Telecaster Hum/Noise

Strange Guitarworks in NOLA has a stellar reputation. I'd start there.

A stock Telecaster's single coil pickups have inherent 60-cycle hum that presents itself as a subtle buzz when the guitar volume is wide open and you're not playing.

Make sure you're not confusing a true electrical or mechanical issue with 60-cycle hum. Turn in a circle with the guitar in a playing position and see if the hum goes away or drastically decreases. If so, you're hearing 60-cycle hum.

Here are the most common source of noise with telecasters, and to a degree electric guitars in general.

* Noisy amps and noisy effects. High gain amp channels, analog effects, particularly pedals that generate distortion, overdrive and/or fuzz. Compressor and wah pedals are noisy too. Voltage/polarity mismatches between pedals and power bricks and/or non-OEM wall warts will also create noise if they don't destroy your effects first.

* There is no ground connecting the bridge with the guitar's electronic circuit, or the ground has lost contact or developed poor contact over time.

* Cell phone or another electronic device in pocket or close proximity

* Sitting to close to CPU when recording or practicing with a computer.

* Florescent lighting, dimmer switches on the wall.

* Neon lights/signs.

* Noisy devices in general in or in very close proximity to your circuit. Don't rule out what may be in the apartment or duplex next door to you.

* Antiquated wiring in the wall.

Shielding a guitar with Faraday cage foils or conductive paints may help any and all of the above but it will not eliminate noise entirely. If you want whisper quiet, be ready to change electronics, amps, pedals, computers, even in some cases where you live.

Humbuckers

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Humbuckers

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Eww.

Make sure your string ground wire is good.