Pickguard Static - Super EZ Fix!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- If you experience "static" noise coming through your amplifier when you touch the pickguard on your electric guitar with your fingers, don't pull off your pickguard to add shielding until you try this super-simple tip with absolutely no tools or parts removal at all.
This video was my own little experiment regarding the use of dryer sheets for removing the static caused by touching the pickguard with your fingers, which can cause a very annoying static crackle while you're playing amplified. I saw a similar video by TH-camr Scott Grove, and it seemed too good to be true. So I just had to try it for myself. My props to Scott Grove and his channel for turning me on to this!
RESULTS: The effects of the drier sheet lasted about 2 months for me under very dry conditions. I keep the drier sheets right in my music room now. I change strings on this guitar about that often, so I'll just make it part of the regular maintenance procedure whenever I put on a new set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky 9's. Works for me!
This NOT a permanent fix. Many swear that the only way to fix this problem is by putting foil or copper tape on the underside of the pickguard, and grounding it. That is generally not too difficult a job, but any time you open up your electric guitar's guts, you're running some risk of broken wires or damage to the pickups or electronics. While the dryer sheet works by preventing static buildup when you touch the pickguard, the grounded shielding works by removing the static electricity itself directly to ground, before enough static builds up to make an audible "spark".
While I believe the grounded shielding is a very worthwhile project, and I'm "for it", I just can't justify all the work and trouble required to do so if that is the ONLY reason I'm opening the guitar for surgery, because the "band-aid" of the dryer sheets is a very effective treatment that is so cheap and easy. But if I'm already in there for something "serious" like a faulty switch, pot, jack or pickup, and/or replacement/upgrade of any of those, then by all means I'll do the grounded shielding on the back of the pickguard while I'm in there. Otherwise, I'm just gonna wipe my static problems away with the dryer sheet until that day.
UPDATE: After a couple years, my dryer sheets have lost some of their umph. They last about a month now. Only a month of umph! That suggests to me that a new sheet from a new box of dryer sheets maximizes the amount of time the effect works.
Regarding the guitars used in this video:
2012 FENDER TELECASTER (Standard) - Lake Placid Blue (made in Mexico)
100% Factory Stock (except strings)
Original Pickguard (suspected to be unshielded)
1966 VOX WILDCAT - cherry red (made in Italy by Eko)
Body, neck, machine head tuners, and pickup are original to this guitar
Pickguard bracket is original Vox, but from a different guitar (1965 Vox Bobcat)
Pickguard is custom, made by me from new material (no shielding whatsoever)
Regarding the Dryer Sheets I used in this video:
I purchased the generic brand from my nearest grocery store. The ones I used were "For sensitive skin" and contain no dyes nor perfumes. I chose them because others had commented on the "fresh smell" that typical dryer sheets leave behind. That smell makes me gag, so I chose the non-smelly ones, but any brand or "flavor" of dryer sheet should function to remove the static. I don't use dryer sheets for the laundry, so I had to purchase some. (120 sheets for less than $3.50). Whatever brand your wife has in the laundry room should be just fine, smelly or not. Note: Use a NEW dryer sheet, not one that has already gone through the drier! UPDATE: For maximum effect, buy a new box of dryer sheets instead of using your wife's!
I hope you find this video helpful. This is my first instructional video, so please tell me how I'm doing in the comments below! And of course, please don't forget to Like, Share and Subscribe!
ROCK ON!
