• From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Topic: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

Hi all ...

I'm wondering if anyone has found a reliable / permanent fix for the static electricity generated when your fingers move across your pick guard, and the pickups capturing the static noise it creates. I've seen some online stuff about using Bounce sheets, copper foil shielding underneath, etc.

None of my pick guards have any electronics under them, and I have no fabrics in my playing area (carpet, seat covers, etc.) to generate static.

Any suggestions that have worked for you?

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

Not sure if this is the same thing, but one time our audio engineer detected a 'buzz' from the bass guitarists axe; he solved it simply by putting an alligator clip on his bridge to the negative/earth side of his cable ... it was a few years ago, but I remember he took the casing off the cable, then applied it carefully to the longest stem of the jack ...

Don't do it with the amp on, and make sure you don't have a short before you plug it in ...

Hope that helps

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
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  • TIGLJK
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Re: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

when  i built my strat - i used copper foil inside - no buzz or noise at all - worked great

I was impressed and it was easy to do

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  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

Thanks, gents ...

Unfortunately the problem is not a grounding (thanks, Neo) or shielding (thanks, TIG) issue, because there are no electronics under the pickguards on either of my Gretsch, Les Paul, or Thunderbird guitars. It's simply a matter of static being created when my fingers slide on the pickguard(s), and if that happens to be near a pickup the crackling happens. I saw some suggestions on-line to wipe the pickguards periodically with a "Bounce" sheet, and so far that's working.

Good insights, though, and much appreciated.

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

Sorry I didn't give you the right solution; I'm still not 100% sure I understand your problem, so I'm glad you found the solution!! smile

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
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  • beamer
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  • From: WASHINGTON ST
  • Registered: 2006-07-29
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Re: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

Tenement Funster wrote:

Thanks, gents ...

Unfortunately the problem is not a grounding (thanks, Neo) or shielding (thanks, TIG) issue, because there are no electronics under the pickguards on either of my Gretsch, Les Paul, or Thunderbird guitars. It's simply a matter of static being created when my fingers slide on the pickguard(s), and if that happens to be near a pickup the crackling happens. I saw some suggestions on-line to wipe the pickguards periodically with a "Bounce" sheet, and so far that's working.

Good insights, though, and much appreciated.

Bounce is just light wax.  Try some actual wax.  That should last longer.

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7 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-05-31 22:43:44)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

Here's the vid I followed about using a Bounce sheet. I didn't know it was just wax, Beamer ... great info. I've got a block of paraffin in my workshop, so I'll try that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2gYcAuTdjk

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: Solution for Pick Guard Static?

Tenement Funster wrote:

Here's the vid I followed about using a Bounce sheet. I didn't know it was just wax, Beamer ... great info. I've got a block of paraffin in my workshop, so I'll try that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2gYcAuTdjk

Thanks for that - I've never seen that problem before!!

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic