Radio Transmissions on Guitar

Blue1970Cutlass · 05-09-2012, 02:25 AM

I tried a google search but almost everything I found was about getting shielded cables and/or repositioning/grounding amps... so let me be clear

I own 19 electric guitars and only have the issue on one of them so I know its the guitar that's the problem and not any of the rest of my equipment. Another clue -- I get the radio signals both when this guitar is plugged into my amp AND when I'm running it directly into my mixer (again, common denominator = this particular guitar)

A bit more background -- it is a Fender Stratocaster -- but it never had this problem until a couple of days ago when I replaced the stock pickups with a set of Seymour Duncan AS-1 Blackouts

To add to my confusion, I also have SD Blackout Singles in a different guitar, and that guitar does NOT pick up radio signals

Any suggestions? I am at a loss

P.S. the signal is LOUD, as in this guitar is unplayable now

Necrocous · 05-09-2012, 08:38 AM

I've had this problem a couple times myself... A bad ground anywhere in the loop (guitar to pedals to amp to wall) with cause shortwave radio to be received. I would check the work you just did first to rule out any wiring mishaps and guitars with trems usually have a wire going out to the back and soldered to the spring seat, take a look at that too.
Another thing I always use is an electronic noise filter at the amp plug, it cuts static noise that may be coming in through the power source.
After that my guess would be the pups themselves, could possibly be defective.
good luck

xeonblade · 05-09-2012, 05:27 PM

Free radio, why complain?

SpaceDock · 05-09-2012, 05:33 PM

This is a shielding problem with the pickups. If you have that foil on the pickguard, remove it. The blackouts active circuit doesn't ground like a passive set, you need to cut the wire that goes to the trem and not have the pots grounding with each other ( common problem with pickguard foil ).

Blue1970Cutlass · 05-09-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceDock

This is a shielding problem with the pickups. If you have that foil on the pickguard, remove it. The blackouts active circuit doesn't ground like a passive set, you need to cut the wire that goes to the trem and not have the pots grounding with each other ( common problem with pickguard foil ).

Dang, I thought you had something here... I knew not to connect the old ground wire but hadn't thought of the shielding... but, alas -- after removing it I am still picking up Twins games

	sevenstring guitars		sevenstring registry		photo gallery		subscription		spy

05-09-2012, 02:25 AM	#1
Blue1970Cutlass SS.org Regular Join Date: May 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 141 Thanked: 2 / 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Radio Transmissions on Guitar I tried a google search but almost everything I found was about getting shielded cables and/or repositioning/grounding amps... so let me be clear I own 19 electric guitars and only have the issue on one of them so I know its the guitar that's the problem and not any of the rest of my equipment. Another clue -- I get the radio signals both when this guitar is plugged into my amp AND when I'm running it directly into my mixer (again, common denominator = this particular guitar) A bit more background -- it is a Fender Stratocaster -- but it never had this problem until a couple of days ago when I replaced the stock pickups with a set of Seymour Duncan AS-1 Blackouts To add to my confusion, I also have SD Blackout Singles in a different guitar, and that guitar does NOT pick up radio signals Any suggestions? I am at a loss P.S. the signal is LOUD, as in this guitar is unplayable now

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Today
Seven String	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Sevenstring.org

05-09-2012, 08:38 AM	#2
Necrocous ss.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: warwick, RI Posts: 7 Thanked: 2 / 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've had this problem a couple times myself... A bad ground anywhere in the loop (guitar to pedals to amp to wall) with cause shortwave radio to be received. I would check the work you just did first to rule out any wiring mishaps and guitars with trems usually have a wire going out to the back and soldered to the spring seat, take a look at that too. Another thing I always use is an electronic noise filter at the amp plug, it cuts static noise that may be coming in through the power source. After that my guess would be the pups themselves, could possibly be defective. good luck

05-09-2012, 05:27 PM	#3
xeonblade SS.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Serbia, Europe, Earth Posts: 732 Thanked: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Free radio, why complain?

05-09-2012, 05:33 PM	#4
SpaceDock Shred till your dead Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 1,397 Thanked: 12 Feedback Score: 13 reviews	This is a shielding problem with the pickups. If you have that foil on the pickguard, remove it. The blackouts active circuit doesn't ground like a passive set, you need to cut the wire that goes to the trem and not have the pots grounding with each other ( common problem with pickguard foil ).