Les Paul build -Hugh

[Hugh]

It does sound like an earthing problem to me, does the hum go away if you touch the strings, if it does, try using a multimeter to check if there's a ground connection between the bridge and a convenient ground point, such as the back of one of the volume controls or the sleeve connection of the output jack.

No, the hum doesn't go away if I touch the strings..
I did run a wire from the bridge to a tone pot? Is that what you're referring to?

[DrNomis_44]

No, the hum doesn't go away if I touch the strings..
I did run a wire from the bridge to a tone pot? Is that what you're referring to?

Check to see if your tone pots are also grounded to your volume pots because if they aren't then that can cause hum problems too.

[Hugh]

Better shot of the body..

[Hugh]

Check to see if your tone pots are also grounded to your volume pots because if they aren't then that can cause hum problems too.

The hum seems to be reduced when I Touch the pickup switch??
I checked the earth wire from the 3-what switch seems to be intact however?

[wokkaboy]

Hi Hugh, build looks sweet.
If the hum is reduced by touching the switch sounds like there are still earthing issues.
You ran an earth wire from the bridge post bush to a common earth point say to a pot ?

is the control cavity copper shielded ? If not then all 4 pots need to be earthed. Check the earth wire from the switch is making good contact with the common earth point.

also other factors to think about sometimes fluorescent light tubes cause hum and a mobile phone in your pocket or near the guitar.

[Hugh]

Cheers Wokkaboy
Yes mate, there is a wire from the bridge to a tone pot.
Yes the control cavity is copper shielded and the pots are earthed as per Adam's instructional video and diagram..
I'll keep listening to suggestions and trying things until I get it right..

[Andy40]

Hi Hugh, not that it doesn't look like a fine effort to me but I've had a good look at your wiring there and everything seems to be in place correctly as per the PBG diagram. I used the tonerider diagram on my LP1-SS, slightly different. I too had a ground noise buzz but only because I had not grounded the pot to the bridge. (So thats not your problem).

It may be that your ground solders to the back of the pots aren't the best? Not doubting your skill but, I'd do as doc says and probably check them with a multi-meter. If you find a connection to the back of the pot that is not the best, I would de-solder, scuff the back of the pot again with a file and re-solder. I tend to find problems when I'm soldering a couple of different wires on the back of the same pot, ie the first has a good connection, but later solders of different wires may not have good connections.

Good Luck mate, that build has got a real natural beauty.

[Hugh]

Hi Hugh, not that it doesn't look like a fine effort to me but I've had a good look at your wiring there and everything seems to be in place correctly as per the PBG diagram. I used the tonerider diagram on my LP1-SS, slightly different. I too had a ground noise buzz but only because I had not grounded the pot to the bridge. (So thats not your problem).

It may be that your ground solders to the back of the pots aren't the best? Not doubting your skill but, I'd do as doc says and probably check them with a multi-meter. If you find a connection to the back of the pot that is not the best, I would de-solder, scuff the back of the pot again with a file and re-solder. I tend to find problems when I'm soldering a couple of different wires on the back of the same pot, ie the first has a good connection, but later solders of different wires may not have good connections.

Good Luck mate, that build has got a real natural beauty.

Cheers Andy, I'm a bit of a novice mate so any advise is good to me.. I don't have ( or really even know what a multi-meter is??) but I'll check out my soldering, maybe something isn't properly grounded.. I'm busy for the next week or 2 so I may not get to it for a bit..
Thanks for putting the time into taking a look and trying to help me out too, much appreciated

[DrNomis_44]

Cheers Andy, I'm a bit of a novice mate so any advise is good to me.. I don't have ( or really even know what a multi-meter is??) but I'll check out my soldering, maybe something isn't properly grounded.. I'm busy for the next week or 2 so I may not get to it for a bit..
Thanks for putting the time into taking a look and trying to help me out too, much appreciated

Have a good look at my Multimeter Mini Tutorial thread, that will show you what a Multimeter is and how to make measurements with it.


Here's a link to it so you can find it easily:


http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=5608

[Andy40]

Doc beat me to it but yes, I was going to spruke his muti-meter tutorial. Its very worth the small outlay investing in one, hugh.

I agree with your approach, comeback to it when you've got at least 2 solid hours (or more) and check each connection.

Good luck mate, keep us posted!