Strat very noisy + question about rewiring LP

[_tom_]

I have a strat which I wired up myself in HSS format, and even when just the humbucker is selected I get some hissing which I never really get with my LP.. whats up? Could it just be my bad soldering? Or do I need to get some screening tape or something? Only the bit where the pots and switch sit has some metallic looking tape there, the rest is bare plastic.

Also, I noticed my LP is really smooth compared to the strat (almost too smooth), and I'm wondering wether it would gain a bit more bite if I rewired it with good CTS pots, new switch, input jack etc, and played with capacitors? Tried disconnecting the tone pots but it hardly made a difference :?

Cheers for any help

[Fubar]

I'd say get someone knowledgable to check over your soldering and screen it anyway. Can't hurt can it?!

 :)

[_tom_]

Well it can hurt the wallet  :P I prefer to do stuff myself really, then if I fix it, I know how to do it the next time, instead of wasting money :)

[Fubar]

Well it can hurt the wallet  :P I prefer to do stuff myself really, then if I fix it, I know how to do it the next time, instead of wasting money :)

You aren't talking major expense with screening a strat yourself tho.  Also, when it comes to getting work done on guitars, make sure you stay away from Patrick Reeds if your wallet is a little light!  

[_tom_]

hahah I dont like them there, they are Fender snobs basically, all that there is on the walls is strats :P

[jordan]

If you take a look in my blog link (in signature) it shows you what I did to quiet down my strat. I put in one of the Callaham aluminium pickguard shields, and it works a treat. It was £18 from www.guitarexperience.co.uk.

Hope that helps.
Jordan.

[_tom_]

So is all you do just screw that aluminium plate on underneath? Seems like it'd be cheaper to use some copper tape or something but I guess that wouldnt work the same?

[deg0ey]

Jordan: I have some questions...Where did you get your sperzels for £43? Cheapest I've found so far is about £55. Your Ferraglide saddles were £39 - where did they come from, that's cheaper than I've found too. And thirdly, did you buy the tremblock direct from Callaham? 'Cause when I make allowances for customs it comes out to nearer £60 direct (but am I just exaggerating the customs charges somewhat?)

[_tom_]

Jordan: I have some questions...Where did you get your sperzels for £43? Cheapest I've found so far is about £55. Your Ferraglide saddles were £39 - where did they come from, that's cheaper than I've found too. And thirdly, did you buy the tremblock direct from Callaham? 'Cause when I make allowances for customs it comes out to nearer £60 direct (but am I just exaggerating the customs charges somewhat?)

The Guitarxperience site has Callaham stuff..

[Searcher]

I've bought copper embossing foil from a local craft store.  It was pretty cheap and copper works better than aluminium.

[_tom_]

I've bought copper embossing foil from a local craft store.  It was pretty cheap and copper works better than aluminium.

Did you just stick it on the back of the pickguard and it worked fine? Or do you need to ground it to the back of the volume pot aswell?

[jordan]

Jordan: I have some questions...Where did you get your sperzels for £43? Cheapest I've found so far is about £55. Your Ferraglide saddles were £39 - where did they come from, that's cheaper than I've found too. And thirdly, did you buy the tremblock direct from Callaham? 'Cause when I make allowances for customs it comes out to nearer £60 direct (but am I just exaggerating the customs charges somewhat?)

Hi,

For the sperzels, I got String Direct to do a price match (which they're great at doing).

The ferraglides came from Music World UK, but they took 5 weeks to arrive.

The callaham trem block came from guitarexperience.co.uk

Hope that helps,
Jordan,