Hum in the ole strat

  • Thread starter Thread starter scottboyher
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scottboyher

scottboyher

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I am getting terrieble hum in my strat. But it only happens on when the 5 way switch is in the first third and fifth position.. (From down position to the furthest up).

If it is in the second up or fourth position it doesn't hum.

What up wit dat?
 
Basically, in the second and forth positions, the two pickups act as a humbucker.
 
First, third and fifth positions are single coil, neck mid and bridge.
The other two positions the pickups combine "neck & mid" and "bridge & mid" therefore canceling out noise like humbuckers. Position yourself away from the amp, that will help a bit with the noise.
 
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Its possible the switch could be bad. If all other remedies fail, replace the switch.
 
These fellas are right. The middle pickup is out of phase with the other two. This cancells the 60 cycle hum that the pickups create, just like a double coil (humbucker) pickup. I think a lot (if not all) of the newer strats are like this.


Matty
 
matty_boy said:
These fellas are right. The middle pickup is out of phase with the other two. This cancells the 60 cycle hum that the pickups create, just like a double coil (humbucker) pickup. I think a lot (if not all) of the newer strats are like this.
Click to expand...

Yep. All newer Strats have the middle pickup wired in reverse to cancel the 60 cycle hum in the second and fourth positions. Anybody know when Fender started doing this? I know there are some older strats without a reversed middle pickup.
 
With single coils it is an eternal problem, however try this site and you can beat the problem and still retain the strat sound
www.guitarnuts.com
Clive
 
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