Earth problem on a les Paul.

markj

I have just rewired my les Paul and changed the pickups as well. I have changed the standard wiring to 50's style I have used cts pots, paper in oil caps and quality vintage style wiring. I know how to solder and have taken my time over this project but to my disappointment when played for the first time it has got a hum when my hands are not on any of the metal parts, strings, bridge etc. It gets worse when played through a drive pedal when I'm not touching any of the metal parts. I know this is an earth problem, but is there any part of the circuit I should check first ? Any advice welcome.

ICBM

If the hum/buzz stops when you're touching the strings the chances are it's wired correctly - there must at least be a good ground connection from the jack to the tailpiece.

If you've used vintage-style braided cable and it's all soldered to the pot casings and switch frames, it's probably a lack of shielding in the control cavity which is the problem. Although this is how they were wired in the original Les Pauls, it will let in some noise. Some caps can be quite prone to it as well, particularly as in the standard Gibson scheme, neither side of the cap is grounded when the tone control isn't turned fully down. If the caps have the outer foil end marked, make sure that's towards the tone control not the volume control, but it still won't make much difference.

Fully shielding the cavity - and the switch cavity - might be the only way. Also, if the pickups aren't covered then that will be a problem too.

fandango

Happened to me on my LP Standard. Got my local guitar guru to shield the cavities (including the switch cavity) with copper leaf. This eliminated the buzzing, and all is well.

markj

The wire is vintage style fabric pull back type. I have used this from the toggle switch to the control cavity I expect this to be the problem area. 

WezV

markj said:

The wire is vintage style fabric pull back type. I have used this from the toggle switch to the control cavity I expect this to be the problem area. 

@icbm has just been talking about this on another thread... even cheap guitars have shielded cable for that run

ICBM

markj said:

The wire is vintage style fabric pull back type. I have used this from the toggle switch to the control cavity I expect this to be the problem area. 

Do you mean Gibson-style braided shield cloth wire - or single core Fender-style wire with no shield?

If the latter, that's the problem.

markj

ICBM said:

markj said:

The wire is vintage style fabric pull back type. I have used this from the toggle switch to the control cavity I expect this to be the problem area. 

Do you mean Gibson-style braided shield cloth wire - or single core Fender-style wire with no shield?

If the latter, that's the problem.

That's the problem. Single core vintage cloth covered fender style wire. Would I need to replace the wires or would I be able to put copper tape around the 4 wires?

ICBM

markj said:

Would I need to replace the wires or would I be able to put copper tape around the 4 wires?

If you can do it, copper tape will work - it will be quite a pain though. It's probably easier to replace the whole lot with the proper Gibson-style wire to be honest.

markj

That was what I was thinking. Who do you recommend to buy from.

ICBM

Allparts do it, although their minimum length is 25ft, which is about five times as much as you need.

This Ebay seller seems to have it in the right length - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLOTH-COVERED-1-7MT-BRAIDED-SHIELDED-PUSH-BACK-WIRE-GIBSON-STYLE-CH14009/201363537009?hash=item2ee233bc71:g:jp0AAOxyBjBTPtGT

markj

Thanks for the link. Just ordered some up. ICBM your a gent.