Weird Old Uncle Kenny
I have two guitars, one being a Fender tele. I experienced this problem for the first time today with only the tele. I'm a new guitar player and use a small amp with headphones (thin walls). I just purchased the Fender Mustang Micro headphone amp (awesome BTW) and noticed the tele started making popping/crackling noises about 30 minutes after having the mustang plugged in. Like you, I could hear it a lot more in the neck position. I thought was a problem with my neck pickup or output jack as it now made these nosies plugged into my little amp too. The other guitar didn't do this. THANK YOU for sharing this and saving me a lot of time (and probably money). I wipe my guitars down after each practice. No doubt the cloth is building up static on the plastic. Great advice that never grows old! 🙂
RESULTS FROM THIS EXPERIMENT: The effect of using the dryer sheets is temporary - the static does return after a month or two. The brand new drier sheet I used for this video was from a brand new box I bought that day, and it lasted me, in very dry (static-prone) conditions almost 3 months. I have made it standard practice to wipe down the pickguard every time I change strings or whenever I hear static - just a part of routine maintenance. It costs virtually nothing, it takes only seconds, and it takes no tools. Now that my box of dryer sheets is a few years old, the treatment only seems to last for a month or so now.
MY THEORY:
The popping static noise is caused by static electricity buildup in the plastic of the pickguard when you rub the skin of your fingers on it, probably as it sparks to ground, probably on the pickup cover or any other metal that is grounded that is touching the plastic. The dryer sheet works by putting a static-reducing coating on the plastic, so your fingers don't produce the static to make the pops - temporarily, anyway.
Many folks insist that the only way to fix it is to ground the pickguard itself with a layer of foil or copper tape on the inside, grounded with the rest of the electronics. This works by reducing greatly the amount of static electricity held in the plastic, because it is dissipated to ground, and it can also have the added benefit of helping reduce hum (especially if the pickup cavity is shielded also). While this is a permanent fix, and there are more reasons than just static to have more shielding (like the hum), I have seen one instance (a Squier "51") where even shielding and grounding the backside of the (very large) pickguard did not fully eliminate the static pops (but it did reduce them a lot). In this case, the dryer sheet was needed IN ADDITION to grounding the pickguard.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
So, here's my take on the whole thing: If I have a GOOD reason to get inside my electric guitar's guts (such as repairing something faulty or otherwise upgrading the pickups or electronics), and I consider myself knowledgeable and skillfull enough to do so (which I am), or rich enough to have someone else do it (which I'm not), then by all means grounding the pickguard is a worthwhile endeavor while you're in there. But if your ONLY problem is static noise, then I'd just use the dryer sheet, until there is a good reason to go inside. No need for open-heart surgery when all you need is a band aid! It's so easy, so cheap, takes just seconds, no tools needed. I mean, you could have your toddler do it... (roadie in training!). ROCK ON!
After re-soldering the leads on my pickups and ground points with no fix, the dryer sheet is what solved my problem.
Thanks for sharing this!
Genius! It's become really dry in my house and static is crazy. The crackling was driving me nuts
Wow, I was going crazy with the crackling pickguard on my telecaster deluxe thinline. I took it apart looking for a ground problem and couldn't find anything. I put copper tape on the back of the pickguard and in the all the cavities and soldered ground wires to them and then soldered the wires to the tone pot. I checked continuity with a voltmeter and verified everything was grounded. Put it back together and the crackle was still there when I tapped on the pickguard. Jeez, I couldn't understand what was causing it. Then I googled "crackling noise when tapping pickguard" and watched your video. I couldn't believe it but tried it and to my amazement it worked!!!! Thank you Weird Old Uncle Kenny!
I just went through the exact same process with my jazzmaster and couldn't find any problems. Was about to give up on ever fixing it when I saw this video. What a relief to have a relatively easy fix for this. I am going to just leave a drier sheet in the case with it now for anytime this problem arises.
Just got my first Tele and it started doing this. Thought I was going to have to send it back. First video I pulled up. Thank you!
The SAME thing with ME! :)
Like the person below, I had no idea what was going on.
I thought it could be the guitar or amp.
I never thought it would be that simple.
Thanks so much
I have 2 strats that do this and I thought it was the pickups or the shielding sticker and I thought I had to tear them both down to fix. My god am I happy to have watched this! Thanks dude! they were basically unplayable and it was driving me crazy
Thank you!!! The static was driving me nuts!! I was licking my finger tips while I was playing (which works great for maybe 30 seconds). I’m on my way out to buy some drier sheets!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉
ps…WORKED!!!!
