Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

  1. #1
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Been reading a lot of threads about folks going to a gold anodized pickguard on their strat and reporting issues with microphonic feedback.

    I haven't noticed this myself on guitars I've demo'd with anodized alum pick guards, but... Anyway, thinking of doing one up with some CS 69's and am wondering if I'm wasting my time if it's going to turn into a squealing pig.

    Thoughts?

  2. #2
    Forum Member Russ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    447

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Happened to me but only in high gain situations and close to the amp. The bridge pup was the worst.
    My guitar was a stock MIM classic the stock pups did, I put a set of Copperheads (Chevalier) custom wound in and the bridge pup still was a no go, Sent the pup back he made another and potted the hell out of it, same thing. The other two where fine. So IMO the AL must be adding enough vibration to cause it.
    ones too many and a hundred is not enough!

  3. #3
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Did you use springs or rubber tubing on the pickup screws to the pickguard?

  4. #4
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    6,992

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    I have a set of Custom '54s mounted w/the rubber tubing in my Al 'guard Strat & it is microphonic if I get too loud/distorted. I just don't go there. I'm not a real high-gain player anyhow.

  5. #5
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Not sounding good for my plans here, people! I guess I'll go with another tortoise shell guard, then...

  6. #6
    Forum Member Mikey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Webster, N.Y. USA
    Posts
    2,201

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    You could always get a clear guard, paint the underside (so it won't get scratched off) gold and use that for the fake aluminum anodized gold guard thing.
    If, at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving.
    Two leaps per chasm is fatal!

  7. #7
    Forum Member Kap'n's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Where phony hippies meet
    Posts
    19,769

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Very Gretsch!
    Several guitars in different colors
    Things to make them fuzzy
    Things to make them louder
    orange picks

  8. #8
    Forum Member Russ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    447

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Quote Originally Posted by grandturk View Post
    Did you use springs or rubber tubing on the pickup screws to the pickguard?
    Rubber tubing, I didn't try springs. I thought they would be worse but maybe not. Like 71818 I don't go there often. If I want to I use one of my other strats.
    Last edited by Russ; 04-03-2011 at 12:07 PM.
    ones too many and a hundred is not enough!

  9. #9
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    How about with "noiseless" pickups - anyone try that? Kinmans, Fenders, Dimarzio stacked singles? I'm wondering if their designs might be more resistant to microphonics.

  10. #10
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    6,992

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    That would be the next option. I don't know, though. My '54s sound so good- I'd hate to lose that.

  11. #11
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Quote Originally Posted by 71818 View Post
    My '54s sound so good- I'd hate to lose that.
    I hear that - they're my favorites in my strat - nice and clear. I was actually thinking about a 69 in the bridge as I've played some CS Strats with a 54 N & M and a 69 Bridge that had a killer balanced sound and thickened up the bridge sound just enough.

    Overall I've found "noiseless" pickups to lack a little bit of character, and honestly they don't fit my needs - i.e. I generally don't have an issue with 60 cycle hum.

  12. #12
    Forum Member JM3's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    portland or
    Posts
    2,350

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    I keep a few squares of high density foam around for any guitar that decides to feedback. cut to size length and height and put in the cavity
    stops it dead

  13. #13
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    FYI I did end up getting an Alum pickguard. Got a set of TTS pickups in there. No micro phonics to report.


  14. #14
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    6,992

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Dang. That looks pretty sharp! What's the story on that axe?

  15. #15
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Thanks. The neck and bridge are from a early 90's MIJ 54 RI Flotoflame. Nice deep hard V neck. I had it refretted with some jumbo fretwire. The body is light ash from warmoth. The neck was pretty beat so I tried to match the body to it without going nuts. The pickups are TTS Classic Rock.

    I did the knobs myself some years ago and I think they turned out pretty cool. I did the pickup covers as well, but they didn't turn out so well. Eventually I'll try relic'ing another set of covers. I really wanted to make them look like those broken "bakelite" covers.
    Last edited by grandturk; 06-06-2011 at 11:42 AM.

  16. #16
    TFF Stage Crew
    Moderator
    Cogs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Burpleson AFB
    Posts
    6,992

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    You had it "regretted"? Are you sure that's not a Fruedian slip?
    lol
    I can't tell about the covers but the knobs do look pretty cool. I'd leave the 'guard alone, though, unless you have a sure-fire way to make it look right. In that case, you must post it here!

  17. #17
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    455

    Re: Aluminum pick guard = instant microphonics?

    Quote Originally Posted by 71818 View Post
    You had it "regretted"? Are you sure that's not a Fruedian slip?
    Nice catch! Damn that auto-correct on the iPhone. Getting this neck refretted was one of the best dicisions I've made - even at the cost. I just simply wasn't playing the thing because of the teeny vintage frets.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •