Creaking problem

[fretboard_dragon]

I have a bit of a problem, and I'll bet anything ole FUZZY will be one of the first to answer. When I'm holding the guitar and not playing, if I move around the straplocks make a creaking noise that can be heard thru my amp. I was wondering if shielding would help, as this is a MIM Tele. I just ordered a new pearloid pickguard and a copper sheild for the back of it. Will this be enough, or will I need to shield everything? For that matter, is it even a shielding issue? I hadn't really worried about it up until now...I'm playing in a band, and I use my Tele for about 75% of our stuff (thank God, 'cause I LOVE MY TELE!!!)

[Kevin]

I'm not 0le FUZZY, but the problem may be caused by a microphonic pickup -- at least it was when I had that problem. Can you hear your switch click when you change positions? Any other symptoms of highly-microphonic pups?

Shielding reduces electronic noise (i.e., interference), not mechanical noise.

[lenny]

yea. if the pickup is "microphonic" it will pick up noise like a microphone - guitar pickups aren't designed to do this, but most do it to one extent or another. it's worse with a nice resonant body, and lots of volume/gain. tap on the guitar body with your fingers, see if you can hear it through the amp. for *me* (ymmv), i like it to be microphonic enough to pickup the switch click, and tapping on or near the pickups with something hard, like a pick. more than that becomes annoying (again, for ME)
3 solutions , you can take your pick :)
a: deal with it as normal
b: wax pot the pickups
c: get new pickups

[Kevin]

I can't stand a pup that's so microphonic I hear every move I make (cos the straplocs creak). I sold a Fralin Blues Special because of that. I don't even want to hear the switch click....

A lot of people like that sound with tele pups, though. With a microphonic pup, you get that "edge of breaking up" sound really easily, and the pups do seem to have more "life" to them. I just find it's a bit "too much" with a single coil, though...

Now, I love unpotted humbuckers in a Les Paul, though, or even something like a Seth Lover in the neck position of a telecaster. To my ears, a humbucker is so much more stable (lifeless?) to start with that they can handle the instability of not being potted....

Just MHO, YMMV, apply to infested area....

[0le FUZZY]

<li>I hear ya fretboard !!
<li>I done had that happen knott tew long ago.

CLICK HERE fer my post about this noise.

<li>I my own seff jes luv a miker-fonic P/U onna TELECASTER.



Please visit my page

[fretboard_dragon]

Well then, since it's not a problem, I'll leave it be!!! But I am replacing the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro....the stock MIM pup just has NO sustain whatsoever....I can't hold bends for very long, and I need that with some of our songs. So out it goes. THANX BUNCHES FOLKS!!!

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by fretboard_dragon

Will this be enough, or will I need to shield everything?

Since you pup problem has been properly addressed, then let’s talk about shielding.

The answer to your question is yes. You either shield or not. That’d be like being “a little bit 34 years old.” You must shield every single cavity of the guitar to consider it “shielded.”

Here’s a great place to learn how to do it == > LINK

[fretboard_dragon]

Thanx, Raymond. I been camping out at that site for quite awhile now, studying the pages. I just ordered some copper tape, so when that comes I'll be ready (that is, when I get the pickup). I just got a pearloid pickguard and I'll eventually have Duncans in both slots...MY BABY'S GOT BLING!!! It won't be no average MIM anymore...she'll be one HOT TAMALE', and I promise pics (although I'm sure everyone's seen the wine red MIM's before..).

[Stan Martin]

use a rubber washer in between the strap button and the body of the guitar. Fender usually puts a felt washer there. a small diameter rubber wash will do the trick.
that's how I solved my problem.