Static - FIXED!!

[gtone]

Both my SG's build up static from the pickguard and control cavity covers, regardless of the season and/or humidity levels resulting in annoying crackling. The often suggested dryer sheets DO NOT work very well or for very long, as I've tried rubbing 'em inside and out the pickguard, CC cover and the entire guitar for that matter and placing them strategically through my guitar cases.

All controls/electronics have been replaced by competent techs, so it's probably not a grounding issue per se, but I did notice that shielding is kinda spotty/lacking, particularly in the Special. Will improving the shielding help (replacing the spotty aluminum foil with copper tape)? Should I try soldering a ground wire from these surfaces to discharge the static? Outside of ditching the SG's in favour of Hamers, any other practical advice or suggestions?

TIA...

[Turdus]

I'd be willing to bet you generate more static than the average person. I can relate, as I'm the same way. Just this past weekend, I was running sound for a dance troupe via Ipod touch. I'd already been shocked several times. At one point I touched the Ipod screen. It went into a strange blinking pattern, and the song started to play before the dancers were ready, lol. Then, I could not stop it. Had to turn it off, then back on.

Few years ago, I would get shocked so bad getting out of the car, I had to get a can of this:

I spray it on the driver's seat, and let it sit overnight.. It's effective for a bit. Not sure I'd spray it in a guitar case, as no telling how the finish will react. But, could be worth a shot.

Good luck.... I could use the cure as well.

[gtone]

It might be true that I generate more static than your average person, but these are the first guitars in 36 yrs of playing that I've noticed the problem with.

[murkat]

You are just "one of those guys".

You are not alone in this situation.

There is no real answer to the problem.

Kling Free is just a temp medication of.

[G Man]

I've suffered from this on a few guitars with pickguards. I found that when I play with a pick, I tend to drag my fingertips across the PG, generating the static, but when I use a pick my hand never touches the PG, and no static. A change in your attack might be the answer.

[gtone]

I've suffered from this on a few guitars with pickguards. I found that when I play with a pick, I tend to drag my fingertips across the PG, generating the static, but when I use a pick my hand never touches the PG, and no static. A change in your attack might be the answer.

I rarely, if ever, touch the pg while I play, but I do hear the crackle if I touch it. The problem with the SG's seems to be arising from the CC cover, which is some sort of plastic, obviously. When my pants make contact with the cover screws, that's typically what triggers the crackling. This would make sense too, as most if not all, of my previous guitars had metal covers or none at all on the backside of the guitar (ironically, my Tele never had this problem and it seems to be a big problem for some Tele guys, methinks because their playing style has them brushing across the pg material). I've got some copper foil tape on order, gonna cover the entire backs of the pg and cc cover and make sure they're grounded to see if that helps...

[hamerhead]

Maybe you were overcharged for the guitar. Get it? Overcharged. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA :lol: HAHAHAHAHAHAA..............

I kill me.

[kizanski]

When it comes to "static" I try my best to follow this tried and true rule: Don't start none...won't BE none.

[gtone]

hamerhead & kiz - the two dudes up in the balcony from the Muppet Show

[kizanski]

hamerhead & kiz - the two dudes up in the balcony from the Muppet Show

As time goes on, this is unfortunately becoming more and more true. At least it is for me.

[hamerhead]

You do sorta look like the one...........

[kizanski]

LOL

[gtone]

Copper shielding tape on underside of control cavity covers and pickguards, cover the screw holes. Dayum!!

[G Man]

Nice!

[Steve Haynie]

You just need to wear anti-static stage clothes when you play.

Sometimes you have to carry your own ground rod, too.

[gtone]

Steve Haynie - apparently, there's room for you on the balcony with hamerhead + kiz...

[gorch]

Eventually, you may have to change the pickguard.

[gtone]

Eventually, you may have to change the pickguard.

Not sure why - the copper foil tape totally removes the static. Just for shits/giggs, I couldn't get the slightest crackle out of the pg's when touching them with my hand or rubbing them with a cloth rag.

[gtone]

Had to revive this thread again, as problem resurrected itself on my Firebird-V in the last few weeks. Due to the way the guitar hangs the control cavity cover on that guitar rubs against clothing and generates a static "chirping" noise in the dry prairie winter air in spite of copper foil taping and grounding the cover.

Replaced plastic cover with one cut from some wood veneer in a suitable thickness for the job. Problem finally and completely SOL-VED!! Me happy again...

[Bobby Marshall]

Interesting. Glad you were able to fix her up.