Jaguar earth hum

G41

Hi folks - just bought a used CIJ Jag, and it's been brilliant getting to know it over the past few days. Fantastic sounds, and now I've set it up it also plays beautifully.

Thing is, I'm getting a loud earth hum when the three lead circuit switches are all off. I also get it (but not so loud) on the lead circuit when either or both pickups are selected and the bass cut is on.

I've had the covers off and can't see anything wrong - any ideas anyone?

robertoriginal

if i were you i would just go ahead and ground every plate to every plate.

even if there is already one there you might as well be extra cautious and redo it.

G41

Thanks Robert, I should've explained I really am a complete moron when it comes to electrics. "Nothing wrong" to me meant there were no wires hanging loose, basically. I don't really know how to ground stuff.

I've now noticed something else which REALLY puzzles me: when I roll off the volume on either circuit, the earth hum also comes on. Sound odd?

If it means anything (and please be gentle with me in respect of my complete moron status), all the noise stops when my i.d. bracelet contacts the bridge.

I should add I've been playing electric guitars for 35 years and still don't know how they work.

I know, I know.....

robertoriginal

its cool man, sounds to me like you def have a grounding issue.

your best bet would be to take it to a tech and have them check it out.

honestly if you are clueless about wiring, then a jaguer is not the guitar to learn from, too many wires(9 feet to be exact) and too many caps and switches for a novice to be playing with.

don;t feel dumb, i find myself screwing up on some of the simplest stuff,

and its my damn job to know this stuff! 😆

G41

Stupid question ahoy!

Should there always be two wires coming off the jack socket?

I took another look and on my Jag there's a green wire soldered to the lug that connects to the "prong" ('scuse the terminology) that touches the jack tip when it's in.

The other lug has nothing attached. Is this right? I looked at the Seymour Duncan wiring diagram and it looks to me as if that lug should be earthed somehow.

Having said that, I connected the trem plate to the empty lug with a piece of wire and it made no difference to the hum. Should that have earthed it?

Sorry to bang on about this - I'm just trying to put off having to go to a guitar tech.

robertoriginal

well honestly if all of your plates are grounded you only need one wire(positive/hot) going to the jack

some guitars are wired like this and some are not.

it doesn;t really make a difference as long as there is a ground to one of them.

where are you located?

G41

Understood, thanks. Also just noticed that the pup pole pieces buzz when I touch 'em with a finger. Even I know that ain't right!

Thanks for all yr help, man - you're one patient guy.

And oh yeah...I'm in the great city of Glasgow, Scotland.

robertoriginal

go to the shortscale.org

there are people from scotland there, and many of them are very smart, im sure that they will be able to meet up with you and help you.

in terms of the buzzing on the pole pieces.

that may mean that one of your pups isn't grounded at the pup at all.

and alot of cij jag owners get the pups wax coated to stop that problem.