Les Paul hum question

[js...@my-dejanews.com]

My '78 Les Paul started humming for no known reason. When I
touch the switch or any ground portion the hum goes away. There
is no grounding wire between the bridge and ground (I don't think
any Les Paul has one) but this seems like it would fix the problem.

My big question is why did it just start humming after 20 years
of quiet operation? I've been through all the electronics and
there are no signs of breaks or loose wires. It has Dimarzio
super-d's from 1978 in it also. The hum appears regardless of
the pickup selected.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Garrett Suhm

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[Geeta...@webtv.net]

I have a few LPs from the 70's and when I replaced the original pick-ups
(w/covers) to Duncans/ DiMarzios I had to have a new ground wire added
because I had the same problem. I was told that the 70's grounds differ
from the newer 80's and up versions. If you touch the pick-up you'll see
that the hum stops (ground). Did you replace the pick-ups recently? Any
luthier/shop can fix it for about $20.

[js...@inetnow.net]

>Did you replace the pick-ups recently? Any
> luthier/shop can fix it for about $20.

No, the original owner had them put in in 1979 believe it or not.
I don't think this Les Paul has been cracked open until I started
looking for this hum problem. My only guess is that one of the
dimarzio's maybe is having a problem (although they sound ok).

Although I hate the thought of drilling a hole in my baby I'm
giving it serious thought due to a lack of alternative at the
moment (or maybe drop 70 bucks to test my bad dimarzio theory!)

[Thorny]

On Mon, 7 Dec 1998 03:44:42 -0500 (EST), Geeta...@webtv.net wrote:

>I have a few LPs from the 70's and when I replaced the original pick-ups
>(w/covers) to Duncans/ DiMarzios I had to have a new ground wire added
>because I had the same problem. I was told that the 70's grounds differ
>from the newer 80's and up versions. If you touch the pick-up you'll see

>that the hum stops (ground). Did you replace the pick-ups recently? Any

>luthier/shop can fix it for about $20.

An easy way to fix the ground is to drill a small pilot hole from the
inside of the control cavity to the bushing for the stop tail piece.
Then screw a metal screw until it firmly touches the bushing. Then
solder or tie your ground wire to that. Save yourself $20.

You could remove a bushing, drill the hole, run the wire into the
bushing's cavity, and replace the bushing. But the problem is
removing the bushing without messing up the top of the guitar or the
finish - too much trouble.

JT
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