Humming when pickguard changed

LowendinFL · #1 09-10-2009, 11:27 PM

I have a 98-99 (according to the ss#) MIM Fender P-Deluxe. I bought this bass used but near mint. The first owner was a drummer and barely used it(so I'm sure its not modified). It came factory with that horrible gold pickguard that has the etching marks in it and is metal. I purchased a black Fender pickguard and installed it. Now it hums like an SOB! I haven't experienced humming issues before except when plugging an amp in where lights cause the humming.

I suspect that the pickguard was acting like the ground in the bass or something. I'm hoping someone will chime in with some knowledge on this. I have ability to solder if I need to add a ground to the pots or something I could probably do it myself. Help! Thanks in advance also!

tinjenbass · #2 09-10-2009, 11:29 PM

I had to add a ground onto one of my Pbass's Here is the info you need.
http://www.fender.com/support/wiring...arts_lists.php

dave_bass5 · #3 09-11-2009, 03:08 AM

I had this happen when i put a new PG on my Duck Dunn.
I hadnt realised the old one had conductive tape on it, grounding the pots.
Might be worth checking this, although i guess its pretty obvious so maybe its not the same thing.

**line6man** · #4 09-11-2009, 07:14 AM

Yeah, you need to shield the pickguard.

You can either cover the back with copper tape, or you can get a pickguard shield.

Both can be found on this page:
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bass_elec.htm

dmusic148 · #5 09-11-2009, 07:23 AM

I just had a look at my old guard- it's got foil covering the area over the pots, continuing over to and surrounding the pickup cutout. Didn't hum with that guard.
You wanna make sure the star washers on the pots will dig into the foil around the pot holes- that's your ground point for the foil.