Crackling sound when played hard?

[StarryNight]

Guys, I'm looking for some advice as I've never come across this kind of problem before. I've got a late 50s Guild that has a bridge pickup that, when the low E string is strummed hard, the pickup crackles loudly. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does it's very obvious. Anyone heard of this problem before. I have started taking things apart yet so I thought I would tap into the hive mind first.
Cheers!

[Joe Gwinn]

Sounds like static electricity on dry days. Is everything grounded?

[Jazz P Bass]

Late '50's?

The pickup potting may have to be redone.

[bbsailor]

Try this simple thing. Attach an alligator clip wire on the bridge and attach the other end directly to the ground on the output jack or plug to see if the noise goes down. If so, it means a bad ground wire connection from the bridge... an easy fix!!!

Joseph J. Rogowski

[David King]

Static can build up on the pick guard, try antistatic spray or a rubdown with laundry dryer sheet to see if that helps.

[Richard]

I had a similar problem that turned out to be the vibrations affecting the switch. That's probably the easiest possibility. See if holding the switch whenyou strum hard has any effect.