Pickguard static "snap, crackle & pop"

davidr8 · 03-30-2010, 03:04 AM

I have a VM Thinline plugged into my new Super Champ XD. I notice that I slide my fingers across the pickguard, I hear quiet "snap, crackle & pop"

Also notice the if I take my hands off the strings I hear more buzz... do I have a ground issue?

Many thanks,
David

grumpy old git · 03-30-2010, 03:35 AM

It might be that the pickguard crackle is due to static if it's acrylic, and the buzzing with the strings probably is a grounding issue, but if it's not horrendous I wouldn't think you have the jack wires wrong

I think I'd check for shielding on the back of the pickguard, if there's none there, and just check the jack connections for a start.

Someone who knows a bit more might be by in a while

YeahDoIt · 03-30-2010, 08:44 AM

I get buzz when I touch the strings. It may have something to do with my laptop computer. When I get further away from the computer the buzz decreases.

Your experience is the opposite? You say when you touch the strings the buzz partially disappears?

dugrock · 03-30-2010, 09:19 AM

My guess is shielding of the pickguard. I have two Strats, one I've shielded the cavity and guard and I don't have the static snap, crackle & pop and the other I do. I think I read somewhere that if you take a clothes dryer softener sheet and rub it on the pickguard that will be a temp. fix. Your other issue may be several things... I'll mention a couple I've had, this isn't a complete list by any means... maybe you are too close to your amp, gain may be too high considering how close to the amp you are. Always remember that if it don't "hum sum" it ain't a Strat... single coil of course. Good Luck!!!

***JUST PLAY***

Telepicker · 03-30-2010, 09:58 AM

I had that static buildup with my VM Thinline too, but only in the winter when the humidity was lower.

I found some aluminum foil tape at a surplus store and used it on the underside of the pickguard. There is a little around the pots already as supplied by Squier. I just made sure there was conductivity between that and the new stuff I put on. That virtually eliminated that static buildup noise on the pickguard.

The noise that comes and goes when you ground the metal of the guitar with your hand: I hadn't noticed much of that with my VM when plugged in my Roland Cube amp. I think its input terminates magnetic pickups well. I plugged it into a PA once and holy moly it was noisy. The PA had high impedance inputs that left the guitar like an antenna. Check the contacts at the amplifier input, or anything in the path like the cable that would tend to leave the guitar open ended.

mijstrat72 · 03-30-2010, 11:05 PM

A good way to eliminate that static for good is to buy some copper shielding tape, adhesive backed. Then apply it to the back of the pickguard and around the control cavity of the guitar. Make sure to leave some copper overhanging out of the cavity so when you put the pickguard back on, the shielding on the p/g can contact the shielding in the cavity.

Then solder a ground wire coming from your vol. pot and either solder it to the copper shielding in the cavity or use one of those star washer thingys and a screw thru the shielding into the body.

I actually came up with the dryer sheet idea a few years ago, then thought I improved upon it by actually inserting the dryer sheet in between the body and pickguard to act like shielding. Not only did it temporarily cut down on the static, but also made my guitar smell springtime fresh!!

G-man54 · 03-30-2010, 11:59 PM

Ditto on the shielding... although I did the shielding paint as opposed to the tape... also added the ground wire as mentioned in the preceding. I did three coats with a day between each application. It was on a late 90's Mexi Strat and it made for a very quiet guitar. Google up 'shielding your strat (or tele)' and a couple different methods should come up. From the standpoint of 'leaving it stock (reversible), the tape is probably the way to go. Now that the CV's are shielded (however sparingly), I'll probably never use the rest of that can of shielding paint.

Woodeye · 03-31-2010, 12:00 PM

Your issue with the added buzz when you take your hands off the strings may well be a poor ground either in the specific socket or the overall house wiring. My house has poor ground but some outlets seem a bit better than others - it is a pain. When I play at some friends place the buzz issue goes away.

Do a little experimenting but this part of your question sounds very similar to what I have experienced.