How To Fix Grounding Hum On Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar.

[@BrentHutchinson]

I was asked to fix the ground problem on this guitar. Any of you guitar nerds have another method, perhaps a better one? Let me know would help me alot :)

[@Wishbringer7]

Greetings and best wishes! You've asked above if there's another method. The trick with the method in the video is that to ground with the strings the holes in the metal have to be small enough to connect with the balls on the strings (otherwise, nothing metal is touching the grounding plate). If the anchor balls are painted with enamel (as many are) it's kind of chance that all of them will connect to the plate. The 10% hum that's left is possibly because one or more of the strings still aren't grounded. In addition since this seems to be a piezo-pickup guitar rather than a mag pickup, I'm not sure what's causing the hum to start with (piezos generally do not create "ungrounded" hum, as they're not magnetic in nature). But in general a better (and far easier) solution is to replace the plastic or bone saddle with a metal one (brass or aluminum). Metal forms an excellent saddle that conveys string vibration excellently. Then drill a very small hole to run a thin wire under the saddle (between the saddle and the bridge, the wire through the hole into the guitar and soldered to the jack. This grounds the entire saddle, and thus every string that crosses it. Hum eliminated! (As far as possible. No guitar pickup is guaranteed 100% totally hum-free. There are too many things in this world that cause hum.) Enjoyable video, but the visible lack of a mag pickup and the inefficiency of a metal ground plate of this type makes the concept questionable (at least from what's visible). Thanks for the video though. It allows discussion of a very real issue-- trying to eliminate that elusive hum. Here's a link to a set of articles regarding tracking down and fixing elusive hum: wishbringer.spruz.com/pt/Tracking-Down-Hum--pt-1/blog.htm

[@jamjar20049]

I had a similar problem with my Fairclough electro acoustic when playing into the computer via an interface. The solution was to replace the mains lead in the power supply for the computer. The earth cable measured 2 ohms, not a lot but enough to cause the noise. I think that heat from the transformer made it go bad. Now there's no hum and I don't have to touch the strings to make it go away. Hope this helps someone, thanks for your suggestion and the video Brent. Ian

[@jamesfriend6109]

Was literally thinking of just asking a mate to put a finger on my jack while I do my take cause I didn't want to make mods on a $2000+ guitar

[@dacenmclean7901]

That's some stupid shit. If it's that noisy, it's worthless wothout mods

[@EndaReilly]

@@Wishbringer7 Thanks for that info. That link looks interesting but doesn't work for me?

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Brent the real problem is in the original wiring between the preamp, bridge pickup to the output jack. Problem is still there, when you touch the output Jack with your hand you act like a big capacitor to smooth that out. So by putting in a metal plate and connecting it to the output Jack ground and connecting all the strings to the metal plate what you've done is added some distributed capacitance which help to minimize the hum and still touching the strings is the only thing that removes it using capacitance. What you needed to do was take out the preamp the piezoelectric and the jack, fix the wiring grounding problem between those things and put it back in

[@BrentHutchinson]

Thanks 😊

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

@UCzDyF4oLJoY4P4RA51vZNpg I know. As I explained all the added surface area of the Springs connected to the ground has added additional capacitance. The real problem is likely an open ground between the preamp and the output Jack or a bad solder connection. I think what you did was a lot more involved effort than just fixing the wiring inside that would have been 100%. Adding capacitance is like putting on a big mask. As long as the owner is okay with it like that then Bob's your uncle. But if you ever get around to having another one like that, and also electrics can develop this problem look for an open ground somewhere between all the things that need grounding

[@BrentHutchinson]

I do have one of my own that is doing the same. I'll have a look. The plate method was shown to me years ago and is very easy to do and the hum is gone Hiwever it would be good to get to the root of the problem. The owner is over the moon and sounds great. Thanks for your advice I really appreciate it x

[@jamjar20049]

Good advice, worked for me, thanks. 👍

[@DiegoGarciaCadenillas]

Could i fix it changing just the undersadle piezo? Got the same problem

[@Brothersjguitarrepair]

Hey thank you for this. I did it and there is NO noise at all. Thanks again. Great help.

[@krsticmilosh]

Bravo for the idea, I looked at your video and fixed my guitar so thanx a lot. Cheers and God bless

[@hobbycow5346]

I have a different instrument but found a bad hum was coming from the pre-amp module on the instrument. The piezo was picking it up and sending the hum to the amp. You couldn’t hear the hum unless it was plugged in and holding your hand on the removed module. (In this case it was an acoustic electric ukulele with piezo under saddle pickup.) I just wrapped the pre-amp with copper tape and it COMPLETELY shielded ALL the hum! The instrument is dead quiet. You don’t even have to take the module apart, just wrap the outside of it covering all that goes back in the guitar. As quiet as when I touched the jack end creating a temporary ground.

[@DavidFederLimitlessGuitar]

So I repair these all the time. When set up and in good condition these should be virtually Noiseless. The three most common Issues in this order are: 1) Poor connection anywhere in the the path to ground. i.e. Dirty input Jack, Bad solder joint, (even on preamp board) worn foil wrapping on the under saddle pickup itself. Yes this is also a ground! 2) bad cable (duh but I had to say it) 3) un grounded "system" Hope this helps. BTW Here in the Islands some players go through salt saturated under saddle pickups every six months. Salt and sweat will quickly erode the thin foil wrapped around the piezo electric crystal elements.