WOW AMAZING. I got my hollow body out and it did this. So I texted my guitar buddy this morning, now I saw your video! I can’t wait until I get home tonight!!! I hope I get the same results too ❤️
I got a new G&L Irish Ale, sound was amazing. Pulled off the plastic protecting the pickguard and noticed the crackling. Did a TH-cam search and weird old uncle Kenny's video popped up. Problem solved, Thanks Kenny!
Sir you are brilliant. I had this issue with a used Classic Vibe I just bought at Guitar Center and the "Tech" couldn't figure out why. After I saw your video I went to the dollar store picked some up and voila problem solved. Thanks a million!
Please note that mine only lasts me for a month or 2. I do it when I change strings whether it needs it or not.
Oh man.. thank you!! Both of my guitars have been doing this. This is a life saver!
This totally worked! Dryer sheets were buy one get one free at my local supermarket so I guess I'm set for a while.
Amazing. My Fender Player started crackling on the neck pickup. Google took me in the direction of static, and then I found this video. Never realised before, but when tested, the pick guard made the noises in your video. Used a fabric surface cleaner and it did the job (no drier sheets). Thanks
Perfect!! I just got a Tele and I noticed that static noise when rubbing my hand on the pick guard.. It was giving me major OCD.. Ran into your video, and ran quickly to my laundry room and grabbed a dryer sheet (Snuggle to be exact).. Static GONE! I was about to take my Tele to my Guitar Tech to get it shielded but you sir have saved me the trip and headache.
Awesome! On mine, I discovered it lasts about 2 months before static begins to return, so i just do it when I change strings as a part of normal maintenance, and it never bothers me again. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have the issue on my tele, drives me crazy! I will definitely try the dryer sheet. They should make anti-static pick guards. I am sure that is possible.
Thank you! Saved me a trip to the music store and probably $150.
I cut up squares from a scent free dryer sheet and then raise the pickguard just enough to get them underneath using a tweezer. Lasts a good while for me, easy to swap during maintenance or string change if needed. The static isn't much but after a good shielding job it stands out like crazy. these are the best tricks/hacks/whatever. great video
Just finished a Jazz Bass project and thought my grounding was all messed up. Thanks so much - my project is complete now. This was the easiest thing about it 👍
Thank You so much I spent so many time to fix the problem , I have changed my pick up from a another guitar and still the same. I have rewired everything , putted ground on every metallic pièce. It took me a long time to understand what's going on………. And you save me with something I have in laundry Thank you once again
Glad to help! But FYI: it's only a temporary fix. For me, it lasts about 2 months, and then slowly comes back. So I've made it routine part of changing strings, a quick wipe, and no static. Rock on!
I just bought a new fender vintera 70s jazz bass and the static was really bad was already thinking about having to return it. But after watching your video I tried it and it worked a treat 👍 many thanks
THANKS for posting this....very helpful!
Thanks, Kenny! I have the same electrostatic crackle problem on my Yamaha BB414 bass - not on a pickguard (it hasn't got one) but on the pickup housings themselves. Drives me absolutely nuts! Will certainly give the dryer sheet method a try. TBH you'd think that by now instrument makers would have learned not to make pickguards and pickup housings out of nylon, polythene or other plastics that just LOVE to build up static charge. There are plenty of other plastics out there that don't! :D
Hi Kenny!
Your dryer sheet technique just did the trick for me ! Thanks, Bob
Excellent! Please note that it is only a temporary fix. It works for a month or 2. I do it every time I change strings, whether it needs it or not
@@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny Good, I was wondering how long it lasted. I don't want to take the guard off, so dryer sheet is fine. Up to this point I had bought a new chord and was ready to get a rubber mat to stand on!!!
Yeah, I was going to take my guard off and add shielding, but when I saw this in another guy's video, I decided to give it a try. If I ever do have a real reason to remove my guard, I might try the shielding as a permanent fix, but this works so well, is so easy and so cheap, I may not bother even then...
Wow! That's a great tip!!! Thank you! I thought something was wrong with my tele build particularly that I may have wired something wrong! It's just static...
