Static

[Luis De La Garza]

Have anyone of you ladies and gentlemen experienced static issues with your SGs? Mine gives off static by simply touching the back of it. It also creates noise when cranked and minimizes when I touch any metal parts. It improved somewhat when I taped up the bare ground wire and replaced the control cavity with a wooden one. But I’m not totally satisfied with it yet. Anything else I can do? Thanks in advance.

 

[a2dconverter]

I had the same static problem...

There is a known problem, that I researched on the Gibson website comments for the 2016 standards, for the problem of Static in the guitar output when you touch the control cover... (scroll down to the comments section)... http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2016/USA/SG-Standard.aspx

The problem is that since the SG body is so narrow, when the output jack is installed, the "tip" is touching the Control Cover...

I routed the control cover with a Dremel router bit to create some clearance... (very slow speed on the Dremel as not to melt the plastic)

This will also work with the stock Gibson PC Board as the clearance of the 1/4" jack to the cover are the same as a new Switchcraft #11 jack mounted like I did.

Where all of the other mods didn't help with the static, the routing of the control cover solved the problem completely.

I hope this helps!

seeya

Joe

 

[Luis De La Garza]

I had the same static problem...

There is a known problem, that I researched on the Gibson website comments for the 2016 standards, for the problem of Static in the guitar output when you touch the control cover.... http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2016/USA/SG-Standard.aspx

The problem is that since the SG body is so narrow, when the output jack is installed, the "tip" is touching the Control Cover...

I routed the control cover with a Dremel router bit to create some clearance... (very slow speed on the Dremel as not to melt the plastic)

This will also work with the stock Gibson PC Board as the clearance of the 1/4" jack to the cover are the same as a new Switchcraft #11 jack mounted like I did.

Where all of the other mods didn't help with the static, the routing of the control cover solved the problem completely.

I hope this helps!

seeya

Joe

I had heard about that issue with the cover. I replaced it with a wooden one and set it higher so it doesn’t touch the input cable (I think) and it’s still creates static. I will try routing it out like you did. Thank you.

 

[Daniel.S]

Let us know how you go.
Mine does the same, but I haven’t done anything about it yet.
2016 ‘61 reissue

 

[Luis De La Garza]

Let us know how you go.
Mine does the same, but I haven’t done anything about it yet.
2016 ‘61 reissue

I sure will.

 

[gball]

Have anyone of you ladies and gentlemen experienced static issues with your SGs? Mine gives off static by simply touching the back of it. It also creates noise when cranked and minimizes when I touch any metal parts. It improved somewhat when I taped up the bare ground wire and replaced the control cavity with a wooden one. But I’m not totally satisfied with it yet. Anything else I can do? Thanks in advance.

How old is the guitar?

If its a newer model, it could just be the finish. Gibson gives the guitars an electrostatic charge during finishing to make the lacquer adhere better. It'll keep a slight charge for a while and eventually dissipate. I've had new Gibsons lose the charge in 5-6 months and others that took almost a year, but after a while it does go away. Try putting dryer sheets in the case (preferably unscented ones), they can help dissipate the charge faster.

 

[Daniel.S]

How old is the guitar?

If its a newer model, it could just be the finish. Gibson gives the guitars an electrostatic charge during finishing to make the lacquer adhere better. It'll keep a slight charge for a while and eventually dissipate. I've had new Gibsons lose the charge in 5-6 months and others that took almost a year, but after a while it does go away. Try putting dryer sheets in the case (preferably unscented ones), they can help dissipate the charge faster.

2016 Standard I reckon he has.

 

[Dale]

My 2014 has the issue as well. I have had no real luck. I feel like I am playing one of my teles at times! It is worse on pickguard but the neck has it as well.

 

[Luis De La Garza]

Yes it’s a 2016 standard.

 

[gball]

Try the dryer sheet thing. In the Winter there is a lot of static electricity so it won't dissipate as fast but the more you play it the sooner it will go away. I got a 2017 Standard in Feb of last year and it took until about Aug/Sep for the static to die down, after playing it quite a lot.

My 2016 LP Traditional took at least a full year to dissipate. My 2016 Firebird was fine after about 3-4 months, so it varies.

 

[S.Ustain]

I have nothing to add other than this is unbelievable -- some of you guys really have way, way too much knowledge of this guitar! Very interesting and helpful. I couldn't have figured this out in a million years.

 

[Dale]

Sigh. I was hoping something but wait it out would be an option.

 

[Luis De La Garza]

I'm reporting back like I said I would. After replacing the back cavity plate with a wooden one and placing some electrical tape where it touches the input jack and wiping down the body everyday with a wet towel, the static has significantly reduced to almost nothing and getting better.

 

[Les537]

I had this problem with a brand new 2018 SG special. The jack would push the service plate about 1/8 inch out and cause crackles as you handled the guitar.

Pretty neat trick for $1200 guitar that has been in production for over 50 years.

The best feature is how they got the holly 1/8 inch off center on the headstock. Honorable mention to the fret marker blocks being 1/8 inch too high and 1/16 too far toward the bridge.

Yeah... gibson. I still love them.

What I did was take the PCB out and put it in the trash where it belongs then I installed new pots (500K and no load tone pots) and jack and wired it '50s style.

No more static. No more crap feeling cheapo pots. No more mud when you turn the volume down - which you have to do a lot because the minibucker in the bridge is 25k - yeah that's right. The '50s wiring and no load tones lifted the blanket of darkness from the guitar.

Well, one thing I can say - this guitar has some character!