I'm hoping someone here will be able to help me figure out an issue I've been having. I used a pickup from CB Gitty - the same one used in this tutorial - and I basically just nailed the mounting tabs to the wood, like that same tutorial shows. Unfortunately, when I plug the pickup into an amp, I get a really harsh buzzing noise that changes when I touch the metal parts of the guitar, and pressing the Drive Select button on the amp made a screaming noise.
I tried to do some research on the issue, and I guess it's an issue with grounding (the problem is basically what's described in this video), but I haven't been able to figure out how to solve it. The reason I bought that pickup was because you don't need to do any wiring to use it, and I have no idea how to work on electronics.
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That pickup isn't wax potted, so it will be noisy to begin with. Your problem could be a ground issue like a bad solder joint or a missed joint like the bridge/tail piece. The jack, pots, bridge/tail piece and pickup ground should all be linked together.
In addition, Un-potted pickups can pickup stray radio signals, noise from fluorescent lights and even ceiling fans.
Could also be a bad cord or an amp problem. Process of elimination: will other guitar/CBG work ok with same cord and amp?
That's not true... Un-potted pickups can pick up physical vibrations, such as audio feedback and physical movement (i.e. if you tap the box or pickup and hear it through the amp because it's microphonic.) Potting reduces physical movement of the coils. It has zero effect on radio or electrical noise!
My 60's MIJ semi-hollow body guitar had large unpotted single coil pups that were microphonic. I was playing my guitar, layed it on the bed with the amp still on and the controls where I had them, to go downstairs and get a drink. When I came back upstairs I heard talking coming from my room through the amp. Was either a talk radio show or CB radio from nearby highway, but yes it can happen. Worked like a antenna I guess.
Is your bridge (and strings) grounded?
Sounds like the problem might be in your amp if the pickup was properly pre-wired. I'm sure others here know more about wiring stuff then I do.