Grounding to eliminate P90 Hum

[Rick G]

Hi Guys,

Did Hamer ever connect a ground wire from the Bridge or Stop tail on their guitars? Should installing one help to eliminate some 60hz hum?

[Dave Scepter]

I doubt you'll be able to get rid of but maybe you can tame it down... give it a try by grabbing a test wire with alligator clips... also try shielding the cavity... Plus you can switch to both pickups when you're not playing

[tbonesullivan]

P-90s are gonna hum no matter what you do, unless you somehow isolate the guitar completely from outside electrical interference. The ones used by Hamer were not RWRP so the middle position isn't hum free either.

[texwest]

All the Hamers I've owned had the ground wire connected to the bridge or tailpiece.  If you open the control cavity you will see a wire disappear into a hole that goes to the tailpiece bolt.  I have had this disconnect once and it created more hum.  So you might want to check it for continuity with a multimeter.  Test from the bridge to the jack.

 

[fasteddie]

20 hours ago, Rick G said:

Hi Guys,

Did Hamer ever connect a ground wire from the Bridge or Stop tail on their guitars? Should installing one help to eliminate some 60hz hum?

Rick, the P 90 was a pickup that was invented by Satan. He thought it would be an idea to trick the guitar playing public that we could have strat sounds with a thick beefy overtone a la Les Paul, but that doesn't happen 'cause all you get is feedback and hum. When the guitarists of death metal bands die and go to hell, they can ask him what the heck he was thinking.

[BubbaVO]

9 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

P-90s are gonna hum no matter what you do, unless you somehow isolate the guitar completely from outside electrical interference. The ones used by Hamer were not RWRP so the middle position isn't hum free either.

If what you're hearing really is 60hz hum, then embrace the hum.  It's part of the charm. 

Otherwise, yes the guitar should have a ground running to the bridge...check shielding in your guitar, your cables, the amp youre using,  wiring of the house, get the gist?  Or go with humbuckers. 

 

 

[scottcald]

I put Duncan stacked P90s in my special to quell that a bit.  If you're using gain, it's going to hum.  Maybe put a small gate in your pedalboard.  

[Jeff R]

Unless your using battery-driven EMGs or some other active system, you need a ground to bridge. P-90s, singles, buckers, minis ... I can think of no exceptions off the top of my head as far as common passives go.