Yesterday my new guitar came (ESP Viper 2005, loaded with EMG 81/85 humbuckers), it's great, but there's hissing whenever it isn't being played (and I think while it is, too). Is this just due to me having a really really shitty cable? And if it is, any suggestions on a cheap one? My old GRX40 doesn't give me any hissing when I keep the selector switch on 2 and 5, but the other modes give me hiss too. But it isn't my amp, I have a Roland Cube 30, nice amp.

Oh, ps: Sometimes when I turn around and move the cable around the hissing/buzzing/whatever you want to call it, it gets less or more loud, and sometimes I get crackles when I'm moving around, so I'm pretty sure it's the cable, but can anybody confirm this?

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Although it might not be the problem, what kind of pickups are on the guitar? Humbucker or single-coil? Single-coils don't always cause hissing with the right amp, but still it may be part of the problem. And if you've got cheap cables, that can definitely cause some of the crackling when moving around. I'd recommend Quantum cables -- I've been using them ever since I was weened off of the really really cheap beginners crap cords. They sound great and are durable -- I haven't had to switch in...jeez, I don't know if I've ever switched. Anyway, they're decently priced. Just check out different ones at your guitar shop and be sure that they're not too thin or cheap. That might take care of the hissing too.

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Yeah I'd start with the cheap leads, get some decent ones. Whirlwind have always served me well. Cheap leads have poor components and insulation and pick up all kinds of interference and/or break. Other electrical equipment nearby such as TV's, lights, computers can cause interference and buzzing. I used to be able to pick up radio stations if I left my wah switched on!!

Another tip when buying guitar leads.......don't get a black one, everybody has black leads, if yours is blue or red you can spot yours straight away when it becames a tangled bird's nest with others at gigs or band practices and makes it easier to extract from the morass!

I think also if you use the search function there's similar threads on this subject that might help.

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It has an EMG 81 and an EMG 85 (humbuckers). It's an ESP Viper series guitar, the 2005th anniversary model.

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It is due to your pickups being hotter then probably the ones you are use to. It happened to me when I put in a Seymour Duncan JB, it is way hotter then the standard jackson and there is a lot of hiss. If cables don't fix it, then maybe a noise gate (although I doubt it). If neither of those work, then fuck it. Who cares if it hisses when not playing? As long as it doesn't hiss while you are playing then don't worry about it.

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i would suggest buying a noise gate, i got one on my digitech multi-fx pedal and i love it

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if you do buy a noise gate get an ISP Decimator

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The crackle sounds like it would be the cable, either that or the input jack on your guitar, but i really doubt that since its so new. I've seen cables here for $30 ($20 US) and it comes with a lifetime gaurantee. I think the brand is planet wave or something.

Also with the hum getting louder and quieter while playing... Could also be interferrance? My guitar and amp is setup at the computer, so on certain angles i get a LOT of buzz and shit. Though now i have a pedal (A cheap crap Zoom effects) I get NO noise, it must have a noise reducer in it.

Probably all you need.

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