What Causes 60 Cycle Hum & How To Get Rid Of It Fast: A Guide For Guitarists

Key Takeaways

• 60 cycle hum is caused by AC power from wall outlets operating at a 60Hz frequency, creating electromagnetic interference in your signal chain.
• Single coil pickups are especially vulnerable to this interference, making guitars like Stratocasters and Telecasters more prone to hum.
• Proper shielding, high-quality cables, and smart positioning can significantly reduce unwanted noise.
• Never remove the ground pin from power cables as a solution—this is a serious safety hazard.

The Silent Killer: What 60 Cycle Hum Really Is

That annoying buzz coming from your amp isn't random—it's 60 cycle hum, and it has a very specific cause. For many guitarists, it's a recurring problem that can derail tone, performance, and recording quality.

In North America, wall power alternates at 60Hz, producing an electromagnetic field. This field can be picked up by your guitar's electronics—especially if power and audio cables run too close together without adequate shielding. The result? A distinctive hum that often worsens with volume or gain.

It's a common frustration for musicians, particularly when playing through single coil pickups or in environments packed with interference sources. Lighting rigs, neon signs, and even nearby appliances can all generate electromagnetic noise. Knowing how and why hum occurs is the first step to silencing it, and Sam Ash has been helping musicians tackle this problem for decades with specialized equipment and expert advice.

Common Culprits: Identifying Your Hum's Source

1. Single Coil Pickups

Guitars with single coil pickups—like most Stratocasters and Telecasters—are notorious for 60 cycle hums. These pickups, valued for their clarity and brightness, also act like tiny antennas, making them susceptible to electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI).

Pickup placement and surroundings affect the severity. Players often report increased hum near lighting systems or digital equipment, especially when using the neck pickup.

2. Ground Loop Issues

Ground loops occur when multiple components in your setup connect to ground through different paths. This creates a loop where unwanted current can flow, generating hum.

This is common when using multiple amps, pedalboards, or plugging gear into separate power outlets. The issue often disappears once a duplicate ground path is removed—confirming the culprit.

3. Faulty or Low-Quality Cables

Cables are often the weak link. Inferior shielding—especially foil-based designs—can allow electromagnetic interference to creep in. Even well-made cables degrade over time, with internal breaks or compromised shielding that's not always visible.

4. Environmental Interference

Sources of EMI/RFI are everywhere. Common offenders include:

• Fluorescent and LED lights
• Neon signs (especially in venues)
• Dimmer switches
• TVs and monitors
• Power transformers
• Refrigerators and other appliances with motors

Sometimes, simply changing your physical position or facing a different direction can noticeably reduce hum.

5. Amplifier Issues

Amps themselves—especially tube models—can produce hum if they contain microphonic tubes, failing filter capacitors, or degraded solder joints. These internal issues often require professional servicing, but basic maintenance like checking for loose tubes can help.

Quick-Fix Solutions for Immediate Hum Reduction

1. Use Hum-Canceling Pickup Positions

Strats and Teles often feature naturally hum-reducing pickup combinations. Positions 2 and 4 on a Strat, or position 2 on a Tele, combine coils to create a humbucker-like cancellation effect. Switching to these during quiet passages can minimize interference on the fly.

2. Reposition Your Rig

Physically shifting your position in a room can reduce exposure to interference sources. Guitarists often find "dead spots" where hum disappears or lessens—especially helpful in rehearsal spaces or unpredictable venues.

3. Isolate to Identify

Systematic troubleshooting is your best friend when fighting 60 cycle hum. Follow this process to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from:

1. Start with just your guitar plugged directly into your amp
2. Add one component at a time (pedals, effects, etc.)
3. Listen for changes in hum as each is introduced
4. Try different outlets and swap cables to test for bad links

This process helps zero in on the real problem instead of guessing.

Guitar-Based Solutions: Permanent Fixes

1. Install Copper Shielding

Shielding the guitar cavity with copper tape or conductive paint creates a Faraday cage that blocks external interference. Shielding kits are widely available from suppliers like Sam Ash Music and are a cost-effective DIY upgrade for any player.

2. Implement Star Grounding

Star grounding routes all ground wires to a single point, preventing ground loops within the instrument. This simple rewiring strategy often results in immediate noise reduction, especially in older guitars.

3. Switch to Noiseless Pickups

Modern noiseless single coils replicate vintage tone while cancelling hum. Options like Fender Noiseless, DiMarzio Area, Seymour Duncan Stacks, and Suhr V60LP offer classic sounds with added quiet.

While purists might argue these don't sound exactly like traditional single coils, technology has improved dramatically. Today's noiseless pickups come remarkably close to vintage tone without the noise penalty.

Equipment Solutions: Gear That Fights Hum

1. Noise Reduction Pedals

Devices like the ISP Decimator or Electro-Harmonix Hum Debugger target hum and gating. While useful—especially for high-gain players—they may affect dynamics and aren't always ideal for clean tones.

2. Ground Loop Eliminators

Products like the Ebtech Hum X isolate ground paths safely without removing the ground pin. They're essential for musicians who gig in venues with unpredictable wiring.

3. Isolated Power Supplies

Daisy-chained pedal power can introduce noise. Upgrading to a fully isolated supply (like the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power series or Strymon Zuma) gives each pedal clean, interference-free power.

4. Power Conditioners

Power conditioners filter dirty AC and protect gear from surges. Look for units that offer isolated outlets and noise filtering for both digital and analog gear—especially helpful for touring musicians.

5. High-Quality Shielded Cables

As mentioned earlier, quality cables make a tremendous difference. Choose cables with:

• Braided shielding
• Gold-plated connectors
• Oxygen-free copper conductors
• Reinforced strain relief

These features help maintain tone and reduce signal interference, especially over longer runs.

The Dangerous Don'ts: What Never To Try

1. Removing Ground Pins

Never remove the ground pin from a power cable or use "cheater plugs" to eliminate hum. Doing so disables a key safety feature and introduces the risk of electric shock or even fatal injury.

2. DIY Amp Modifications

Tube amps contain components that can hold dangerous voltages even when unplugged. If your amp is humming and the source isn't external, seek professional repair.

3. Unsafe Grounding Hacks

Avoid unsafe practices like:

• Connecting grounds to pipes or radiators
• Using homemade adapters
• Bypassing safety features on equipment
• Creating makeshift ground lifts

Shortcuts may reduce hum temporarily but create major safety risks.

Enjoy the Silence: Playing Hum-Free For Life

Eliminating 60 cycle hum isn't always one-and-done. Your gear evolves, your environments change—but the fundamentals remain the same:

1. Isolate the source of the noise
2. Apply the safest, simplest solution first
3. Upgrade key components where necessary
4. Never compromise on electrical safety for noise reduction

Some level of hum is natural with certain setups, particularly vintage gear. The goal isn't perfection, but clarity—reducing interference so your tone cuts through clean and confidently.

For players looking to invest in long-term solutions, experts at Sam Ash offer gear, guidance, and insights to help you play hum-free—onstage, in the studio, or at home.