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Ek11sx

Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2015
Messages
18
Hey all,

So I have noticed recently that my SSS Cutlass is generating more pickup noise than my Fender Tele is which has no noise canceling system. I changed the battery and it didn’t change a thing. I read through all of the old threads and I see a lot of talk of adjusting the trim pot but I would like to hear what you all have add if anything at all.

Thanks
 

TripHazard

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Feb 17, 2016
Messages
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Location
Nottingham UK
Not a problem I’ve had with mine. Might be worth popping the guard off and checking the connections on the PCB if it is something that hasn’t always been there. Then you can also look at the trim pots - but I would have thought the trim pott setting would be the last point of consideration if the noise issue hasn’t always been there. Could you get a recording of the sounds so that you could share with us here via soundcloud - perhaps a clip of the Cutlass and the tele so we can hear your frame of reference?
 

Ek11sx

Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2015
Messages
18
Ok so before I take the pick guard off here are two sound clips. One is the cutlass, cycling through all five positions and then the tele in each of the three.

Cutlass by Eric Klinger - Listen to music


Tele by Eric Klinger - Listen to music

The humming/buzz/noise gets worse on the cutlass as I move from the bridge to the neck. The tele is basically silent. Mic was not moved and the amp settings remained the same for each recording. The guitars were held in the playing position
 

DrKev

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In the neck/middle position it should be nearly humbucker silent. Your humbucker should also be silent. That they are not suggests a small problem somewhere, possibly a poor ground connection somewhere but without the guitar in front of me it's impossible to diagnose.

Get in touch woth customer service, see the links in my signature below this post. In the US/Canada you can call toll free.
 

Ek11sx

Member
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Mar 22, 2015
Messages
18
Couple notes from this morning:

The buzz/noise/hum stops when the strings are touched as well as any other metal part on the guitar. Also, the noise is completely eliminated when I turn the tone all the way down as well as the volume.
 

TripHazard

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Feb 17, 2016
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That sounds like a grounding problem to me. The connection might just be iffy. You’ll have to pop the pickguard and trem cover off to check the grounding connections.
 

Daniel

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Apr 21, 2016
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Couple notes from this morning:

The buzz/noise/hum stops when the strings are touched as well as any other metal part on the guitar. Also, the noise is completely eliminated when I turn the tone all the way down as well as the volume.

Hi there,
The guitar is grounded through the bridge, so if you are not touching the strings, it will hum, even with the silent circuit. I would suggest trying to adjust your trim pots for the silent circuit. If you are still having issues, shoot me an email at [email protected] with your guitars serial number and I'll help you out.
 

Ek11sx

Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2015
Messages
18
Thanks, Daniel and all.

Is there a resource or guide on how to adjust the trim pot? I am not familiar. If it would be easier to move this to email that more than ok, just let me know. Thanks again
 

TripHazard

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Cool man - keep us posted. It’s good to build up a databank of solutions as problems crop up. It’s definitely not normal cos none of mine sound like that
 

Nonserviam

New member
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Apr 23, 2020
Messages
2
Location
Houston
Good morning, sorry to necrobump this thread. Was this situation ever resolved? My Cutlass HSS is behaving in the exact same manner. The trim pot has no effect. Bridge and Position 4 are both silent. The other three are noisey to varying degrees. Turning the tone pot down all the way takes it out but leaves me with mud. Advice?
 

Nonserviam

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Apr 23, 2020
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Houston
Well, that's unfortunate. I've sent the gentleman a private message as well. I don't really want to make a full blown post but I feel like I'm out of possible solutions.
 

TripHazard

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Feb 17, 2016
Messages
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Location
Nottingham UK
You’ll probably be better served going straight to customer services - they are very responsive and helpful. Send them audio files so they can hear it for themselves
 

fabianFrance

New member
Joined
May 14, 2020
Messages
2
Hi Guys, I'm a new member, from Normandy, france.. I have a friend who has an issue with a 1978 stingray..as soon as he plays, there's a noise...(like a tiny "fuzz") the noise is not permanent...only when he hits the strings...i don't think is a faulty ground...any ideas? I have some audio samples.

thanks in advance
fabian
 
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