Les Paul Buzz-Ground issue?

[coolcat2]

I have a Les Paul Classic that I just changed pups in to Wolfetone Dr. Vintage and added some upgraded caps and went to 50's wiring. I've noticed when I don't touch anything metal on guitar, it has a buzz/hum for all pup positions that goes away when I touch strings, bridge, etc. For the life of me I don't remember it doing this before changing pups. Everything appears to be grounded. Only things I soldered were the pup wires and the caps, and the middle lug on the tone pots to back of pot. Left everything else untouched. There is an aluminum plate in the control cavity that the pots are attached to. No shielding on back of control cavity cover. I've searched and read that this can be normal in Gibsons. Is it a ground issue or shielding? I plugged in a Schecter C1 Classic with humbuckers and it is super quiet. Any help on diagnosing problem would be very appreciated.

[blanche]

some pickups are noisier than others

the fact that it goes away when you touch the strings, bridge, etc. means that the groundis connected and working as intended

[walterw]

yep, it's normal. often after we change something, we pay more attention to the results, sometimes noticing things that were there all along.

that schecter is gonna have black shielding paint in the control cavities, which reduces that extra noise when you let go.

fully shielding the paul will reduce the extra buzz when you're not touching it.

[blanche]

yep, it's normal. often after we change something, we pay more attention to the results, sometimes noticing things that were there all along.



funny, I once cleaned a VERY dirty guitar for a client, who then accused me of putting numerous scratches and dents in the body LOL

[coolcat2]

Thanks for your help. I've been going crazy trying to find out what the problem is. I undid all the connections I made and tried the modern LP wiring instead of the 50's and still hum. Since the pups are not wax potted does that make a difference? Copper shielding vs paint, any way better/easier?

[walterw]

the paint's a lot easier, a couple thick coats and you're done (although foil will be easier on the backs of the plastic covers); just make sure it all connects to ground, or it will add noise instead of reducing it.

wax in the pickups has nothing to do with it, neither does '50s vs. modern wiring.

[mistercoffee1]

Could it be the difference between balanced coils vs unbalanced?

[walterw]

maybe, in theory the unbalanced ones don't cancel hum as perfectly.

i think the extra buzz from lifting your hands off is a different issue, though.