarily alleviate the problem by wiping down the pickguard with an anti-static towel like you use in a dryer, or you can gook up a ground wire to the back of the pickguard and solder it to the back of a pot or any other ground point. This will also happen with certain finishes like metallics, Gibson goldtops, or polyesters (urethane).)"

[FredZepp]

I think the solution is to play barefoot so as to create a proper ground......

 

Ok, I don't really know.

[tulk1]

My EJ Strat was the WORST when it came to pickguard static. The dryer sheet works fine ... for a while. Won't eliminate it completely or permanently, that is. But it's a fast work around until you can shield the pg.

[Thundersteel]

And yet another reason why I don't like pickguards--you could get electrocuted!

[Gitfiddler]

I tried the dryer sheet and it made my gitfiddle smell really nice, but the static came back.

 

I tried re-shielding behind the pick guard, and that helped, but some static was still evident.

 

Finally I tried playing barefoot. That didn't work until I got caught in a rainstorm. Worked like a charm. No more static!

[TalismanRich]

Believe it or not, but I had to ground the cover on the BACK of my Heritage H157 over the controls. While I was at it, I did the one over the selector switch. Crude aluminum foil with a ground wire. Seems that the plastic rubbing on a nice polyester blend shirt will generate static big time. I've also did the pickguard of my Legacy and Asat.

 

The wood pickguards on the 157 and 535 don't generate any static at all.