Noise

What makes the feedback sound out of the amp? Is it the guitar or the amp? Could it be the strings or what?

It could be any number of things.

There could be a short in the wiring of the guitar somewhere, it could be a bad cable or bad wiring in the amp. The pickups on your guitar could be picking up interference from some sort of electric equipment nearby, like TVs or computers. The speaker could be shot.

If the buzzing from the amp stops when you put your hand on the strings or any other metal part, then there's probably an electrical problem with the guitar.

Just try to isolate the problem.

Feedback is what happens when the amplifier speaker(s) make enough sound that the vibration in the air reinforces the vibration of the strings. The stronger string vibration sends an increaased signal level to the amp, which comes out as louder sound from the speakers, which reinforces the string vibration, which sends a stronger signal to the amp...... :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Some frequencies will be reinforced more strongly than others. and some parts of the system have resonnances that will build up faster than others. This is why the note that feeds-back may not be the one you 're playing. Unless you control it, this can build up to where the amp and/or the speakers burn out.

If this isn't what you're describing, it isn't feedback.

If you're talking about something else, please describe it carefully, so we can narrow down the possible causes.

So it isn't feedback that's the problem. It's a continuous static sound that comes from the amp and stops when you put your fingers to the strings, right?

This definitely indicates a short in the wiring somewhere. Like I said up top, try to isolate the problem. Plug in a different guitar and see if the amp still makes the noise. Try a different cable.

A few more things you could do - unscrew both ends of the cable you are using to connect to the amp. If the soldering or the wiring looks loose, then this could be the problem. It would probably be easier just to get another cable than to repair it. They're cheap enough.

Also, check the plug where the cable plugs into the body of the guitar. There's a little nut around the plug that sometimes will come loose. Make sure it's screwed down tight.

If none of that works, and you've determined the problem to be in the guitar, take it to a music shop or someone who knows about wiring to get it fixed up.

Your mention of the word 'static' to describe the noise sounded familiar. Check out this thread:

http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=1479

You may be at risk of a [u]shocking[/u] situation.