Crackle noise following notes on E & B strings

[Brendan]

I purchased a Hallmark Custom 60 a few months ago and I'm noticing that there's a subtle crackle that follows notes on the E and B strings most of the time. It continues when I change cables and amps. I did find that the bridge pickup is microphonic. I've owned guitars with microphonic pickups before, but never had an issue with crackling. Before I pot or replace that pickup, I wanted to see if that's the likely culprit.

[The Dude]

Does it do this on either pickup? Is maybe the low side of a pickup too high and strings hitting? I might try lowering the offending pickup first.

[big_teee]

Like the Dude said!
Try playing it unplugged, and see if you detect any noise on those strings?
If you do it will probably be amplified plugged in!
GL,
T

[Richard]

I had a similar problem, I would describe my noise as static, similar to the small click you get when switching pickups. Cleaning the switch cured it for me (it did take a thorough cleaning, not just a shot of deoxit. You could try jumpering around suspect components (switch, vol. and tone, etc.) and see if that makes a difference. I suspect a poor/intermittent connection, I suppose an intermittent short in pickup windings could cause it but this strikes me as a completely different issue than a microphonic pickup. Have you checked resistances with a VOM? What kind of guitar is it? Are the electronics accessible? I have an S-Style that I have to remove the neck to take the pickguard off, that makes troubleshooting a lot harder.

[Brendan]

I'm rather embarrassed that I didn't think of isolating the noise to one pickup, so I gave it a go when I got home tonight. It happens on both pickups and it definitely sounds like static. It trails the note by just a hair. It can be intermittent too. I can strum those two strings with a pick for a few minutes before the noise will appear again. I played it unplugged and no problems heard there. The bridge has locking saddles and I'm getting no rattles from it. I lowered the pickups on the treble side and no change. The guitar is a Hallmark Classic 60 - essentially a set-neck Mosrite. One thing I just discovered is it's only happening when I pick with a hard surface such as a pick or a fingernail. If I strum those two strings with the pads of my fingers, there is no crackle noise. I can slide my fingers up and down those strings and get no crackle. It doesn't seem to be too dependent on volume. I can turn the volume down to the point where the output at the amp is fairly quiet, and the static-like sound seems just as loud as when the volume is higher. I don't hear it at all when the guitar's volume knob is all the way down. It's not the sound of the pick, because at super-low volumes I can hear that on every string. The crackle is additional.

I've chased wiring bugs before, but this one is a first. I might start with reflowing the solder connections under the pickguard. I do have spare components to swap out if necessary. Thanks for the input, I'll report back if I find anything.

[rjb]

It happens on both pickups and it definitely sounds like static.

Maybe it is static.
Try rubbing your pickguard with a dryer anti-static sheet.
See here: http://music-electronics-forum.com/t26583/

[Steve A.]

Maybe it is static.
Try rubbing your pickguard with a dryer anti-static sheet.
See here: http://music-electronics-forum.com/t26583/

My guess, too. If the sheet of Bounce helps you might try gluing aluminum foil to the back of the pickguard. Just putting a sheet of Bounce under the pickguard might help, too.

Good luck!

Steve Ahola

[Richard]

I have heard of some Gibsons having trouble with static buildup. I think it had something to do with the paint acting as an insulator but I have no idea why some guitars have this problem. If I read correctly you turned down the volume of the guitar and the crackle was not diminished. I would try bypassing as much of the electronics as possible and see what that does.

[Steve A.]

Here is what the Hallmark Custom 60 looks like. The pickguard could be covered with masking tape to see if it is the source of the crackling.



Steve Ahola

[Brendan]

Maybe it is static.
Try rubbing your pickguard with a dryer anti-static sheet.
See here: http://music-electronics-forum.com/t26583/

That was it! I bought a box of unscented dryer sheets and wiped one on the pickguard. I just got through noodling on those strings for half an hour without incident. I remember reading about this years ago with Telecasters and I've never had this happen on any of the many guitars I've owned. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

[The Dude]

My only disappointment is that they don't make a "new guitar smell" dryer sheet.

[rjb]

My only disappointment is that they don't make a "new guitar smell" dryer sheet.

How about stale beer scented dryer sheets for "vintage guitar smell"?