Please do more of these. I enjoy watching your guitar stuff
You're a real professional guitar tech, maybe you should do some! :-)
Hey thanks, it worked for me. I thought I was going to have to change out the pickup or something but you saved me for now anyway. It hasn't come back yet, it's only been a half hour since I wiped it with Great Value Dryer Sheets, in case you were wondering. It probably doesn't matter which brand.
Thanks for watching! I live in a fairly dry area, static builds up a lot. The drier sheet treatment has been lasting 2-3 months for me before static returns, which means I just treat it when I change strings.
Damn, it worked on my Strat!!! Thanks so much!!!
Thank you SOooooooo much!!
I was ready to get rid of my guitar, you are my hero!!!
Thanks! This worked for my tele!
great video.....I just redid a Epiphone Jr....added a volume pot on the pick guard....all kinds of static when my fingers rub it. Good suggestion. I changed the two original pots to a treble pot and bass pot. Needed a volume pot.
Sorted an issue that's been bugging me on my Guild Starfire 1V for some time.
Well done.....respect yo you!!
Just remember, the benefit is temporary. But when static returns, just wipe again!
Brilliant!! Worked like a charm! Thanks bunches. I feel less crazy now.
I'm glad it worked for you! However, it's only temporary. In my case, it worked for about 2 months, and then static returned. So it has become part of my routine when changing strings, a quick wipe and it's done. Thanks for watching!
Dude, it worked! Thanks for this video 👍🏻
Thanks for doing this video I have a g&l alsat Classic and the static was driving me mad but you my friend have sorted it out thanks very much
Glad I was able to help you! If it helps one person, then making the video was completely worthwhile.
Thank you! I thought my new pickups were faulty. What a relief!
Thanks for watching. Please be aware that it is only a temporary fix. For me it lasts between string changes, 1-2 months.
Nice! Changed out the pickguard on my new tele deluxe and this started happening. Thanks for the easy fix.
Hey Ken, you saved me a whole lot of pain, I tried in my tele (coincidentally, exactly the same as yours, colour and everything, except mine is a 2016) and it worked straight away. I just could not work out why I was getting the crackle in my recordings, I knew it must be the tele as my acoustic hooked up the same way did not give me the crackle. Anyway, thanks alot, if the static builds up quickly, I'll have to work out how to discharge it automatically.
I bought a American pro 2 today which wasn't cheap . Played it for a bit and the crackle started happening. I panicked big time and called the store... he said bring it in and he will check it out( I freaking at this point lol) dryer sheet boom!!!! Gone thanks mate
Perfect! This is just what I needed, a good quick fix. Thanks!
You're welcome, and thanks for watching!! Unfortunately, the effects aren't permanent. Lasts a month or 2, just do it again. I do it whenever I change strings. Rock on!
Shouldn't Fender be addressing this issue by doing the proper shielding in the cavities of the guitar. They have been making these guitars for many years, you would think they could have figured it out by now??? I have this same issue. I took it to my local "authorized" repair guy. He said he called Fender and they suggested he rub a dryer sheet under the pick guard. It didn't last over night. After going back 5 times and rubbing dryer sheets under the pickguard and on top of it, he suggested we change the pickguard to an aftermarket one. He changed it. It cost me another $25. I still have issues of very light noise now. My guitar is a 2021 American Telecaster. I paid a lot of money for this guitar and now have to carry a box of Dryer Sheets with me! You would think Fender would at least give you a box with every purchase.
I agree this works. But I've been playing for 35 years and this has only recently started happening to me, now on 2 guitars. I'm not in a new house. So what we need to figure out, is WHY this happens. Anyone?
Here's my theory: The guitar makers have cheaped out on us. There are certainly plastics that are anti-static, but they cost more. There are ways to easily shield and ground the back of the pickguard, but that requires extra labor, and a little bit of extra materials. Perhaps the biggest reason is that we aren't complaining to the makers about it! It wouldn't surprise me if Fender's solution is to re-package a $3 box of drier sheets as some $24.99 "special product for removing pickguard static from electric instruments".
