Telecaster hum question
 

Quick question on my new Tele.

I love it, by the way. It is a friggin work of art. The black lacquer is flawless, it arrived in the fender hardshell case with all the tags still on the neck. It doesn't look like it was touched since it was bought, much less played. Still can't believe I got it for only $650. Anyhow...on to the question:

When I lightly touch the strings (like if you play a harmonic or something) I get a buzz from the amp. The buzz is not there if you put your fingers on the stings and I don't hear it if I strike the strings normally. If I can mute the strings and remove my fingers really carefully (so as not to lightly send any vibration) the buzz is not there.

Is this the 60 cycle buzz that is common on telecasters or should I look further? I wasn't sure since I was under the impression that a 60 cycle buzz would be there if the guitar was just plugged in and quiet and this one is not.

That's normal for a single-coil guitar like a Tele. If you put the pickup selector in the center position, where it uses both pickups, the buzz should decrease substantially; but when you're using one pickup or the other, that's just something you will have to "learn to love" about those instruments. It will change depending on the 'quality' of the electricity; and the amount of "stuff" (lamps, rheostats, dimmers, stage lighting, maybe) around you.

Also, try standing with the guitar on and turning in a circle. You'll find a "sweet spot" where the buzz will almost completely go away. In my house it's Southeast.;)

Gogar nailed it.

My Fender jazz bass does the same thing but only when I turn one pickup down, with both pickups turned all the way up I don't get any buzz.

You may want to check the ground on your amp. :eek:

Some amps have a ground lift or reverse switch.

Ok that makes sense. It seems to be worse at the bridge pickup than the neck and does significantly go away when using both coils. I will look into that shielding thing if I ever get the pickguard off...of course that would require that I stop playing the thing.

Don't go near that $20 halogen lamp you got at Home Depot....that'll make it sound worse.