Hum with Piezo and Pot not fully on

Posted by George Forster on March 31, 2013 at 12:04pm

I have wired a few Piezos(radio shack version) and 500k pots.  They all have significant hum around half volume.  I have grounded the pot bodies, but it doesn't seem to help.  Is this just "the nature of the beast", or is there something else I should be doing?

thanks.

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Replies

  • George Forster March 31, 2013 at 12:52pm

    The hum goes away at full volume and full off.  Pretty sure I got neg and pos wired correctly, although I've read it doesn't really matter with piezos.

    • CrocBite > George Forster March 31, 2013 at 1:20pm

      with rod piezos, it does seem make the difference between a hum or a clean sound when plugged in.   worth noting that this is when they are just wired straight to the jack.  

      i was never really happy with the sound from disc piezos, unless i wired up a few parallel to each other and placed them in different spots.  the rod piezos however, sound great when you get them installed properly.  

  • Matt scott March 31, 2013 at 12:29pm
    I have not had much luck with piezos. But I do encase them with silicone and not have any buzz or feedback. But I've found using a pickup is much better quality sound. Test before you decide where to place. Use double stick tape. Usually the best spot is under the bridge at the low side.
  • CrocBite March 31, 2013 at 12:26pm

    hey george - does the hum go away at full volume?

    i have a guitar that's always been like that... ironically, named "the beast".  it was one of my earliest wiring jobs!

    most of my early mistakes when wiring simply had to do with making sure i knew which tab on the jack was the positive and negative.  if i got them got flipped, the volume went down, and the hum went up.  

    fortunately, it's a pretty simple fix.

    hope you figure it out!

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