clicking noise?

jamersonburton · #1 02-01-2012, 10:28 AM

hi, im experiencing something strange with my pbass...

everytime i tap touch the pickguard (or tap it by mistake during slap/pop), theres a strange clicking noise. Also, if my fingers touch the pole pieces of the pups when my other hand does not touch the strings, theres a loud, annoying hum. Both of these have not occured before and i was wondering if this is either:
A) a grounding issue
or
B) something like a pinched wire in the bass...

What could it be and how do i fix it (i have very limited supplies, Allen key and soldering iron... but no solder

)
Thanks

Stilettoprefer · #2 02-01-2012, 10:35 AM

The pick guard thing is probably neither of those. The click is caused by static built up on the pick guard, when you touch it, the static is put to ground and a 'click' is heard. Rub a dryer sheet on it and you should be fine for a while. Telecaster (guitar) players run into this a lot.

Touching the pickup magnet will always cause a loud hum. Just something that happens.

EDIT: The pickup thing can be solved by covering the magnets with a strip of electrical tape. I do this to any P bass that I play.

jamersonburton · #3 02-01-2012, 12:22 PM

i just tried that, didn't do too much. but thanks for the suggestion

DiabolusInMusic · #4 02-01-2012, 09:07 PM

You need to shield the pickups.... electrical tape on the poles will do nothing.

Do some searching, it is a very easy fix. I do it to all of my basses. No solder necessary but you can do a better job with it.

Not sure on the pickguard, sorry.

Stilettoprefer · #5 02-01-2012, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

You need to shield the pickups.... electrical tape on the poles will do nothing.

Do some searching, it is a very easy fix. I do it to all of my basses. No solder necessary but you can do a better job with it.

Not sure on the pickguard, sorry.

Sheilding won't help the increase in hum that happens when you place a finger on the magnet. I can go up to any guitar or bass in my house that doesn't have a cover over the magnets and they will produce a hum through the amp when I touch the pole pieces. That's why I suggested electrical tape, it won't cure this occurrence, but it will make the hum much less noticeable. Unless the OP gets a cover for the pickup, this will always happen.

Sheilding does help with background buzzing that happens when you arent touching the strings.

As for the pickguard, what some people end up having to do is put a piece of foil under the whole pickguard, then attach it to ground. Guitarists run into this problem a lot.

96tbird · #6 02-02-2012, 01:13 AM

If you don't want to use tape on the poles, take the covers off and paint the poles with clear nail polish, or the color of your choice.

As for the pickguard, you can run some shielding tape under it and connect to ground to bleed off static. Just run a strip over to a screw hole so it makes good contact when tightened down.