408 Standard is noisy

[sigmond]

I picked up a 408 Standard on Ebay recently. I love the feel, sound, etc ... However, I was very put off by the noise (RFI from the pups). I opened the control cover to find that the cavity wasn't shielded. What a disappointment. I assume the pup cavities are the same.

I typically do my own builds. When I made this purchase, I was looking forward to NOT tweaking anything (Fret level, setup, etc ...). I wanted to get back to focusing on my playing. So much for that I guess I have to purchase some more copper tape & rip apart the electronics. Really disappointing.

Why would a $2,700 guitar (I got mine for $1,500) not have shielded cavities? ... especially when coil-tapping is a prominent feature on this model?

 

[tolm]

Never checked inside the cavities on my old 408 but can't say I had a major issue with noise. I understand from Google images that my Paul's Guitar should be shielded but I haven't checked.

Worst RF hum problems I ever had were caused by lights in the ceiling below my amp.

 

[AP515]

Worst RF hum problems I ever had were caused by lights in the ceiling below my amp.

+1

You may have already eliminated most of this as you seem to know your way around magnetic pickups, but I haven't seen the need for shielding if the room is cleared of sources. I've got PRS guitars with and without shielding and there doesn't seem to be a difference if I'm sitting in front of my computer. Everything has the hum. If I'm away from sources everything's quiet.

 

[sigmond]

+1

You may have already eliminated most of this as you seem to know your way around magnetic pickups, but I haven't seen the need for shielding if the room is cleared of sources. I've got PRS guitars with and without shielding and there doesn't seem to be a difference if I'm sitting in front of my computer. Everything has the hum. If I'm away from sources everything's quiet.

True ... But when compared to any of my other guitars plugged into the same rig & room. The 408 is really noisy. I guess I will see if there is improvement, after I finish the shielding.

 

[jrw32]

I don't think it's just your guitar. I have a 408 Standard and it is pretty noisy as well, especially when your hands aren't touching the strings. I have owned 4 newer/post 2012 PRSi (Studio, Cu22, SAStudio, & now this 408), & they have all been quite buzzy like this, compared to older PRS models I've had that were much quieter. I haven't checked the control cavity for shielding, but it's 1 of the few things I really dislike about the newer models. Curious to hear of others experiences...

 

[Egads]

No issues on any of mine, unless I'm in a really bad room. Otherwise, all is peace and quiet.

 

[László]

My 408 isn't noisy at all. Neither was my Sig Ltd.

Neither are shielded.

 

[Itzed]

I think frequently it's not just any one thing that makes a guitar noisy. I've had quiet guitars, and noisy guitars, both single coil and humbucker, and I've shielded cavities of the noisy ones and it has made almost no difference at all. I think a lot of times it's a combination of the specific pickups, pots, capacitors, and the 60 cycle Hum Gods.

 

[Deleted member 2284]

Are they really not shielded? Not by shielding paint either? That sounds a bit strange to me.

NO problems with my Brent Mason, apart from when in single coil mode. No bad hum there either.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

I have noticed like a few others that my 408-equipped PRSes are indeed a bit noisier than my other humbucker-equipped guitars. Not as noisy as a single-coil or P90s, but definitely more susceptible to 60 cycle hum than others, and definitely more noticeable with at least one single-coil engaged. Consistent with different amps & cables. Not enough to bother me though.

 

[CoreyT]

My 408 is a little noisy too, lots of hum on single coil.
This is with cables or wireless, and tube or solid state amps.

My Gibson SG however is very quiet.
I suspect it is shielded.
My SEs are also quieter than my 408.

 

[sigmond]

Are they really not shielded? Not by shielding paint either? That sounds a bit strange to me.

NO problems with my Brent Mason, apart from when in single coil mode. No bad hum there either.

Yes ... I couldn't believe it, when I opened the control plate. No shielding paint either. I am a sonic fanatic. My tolerance for noise is quite low. I will post before and after pics, when I am done.

 

[Vintagefr3ak]

Hi guys,

The 408 without shielding paint you all are talking about is the 2013 model ? Hope it's not the 2014... ?
Just ordered mine 1 month ago and all your messages make me a bit worried now... ^^*

 

[László]

Hi guys,

The 408 without shielding paint you all are talking about is the 2013 model ? Hope it's not the 2014... ?
Just ordered mine 1 month ago and all your messages make me a bit worried now... ^^*

I don't think PRS guitars use shielding paint, or ever have.

I wouldn't worry about it.