🔍 The Problem
If you're new to electric guitar, you might have noticed something strange:
When you turn your tone knob up (for brighter sounds), your guitar starts making a noticeable buzz or hum.
But when you roll the tone knob down, the noise disappears completely.
Is this a defect? A broken guitar? Or something else entirely?
⚡ Common Causes of High Tone Noise
Single-Coil Pickups Are Sensitive to Interference
Most beginner guitars come with single-coil pickups, which naturally pick up electromagnetic noise from nearby electronics, lighting, or even your computer.
Tone Knob Allows More High Frequencies (Including Noise)
When your tone knob is turned up, it allows more treble to pass through — including unwanted high-frequency hiss and hum.
Poor Shielding or Grounding Issues
Many entry-level guitars lack proper cavity shielding, making them more prone to electrical noise. Likewise, a poorly grounded amp or outlet can add extra buzz to your signal.
✅ How to Fix or Minimize the Noise
Roll back the tone knob to tame high frequencies — this is common in jazz or blues tones anyway.
Add shielding to the control cavity using copper foil or shielding paint.
Use high-quality cables and make sure your amp is plugged into a grounded outlet.
Try a noise gate pedal to clean up your signal.
Keep your guitar away from sources of interference like routers, monitors, power strips, or fluorescent lights.
💬 Final Thoughts
If your electric guitar only buzzes when the tone is up — don’t panic. It’s not broken, it’s just part of how passive circuits and single-coil pickups behave. Learning how to control your tone and minimize noise is a natural part of the journey.
