#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Volume knob buzzing

I've just finished my first CBG and wired it up with a Piezo and one volume knob. It sounds pretty good, but whenever I touch the volume knob it causes some buzing noise when plugged in. Nothing really loud but just a little noisy. When I'm playing the thing and not touching the knob it's fine. Maybe it's just the price you pay for a piezo? I don't know. Any ideas?

0 members like this

Attachments:

1stcbg 001.JPG, 477 KB
1stcbg 002.JPG, 469 KB
1stcbg 005.JPG, 434 KB

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on August 19, 2010 at 11:45pm

Go here and compare your wiring.

1 pick-up with volume

It should fix it ... I'm assuming a ground issue. Sub the piezo for the pick-up, and ignore the bridge ground if you don't have a metal bridge.

Matt

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave on August 21, 2010 at 8:10am

I just added some pictures. I'm thinking it's the poor soldering job. I've only soldered a handful of times. I don't know if it's grounded properly. The bridge is metal( eye bolt). Any other advice is greatly appreciated.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave on August 21, 2010 at 10:39am

haha yeah like I said my soldering skills are pretty improvised. I'll definitly check that link out and redo the solders joints. When I first started to solder the wires to the pots it wasn't sanded and was pretty much impossible. it was a lot better after i sanded it with some sand paper. Once I had the body done I was really excited to have it all finished and really "flew"through the soldering process. haha. I'll post some more pictures when I redo it to prove myself! Thanks for taking a look man.

Naz Nomad said:

Ok, this is gonna be a 'tough love' answer ... haha.

I'd say almost certainly it's poor soldering .. most likely to the back of the pot. You really should scuff up the back with steel wool / fine sandpaper and use a slightly hotter iron (than you would for components) with larger metal items, like pots and jacks. The back of pots tends to have a crappy sufrace, if you scuff it until it shines, the solder will WANT to stick better.

Taped joints in any build isn't really ideal either ... if you absolutely have to lengthen a wire, heatshrink tubing is a better method.

Also, there's no need to have a wire any longer than it needs to be (besides being untidy, it's a great way to produce hum and interference) ... don't make me come over there with spicy meatballs Ô¿Ô

This is a 'must-read' thread about soldering and how to achieve the best results ... and I do mean THE BEST ... this guy's a soldering God.
It's an FX building forum, but the same rules apply ... http://www.buildyourownclone.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6401

Seriously take 10-15 mins to read through that thread, it'll change yous soldering life ... or your money back!