How can I fix my Fender Stratocaster?

I am assuming that strumming without plugging it in still makes a sound (if the buzzing is happening prior to plugging it in, it means that the strings are rubbing on something). This means there is a fault somewhere in the electrics or the pickups haven't been turned up or on! There are a few things that could be causing this problem and assuming you have tried to make a standard Strat copy, the problem could lie anywhere from the pick-ups through to the output jack. Double check all your connections to make sure that everything is soldered correclty. Also, if you can, take a couple of spare lengths of wire and losely attach it to the wiring on the pick-up, directly to the output jack. Once you have done this, hold a magnet or a piece of metal and move it back and forwards towards the pick-up. You should be getting a noise through this. If you are, keeping the wires connected to the output jack, move along to the next stage (which should be the selector switch. Keep doing this until you find the buzzing. When you find the buzzing simply swap over the two wires connected to the part that has failed and see if that works.

Clivicus
February 2010