Dude this was so helpful!
So cool video and that's quite a guitar collection you have! Nice to meet you. I just finished watching your five-part episode on the Mourning Dove Family and appreciate it very much. My best wishes, with love from Canada, Evy
I did some research on diy static cloths and the dryer sheets have all kinds of chemicals, but the main ingredient that kills the static is vinegar, so i soaked a paper towel with white vinegar and rubbed it on the pickguard and it did it , but you might have to to do it a couple of times , lot cheaper and better than the dryer cloths..
It's a nice temporary fix, but what is it that's causing the static? Comments indicate people are grounding everything, taking guitars apart, yet the static remains. And why only on some guitars? I've experienced it with a Squier Tele and a Washburn Oscar Schmidt hollow body.
The static is caused by your fingers rubbing on the plastic of the pick guard. It affects some guitars more than others because of a few different factors. The type of plastic the pickguard is made from is certainly a contributor. How the pickguard is mounted, and whether it is in contact with the pickup also has an effect. Grounding it really CAN help, permanently, because it provides a path for the static electricity to dissipate instead of continuing to build up in the plastic. But grounding requires open heart surgery, potential for damage or unintentionally changing the sounds your guitar makes. So, my take on the whole thing is, if there some other GOOD reason to take off the pickguard (such as upgrading or repairing electronics or pickups), then grounding the pickguard while you're in there is definitely a worthwhile endeavor. If the ONLY issue is static, and you can VERY easily and cheaply do it in seconds with no tools except a drier sheet (keep 'em in my gig bag) and no expertise whatsoever, why bother to perform surgery when all you need is a band-aid?
This is what TH-cam is for! Thanks!
Thanks, I'll give it a try, my Carvin Tele has this problem
Great stuff! I found out last night I had this exact problem with my brand new Fender Telecaster Player series. I will give this a try, but I am sure it's gonna work. Thank you much!
I've found it works fine for a month or 2. But another wipe, and you're back in business. I usually change strings more often, so it's just part of routine maintenance. Good luck, and keep rockin'
Same problem here. Fender Tele Player S. My Strat American Performer is fine though.
Fantastic! Thanks.
Tried it worked perfect. Thank you
Thank you so much !
Thank you!
You're welcome. FYI: it only lasts a month or 2 for me, so I do it if it needs it or not whenever I change strings as routine maintenance.
It worked like a charm.
I have this problem on a G&L tele that I love otherwise. Guess I'm headed out to buy some drier sheets.
I have been struggling to figure out the solution to this problem of why when I played with my hand on the neck pick-up of my Tele I had a strange noise ... I cleaned my guitar pickguard with a towel and it is amazing! the noise? Disappeared !!!
Holy smokes, it Works!!!
Awesome!
thanks for sharing! I live in the UK and am not familiar with that product... is there a brand name?
Yes this is my biggest problem!!!
Thank you Google and thank you weird uncle Kenny
Love it!
I does work, unfortunately it doesn't last. It's a pita to have to reach for a dryer sheet while you're playing imo. I do have a permanent solution if you want to try it. I took a metal sign (like a yard sale or no smoking kind) and painted it to match the pg I wanted. It looks the same, works the same as any plastic pg but never succumbs to static. I think there would be a market for a static free pickguard if any manufacturer would ever get interested.
Yes, it is only a temporary solution. For me it lasts 2 months, which is about how often I change strings. I simply made it part of my string-change routine. It is not a pita at all. It takes literally 5 seconds. I tried the drier sheet because someone told me about it, and I didn't really believe him. If your solution works favorably for you, that's great. For me, the whole point was NOT doing all that. Rock on!
@@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny I guess I'm just more static inclined (for lack of a better term lol) than typical people. Might be the overabundance of body hair. I have to rub the sheet on there every ten minutes or so. Glad it works well for others though.
@@geemac7267 Wow, you must be highly charged! LOL. Sorry it didn't work for you.
assume you have to repeat every so often?
