Static coming from my 1958 T-100 (D) Franz Pickups

[Laphillyboy]

Hello. New member here. I have a 1958 Guild T-100 that was converted at some point to a T-100 (D) by adding a 2nd Franz pickup and 2 more pots. All the parts are vintage and probably done a long time ago. The guitar plays great and the clean Jazzy tone from the pickups is to die for (though I am not a jazz player) but I've had one major problem with the guitar since I got it 5 years ago. Static! There is significant static that comes through and I've tried everything to eliminate it. Took it to one of the best guitar shops here in LA (Eric's in the Valley) and he said just wipe it with a Fabric Softener sheet every once in a while but that has not worked. I even took off the plastic pickup covers and sprayed them inside and out with an industrial anti-static spray and it still came back. My guitar room does get fairly warm and dry here in SoCal so I am planning to get another Humidifier to try to reduce the dryness. But I'd love some input from other owners in particular if you know the Franz pickups.

Finally, if anyone can recommend a good Guild guitar/pickup technician here in the LA area I would appreciate it. It is a wonderful guitar and I love to play it but because of the static I can't ever take it out to Jams or my church because the crackle and snap will come through the PA. Thanks and good to join the group.

- Jim C. (Laphillyboy)

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! We had a similar problem discussed not long ago, stand-by until somebody will jump in with ideas. A broken ground wire might be one issue, means no connection anymore between the tailpiece and strings to the ground on one pickup. That's something simple to check with a meter.
Ralf

 

[Laphillyboy]

Dude, you are brilliant! I just took a little piece of copper wire and wrapped it round the Tone Pot and wrapped the other end around the tailpiece and Voila! Static gone! Now I just need to have a guitar tech do it properly inside the body and I'll be set. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!

 

[Default]

If you take the tailpiece off, there should be a small hole next to the strapbutton screw. It's possible that that has a wire already installed and it hasn't been making a solid contact. Ralf nailed it!