Testing grounding without strings

[WeirdBits]

Does the buzzing occur in all switch positions and volume/tone settings? Before anything else, just give each wire/join a little prod/jiggle to make sure there isn't a dry/bad solder join somewhere. If that doesn't find the problem, then it's time to divide and conquer...

If you want to do a quick test, disconnect the grey switch wire on the volume pot and also the output wire from the jack on the middle lug of the volume pot, and then temporarily join those wires together. That will remove both the volume and tone pots from the circuit and have the switch going straight to output (assuming you still have the components on the control plate). If it no longer buzzes then you'll know it's one of the pots causing the problem, most likely something shorting to ground or possibly a cooked component from overheating while soldering.

[wokkaboy]

Danger, its hard to see if the switch is wired the same as the tonerider diagram link that Weirdy posted. Double check that. If you have removed the earth wire from tone to volume pot then move the earth wire coming from the output jack - from the tone pot to the volume pot as Weirdy suggest have a common earth point.
Once you have done this remove the components from the plate to see if the buzz is still there.
Check the lugs don't have a stray wire touching the neighbouring lug. As DB suggested double check the output jack hot tip and earth wires are correct.
Thats about all I can suggest.
Another factor when you install all this into the cavity and if its copper shielded make sure the bottom of the switch doesn't earth on the shielding.

[TheDangerMan]

Yeah all positions it buzzes. Its not as loud as I would have expected a grounding issue to make .. But its still there
Im out at the moment so ill try some of these things you guys have mentioned and let you know how I go!

Cheers
Danger

[TheDangerMan]

Hmmm so I tried that trick to check if it was the Vol and Tone pots - Still buzzed
Sooo I've taken off all the solder work from the selector switch to start again.
Can I used wire that isnt insulated for these tiny solders? Or is there a trick to getting them so close together? Think I bodged it last time is all

[dingobass]

You can use bare wire on the switch, which leads me to the question what type of wire are you using?
I find it best to use soldered wire, such as the vintage push back stuff PBG supplies.

I have found that non soldered wire can cause problems with feed back etc.

[TheDangerMan]

Ah right.
Yeah im just using some white insulated stuff from Altronics.

I might give the PBG wire a try and see if I get any love from that stuff.

[Gavin1393]

...also check that switch...
very often (as Scott suggested earlier) by overheating a switch it can stuff up the switch. That you seem to be going round in circles at the moment suggests that there is something unusual happening here. Only thing is, when resoldering these 'import' switches, it really isn't unusual for them to become damaged and lead to the kind of issues you seem to be experiencing.
Also a close up of the switch and wiring might assist.

And a tip for all those out there learning to solder on pots casing, your best bet is to heat the casing with the solder and then apply the wiring and solder to the case. Saves many wasted attempts and several centimeters of solder.

[lawry]

/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from dingobass on June 18, 2014, 18:05

I have found that non soldered wire can cause problems with feed back etc.

Hmm. Not sure that the laws of physics will be on your side there, DB. A good wet, flowed joint is all you need.
And as Scotty (Star Trek) would say "ye canna change the laws of physics" 8-)

[TheDangerMan]

Cheers for the help guys.

Now the grounding hum stopped when I turn the volume all the way down... Not sure whether this is of note or not, but before I go and order a new switch I thought it worth mentioning!

Here are two pics of the switch with all the wires disconnected.
Excuse the bad soldering in the peripherals!

[lawry]

OK, so it goes when you turn the volume down. That makes sense because you're basically grounding the output. But if it hums when you turn it up then it has to be coming from the pickup side. Do you have a multimeter? If so, disconnect the pickups and check for continuity through them. That is, connect the meter (on ohms) to the wires coming out of the pickup. You should be measuring anywhere from around 5000-8000 ohms. (I have no idea what The PBG pup specs are). It seems to me like you have a floating input going to the pots.

Keen to hear your thoughts too Weirdy.