This is great. Thanks for doing this. I learned a lot. I have some Gretsch Double Jets and they all have the same static issue. Now I know how to attack the problem. BUT...I love the color of your 2012 Fender Tele. Do you know the official name of that blue?
Fender's name for it is Lake Placid Blue. Please note that the anti-static properties only last for a month or 2, and ya have to wipe it again. Rock On!
@@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny Thanks for the reply. I've seen multiple pictures of Lake Placid Blue and sometimes it looks really cool and other times it looks different. I love blue but it has to be the right shade of blue. I like the way yours looks and will likely get a Tele in that same color. I might try some type of a grounding strap to dissipate the static. I don't play any one guitar that often so hopefully this won't be too much of an issue. I do a lot of home recording and can't have static noise in on it. So far I've only noticed this on the Gretsch Double Jets I have. Interestingly, they were demo-versions I acquired. Maybe they were pre-charged before they were mine.
@@twinpines730 When I was shopping for my Tele, I wanted something "Keef"-ish in blonde or natural wood. I tried every Tele in every large music store in town. What I found was beautiful guitars with non-standard pickups , or butt-ugly colors with standard pickups. My priorities were feel, sound and looks, and I wanted Tele pickups sound. I was very disappointed with everything I found. When I got home, I remembered a blue Tele that had been hanging in a little mom & pop music store downtown, so I gave them a call. I asked about the Tele I had seen there a couple weeks earlier, and the guy said he thought it sold. He said the only one I have here is "baby blue", and I pictured that light sky blue that I've seen on a lot of Strats. Yuck. I grumbled that the day I had the money to buy one, there were no suitable axes around. Then, hoping the guy on the phone was wrong, I hopped in the car and drove down there. Sure enough, it was the Lake Placid Blue, not sky blue. Standard pickups. Felt perfect in my hands. Plugged it in and hit a G chord, I felt like I was Keith Richards. Even if it didn't match the look of Keef, it still looked very cool. It is a metallic color, so it definitely looks different in every light setting or pic. Gorgeous in sunshine! The one thing I've noticed is most Lake Placid Blue Teles and Strats seem to have rosewood fretboards, and the darkness seems to smother the color a little. The maple fretboard makes it really pop, IMHO.
@@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny I like the fact that Lake Placid Blue is metallic. I've noticed many times the type of lighting always affects how the color looks. I shop on Ebay a lot for guitars and a stock photo seldom shows the color accurately. I typically like the look of a maple neck, and in the case of this Lake Placid Blue, to me, the maple neck enhances the look of the blue. I've seen this color with both rosewood and maple necks, and without question, to me the maple looks better. I agree with you that the darkness of the rosewood takes something away from the blue. That blue does pop with a maple neck. At this time, the only Lake Placid Blue Tele I can find available (and at a low cost) has a rosewood neck, so I might have to get it. Fenders look better to me with maple necks. I prefer the look of rectangular pearloid inlays on a rosewood neck. Those look good to me.
Mine is doing it when I touch the pick-up screws.
That is not likely related to static. It sounds like an issue of improper grounding. I'd get out the meter and check that all ground connections are good. You should be able to touch the leads to any 2 grounded points and get complete conductivity (0 ohms). If you have metal covers on your pickups, they should be well grounded. Good luck, I hope you are able to find the problem!
Just rewired my first telecaster and it was doing this lol
But the dryer sheets have fabric softener, which isn’t good for your pickguard, strings and fingers. Dryer sheets will straight up stain my guitar.
It's amazing how well this worked! Had to do this on my new telecaster bullet - she had a bit of a static crackle - and boom! Dryer sheet - no crackle. Amazing! Thanks for the advice 👍
fucking madness. thanks
I know, right? FYI it is only a temporary fix, the static will come back in a couple months or so. I just wipe it down every time I change strings. I keep a few drier sheets in a ziplock bag in my guitar case.
Nice one 👍
I must be full of static, a guitar will crackle with me before it will with anyone else playing it. The dryer sheet trick is a very temporary way. The crackle returns in a few minutes.