[@machoenid44]

Thanks ,Mate.Need to do the same as you I got very hard problems.

[@MrGreglarry]

That seems drastic for you to have to do. Was it under warranty. I recently bought a brand new Maton EG808TC Cutaway and it has a hum. Same problem you had. When I touch the cable shield it stops. It also has a buzzy-gurgling sound coming out of the Fender Champ amplifier. When I plug my Martin in with its Fishman pickup system there is NO buzz no nasty sound. Any idea what it happening?

[@aurelioig]

I solved by using copper tape on the saddle! That connects the strings to the ground. No more hum! Even without touching the strings, the went from loud to almost zero. When tounching the strings the hum totally dessapered.

[@Jayalgorrez]

How did you put the copper tape on a saddle? Please give me instructions.. thank you

[@rapata69]

How???

[@Hiphopdabop]

If you put tape on the saddle it will wear out, or split when tightening the strings let alone slightly and I mean, slightly raise those strings a bit

[@manuelandrade3109]

Thank you! i will try this! the humming is just making me nuts!

[@manuelandrade3109]

do you think it would work on nylon classic guitar as long its strings are not all conductive? should i make a conexion between the metalcovered strings and the ground?

[@BrentHutchinson]

Could try wouldn't hurt.

[@unofficialbhb7284]

Looking forward to watching this later (tomorrow) with Maria........ thanks for filming and sharing as always M8ty..... M&MX / Mark T X

[@guitargirl7452]

I used to have a Taylor Big Baby. Great guitar! Part ex'd it to upgrade to a 310ce with expression 2 pickup system. Love it! 👍Big fan of Taylor's....bur they are pricey🤤

[@9jmorrison]

use a golf tee to make sure the alignment of holes

[@DiegoAlvarez-nz8ml]

Beautifull sound Brent !! I have to do something like that in my acoustic too. Saludos !!

[@leightnite3056]

Wow Brent, that sounds great! U think that plate adds any sustain or xtra juice? Always been a fan of both their Baby's!

[@BrentHutchinson]

Not sure it adds anything but pretty much sorted the hum out

[@jossmarlopez6442]

What wire did you use? And what part of the jack did you soder the wire to?

[@erlydeleonfabellar]

Thanks for the tips

[@paulblackman3936]

I would have used thin bronze or brass sheet. I would have also screened the pickup. Hutch did you check the ground wire at the control box end? A multimeter is always useful!

[@BrentHutchinson]

The way I did it works great and is just one quick way. Thanks for the tips it's what I love about this community. I do have another one to fo so I will try some different methods based on everyones advice. Cheers me dears x

[@pallabgomasta]

My deviser guitar sounds like this when I connect it directly with 1.5mm jack converter with my laptop. How to soove this. I want to record it clean with fl studio.

[@dirkbertels3872]

Hi - I found the main problem with hum occurring when the jack socket AND its connections aren't shielded, (fully enclosed in metal). Search for 'guitar end pin jack plug socket', that is what you need. My acoustic has no shielding underneath its bridge and has no hum.

[@ClubmanKarvin]

Great tip ❤

[@BrentHutchinson]

Cheers

[@timothyparkes9535]

So I have a Schertler Bluestick which is producing a hum, does anyone know how I could isolate or fix it? I’ve tried the metal plate, some aluminium but it’s not quite right to attach yet- I need to clean the glue from the last attempt from it and widen the holes to take the ball-end freely. A 10mm drill I think. I’m going to check the ground wire between control panel/preamp and Jack socket. A bit annoyed at the moment because I’m meant to have a gig on Saturday with the guitar. Hmm.

[@skaragozian]

Thx but u didn’t show us how you connected other end to the ground of the jack how .

[@paulblackman3936]

Also, I would use shielded cable inside the guitar to connect to the control box and the output jack.

[@BrentHutchinson]

Thanks all great ideas cheers.

[@bm2425]

Hi, I took a plate (copper-brass) and connected 1 steel-string to the output-jack by using another steelstring as a wire but that did not work- do you really need all the strings to connect to the plate to have the faraday-cage? When I touch the strings or the outputjack than the hum is gone. I am not sure if I understand the whole thing. Anyone can help?

[@rocksteady9115]

How do the strings touch the plate if you've drilled holes through it, I've got same problem

[@BrentHutchinson]

Once the pin anchors the string it will touch. I just make sure the hole is only big enough to squeeze the ball end through

[@rocksteady9115]

@@BrentHutchinson thanks mate, I'll do this mod tomorrow, hope it stops the hummmmm

[@BrentHutchinson]

@@rocksteady9115 it should reduce it a lot. Let me know how it goes :)

[@rocksteady9115]

@@BrentHutchinson worked a treat mate, many thanks for your help, no more hummmmmmm

[@BrentHutchinson]

@@rocksteady9115 glad you got it sorted. Neat trick innit :)

[@shawnbbbross9439]

Noice 😊

[@bobbymalta73]

Great..

[@myguitarist711]

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[@myguitarist711]

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