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Ground loop

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum. I've found this and CB Gitty because I like to create/modify most toy instruments and CB Gitty seems to always pop up when I am looking for parts.

My first question is about proper grounding. I've been using 20mm and 27mm piezos hooked up to either a longer jack (with endpin) or a standard mono jack, soldering the black and red leads where they should go. I can never seem to get rid of a 60 cycle hum. I've even tested it with alligator clips to see if I am doing something wrong. It seems like I'm missing something.

I'm pretty sure it's not my solder joints and I've checked different cables and jacks. When I touch the metal part of the jack, the hum goes away (and I am the ground), so what can I do differently?

Thanks for any advice,

Jonny

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