How to Reduce the Effects of Noise on the Guitar

A guitar that buzzes can be very off-putting when performing.

Noise from a guitar can be a disruptive and irritating problem. Typically, it is caused by a residual hum from the pickups or by buzzing strings. In a live show, a noisy guitar is hard to control and shows a lack of professionalism. In a recording session, it can easily ruin an otherwise excellent take. Removing buzz from a recording can take time that should otherwise be spent making music. Fortunately, you can reduce the effects of noise on your guitar with some basic tools and materials.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver
• Self-adhesive copper insulation tape
• Pocket knife
• 2.5-mm hex key
• String-winder (optional)

Instructions

Reducing Hum

1. Remove all of your strings. Use a string-winder to speed up the process.

2. Lay your guitar on its back, with the neck pointing to the left.

3. Loosen the screws on either side of the pickup cavity holding the pickup in place and lift the pickup out the cavity. Do this for both pickups. Place the pickups on the body of the guitar. They are still wired in, so be gentle.

4. Cut two pieces of self-adhesive copper shielding tape to the approximate size of the cavity. You don't need to cut it exactly, as you can trim off the excess later.

5. Remove the adhesive backing on the tape, and line the pickup cavity. Do it in the same way you'd line a cake pan with waxed paper. The shielding tape will cover the entire cavity and part of the wires. This insulates the pickup from radio frequency interference. Trim off the excess tape with your pocket knife. Repeat this process for both pickups. Replace both pickups and the strings.

Reducing String Buzz

1. 

   The height of the bridge influences the buzzing sound.

   Lay the guitar flat, with the neck pointing to your left.

2. 

   The adjustment thumb-screws are at the bottom of the saddle.

   Raise the treble side of the bridge. This is the side farthest from you. Depending on the make and model of your guitar, this will call for either a Phillips screwdriver or a 2.5-mm hex key. For example, guitars fitted with a Floyd Rose bridge have a 2.5-mm bridge height adjustment stud. Guitars with a Tune-o-Matic bridge, such as the Gibson Les Paul, require no tools for string height adjustment, as they have a thumb-screw on the saddle.

3. Raise the bass side of the bridge by the same amount. Raising the bridge increases the clearance between the strings and the frets. If the strings are too close to the frets, they rattle and cause "fret buzz." This is particularly pronounced on the higher strings.

4. Tweak each side. Adjust the bridge height to find a height that gives sufficient clearance, but it isn't so high that the strings are hard to play. Make continued tweaks to the bridge to find a happy medium.

Tips & Warnings

• Since the pickup cavity is open, spray a little plastic-safe contact cleaner onto the wires.

References

• Build Your Guitar: The Secrets of Electric Guitar Pickups, by Helmuth E. W. Lemme, February 2009
• Sound on Sound: How Can I Stop my Guitar from Buzzing? By Mike Keane, September 2004
• Glowing Tubes: Floyd Rose Setup and Tuning