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