Do i need to ground my guitar?

[kank_39]

I only realised this problem recently. Probably because for my recent liking for my present setup. I presently using a BD2 and a GT2 for my rhythm chugging works. The BD2 is set as:

Level 2 o'clock
Tone 10 o'clock
Gain 7 o'clock

I like the tight overdrive feel of the distortion. Anyway this is where the problem starts. I started hearing irritating screeches when these two pedals are used together. When the BD2 is off, the sound is gone. So i thought it might be the output levels being too high so i lowered my pickups. Yes the screeching is less severe but there's still screeching once in a while.

I thought it might be the cable connection so i touched my cable and the screeching is gone. I released it and the screeching's back. I tried touching the one part of the guitar input jack and the same thing happened. The screeching was gone and upon release, it came back. I changed guitar to a strat and it was relatively silent, even when i cranked up my BD2 to insane levels.

Are these symptoms of grounding gone wrong?

 

[thor666]

Yes. Don't ask me how to repair it though - I have no idea either! :lol:

Drop a search at the Seymour Duncan forums or something. They might have one of those articles.

 

[BlackMoo]

I had this before, you're using too much gain/pushing too hard. Also you changed to a strat = lower output = less drive. So the screech won't occur as strongly as in more powerful pickups. I believe its your settings.

 

[kank_39]

Ok.. I admit that I'm really pushing my setup too hard but the bad grounding is still eminent even without my BD2 being switched on. I tried touching the input jack plate with just the GT2 and a certain high frequency humming will disappear. It'll then reappear when i remove my finger from the jack.

The GT2 is a real noisy workhorse so it'll be good if I could get rid of some noise from bad grounding.

Presently, I'm looking at 2 options:

1) Guitar Tech
2) Noise suppressor

 

[ShredCow]

Forget option 2 unless you are getting an ISP Decimator. Noise Suppressors suck tone, well, if you play heavy metal and other hi gain stuff, that wouldn't bother you.

What is your power source?

 

[kank_39]

My power supply? You mean for my pedals? I'm currently on the Boss power adapter. You mean you think that it might be the source of all the humming and screeching?

Ok.. Maybe I'll just see a guitar tech later in the evening at peninsular and enquire about the problem. Any recommendations?

 

[ShredCow]

Go buy 2 9v batteries, and use them tonight after work...

See if that helps.

Btw, what guitar has the hum?

 

[theblueark]

I changed guitar to a strat and it was relatively silent, even when i cranked up my BD2 to insane levels.

If there is the problem on one guitar and not on the other then isn't it fairly obvious that the problem lies on the guitar?

Any noise issue with touching grounding spots like the outside of a jack, or the jack plate usually means a grounding problem.

 

[kank_39]

I'll do just that. The hum's coming from my Jackson DX6, which I have been using for nearly 4 years (inclusive of almost 2 years of lying in limbo ). Wonder what took me so long to realise the problem.

 

[ShredCow]

If there is the problem on one guitar and not on the other then isn't it fairly obvious that the problem lies on the guitar?

*DOH!!!!*

You're right... hehehehe...

 

[thor666]

You should solve the fundamental problem, so thumbs up for tech, thumbs down for noise suppressor.

Cheers

 

[dwarfstars]

where can you get your guitar amp grounded properly. i use a bd2 with a peavey transtube amp. i experience the same thing when i crank up my amp. the buzzing reduces very significantly when i push metal parts of the guitar and the non-insulated part of the cable(not the input jack). i find that when i run my guitar to bd2 to amp to zoom multi efx (zoom multi efx is plugged into computer for power source thru a usb) . it gets 'grounded' in a way and it is very quiet... i use a yamaha pacifica 311ms with a HH config.

 

[kank_39]

Try this:

http://www.soft.com.sg/2006/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=11443

 

[ShredCow]

Eh kank, did using batteries relive some hum?

Them Boss PSA adaptors are noisy.

 

[kank_39]

Er.. I have not tried it. I didn't even get to touch my guitar last night nor have I gone down to peninsular. Had a change of plan yesterday so when i got home, i was dead tired.

But do not fret. I'll definitely be fiddling around with my guitars tonight as i'm going to get a new toy later. :twisted:

 

[dwarfstars]

Try this:

http://www.soft.com.sg/2006/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=11443

hey kank. i saw that b4. i haven tried using batt. but not prac for me because it'll eat alot of batt. i use the one spot adaptor. shd b ok i think. it's definitely a grounding problem for me. any where i can get it done properly. i dun dare DIY cause firstly, i'm not sure whether my wire does hav an earth anot.