Gets a little weird with the rubbing and staring!😂
Rubbing and staring right at you, PlanetOblivious. Thank you for noticing!
What you are actually seeing is true amazement on my part, I really didn't know if it would work or not.
What about static audio it needs to fix it and my guitar cable stuck
Tried this on my schecter Strat copy. Was better for about 10 seconds then came right back. Anyone have any other ideas? I guess there is always taking the pickguard off and adding aluminum foil to the back.
I've had a few other viewers give the same complaint. My question is: was it a new box of dryer sheets? If not, could you get a new box and try again, and report back? I want to get to the bottom of this, because it has worked well for me...
I've tried that method but it doesn't last long, Why just the telecasters and not the Strats?
Lasts 2 months for me. I used my Tele in the video because it's the guitar I had, and it had the problem. I've never owned a Strat, but if you do, and it has this problem, it should work just as well on that. I do have a Squier 51 which has a Strat-style body with a big pick guard, and it definitely had this problem, and this method definitely works on it.
My strat does the popping
if it doesn't work on my new MIM Strat, you owe me a dryer sheet.
I dont have static when i touch the Pickguard but my amp kinda pops when i touch my strings
Yes, that is not static. That sounds like a grounding problem.
How are the doves?
My guitar tech told me to try this, he suggested lifting the pick guard and doing it on the inside to avoid getting residue on the pick guard. Did you have that problem?
I have not. I got the unscented type "for sensitive skin", and I have noticed no buildup whatsoever. I do it every time I change strings, about once every 2 months.
Weird Old Uncle Kenny thank you!
My crackling is gone. In seconds!!!
Nice! My only disclaimer is that the fix is not permanent. The longest it has worked for me on a guitar that gets played daily is about 3 months. I change strings every 2 months or less, so it's just part of my regular maintenance at string change. BTW, I just got a Squier "51" returned to me after a long-term loan. It has a huge pickguard, similar to the early P-bass. When I switched it to the single coil neck pickup, all I could hear was static. The worst I've ever heard. Quick wipe, static gone. A little adjustment to the pickup height, and now the pickup is singing like it should. A little neck setup, and she's playing wonderfully.
@@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny my guitartech shielded my tele today. We will see if that will solve the problem. But the dryer towels is a very cheap solution! And it worked perfect!
Cool! I'd love to hear your report about how well the shielding works. I know it absolutely helps with hum!
The real solution is shielding the pickguard and making sure is grounded
If I have another, more important reason to remove the pickguard, such as repairs, upgrades to the pickups and/or electronics, or to address electronic noise "hum" issues, I wholeheartedly agree with you, and that is indeed my practice. That is the permanent solution...
However, if the ONLY issue I have is pickguard "pop", wiping requires NO tools, virtually no effort, just seconds in time, virtually no expense in materials, and NO expertise whatsoever. It works, and it works well. For awhile, anyway. When it does fail, you just do it again, and I carry a box of dryer sheets in my gig bag. So, bottom line, I'm NOT going to pull off my pickguard for this reason alone. I will just wipe every month or 2 until, if and when, I do have a better reason to do that work. AND this method also works on that guitar you just bought this afternoon, but want to play at the gig tonight!
You're shittin me!
works for awhile then static comes back
Yes, that is true. In my case, it works for about 2 months, which is about how often I change the strings on my Tele. So I have made it part of my standard routine maintenance when changing strings.
I've always left the sheet inside of the guitar.
