text: trouble shooting why an electric guitar shorts out?   what do you mean by shorts out?  do you mean that there is an actual electrical short, or that the sound cuts out every now and then?  if the first, and there is a wiring problem, then it is because wire have come loose and are touching other exposed wires.  you can take off the cover (depending on the make and model of guitar, you may have to go in through the pick ups) and find the loose wire(s)  and solder them.    or, simply take the guitar to a guitar shop and have them look at it.  it could be anywhere. in the guitar if this happens, but if it does, the guitar will most likely not work after the first time it does.  if it is the second, and the guitar cuts out every now and then while playing, it can be a few things.  one-the output jack that you plug the cable into is loose, and can be fixed with solder.  two- the cable itself is shot, and should be replaced. you can troubleshoot this by pluging the guitar into the amp with another cord.  three-if you are using a pedal, try bypassing the pedal, just connect the guitar right into the amp.  and see if that changes anything, it may be a loose wire in the pedal.  or, maybe the 9volt in the guitar is old, and can be replaced.