Take pick guard off and hit it with light sand paper and then to the dryer sheet and put it back together , bam , that stuff from the dryer sheet will cloud your pick guard and look like shit
Nope. The whole point was to not have to take the pick guard off. If I ever do have a real reason to take the pick guard off, I might do something like that, as well as add shielding. In the meantime, this works for me, it's easy, it takes only seconds,it costs virtually nothing, and it lasts as long as a set of strings. I simply give it a wipe every time I change strings, or whenever I hear static noise, whichever happens first. I used the non-fragrance type, and I have seen no clouding on the pick guard other than the usual amount from hand sweat, which comes off with a little polish. You can do all that work if you want, but I'm not going to unless I have a real reason to. But thanks for your suggestion.
yes , I did it that way before I seen your vid , an that was smeared all over an my pick guard , it came off easy without removal of the strings and I had a chance to raise my pick up , so I killed two birds with one stone
@@Weird_Old_Uncle_Kenny all I had was bounce dryer sheets , maybe unscented won't do that but I had bounce , yes it works either way but that bounce shit was all over mine , took me three minutes , I have a classic vibe tele an there is less screws than a fender
That lake placid blue you have is a nice looking guitar
Come on Ben, I like a more permanent solution like ground this thing.
No one is stopping you, frans venrooy. There are numerous TH-cam videos out there about shielding your pickup enclosure (including the pickguard), and there are good reasons to do so beyond static buildup on your pickguard. The issue I had was static when I touched my pickguard, especially when I'm switched to the neck pickup. The drier sheets cost just pennies, take just seconds to use, results in zero downtime for the instrument, and it's a job that's so easy, you could have your kid do it for you, and it lasts me 2 months each application. I've made it routine when changing strings, and static has not returned. Someday, if there is a real good reason to take my pickguard off (such as the need to replace a faulty component such as a pot or switch), then I would certainly entertain the idea of increased shielding and grounding of the pickguard. Until then, I really see no need. Oh, and it's Ken, with a "K". Rock On!
I tried that but the static comes back!
John, could you please give more detail? You are not the first person to say this didn't work for them, I want to figure out why. How soon did it come back for you? Are we talking minutes or months? Did you use a new drier sheet, or one that had been used for the laundry? Was the box of drier sheets new? Stock pickguard or aftermarket? Do you know what brand of drier sheets you used? I specifically tried to avoid advertising one brand over another, but if it is brand-specific, I want to investigate. I'd really appreciate any info you can give me!
All I can tell you is I did it almost 3 weeks ago, and ever since then we have had serious Santa Ana winds (dry winds from the desert, the worst possible conditions for static discharge). I have rubbed the pick guards repeatedly on both guitars with my fingers, I have played hours and hours on multiple days. Not one bit of static. So please tell me all your details, I want to figure out why it doesn't seem to work for some people, when it worked so well for me? Thanks!
Weird Old Uncle Kenny within minutes
Try with guitar polish
These poorly made guitars have no shielding. This static dry sheet trick really doesn't work. Tried it on a gibson with zero results. Many times its the poor craftsman ship of the instrument and lack of shielding it properly right from the factory.
You are probably right about there not being any shielding on the pick guard on the Tele. If I ever have a good reason to pull off the pick guard, I'll add some. In the meantime, this works for me for a month or 2 each wipe, and it's super easy to do. Sorry it didn't work for you. Can I ask what type of Gibson you tried it on?
Use downy or bounce on the other side an hit with light sand paper first
does not last. plus you stole idea from scott grove
Does not last? It lasts me 2 months. Stole from Scott Grove? No, not mentioning him after getting the idea from him might be stealing. He is mentioned right in the video. This video was an experiment as to whether the claims in Scott Grove's video were really true, because 2 of my favorite guitars suffered from this problem, which had annoyed me for years. For just pennies and a few seconds, with no tools, no down-time, I can wipe away the static that plagued me. It's no longer a problem. I tried it right in front of you, to share the wisdom, not for profit. You're welcome.
Thanks!!
I had the same problem with my Tele ... simple fix
It works. Thanks my friend.
Thanks for this info, I was having this issue and could not figure out where it was coming from until I watched Uncle Kenny's video. I use regular guitar polish (Gibson brand) and a soft cloth to get rid of the static, just spray it on the cloth and rub it in, it will not harm your finish or the pickguard.
Telestaic gone thanks to Weird Old Uncle Kenny
Thanks for watching! Glad it helped you, but I've found that it only lasts for about 2 months. I make it part of every string change routine now.